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Throughout the pandemic we have lost many clergy as they fulfilled their vocation to go out and serve the spiritual needs of their flock. In Italy alone, hundreds of priests died ministering to the sick, but this did not deter their brothers from continuing to carry out God’s work.
In recognition of these courageous religious we wanted to share just some of our favorite stories of these men of faith, and what some of them do to keep joy and hope alive outside of their regular ministry.
Bringing joy with a jig
This video demonstrated the fun side of life as a friar. It also showed how they can pull off some impressive moves!
Need a smile? Watch these friars boogie in their backyard
Ensuring Mass can still go on
These friars managed to bring their spiritual sisters the comfort of Mass when they were isolating due to COVID. The extra effort allowed these religious to receive the Eucharist at a time they might have needed it most.
Friars in New York offer Mass outside for isolated religious sisters
Bringing dignity in death
It’s difficult enough to hear of babies dying, let alone to think of them being abandoned. Yet these Bostonian friars joined together to give this anonymous infant a beautiful send off.
Friars in Boston come together to bury abandoned baby
Sacrificing their freedom
Not many people would offer to go behind bars for the sake of others. But this brave priest volunteered to become an inmate so he could minister to the spiritual needs of those locked up during the pandemic.
Canadian priest offers to be incarcerated to continue prison ministry during pandemic
Being (very) personally invested
This incredible priest put his hand in his pocket and helped hundreds of families who’d suffered great financial loss.
Parish priest personally pays the bills of 200 redundant coal miners
Getting creative
Many of the clergy really impressed us with their determination and creativity to make sure they could continue to minister to their parishioners.
6 Creative ways the clergy continue to minister during the coronavirus
Stepping up to save lives and souls
For this French priest, devoting his life to saving the souls of others wasn’t quite enough. He also joined the fire service, devoting his spare time to saving the lives of those in peril.
The 30-year-old priest who’s also a volunteer fireman
Creating a movement
Thanks to modern media, priests are able to reach far beyond the pulpit. And this priest from Richmond used to Twitter to get a conversation started on the effects of pornography, and the importance of prayer.
And today we celebrate...