June 7, 2021

Hundreds attend 19th annual Diocesan Wide Eucharistic Rosary Procession

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

NORTHAMPTON – Close to 650 people attended the 19^th annual Diocesan Wide Eucharistic Rosary Procession at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Northampton, Sunday, June 6.

The procession coincided with the feast of Corpus Christi, also called the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne spoke before the procession about the Eucharist. He explained when Catholics receive the Eucharist, they need to then say, “Yes, I promise to be a God-bearer this day, this week, in the world.”

The annual event, called, “To Jesus Through Mary, to Console Their Two Hearts,” is organized each year by the Children of Mary, but was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

“We are to bring Christ out into the world and what a more obvious way to do that than to bring Christ out into the world, truly present in the Eucharist, and also to witness to our devotion and our faith in this world that doesn’t understand it. But it still – it draws people and welcomes them into the mystery,” Bishop Byrne told iObserve.

After the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, the congregation made an Act of Consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and to St. Joseph.

Prayers were then offered for the protection of life; the sanctification of marriage; an increase of vocations; healing for those who have been affected by the sexual abuse scandal; the protection of those serving in the military; and for all first responders.

The procession stepped off on King Street and wound through downtown Northampton, as people prayed the rosary. Upon returning to church, the congregation sang the Chaplet of the Divine Mercy and children placed flowers at the statue of Mary.

“She asked us to pray the rosary every day, not when we feel like it, but to pray it every day for peace in the world and for the conversion of sinners. She promised peace would triumph in the end,” said Mena DeCarvalho, a longtime volunteer for the procession and member of St. Mary Parish in Longmeadow.

After Benediction, the congregation sang “America the Beautiful,” and erupted into applause as the three police officers who escorted the group on the procession walked down the aisle for a special blessing by Bishop Byrne.

Several priests and deacons from across the Springfield Diocese were in attendance, as well as many families with young children.

“I think the Holy Spirit can work in people’s hearts if they see people of faith, families, old people, young people all walking together, singing hymns, praising God,” said Bishop Byrne. “This curious spectacle, carrying this beautiful monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament underneath a canopy, will draw hearts and minds away from here and hopefully up to God.”

A video version of this story will be featured on an upcoming edition of “Real to Reel,” which airs Saturday evenings at 7 on WWLP-22NEWS.