By Elena Macias
Sizzling summer temperatures couldn’t deter Catholics from the West End Vicariate of the Diocese from filling the streets around St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Ontario on September 9. An estimated 1,500 parishioners and clergy joined Bishop Alberto Rojas in the West End Vicariate Eucharistic Procession as parishioners sang, prayed and proclaimed the Lord’s presence as they walked.
“We proudly processed throughout the streets even though it was really hot today, but I looked around and everyone’s smiling, everyone’s in good spirits,” said Raine Cruz, a parishioner and choir member of St. Anthony, Upland.
The procession took place in the south Ontario neighborhood where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is located, beginning in the church parking lot, then heading north on Grove Avenue, east on Tam O’ Shanter Street, south on Del Norte Avenue, east on St. Andrews Street, south on Parco Avenue, west on Riverside Drive, and finally north on Grove Avenue, which took them back to the church.
“It’s a blessing and an honor to be able to do this, to have all these people come from all the different churches and do it together,” said St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishioner Linda Ruiz, “A wonderful feeling of love, unity and community.”
The West End Vicariate Eucharistic Procession included three stations where the procession took a moment to stop and pray for Adoration, Contrition and Thanksgiving. The three stations, which included an altar and water station, were set up at the homes of three St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parishioners along the route of the procession.
At the first station, the home of parishioners Jose and Illana Barzaga, Father Benedict Nwachukwu-Udaku, Vicar Forane of the West End, took a moment to stop the procession for a time of Adoration. The second station was at the home of parishioners Larry and Maria Ross. There, Bishop Rojas took a moment to kneel and incense the Blessed Sacrament and lead a prayer of Contrition. The final station, at the home of parishioners Bahman and Claudia Davatolhagh, saw Monsignor Gerard Lopez, Vicar General of the Diocese, lead a prayer of Thanksgiving.
The procession began at 10 a.m. and concluded a little more than an hour later with temperatures ranging from 80 to 90 degrees. Undeterred by the heat, parishioners followed behind the Blessed Eucharist in high spirits. Some carried flags that displayed the name of their parish or ministry, some prayed the Rosary, most sang hymns and songs in various languages.
“It’s a good day to show our faith as a whole Catholic community because even though we are not a part of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, it’s nice that other churches in the area, like St. Anthony and St. Joseph and St. George, we all gathered here together to show our faith to proclaim that we’re all Catholics and we love to show other people that this is our faith,” Cruz said.
Volunteers helped pass out water bottles and intermittently checked on the well-being of those walking during the procession to make sure everyone remained hydrated and safe from the heat. Some volunteers even offered rides for those who were tired or couldn’t walk the whole procession.
“We had so many wonderful people that helped,” Ruiz said. “It’s wonderful the way the community comes together.”
The West End Vicariate Eucharistic Procession was one of three other Vicariate processions that have been celebrated this year in honor of the National Eucharistic Revival. A Diocesan Procession was held on January 14 at Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino. The High Desert Vicariate procession took place on May 16 at St. Joseph Parish, Barstow. The Riverside Vicariate procession was held at St. Catherine of Alexandria on July 22.
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE.