Within the Catholic faith, a Eucharistic blessing processional is a long tradition. A priest carries the consecrated host from one church to another, along the way offering prayers and conferring blessings.
As a result of the recent orders prohibiting large gatherings because of the coronavirus, area churches have suspended Masses and all other group activities, so a local group has come up with a unique solution: An airborne Eucharistic procession.
The event will take place between 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, in the skies over local churches.
The Rev. Dennis Schmidt and Deacon Tom Gerling, both of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church in House Springs, will accompany the Rev. John Schmitz of the Jefferson City Catholic diocese in his private plane as he passes over each Catholic church in the Festus Deanery of the St Louis Archdiocese, extending blessings and prayers for protection from the coronavirus to all those below.
Jefferson county residents of all denominations are invited to pray during the flight time.
The Flight schedule is as follows:
■ 3 p.m. – Depart Spirit of St Louis Airport.
■ 3:09-3:19 p.m. – St. Anthony of Padua in High Ridge, Our Lady Queen of Peace in House Springs, St. John in Imperial.
■ 3:25-3:35 p.m. – Immaculate Conception in Arnold, St David in Arnold, St Joseph in Imperial.
■ 3:43-3:53 p.m. – Our Lady in Festus, Sacred Heart in Crystal City.
■ 3:58-4:08 p.m. – Good Shepherd in Hillsboro, St. Rose of Lima in De Soto.
■ 4:15- 4:25 p.m. – St. Francis of Assisi in Luebbering, St. Stephen in Richwoods.
■ 4:52 p.m. – Return to Spirit of St. Louis Airport.
In the event of inclement weather, the flyover will be rescheduled to the first available time. For additional information, contact Tom Gerling at 314-623-0476 or Mary Myers at 314-210-5098.
