As the spirit of the Eucharistic Revival continues, both St. Paul the Apostle Parish, Chino Hills and St. Anthony Parish, Upland held Eucharistic Processions on August 5.
The two parishes held Eucharistic Processions in honor of the Year of Parish Revival stage of the National Eucharistic Revival, a movement to restore understanding and devotion and renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
St. Paul the Apostle’s Eucharistic Procession took several hours to complete because the parish also consecrated the City of Chino Hills. At 2:30 pm, St. Paul the Apostle Parish began its Eucharistic Procession at a city overlook at the Eucalyptus Trail. There they sang songs, read a Gospel verse and Pastor, Father Joseph Pilotin, MS, read the Prayer of Consecration.
“We shall now consecrate ourselves, our families, our city, our state and our country,” Fr. Pilotin said. “Before you, Lord Jesus Christ, we consecrate your sacred heart, ourselves and everything dear to us.”
After Fr. Pilotin was finished reading the Prayer of Consecration, he raised the monstrance up and faced it in each direction of the city, prompting the congregation to repeat “by the power of God change the hearts of those who live here” after every direction turn.
After raising the monstrance at the city overlook, the congregation processed downhill toward Chino Hills Community Park for their next stop. The congregation processed down the hill following behind the monstrance while sheltering under their umbrellas from the heat, singing songs before they reached the park. Once they reached the park, at around 3:30 pm, they sang another song together, read another Gospel verse and Fr. Pilotin read the Prayer of Consecration once more.
After the Prayer of Consecration, they then made their way toward Peyton Drive and walked that street all the way to the church, where they then prepared to celebrate Mass at 5 p.m.
“This is such a meaningful important part of our Eucharistic Revival efforts but also a part of our evangelization efforts to change the hearts of men and turn towards God,” Fr. Pilotin said.
St. Anthony Catholic Church began its Eucharistic Procession from the parish after celebrating the 8:30 am Mass on August 5.
“Today brothers and sisters we are so glad that finally after this Mass we are going to have the procession to give importance to the light of the church which is the Eucharist,” said Father Gerald Vidad, Pastor.
St. Anthony’s Eucharistic Procession was held to participate in the Eucharistic Revival as well as to celebrate the visitation of the Relic of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Catholic Italian teenager who died of leukemia in 2006 at the age of 15 who had a devotion to Eucharistic miracles. St. Anthony’s celebrated Blessed Carlo’s visitation to their parish from August 4-6, with parishioners being able to venerate the relic after all weekend Masses.
“In the life of Carlo Acutis, we witness a shining example of someone who deeply understood and cherished the gift of the Eucharist,” Fr. Vidad said. “He understood that the Eucharist is not just a symbol, it’s not just a piece of bread, but the real presence of Jesus Christ among us.”
Fr. Vidad provided a brief biography on the life of Carlo Acutis to the congregation, taking time to express how deeply devoted Carlo Acutis was to the Eucharist and Eucharist Miracles all while being just a young boy.
“We need the Eucharist in our lives,” Fr. Vidad said. “We are all reminded that holiness knows no age.” Fr. Vidad concluded by challenging the congregation saying, “His witness, his life should challenge us, to examine our own attitude towards the Eucharist. How much love do you have for the Eucharist? Do you promote the Eucharist to your own friends and family members?”
The Parish Year of the National Eucharistic Revival takes place from June 11, 2023- July 17, 2024. During this time the goal is to foster Eucharistic devotion at the parish level, strengthening our liturgical life through faithful celebration of the Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, missions, resources, preaching, and organic movements of the Holy Spirit.
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE.