Wow Parking Lot Eucharistic Adoration in Parts of the US and Canada with Prayers from Parishioners in their Cars

The Catholic Standard reports that on March 19, the Solemnity of St. Joseph, a five-foot tall monstrance stood on an altar outside the doors of St. Andrew Apostle School in Silver Spring, Maryland.

That night, nearly 150 cars filled with people took part in a drive-in Eucharistic Adoration.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic and the Center for Disease Control’s recommended six feet distance guidelines for individuals, this drive-in Eucharistic Adoration allowed for dozens to adore the Blessed Sacrament in the safest way possible.

“It was really powerful,” Father Dan Leary, pastor at St. Andrew Apostle, said. “People were so deeply touched by the reality of it.”

Many other parishes across the US and Canada have held similar events including Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Maryland; here are their initiatives:

Until we can return to normalcy, IHM will have "drive-in" services. Our Saturday Confession time (2:30 pm -3:45 pm) will take place outside next to the priest residence. During weekend Mass times (Saturday 4 pm, Sunday 8:30 am, 11:15 am, 1 pm), we will have Eucharistic Adoration with a Liturgy of the Word proclaimed on loudspeakers (please remain in your vehicles). On Sunday, the 'drive-in' Eucharistic Adoration in the parking lot will be continuous from 8:30 am to 2 pm. In obedience to the Archbishop, no distribution of the Holy Eucharist will occur. Everyone must stay in their cars. All weekend events are weather dependent.

The idea, he said, came from the suggestions of many parishioners as well as ideas from the Archdiocese of Washington. (see below #8)

“He’s turning the hearts and eyes of the people back to Him,” he added.

In this time away from frequent sacraments such as daily Mass, Father Leary reassured his parish in an email message that grace is still available to them.

“I believe this loss will be a tremendous source of grace and strength for you during these next few weeks,” he wrote. “It is no accident that we are being asked to make this Eucharistic Sacrifice during Lent. We are being asked to go into the desert, in a sense, where we will be ‘parched’ and will long for Christ’s Body and Blood in a way that we perhaps have not felt before. How good God is to allow this time of grace.”

The parish of St. Andrew Apostle also plans to set up a calendar for members to sign up for holy hours around the clock from their own homes.

Future drive-in Eucharistic Adoration holy hours may be scheduled at various parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Washington.
Some parishes are keeping their doors open all day everyday of the week with the Blessed Sacrament exposed for private prayer.
Edited from the Catholic Standard with added information from the Archdiocese of Washington and Facebook