Fragments of the sacred: sacramentally sustained in times of uncertainty

Abstract

The year 2020 will be remembered for the Covid-19 pandemic, where people were locked into their homes and worship in churches fell silent. Church  leaders, ministers, and lay people worldwide turned to social platforms such as Facebook and YouTube for online services and to deliver messages to  people. In this article, the gaze is directed outwards and possibilities for encountering the sacred that are broader than what is offered by digital means  are investigated. The hymn, Now, thank we all our God (Nun danket alle Gott) is offered as an example of a sacred song that is alive in the public sphere,  even if often inconspicuously. The text of the hymn is discussed and its relevancy in uncertain times is shown. The reception history of the hymn is also  given to show how it functioned in diverse contexts. Narratives from the public sphere in various countries are then analysed to determine how  unobtrusive and seemingly insignificant fragments of the sacred such as bells that ring, carillons that are played, and sacred songs that are sung can  communally function in the public sphere and could sustain people sacramentally in times of fear, uncertainty, and loss.