BRAINTREE With coronavirus and hospitalization rates climbing, the Archdiocese of Boston is planning to reconstitute the team of priests to bring the sacraments to COVID-19 patients in hospitals.
A similar team operated in the spring, when the archdiocese trained approximately 20 priests to minister exclusively to coronavirus patients, providing the anointing of the sick and the Apostolic Pardon to those who were critically ill and dying. At that time, public Masses and parish activities were suspended, so fewer priests were needed in the parishes. This allowed them to live in isolation to avoid carrying the virus between hospitals and parish communities.