Doing What Bishops Ought to Do in the Time of COVID-19

If only more Bishops would lead like this, and Priests do the same in their Parishes.

From Fr Z's

The Archbishop of Milwaukee got out there and did what bishops ought to do. Anyone can spout like a CDC official. Priests and bishops have a role that cannot be replaced.

March 18, 2020

To the Faithful of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee,

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Archbishop Listecki consecrated the Archdiocese of Milwaukee to St. Joseph and then traveled to 11 locations across the archdiocese to pray for healing from CoVID-19 and protection from evil. This blessing occurred on the first day of suspension of public Masses in the archdiocese.

In these challenging times, when the Church cannot gather for worship, Archbishop Listecki wishes to make it clear to the Church and to the world that prayer remains effective and God’s power is unsurpassable, despite prudent efforts to slow the spread of CoVID-19. As the local shepherd of the flock, Archbishop Listecki went out to the entire Archdiocese of Milwaukee to formally lift up the Church in prayer. Through his witness to prayer and God’s care for His people, Archbishop Listecki invites everyone to deepen their confidence in Divine protection and blessing.

Upon leaving the Cathedral, the Archbishop traveled with the Blessed Sacrament and two priests in procession to one parish in each of the 11 deaneries of the archdiocese. At each parish, he blessed the entire deanery and its people to communicate the reality that Jesus Christ abides in our midst in the Eucharist and is true to His promise: “Behold, I will be with you until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). The itinerary was as follows.

9 a.m. – The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
Racine Deanery – St. Lucy Parish, Racine
Kenosha Deanery – St. Anne Parish, Pleasant Prairie
Walworth Deanery – Immaculate Conception/St. Mary, Burlington
Waukesha West Deanery – St. Leonard Parish, Muskego
Waukesha East Deanery – St. John Vianney Parish, Brookfield
Dodge/Washington Deanery – St. Peter Parish, Slinger
Fond du Lac/Sheboygan Deanery – St. John the Baptist Parish, Plymouth
Ozaukee/Milw NE Deanery – St. Monica Parish, Whitefish Bay
Milwaukee NW Deanery – Christ King Parish, Wauwatosa
Milwaukee SE Deanery – Blessed Sacrament Parish, Milwaukee
Milwaukee SW Deanery – St. John the Baptist Parish, Greenfield

On the eve of the Solemnity of St. Joseph, husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and during this difficult time for our world, let us remain steadfast in prayer, and confident in Christ’s power to deliver us from all evil.

These times require strong measures.

Exorcisms using Title XI Ch 3.

Blessings.

Masses.

Processions.