Coronavirus hits Italy’s St.
Anthony's Shrine
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| Thw Basilica of St Anthony in Padua, Italy (ANSA) |
Two members of the shrine’s Conventual Franciscan community
are in quarantine and the friars’ interaction with pilgrims has been reduced to
a minimum. However, the shrine remains open but without any public celebration.
By Robin Gomes
Two Conventual Franciscan friars of the Basilica of St.
Anthony of Padua in Italy tested positive on Tuesday and immediately went into
a self-imposed quarantine to prevent infecting the rest of the community, said
a press release on Friday on the shrine’s online edition of the “Messenger of
Saint Anthony” magazine.
The community said the two members are living this difficult
moment with serenity and are sharing in the sufferings of the sick and their
families. They pledge to pray especially for those who are dealing with the contagion,
both directly and indirectly, such as healthcare workers, political
institutions, law enforcement agencies, volunteers and all who are helping the
suffering people.
The situation of the two friars is in constant evolution and
the consequences of the infection cannot be assessed in their entirety at this
time, said Fr. Oliviero Svanera, Rector of the Basilica.
In touch with pilgrims digitally
“We think it is important to continue making our presence
felt, even though only through the digital media, to the many people who see in
Saint Anthony a friend, whose voice we friars are in a certain sense,” Father
Svanera said.
Earlier on March 12, the Conventual Franciscan friars
decided to reduce contact with people in the Basilica to the minimum to curb
the spread of the virus.
The friars have not been visible in the sanctuary for more
than a week, except after closing time, so as not to interact even with the
employees of the Basilica.
In line with instructions from the Diocese of Padua and the
Italian government, confessions and public celebration of the Mass have been
suspended. However, Masses are streamed live at 6 pm (Italian time) on
the shrine
website.
St. Anthony of Padua shrine continues to remain open to the
faithful for private prayer to give a message of courage and hope, the
community said.
Europe's shrines
Across Europe, several shrines have been closed or access
restricted in line with government directives.
The Marian shrine of Lourdes, in France, closed to the
public on March 17.
At the Marian shrine of Fatima in Portugal, Masses and
rosary services are being live-streamed since March 14 without the
participation of the faithful. All but two basement chapels of the Holy Trinity
Basilica and the Chapel of the Apparition have been closed to pilgrims.
In Santiago de Compostela, Spain, pilgrims were barred from
embracing the statue of St James in the cathedral, which finally closed its
doors on March 13 until further notice.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan, in central
China, in December, the pandemic has infected more than 288,000 and killed
nearly11,949 people in some 186 countries and territories.
Italy struggling with coronavirus
With a total of 47,021 cases and 4,032 deaths, Italy is the
hardest hit outside China.
Currently, the country has 37,860 active cases, including
4,670 new cases added on Friday.
Italy’s northern regions are the worst affected, with
Lombardy heading the list with 22,264 total infections, followed by
Emilia-Romagna (5,968) and Veneto (4,031), which includes Padua.
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus in Wuhan, in central
China, in December, the pandemic has infected more than 288,000 and killed
nearly11,949 people in some 186 countries and territories around the globe.
With a total of 47,021 cases and 4,032 deaths, Italy is the
hardest hit outside China. Currently, the country has 37,860 active
cases, including 4,670 new cases added on Friday.
Italy’s northern regions are the worst affected, with
Lombardy heading the list with a total of 22,264 infections, followed by
Emilia-Romagna (5,968) and Veneto (4,031), which includes Padua.
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