A blizzard didn't stop these Catholics from celebrating Mass in the snow

Hundreds of Catholics held Mass outside, complete with an altar made from snow, on Saturday when they got stuck in the blizzard that has disrupted cities across eastern US states.

The group were on their way back from annual March for Life in Washington DC when they were stranded along with hundreds of others due to snowfall on a highway in Pennsylvania.

A video of priests holding Mass outside in the storm has now been viewed over 712,000 times on Facebook:

Mass outside. In the blizzard once in a lifetime experience.

Posted by Holy Spirit Church on Saturday, 23 January 2016

According to LifeSite, representatives from the Missionary Benedict Sisters from Norfolk, Nebraska, were among those stranded. "Word spread around, and on one bus, the priest had around 300 hosts, and offered to celebrate the mass," they posted online.

"Well word travelled around fast and soon we had like 6 priests and 500 people there. God is good!!!"

Others also posted photos of the Mass online:

Elsewhere, Father Jim Sichko of St Mark Catholic Church in Richmond, Kentucky, shared a photo of an unusual snowman outside his church on Sunday:

Bestselling author Eric Metaxas also tweeted a picture of the snowfall at his church in New York:

At least others were on hand with some more, er, practical advice:

related articles
The Revenant: the Oscar favourite is packed full of Christian themes
The Revenant: the Oscar favourite is packed full of Christian themes

The Revenant: the Oscar favourite is packed full of Christian themes

'When a knight won his spurs': the lost genius of the 1980s school hymn
'When a knight won his spurs': the lost genius of the 1980s school hymn

'When a knight won his spurs': the lost genius of the 1980s school hymn

Winter Storm Jonas 2016 update, DC, New York, New Jersey latest news: Snow blizzard to bury Washington D.C.

Winter Storm Jonas 2016 update, DC, New York, New Jersey latest news: Snow blizzard to bury Washington D.C.

News
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest
Marriage is the safest relationship, latest figures suggest

Of the eight children murdered during lockdown, 7 were killed thanks to the actions of a step parent or new partner.

Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running
Abortion rises in Northern Ireland for fifth year running

Abortion was legalised in Northern Ireland in 2019.

Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high
Churches helping millions of Brits get by as living costs remain high

Across the country, people are looking to the church for help.

Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year
Isaiah 41:10 is YouVersion's Bible verse of the year

Isaiah 41:10 had the highest international engagement on YouVersion during 2025, while in the UK it was Jeremiah 29:11 that topped the list.