The bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington celebrates a live-streamed Mass this weekend, in honor of Delawareans who died during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When the virus shut things down in the middle of March, many families did not get the opportunity to properly mourn and celebrate loved ones they lost.
“At the very beginning we weren’t even doing funeral masses. All we were doing was graveside prayer services and that was limited to only a few close family members,” said Robert Krebs, director of communications for the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington.
He says Bishop Francis Malooly will lead the mass Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
“By doing this live-stream Mass, we’re hoping that it will give people who are mourning the loss of a loved one, a little bit of closure, a little comfort and a little bit of healing in these very uncertain times in which we live,” said Krebs.
Krebs says the Bishop will offer prayers for those buried in Diocesan cemeteries between mid-March and the end of August, and all who have died during the pandemic around the world.
“The Mass will be held in a very small chapel on the grounds of All Saints Cemetery in Wilmington. It will be a regular Catholic Mass, but during the Mass, the Bishop will offer special prayers for those who have passed away (from COVID-19)," said Krebs. "So really it will be just a way to offer prayers for the repose of their souls.”
The public can view the live-streamed Mass at the Diocese of Wilmington’s YouTube Channel.
To date, the state has had 613 coronavirus-related deaths.
