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The Archdiocese of Los Angeles held a Eucharistic procession in the city of Pasadena, California, on May 17, just a day before the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage began in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The route for the National Eucharist Pilgrimage runs through ten states, and will culminate in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles on June 22, Corpus Christi Sunday.
About 2,000 people participated in the two-mile Pasadena Eucharistic procession, Angelus News reported. They passed through Colorado Boulevard, a street that typically only hosts the world-famous New Year’s Rose Parade.
The Eucharistic Revival Mass and Procession event began at St. Philip the Apostle Church, stopped briefly at City Hall, and ended at St. Andrew Church.
Archbishop José Gomez celebrated the opening Mass at 5 p.m., which was standing-room only due to the presence of parishioners from at least 10 local parishes. Others watched the Mass on large screens from the parking lot and other rooms.
Archbishop Gomez then led the procession with the monstrance, and the procession paused at Pasadena City Hall for a moment of benediction. In front of many bystanders, the monstrance was placed on an altar by the front steps of the building, and participants chanted the Litany of Trust.
Rachel Eligon, a local Catholic and artist who designed the official prayer card for the event, spoke about the significance of the procession.
“I have felt, at least in the last couple of weeks, this growing yearning for the Eucharist,” she said. “And as the procession was passing by, I literally felt my heart burning.”
Participants ranged from small children to the elderly, with some participants pushed along in wheelchairs. Roberto Chavez, a local parishioner, guided his six children and pulled a wagon during the procession. He said that the event helped transmit the faith both to his own children and those who witnessed it.
“We are introducing Jesus,” he said, “through the Eucharist, to those who still don’t know him.”
