An ancient form of worship also serves a critical purpose in the modern world.
Eucharistic processions are simple yet profound, highly visible and extremely inclusive.
C an American Catholicism stop its exodus of members — and even evangelize a new generation? This question is urgent. Between 2000 and 2020, 18 percent of the country’s Catholics left the Church, according to Gallup, with only one convert for every four who departed. Renewing the faith will require commitment from every Catholic, and the return of one ancient practice may prove surprisingly effective: the Eucharistic procession.
You may have seen one of these simple and profound processions in the past few months. Hundreds have occurred across America since June, when the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops launched a three-year National Eucharistic Revival to renew faith in Jesus Christ, with a particular focus on Holy Communion, which Catholics call the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is central to Catholic faith because we hold that Christ is truly present there, and that celebrating Mass and receiving Communion helps us become like Him. Catholics believe so profoundly in this presence that they proclaim it through Eucharistic processions, in which the priest places the Eucharist in a beautiful golden vessel that makes it clearly visible, lifts it high, and starts a solemn march, bringing Christ to the world — down sidewalks, through parks, over bridges, across squares, you name it. The faithful follow, worshiping in song, prayer, or silence. Thus, a common act of walking becomes an uncommon act of faith, God’s people following their King.
The public nature of Eucharistic processions means that this ancient form of worship also serves a critical evangelical purpose in the modern world. Indeed, the two of us have seen Eucharistic processions turn heads and change hearts. Last July, for example, we both participated in a procession through a vineyard in Napa Valley. Led by Bishop Cozzens, about 400 people — including dozens of bishops, priests, monks, and nuns — participated for the better part of an hour, circling a hotel and skirting a busy thoroughfare. Virtually every pedestrian within eyesight stopped, and so did many vehicles. Commuters, delivery drivers, tourists on buses — the sight of so many people doing something so seemingly strange piqued their interest. Some watched the procession from start to finish.
An even more intriguing event took place in October in the heart of New York City. Late on a Tuesday afternoon, in the midst of the rush hour, more than 1,000 Catholics walked across Manhattan. Organized and attended by Mr. Busch, the procession traversed Broadway, passed Rockefeller Center, and crossed Fifth Avenue, guided by a police escort. Tens if not hundreds of thousands of commuters and tourists saw the spectacle. Many asked marchers what they were doing and, more importantly, why. More than a few joined in, attracted by the public display of veneration and faith.
What makes these Eucharistic processions a powerful evangelical tool? Their visibility, for starters. A procession confronts non-Catholics with a sight they may have never seen and lapsed Catholics with a tradition they may have never understood. The sight can spark wonder: What compels so many people to be so countercultural? Once you start asking that question, there’s a chance you’ll seek answers, which leads to the Faith.
America’s first canonized saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, was drawn to Catholicism by seeing a Eucharistic procession in Italy. She sensed the presence of God being carried and desired to follow him. She did just that, converting and becoming the founder of America’s Catholic school system.
The participants add another layer of inspiration. Eucharistic processions tend to be extremely popular in the diverse communities that fill the Catholic Church, bringing together the rich and the poor, the young and the old, and people of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. The New York City procession was a case in point: The marchers ran from wildly successful Wall Street investors to recent immigrants trying to find their way in a new country. In this era of division and isolation, there’s something deeply appealing about people uniting across differences to pursue a higher purpose. Once again, if you start asking why, you may be surprised at what you find — the Church.
During the current Eucharistic Revival, American Catholics are holding more processions than at any point in recent memory — and perhaps the most in our country’s history. The two of us hope that even more Catholic parishes and communities organize them in the days ahead. We need this witness in the streets of our cities, and the world needs to know that God is truly in our midst. As Pope Francis has said, “The procession with the Blessed Sacrament . . . reminds us that we are called to go out and bring Jesus to others. To go out with enthusiasm, bringing Christ to those we meet in our daily lives.” That’s always the message that Catholics should send, especially at a time when a rapidly growing number of people need the light and hope that comes from the Lord.
Andrew Cozzens is bishop of the Catholic diocese of Crookston, Minn., and the head of the National Eucharistic Revival. Tim Busch is founder of the Napa Institute, a Catholic organization.