FAITH IN THE TIME OF COVID

Faith in the Time of COVID

by Beverly Dalton
 

March 15, 2020 was the day that marked the beginning of an extraordinary year indoors. With the spread of the coronavirus and with community lockdowns in place, life took a complete digital turn for most of us. As gatherings, interactions, and work transferred online, the center has suddenly shifted to where we live. Life indoors was a seeming contradiction from our mission of being sent out into the world when, suddenly, we were all sent back in.

“The pandemic affected Regnum Christi Philippines in the same way the pandemic affected any community,” recalled Buding Aquino-Dee, Head of Communications, RC Philippines. Living in a culture of rituals anchored in togetherness, for Buding, the loss of physical contact was truly felt within the community. “We are very much into the coming-together [of family and friends] for team life and apostolic works. This was a challenge,” she added.

With the Internet suddenly becoming the meeting place of our social lives, faith and spirituality were not going to be left behind. “God is reclaiming the Internet at this time,” Pamela Alquisada from the RC Women’s Section shared.

The Church at Home

“Sacramental life is key for us. When the churches were closed, many of us felt a great loss. The Legionaries of Christ quickly stepped up to offer online Masses, activating our domestic churches,” Buding said. Regnum Christi Manila Director Father Andre LaSana, LC initially thought that online events were only needed for the period of Holy Week and Easter. “We did a rapid pivot to online events for Masses, rosary, preaching, and Holy Hours but [being online] actually heralded the pandemic’s new normal,” he said.

Adapting to life indoors, make-shift Upper Rooms were created as a semblance of pre-pandemic prayer and worship at the church. Console tables were transformed into altars and living rooms have become the alternative space for communion with God. “To help us keep the solemnity of the Mass, we prepare an altar table with a white cloth at home, complete with a cross and candles,” Kitchie Pingol from the RC Women’s Section shared. “My family and I try our best to attend the live broadcast of masses offered by the Legionaries online,” she added.

A Deeper Sense of  Immunity

With everything moving online quickly, Regnum Christi fulfilled one of the traits of its charism. “We adapted!” Father Andre said. “We saw that being online did not mean a sacrifice of content, quality, or appeal in spite of the obvious fact that we all miss that personal interaction that quarantine has put on hold.”

Staying indoors also gave us more time to take care of our interior life. The online presence of Regnum Christi became a source of recovery and resilience despite the difficult times. “The digital offerings of Regnum Christi played a significant part in helping us get through the most trying months of the pandemic. From the daily masses as well as the talks and recollections, we really felt the support of the community and the presence of the Holy Spirit,” Patrick Santos of the RC Men’s Section shared. “It certainly fills the spiritual void and needs during this extraordinary time,” Angela Cole from the RC Women’s Section expressed. 

Online Evangelization

With new ways to connect and express our faith, Buding felt that the movement gained new skills. She is inspired by the Legionaries, the Consecrated Women, and the members who have found creative ways to  bring the good news to many. With Instagram TV shows like Anything Gude (a light, interactive, and reflective series on art, life and spirituality hosted by Gudelia Guerra), Fr. Simon Says (a series on faith and apologetics hosted by Fr. Simon Cleary, LC), Family Rosaries with Fr. Felipe Villalobos, LC, and podcasts from a roster of talented preachers like Fr. Dennis Lim, LC, these became an indication of a thriving community. “Attendance in our recollections and Holy Hours are at a record high,” Buding recalled.

Coming Into 2021

Looking back at 2020, there is much to reflect on. For Patrick, it seemed counterintuitive that growth would even be achieved at a time where people were not allowed to see each other in a physical way. “Moving online actually helped eliminate obstacles like traffic and distance. As a result of this, four new teams in the men’s group were created. This showed me that God works in ways we cannot fully comprehend—that a seemingly negative event has resulted into something positive,” he mused. Angela also shared that the digital offerings have been instrumental in helping grow and support her faith in a time like this. “Jesus indeed meets us where we are at.”

Fr. Andre predicts that this would be the existing state of affairs at least through June 2021. “We will be operating as we currently do, with most activities online but we also look forward to having some activities available with an in-person option and online participation, too,” he said.

“Online activities are not deterrents to divine and human connection,” Buding shared. So in the meantime, and with regnumchristi.ph, we will see each other in the digital Upper Room. Little by little and slowly but surely, we will be out in the world again.

About the Author

Beverly Dalton works for a Catholic psychology center, helping out with research studies and programs. She is also a shop girl for a flower store in Manila. When she is not busy, she occasionally finds leisure and relaxation in reading, cooking, and soap-making with a side of coffee.