Ladies and gentlemen,

I want to express my gratitude for the invitation and the opportunity to address Catholics and the Slovenian public before the Easter holidays.

First, I want to express my condolences to all who have lost their loved ones due to the epidemic. I remember them all in prayer and at Holy Mass. In prayer, I also remember those in hospitals, especially in intensive care units, because of the coronavirus. I wish everyone many blessings and health. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the doctors and health professionals for their selfless work. In these times of trial, I would also like to thank those who take care of the operation of the most urgent institutions.

As you know, due to the difficult epidemiological situation, the government has adopted a decree restricting public life during the Easter holidays. Bishops are aware that the situation is very demanding. Experts and the government are working hard to ensure that the third wave of the epidemic required as few casualties as possible. We must help them by acting responsibly. People's lives also depend on this.

Catholics understand the situation and want to contribute to resolving the epidemic. I am aware that the Easter holidays are significant for most Slovenes. This year's Easter will be the second at the time of the epidemic, when from Holy Thursday to White Sunday inclusive, which is April 11; there will be no liturgy and holy masses in the churches with the presence of people.

Therefore, the bishops have prepared a special letter to the faithful, priests and religious. In it, we wrote, "Like the rest of public and social life, our religious rites and our religious liturgy have turned inwardly. We invite and encourage you to prepare all Easter rites and ceremonies that are feasible in your families and households with a simple heart and perform them there." Let us not forget the poor, the lonely, the sick and the suffering. The holidays will be complete when we offer them our time, our word and our love.

The Easter holidays without a live presence at the rites should be an opportunity to form the domestic Church, strengthen prayer, perform family Easter rites, and watch the liturgies on television, radio, or web. I invite all priests to ensure that the faithful receive the Holy Communion and the Holy Confessions as last October and November. On Easter morning, priests should ring the bells at 8 a.m., inviting all the faithful and all people to Easter breakfast.

The epidemic may be our companion for some time. I know we all want, we really want it to end as soon as possible. Therefore, an invitation is in place to follow all measures to prevent the epidemic. I invite everyone who can get vaccinated, to do so, as protecting their health and their loved ones is extremely important.

Finally, I would like to wish you a blessed Easter with the words of Jesus, “I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world” (Jn 16: 33). As on the evening of that day, the first of the week, may the risen Lord enter your houses and your homes this year and bring you the Easter greeting, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20: 19-20).

Msgr Stanislav Zore,

Metropolitan Archbishop of Ljubljana, President of SBC