In honor of Corpus Christi Sunday, many parishes around the Archdiocese of Denver took to the streets to honor Our Lord in the Eucharist. Giving testimony to our faith, parishioners accompanied Jesus on sidewalks and streets – and even over highways!
Most Precious Blood Catholic Church in Denver celebrated the solemnity in a special way through the parish’s first Eucharistic procession in living memory.
Starting after the 10:45 AM Mass, the procession winded through the streets of Denver, crossed over I-25 and finished with benediction in Christ the King Chapel at St. John Vianney Seminary.
After the procession, a picnic lunch was provided by the parish. Many gathered in fellowship and enjoyed an afternoon in the Colorado sun.
Photo courtesy of Kaylee Stoll
Father Micah Flores, parochial vicar at Most Precious Blood Catholic Church, said that desire to do a procession came from the parish’s patronage.
“We decided to do a Eucharistic procession because we have a Eucharistic patronage at Most Precious Blood, and also, it’s the year of the Eucharistic Revival. So in anticipation of the National Eucharistic Procession, we did one at Most Precious Blood on a local level,” he explained.
The idea for a Eucharistic procession had been in the works for a while.
“We had it in our in our heads to do it, probably last year around this time, as we are starting to look at different ways to bring about the Eucharistic Revival on a parish level. One of our parishioners is an ex-police officer, and so she was able to take care of a lot of the logistics to have police present,” Father Flores explained.
Leading up to the procession, there was a special moment that struck Father Flores’ heart, reminding him of the Communion of Saints all gathered together alongside the parish pilgrims processing.
“We talk about how all the angels and saints are present each time we celebrate the Mass, that we’re drawn into the heavenly banquet. And so it was a special moment for me at Mass where the Lord reminded me of that and brought it acutely to my mind. The image of having the angels and saints walk with us. It was an image that I had as I was praying,” he said.
Some parishioners, like Eric Crews, were experiencing their first Eucharistic procession. He said he wanted to experience something new.
“Part of it is I’d never heard of it. And so just to experience something new, and to experience it with other people in the community,” he said.
Photo courtesy of Kaylee Stoll
The procession was a new experience not only for Crews, but also for his son, Owen, who wanted to volunteer as an altar server during the procession.
“Our oldest son, Owen, was interested in helping as an altar server and hold the canopy and the cross. So that had another impact of us wanting to do it. He wanted to experience that, so we thought we’d try it,” he shared.
Abriana and Ryan Chilelli, also parishioners at Most Precious Blood, make it a point to participate in Eucharistic processions every year to show their kids how each person can take an active roll in his or her faith.
“We’ve participated in other processions before, but this one is neat. To essentially go through one of the main hearts of Denver and to be so public about this in a place where most people are probably not practicing, feels particularly special,” Abriana shared.
“We have four kids, and we try to teach them that we follow Jesus out into the world. This is a very physical example of what that means, so that’s why we’re here,” she continued.
Photo courtesy of Kaylee Stoll
Laura Bissonnette, who was invited to the procession by some of her friends, was moved by the procession of walking with Jesus through the streets of Denver.
“It’s really beautiful. I’m loving the little conversations that are happening and the people praying on their own. There’s a bigger group of people leading and singing and it’s beautiful,” she shared, reflecting on the unique experience. “And then there’s some that are just clearly reverently taking in something internally, which is cool.”
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The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passes through the Archdiocese of Denver from June 5 to June 12, with processions happening periodically all across Northern Colorado! For more information about the events in the archdiocese, click here.