WEARING a purple vestment, Father Albet Arokiasamy entered the frame for mass on Tuesday evening.

Accompanied by an assistant, the priest took his place behind a small table covered with a white cloth while a hymn is heard in the background.

With the crucifix behind him, Albet began the daily thanksgiving for Catholics, adding a prayer for Miri archdiocese priest John Chia who died earlier that day.

In the 35-minute service, scriptures were read and Albet delivered his homily before completing the service with a holy communion.

But unlike a normal mass, there was no congregation lining up for the communion. There were only three people in the room – Albet, his assistant and a lector.

The mass was aired live on the Kuala Lumpur archdiocese’s YouTube channel.

This is how Catholics will be attending mass throughout the movement-control order (MCO), even during the holiest week for Christians – Easter – next week.

After the MCO came into effect on March 18, the Catholic church stopped all gatherings in churches to help stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, which has claimed 53 lives and infected 3,333 others in Malaysia.

“At a time when our churches are closed, these masses via the internet provide Catholics the opportunity to participate, although not physically but with the use of technology,” Father Clarence Devadass of Church of Our Lady of Fatima told The Malaysian Insight.

“In the past, when such a situation occurred, people only were able to stay at home but now with technology, they can view and that helps the spiritual communion and unity.

“That is why these online masses are a great spiritual resource for Catholics in times like these,” said the 53-year-old priest.

Although not ideal, Clarence said the Covid-19 pandemic and MCO were unprecedented events.

“But we look forward to when this difficult period will pass and we will be able to return to our churches to pray and be in the presence of other Catholics.

“Our faith is not just personal but also communal and, therefore, being with others to pray is just as important as personal prayer.”

With Good Friday (April 10) and Easter around the corner, Father Clarence said churches will remain closed although the priests will continue to hold daily masses, without the congregation, during the week.

“Catholics can follow the Holy Week services via live-streaming.”

He said although online services are a new experience for Catholics, everyone is adapting to the new reality.

“There are those who do not feel connected with the mass, having to ‘watch’ on a device. They feel disconnected. But there are those who understand the fragile situation we are in and try to make the best of what we have to offer currently.”

Clarence said he, too, had to adapt to the experience of conducting services online.

“Unlike an actual service, I cannot interact with the congregation. And it can feel awkward speaking into a camera,” he added.

At the Petaling Jaya Evangelical Free Church (PJEFC), Pastor Ruth Ng said her church is preparing to pre-record Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.

“We will use pre-recording for both and encourage people to sign in to watch at a specific time on Good Friday and Easter Sunday,” said Ng.

Unlike the Catholic church, Ng said PJEFC is using Zoom for its Sunday services.

“Due to concerns about learning new technology for those who are more technologically challenged, we encourage people to meet in groups via Zoom to listen to the sermons together.

“That way they can get support to learn and listen to the sermon at the same time.”

Qing Ming online

Another group that has decided to embrace the internet to carry out a religious activity is the Xiao En Group.

Xiao En, which operates funeral services and memorial parks, said it is closed to visitors during the Qing Ming ancestral worship period because of the MCO.

Instead, Xiao En sent out messages that it will hold an online Qing Ming ceremony and service today.

In the Prophet’s footsteps

Perlis fatwa committee member Dr Muhamad Rozaimi Ramle said he, too, is forced to go online to give religious talks following the MCO and the ban on gatherings in mosques and suraus.

“In such a situation, we (Muslims) need to be creative. They (the congregation) taught me how to use the app and even paid the cost of the package for me.

“People who are into religion are willing to pay (to continue hearing the talks). Hopefully, more people will appreciate the free talks.”

Rozaimi also said the pandemic is a test of patience for believers.

“Allah tests believers with misfortunes and if they are patient, it is good for them.”

He said it is clear the prohibition to go to mosques is a small matter when compared to the threat to their lives if mosques became a source for infections.

“For me, it (going to the mosque) is not an issue at all. Besides going to the mosque (to uphold the religion), maintaining the dignity of the religion is also our duty,” he said.

On the possibility of a further ban on going to mosques, like performing tarawih prayers if the MCO extends to Ramadan, Rozaimi said even Prophet Muhammad held prayers in solitude at home.

He said the Prophet only had the tarawih prayers with his companions for two nights and the next night, he prayed alone at home out of concern the congregation would be deemed as mandated.

The prayer is considered obligatory to be held in a mosque.

“However, he returned to pray at the mosque for the remaining 10 nights in pursuit of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power, which is better than 1,000 months of worship).”

Rozaimi said tarawih prayers are held together in large numbers during the time of Caliph Umar al-Khattab to avoid splinter groups performing the prayers at the same time.

“Breaking fast was also done in moderation, with families. There were no big meals with outlandish food like we have now.

“Let us remember Ramadan as practised by the Prophet and his companions,” he said.

But not all religions have decided to move their rituals online.

Hindu temples shut

Malaysian Hindu Sangam president Mohan Shan said temple managements did not stream their daily poojas (prayers) online.

All Hindus have altars in their homes and praying at home and reciting thevaram (hymns) are accepted practices, he said.

“The lockdown is accepted by the community. Most pray at home and have adjusted to the current situation. Most of the monthly prayer events have been cancelled due to the MCO but Hindus can still fast and pray at home,” he said.

The Hindu Sangam chief said Hindus are circulating material on the faith among themselves daily and this has helped many to stay connected and spend time reflecting on God.

Some rituals that require going to the sea, like final rites at the end of the mourning period for the dead, are affected.

“Nobody can travel during this time and most go to the beaches to perform the final rites during dawn. This has become difficult as police only allow travel at certain times,” he said, adding that families are pushing these ceremonies to a later date.

According to a 2010 census, 61% of Malaysians are Muslims, 19.8% are Taoists or Buddhists, 9.2% Christians, and 6.3% Hindus. – April 4, 2020.