By Elena Macias
On March 2, the Low Desert Vicariate of the Diocese held a Eucharistic Procession at Sacred Heart Parish in Palm Desert. The event began at 9 am with a welcoming and Eucharistic Revival Presentation by the Carmelite Sisters, followed by an opening prayer and Exposition. Bishop Alberto Rojas then held up the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament and led the procession out of the church. Despite over 20 mph winds, Catholics of the Low Desert joyfully processed behind the Eucharist for approximately one mile around the Sacred Heart Parish and School property.
Attendees were encouraged to wear their culture’s traditional attire. A group of dancers dressed in vibrant colors displaying flowers moved in synchronized steps to the music. Others held up their own personal items, including small white flags as they prayed and sang in various languages.
“It was a great pleasure for the people of Palm Desert to host the Eucharistic Procession for our Vicariate at our own Parish of Sacred Heart,” said Fr Gregory Elder, Ph.D., Pastor of Sacred Heart, Palm Desert. “What struck me most directly was the reverence shown, revealing the deep devotion to the Most Holy Eucharist which the attendees showed in the progress of the event. It was an opportunity to pray in a dynamic way, walking and singing together, with all the cultural wealth of the various communities represented.”
This was the sixth Vicariate level Eucharistic Procession held in the Diocese since January of 2023, all with Bishop Rojas present. Previous Eucharistic Processions took place in the Hemet, High Desert, Low Desert, Riverside, San Bernardino, and the West End Vicariates. The first ever Diocesan Eucharistic Procession took place on Jan. 14, 2023, and now, with the Low Desert Eucharistic Procession, concludes the diocese’s initiative to hold a procession in each of the six Vicariates. The initiative came in the observance of the larger National Eucharistic Revival, which is a movement to restore understanding, devotion, and renewing worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist in the United States.
“I had a beautiful experience as this is such a great way to show the city that we believe that Our Lord is truly present in the Eucharist,” said Keith Nielsen, member of the Knights of Columbus and Eucharistic Revival Ministry at the parish. “Hopefully we can do more like this in the future whether it is at our church or at one of the other churches in our valley.”
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE and El Compás Católico.