Solace found in Toronto church during Covid-19
DYLAN Magner is a native of Wicklow town and has been living in Toronto since 2018 where he works as a freelance journalist and actor. He graduated from UCD in 2017 with an arts degree in English and music.
Here he describes what life in Canada is like during the Covid-19 pandemic.
‘It had taken the government of Ontario until St. Patrick’s Day to fully implement the closure of all non-essential businesses. This rendered Toronto’s city streets eerily quiet on what would have been one of the busiest and colourful days of the year.
‘ The night before I was in my local bar, sitting side-by-side with enthusiastic patrons mindful of the danger ahead but still oblivious of the two-metre social distancing rule.
‘Less than 24 hours later, all had changed. I found myself walking the streets, passing block after block of closed bars and restaurants. Like countless others, I had lost my job due to the lock-down as the rapid global spread of Covid-19 had now reached Canada.
‘ Trying to come to terms with my uncertain situation, I dropped into my local church – St. Mary’s on Adelaide Street – for some peaceful reflection. The glow of dusk was penetrating through the stained-glass windows above the altar, covering the interior in a dark orange hue.
‘When I sat down towards the back of the church, I counted eleven other worshippers scattered throughout the aisles observing social distancing rules that far exceeded government guidelines. I assumed that they had, like myself, sought refuge in the church to try and make sense of their changed circumstances.
‘We sat in silence, all facing forward, no one speaking. And then, seemingly from nowhere, a priest emerged in his vestment. He approached the altar, signalled us to rise, and began saying Mass.
‘Unbeknownst to me, I had stumbled on the beginning of a church service, but unlike one I’d ever experienced before: no choir, no incense-filled swinging thurible; no enthusiastic responses from the congregation; no pomp and circumstance.
The silence was deafening. The priest slowly and quietly read passages from the bible followed by disjointed responses echoing awkwardly through the large, empty hall.
‘He regaled the dozen of us with a brief history of Saint Patrick, who travelled both freely and forcibly between Britain, France and Ireland, spreading the gospel. Now, 16 centuries on, I thought, how ironic we find ourselves in a climate where a pandemic message is being spread electronically but where travel is more restricted than ever.
‘Prior to communion, the celebrant explained that he would place the communion bread in our hands, not on our tongues in accordance with Covid-19 health guidelines.
‘All of us – the twelve Toronto apostles – then quietly received our bread in hand and gave peace at appropriate distances. As the service came to an end, the priest informed us that this would be the final Mass for the foreseeable future. During a pandemic, even God self-isolates.
‘I was aware of the seriousness of the Covid-19 outbreak prior to St. Patrick’s Day Mass, but as I left the church, the true reality of the situation set in. Joblessness, isolation and uncertainty is the new reality of our times, at least until we can get a hold of this silent killer. The challenge in limiting its spread is no different here in Toronto than in my home town of Wicklow.
‘As I made my way home through empty streets, I passed by businesses with their lights off and their doors closed. Signs on windows apologetically informing customers that they would remain closed in line with the Canadian government’s insistence of social distancing, but that they would reopen as soon as the lockdown ends.’