Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the Archbishop of Luxembourg, confirmed today that the traditional All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day grave blessings will not go ahead this year due to rising coronavirus cases.
The Archbishop assured that the graves would be blessed, albeit in the absence of the public. He also invited the public to remember the dead and to visit the graves individually, if sanitary and legal conditions allow it.
On 1 and 2 November 2020, church bells will ring at 12:05 to honour the memory of the deceased. Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich will also preside over a mass for the deceased at Notre-Dame Cathedral on All Souls' Day. A video message from the Archbishop and prayers for the occasion will be made available on www.cathol.lu.
The decision to cancel this year's traditional public ceremonies was made by mutual agreement in the Provincial Council and applies to all of Luxembourg.
The diocese justified the decision by stressing that public health of the people must be prioritised at any public gatherings and that this can no longer be guaranteed in light of rising coronavirus infections.
