Apparatus for effecting fluid-solids contacting wherein a bed stationary downward moving ferromagnetic particles are contacted within a contacting chamber with a fluid which passes through the bed in a cross-flow manner, said bed being structured or stabilized, by a magnetic field the improvement which comprises providing at least one support means positioned near or adjacent to the opening means, said support means extending into the contacting chamber. Also disclosed are processes for using the improved magnetically stabilized cross-flow contactor including processes for removing particulates from gaseous streams, flue gas desulfurization processes and the like.