As Catholics prepare for Christmas celebrations, The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is continuing to prioritize policies to ensure that in-person participation in Mass safely reduces the risk of spreading the coronavirus. At the same time, the archdiocese, many parishes and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception continue to provide the option of participating in Mass via YouTube and other platforms.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses are typically among the most-attended liturgies at Catholic churches. With more people vaccinated against COVID-19, Mass attendance this Christmas is expected to increase over last year, when vaccines were just beginning to be available.

Parishes in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington are still following guidelines (https://adw.org/coronavirus/) that have been updated regularly throughout the pandemic. They include: 

• In keeping with local regulations, masks are required indoors at churches in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Starting Tuesday, Dec. 21, the District of Columbia reinstated its mask mandate. Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties do not currently require use of masks. However, in October, Father Daniel B. Carson, Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia for The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, notified priests that even in jurisdictions that do not require masking, “pastors have the discretion to ask the faithful to continue masking at their respective parishes if they so choose.” Therefore, pastors in jurisdictions that do not require masks still have the prerogative to require Mass goers in their parish to wear a mask.

All jurisdictions may change their policies as conditions warrant.

• Ordinary and extraordinary ministers of Communion are required to wear masks during distribution of Communion.

• Social distancing is still encouraged indoors. Pastors are permitted to reduce distancing to allow the use of all rows. Pastors may also choose to set aside a section of the church that maintains 6-foot distancing for those who wish to maintain more social distancing.

People who are wary of celebrating Christmas in a full church are encouraged to join one of the many Masses that are available online. Here are some options for locating one:

• The archdiocese’s YouTube page (www.youtube.com/c/WashArchdiocese/featured) and link to the Christmas Eve Vigil Mass (https://adw.org/event/vigil-mass-for-the-solemnity-of-the-nativity-of-the-lord/)

• Directory of parishes (https://adw.org/parishes-masses/parish-mass-finder/) many of which list their own options for online Masses on their websites.

• Masses from the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (www.nationalshrine.org/mass/).

As is always the case when Christmas falls on a Saturday, parishes will offer Sunday Masses as usual on Dec, 26. Check with individual parishes to learn whether schedules may have been adjusted.