“Let this procession be your choice to say, ‘God, I want you to recognize me in Your Glory, so I’m going to cling to You.'”

Priests, nuns, and laity participated in a massive Eucharistic Procession on the streets of New York City on Oct. 10, 2023.

Approximately 5,000 Catholics attended the procession hosted by the Napa Institute for this year’s Principled Entrepreneurship Conference.

Father Mike Schmitz, the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Diocese of Duluth, opened the conference with a standing-room-only Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral at 4:30 p.m. ET, followed by the Eucharistic procession and Benediction.

In his homily, Father Mike said he initially did not want to lead a Eucharistic procession. His students at the University of Minnesota Duluth often ask if they can process with the Eucharist on campus, but he also says no.

He fears the general public will not understand the Eucharist or know how to react when the procession passes by.

“When I think of a Eucharistic procession, like no, I want them to know this is Jesus. I want them to understand. No, this is the love of God for you in the flesh,” Father Mike explained. “This is the love of God who loves you to the point where even if you are his enemy, He’s poured out his life for you. In fact, that’s what scripture says.”

He said as Catholics who believe, we will notice Jesus in the Eucharist. However, he encourages the faithful to help the world understand Jesus’ Eucharistic Presence.

“What God has asked us to do tonight is what he asked Jonah to do,” Father Mike said, referencing the Oct. 10 daily Mass readings. “‘Go out there and…

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–by Jacqueline Burkepile

_{Image Source: AB/Zach Fiedler, Napa Institute}