In contrast to the past two years, Holy Week crowds are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels for celebrations this week at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.
Like many, the Basilica of Saint Mary was forced to adjust rather quickly when pandemic shutdowns first began in March 2020.
"We quickly discovered the give of livestream when we had to shutdown due to the pandemic," said Johan van Parys, the Basilica's director of liturgy and sacred arts. "That happened in the middle of Lent so we had a couple of weeks to refocus and prepare for liturgies to be celebrated by a very small group of people in the Basilica that was livestreamed to the people."
Thousands of people from around the world viewed the Holy Week livestreams that week. In 2021, the Basilica was able to welcome back a smaller crowd for Holy Week celebrations, but the congregation still was much smaller compared to pre-Covid years.
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"Usually, pre-Covid, it was standing room early for so many of our services," van Parys said. "The church was not empty in 2021, but it was still not the same. Our hope is this year that we will be able to, if not have standing room, at least fill the Basilica back to capacity."
The Basilica will celebrate Holy Thursday with the Celebration of the Lord's Supper on Thursday night, which includes the tradition of washing of the feet.
van Parys says having congregations return is an important part component to Holy Week.
"Our Christian worship is supposed to be celebrated with the community together," he said. "The livestream allowed us to go to where people were. But really, to celebrate the great mystery of our faith, we need to get together and engage in all of these symbolic acts that are so typical for our Holy Week."
Attendance at the Basilica has steadily increased in recent months, with many people opting to return for the first time.
"There are still people because of health reasons deem it wise not to go into big gatherings. We have seen that Sunday after Sunday, particularly on Palm Sunday, that people have really started to come back, which is very encouraging."
And despite more people returning, the Basilica of Saint Mary has no plans to do away with its livestream that has become popular during the pandemic.
"We can now reach beyond our walls and the world is really the limit," van Parys said. "We welcome anyone back to the Basilica, but if you can't, there is the livestream."
A full schedule of Holy Week events at the Basilica of Saint Mary can be found here.