With Mass cancellations across the country and around the world, Bishop J. Strickland of Tyler, Texas, urged all priests to organize Eucharistic processions before the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, March 19.  In every corner of the globe, we’ve now seen hundreds of shepherds take to the barren streets with Christ as the faithful make the sign of the cross from inside their homes or kneel before the Blessed Sacrament.

Here are some heroic priests hard at work, bringing God's grace into their communities all over the world within this era of coronavirus quarantine.  

 

United States

1. One of the hardest hit areas in New York City received a special blessing from Carmelite Father Justin Cinnante. Riding on the back of an open truck, Father Cinnante carried the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of New Rochelle. The area has been under containment with the National Guard deployed. There are over 2300 cases of coronavirus in the state of New York. 

2. Bishop Kevin Vann of the Diocese of Orange County led a Eucharistic procession around Christ Cathedral asking for protection against the coronavirus pandemic, and the Lord’s blessing upon the cathedral and the entire diocese. California currently has over 900 cases and 18 people have lost their lives from the vicious virus. 

3. Father Paul Brunet of Saint Francis Catholic Church in Lakewood, Wa. One of the first states with reports of the deadly virus, COVID—19 has claimed at least 53, many of the victims were nursing home residents.

4. EWTN chaplain Father John Paul blessed the entire EWTN campus and studio grounds, leading a Eucharistic procession in Birmingham, Alabama. The state has 78 confirmed cases of coronavirus. 

5. In New York City’s Little Italy neighborhood, The Basilica of Saint Patrick’s Old Cathedral began a Eucharistic procession down the streets of the famed community.

6. A Eucharistic procession took place March 13, 2020 at Christ the King Church in Omaha, Nebraska. The parish writing in the post on social media:

“In times of fear and concern, we not only depend upon common sense and the wisdom of science but also upon the mercy, protection, and spiritual healing found in our Savior, Jesus Christ. Christians, trusting in the love of our Lord, have always turned to prayer and intercession in times of grave illness or pestilence.”

The state of Nebraska has only announced two cases of the coronavirus but Governor Pete Ricketts said Wednesday that there is also a shortage of tests. Although masses have been cancelled, most parishes have remained open for prayer.

7. In Post Falls, Idaho, a Eucharistic procession was celebrated asking for protection against the coronavirus pandemic. The procession included a relic of the True Cross. St. Joan of Arc is a traditional Latin Mass parish. Currently, there are 11 confirmed cases within the state.

8. The Cathedral of Charlotte, North Carolina has Adoration and a Eucharistic procession planned for this weekend on March 22^nd, 2020. Adoration will last for the entire weekend, 40 hours, and will only allow 4 people each hour to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.  The state has 92 coronavirus cases as of March 18, 2020.

9. A parish in Sudbury, Massachusetts led a Eucharistic procession led by Father Gerald Souza for his parishioners at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic parish. The state has seen a surge of coronavirus cases with 218 confirmed as of March 18, 2020.

 

Canada

10. Saint Mary’s Parish in Ottawa, Ontario blessed the streets and the residents during a Eucharistic procession led by Father Mark Goring. With the first coronavirus-related death announced March 17, 2020, many schools are closing and most Masses are being cancelled. Father Goring has been broadcasting his Masses online for his parishioners during the Lenten season rocked by this coronavirus pandemic.

11. The diocese of Charlottetown on the remote island of Prince Edward Island off the east coast of Canada celebrated a Eucharistic procession down the empty streets of town. The small Canadian island has two confirmed cases of the virus. 

 

Italy

12. With the death toll now nearing 3,000 people from the coronavirus, these priests brought the Blessed Sacrament to the streets.

13. Priests walk through the empty streets of Italy carrying the Blessed Sacrament and praying for the protection of residents that are living in quarantine. Residents have just learned that the isolation will last a little longer with the quarantine now extended.

14. Priests in Italy lead a Eucharistic procession in Venice asking for protection for the residents from coronavirus.

 

Germany

15. Fr. James Manjackal drove through the streets of Piding, Germany March 14, 2020 with the Blessed Sacrament. Father Manjackal also took to the streets in a wheelchair to take Christ to those suffering and in need. Germany is reporting 11,973 cases as of March 18, 2020 with 28 deaths.

 

Poland

16. Father Cezary Chwilczyński took to the skies over Poland in an aerial Eucharistic procession. The Blessed Sacrament was flown over the country along with the statue of the Virgin Mary and a relic of St. John Paul II. Pastor of Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Żórawina, Father Chwilczyński prayed for the residents of the Catholic country all under  the threat of the coronavirus pandemic.

United Kingdom

17. The Catholic Shrine Church of Ss. Peter & Paul and St. Philomena held a Eucharistic procession in New Brighton, England asking for protection for the entire country. The coronavirus death toll in the United Kingdom is now at 104.

18. St Francis parish in Glasgow is planning a Eucharistic procession this weekend on March 22. The priest asking to God to keep his parishioners safe and healthy during the coronavirus outbreak. Scotland and Wales will be closing all schools Friday, March 20, 2020.

Asia

19. A priest in Borongan, a small city within the Philippines celebrated a Eucharistic procession throughout the streets, praying for an end to the coronavirus. Parts of Asia have been hit the hardest including China where the virus was first detected and also in South Korea. The Philippines has reported 140 cases of coronavirus and 12 deaths, according to the World Health Organization.

20. With so many unable to leave their homes, many Catholics are tethered to technology to catch Mass and make a spiritual communion. Holy Rosary Parish in Pampangam in the Philippines offered a LIVE Eucharistic procession for their parishioners.

 

Middle East

21. Pilots in the Lebanese Air Force took the most Blessed Sacrament and Our Lady of Fatima with them flying over top cities across the country, blessing the faithful below, and praying for protection against the coronavirus. The country has over 120 confirmed cases of the virus with 3 people that have died from the infection.