Food for thought, Jen. What an interesting perspective!

I'm not sure what would constitute a purification of the rites. I'm just observing the discourse over what we can do/should do (from my diocese and elsewhere) - and there seems to be a greater focus on how to accommodate the needs of the people, but no overarching concern over whether or not it gives right worship to the Lord. There doesn't seem to be any discernment - just knee jerk reactions to the situation we're in.

I guess I'm trying to be hopeful about what good could come of this - if people are given an opportunity to think about it.

Another idea:

Regular faithful give up claim on limited space to allow others to attend.

I am still kind of wondering what to do in this situation. Some things will be a no-brainer: We already had the choir chanting the Introit, Responsorial Psalm, Alleluia/Tract, Offertory and Communion before the closing, so resuming that will be business as usual; as will chanting/singing the ordinary.

Having the Responsorial Psalm sung without any 'participation' from the people seems odd; during the shutdown I have had the priest (no readers) recite it at the live-streamed Masses, under the (maybe false?) impression that a recited Psalm would be open to 'participation' by those at home (my thoughts on live-streamed Masses is not the subject here, but suffice to say it is almost entirely negative). Should it simply be recited (as it was until a few years ago, as part of the slow implementation of a (nearly) fully sung Mass?); should the cantor sing it from the loft without a response (as is permitted by the GIRM); should I take the opportunity to introduce the Gradual (from whatever sources may be applicable)? Under the circumstances I am most hesitant to do the last--it's like introducing chant during Lent--but at the same time, the first option mightn't be feasible anyway, since hymnals & missals need to be removed from the pews. (Due to other bizarre circumstances, a weekly worship aide is out of the question---don't ask.) More thought is needed (I don't like Jesuit words like "discernment").

As far as the non-singing of the congregation, the ordinary is no problem. I want to avoid settings known well by the congregation so that inadvertent congregational singing doesn't occur, so I went searching through my 'liberry', and have compiled all of the unison/single-voice Mass settings that I have at my disposal. In addition to un-used chants from the Kyriale, I've got four Messes en Plainchant by DuMont (1, 2, 5, 6 mode); one by Lully (6 mode); a mode 8 Mass from Amiens; and other accompanied Masses from the late 19th/early 20th century. Equally no problem are 'fillers'. To avoid the singing problem, I've found a number of Motets for solo voice and Basso Continuo that can be used. And lacking that, I can improvise on the organ.

My biggest concern is with the handling of the Blessed Sacrament. I am concerned that some of the faithful in their zeal to comply with NPR, may approach the Sacrament with disposable gloves on, receive the Host, and then throw the gloves with Particles away after Mass. It is that that makes me wish the churches were still closed, or that the bishops would have opened the churches but not permit the faithful to receive until it is completely safe (or near completely as it ever is---it's never 100%) to receive in the proper manner. As an aside to virtue-signal a little bit: I never receive communion in the hand--I did once when I was about 12 at another parish at a funeral, I felt terrible about it--and if I am feeling under the weather, or someone in my immediate circle of contacts (Family, etc.) have been ill, I do not present myself for communion, just on the off chance that the priest might touch my tongue (which has only happened maybe five times in my life) and then someone else's. Is it really all that difficult for individuals to use prudence and to refrain from Holy Communion during a time of illness? But then again, I forgot: the Mass isn't about the worship of God, through the mediation of the once-for-all Sacrifice of Our Lord, but about queuing-up to get the White Thing (TM); which is why people don't see a difference between a Mass offered by a Priest, and a Communion Service performed by a Deacon or, heaven forbid, the omnipresent Pastoral Ministerette. (I know people for whom every religious service is call a "Mass", be it Vespers, Adoration, a Sermon, a Burial at the Cemetery, anything, it's all "Mass" to them.)

Schönbergian, I forgot to mention that choirs are also forbidden: only one cantor (and organist, if they are separate people) is permitted. Otherwise, I would add the Simplex to my list of options--at the moment, with one singer, it falls into the same problem as the regular RPs.

Just sing the Gradual!

I'm not asserting that our period of time is the particular period of which St. Augustine speaks, but what if we have just received a warning of things to come?

And when you add, Leo XIII, Pius X, and Fatima...

"3 years 6 months" - is just another way of expressing "time, times and half a time" which is a Biblical expression for "a long time".

Except that it would need to be included in disposable worship aids (not just the antiphon), with hymnals/missalettes being interdicted in many places.

a rather scary "what if"

Luke 21:
[12] But before all these things, they will lay their hands upon you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and into prisons, dragging you before kings and governors, for my name's sake. [13] And it shall happen unto you for a testimony. [14] Lay it up therefore into your hearts, not to meditate before how you shall answer: [15] For I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to resist and gainsay.

[16] And you shall be betrayed by your parents and brethren, and kinsmen and friends; and some of you they will put to death. [17] And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake. [18] But a hair of your head shall not perish. [19] In your patience you shall possess your souls. [20] And when you shall see Jerusalem compassed about with an army; then know that the desolation thereof is at hand.

[21] Then let those who are in Judea, flee to the mountains; and those who are in the midst thereof, depart out: and those who are in the countries, not enter into it. [22] For these are the days of vengeance, that all things may be fulfilled, that are written. [23] But woe to them that are with child, and give suck in those days; for there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. [24] And they shall fall by the edge of the sword; and shall be led away captives into all nations; and Jerusalem shall be trodden down by the Gentiles; till the times of the nations be fulfilled. [25] And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, by reason of the confusion of the roaring of the sea and of the waves;

[26] Men withering away for fear, and expectation of what shall come upon the whole world. For the powers of heaven shall be moved...

- - - - -

(As a wife and mother) That 23rd verse has always bothered me. =(

What If...

Men do not repent and stop offending the God who is already so much offended?

What will happen tomorrow?

What will happen next week?

What will happen next month?

Sins... lose them.
Knees... use them.
JMJ... choose them.

Could we, again, use the reality of much reduced Holy Communion receptions...

....to reconsider the use of EMHCs, given that in these extraordinary times not one was seen administering Holy Communion to the homebound?

well, if priests and bishops started doing what they DO have authority to do, rather than what they DON'T have any authority to do the Church would be a very different place and its worship of an altogether more glorious thing.

Amen. *insert "preach!" emoji hands here*