Matters India Reporter

Kochi, 30 April 2020: A group of priests, religious and lay faithful in Kerala had recourse to 9 days of continuous prayer to fight Covid-19 pandemic from 17 to 26 April 2020.

Some 250 priests of the archdiocese of Verapoly organised what they called “Chain Perpetual Adoration.’

Kochi priests were joined by their fellow priests hailing from Verapoly archdiocese serving in the different dioceses and offices in the United States of America, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Philippines, Australia and Austria.

“We embarked upon this prayer campaign of 9-day perpetual Eucharistic adoration along with Metropolitan Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil of Verapoly as an act of spiritual closeness to the Corona virus affected people, especially in those countries,” said Spokesperson of the archdiocese Fr. Mathew Sojan Maliekal.

The 9-day Eucharistic Adoration began at dawn on 17th April and concluded at dusk on 26th April 2020.

“For priests, consecrated women and lay faithful in the various parishes, convents, monasteries and institutions in the Archdiocese of Verapoly, it was really an invigorating divine experience,” said Fr Maliekal.

“Metropolitan Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil initiated this most sublime form of Catholic worship. Each priest in his turn individually knelt before the Holy Eucharist in Adoration in his own respective churches and chapels absolutely following the pandemic protocol,” assured Spokesperson explaining the prayer procedure.

It was reported that many lay faithful of the archdiocese and abroad joined their pastors both virtually and spiritually.

To conclude the perpetual Eucharistic Adoration, all the priests, religious and sisters joined Archbishop Kalathiparambil kneeling before the Eucharistic Adoration from 07 p.m. to 8 p.m. in their own respective churches and chapels.

The Archdiocesan Commission for Proclamation along with eight Vicars Forane Vicars arranged the Perpetual Eucharistic adoration.

The Archdiocese of Verapoly lies in the civil districts of Ernakulam and Thrissur of Kerala State. Since 1904 it has its headquarters at Ernakulam.