Archbishop of Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley said all all daily, Sunday Masses and religious services are suspended in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice amid concerns about COVID-19.The suspension begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday. In announcing the decision, the cardinal issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Boston. “This decision to temporarily suspend the daily and Sunday Mass is motivated by an abundance of caution and concern for those most vulnerable and the need to do our part to help limit and mitigate the spread of the illness,” O’Malley said. The directive to temporarily suspend the celebration of Mass applies to all Archdiocesan parishes, missions and campus ministries until further notice. Baptism, confirmations, weddings and funerals may proceed, but attendance should be limited to only immediate family, the Archdiocese said in a statement.Superintendent of Catholic Schools Thomas W. Carroll said that Archdiocese of Boston parish schools and Archdiocesan elementary and high schools will be closed for two weeks from March 16 to March 27. “On an ongoing basis, the Catholic Schools Office will consider whether this period needs to be extended further,” the Archdiocese said in a statement.

Archbishop of Boston Cardinal Sean P. O’Malley said all all daily, Sunday Masses and religious services are suspended in the Archdiocese of Boston until further notice amid concerns about COVID-19.

The suspension begins at 4 p.m. on Saturday.


In announcing the decision, the cardinal issued a dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass during this time to the Catholics of the Archdiocese of Boston.

“This decision to temporarily suspend the daily and Sunday Mass is motivated by an abundance of caution and concern for those most vulnerable and the need to do our part to help limit and mitigate the spread of the illness,” O’Malley said.

The directive to temporarily suspend the celebration of Mass applies to all Archdiocesan parishes, missions and campus ministries until further notice.

Baptism, confirmations, weddings and funerals may proceed, but attendance should be limited to only immediate family, the Archdiocese said in a statement.

Superintendent of Catholic Schools Thomas W. Carroll said that Archdiocese of Boston parish schools and Archdiocesan elementary and high schools will be closed for two weeks from March 16 to March 27.

“On an ongoing basis, the Catholic Schools Office will consider whether this period needs to be extended further,” the Archdiocese said in a statement.