By Joan Zombek
The Feast of All Saints and November’s First Friday aligned perfectly in this year of Eucharistic Revival to provide a unique spiritual experience for our parishioners – a Eucharistic Procession in and around the grounds of our parish. Periods of adoration preceded and followed the procession. The beauty and solemnity of this event were captured in an outstanding gallery of photos by our Communications Coordinator, Michelle, and is available on our website.
The Knights of Columbus’ Eucharistic Processions guidebook provides the framework for this centuries’ old practice that “prolonged and intensified . . . Eucharistic worship outside of the Mass.” It is a “public witness of faith . . . to encounter the Risen Lord present in the Eucharistic Host.” (p. 1) In his homily on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ on June 6, 2021, Pope Francis reminds us “that we are called to go out and bring Jesus to others.” Fellow parishioner Susan views it “as an opportunity to enter into the time of Jesus’ earthly presence.” We invite Jesus into our daily lives to immerse Himself in our world (1). Eucharistic Processions rapidly became part of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi when that feast was established in the 13th century. As Eucharistic Processions became more widespread in the church as time went on, different cultural traditions emerged and they have become “a very important form of Eucharistic piety.” The Eucharistic Procession is meant to be “evangelizing and catechetical for all…” (1). The pastor initiates a comprehensive and inclusive planning process assisted by clergy and laity to ensure that everyone is able to participate in a meaningful way. This includes local weather, topography and length of the procession route, number of stations where participants will pause “for prayer and benediction” (3), as well as the mobility level and comfort of participants (2).
Father Williams reminds us that “we demonstrate for the world the missionary aspect of the Eucharist” when we “walk with Him . . . and we experience what the disciples experienced when He proclaimed the Good News.” At the conclusion of Mass, Father placed the Blessed Sacrament into the monstrance and the procession formed outside, led by the cross bearer and accompanied by acolytes with candles, thurifer and boat for incensing the Eucharist. As Father exited with the Eucharist, four men raised the canopy over them and Deacons Craig, Jeff and Sal followed. The Knights of Columbus in full dress uniform followed, along with choir members who led the entire group in singing several songs. A large reverent group of parishioners also joined in the procession. At each designated location, the entire assembly stopped for a period of adoration and prayer and to sing the well-known hymn, O Sacrament Most Holy. While the procession moved between stations, the faithful sang several familiar, repeating refrains of this hymn. Our first stop was the Memorial Garden Wall in the main courtyard, where the names of military veterans are inscribed. Deacon Craig carried the Eucharist to the next location on Palmeras Drive near our parish sign, where the entire assembly was visible to passing vehicles and pedestrians. After adoration and prayer led by Father Williams, Deacon Sal carried the Eucharist to the third stop, the statue of St. Elizabeth Seton at the main entrance to the church grounds. Father led us in prayer and song while Deacon Jeff held the monstrance. Father then carried the monstrance into the church as the parish assembly followed to complete the procession, and this was followed by further adoration until the noon Mass.
Parishioners were visibly moved by the beauty and reverence of this opportunity to accompany Jesus on His excursion through our neighborhood. Joan summed up her experience with these words: “as we marched down the sidewalk of the street, I felt like I was a part of a huge communion . . . yes . . . communion of saints . . . singing praises to the Lord manifested on the monstrance . . . inviting the whole world to see Who we see and know Him as we know Him . . . a PROCLAMATION TO THE WORLD. In my imagination like … angels singing to the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth.”
I was assured by Parish Council Chairman Mike Waltz that there will be more Eucharistic Processions in the future, most likely in the spring and fall.
