June 6, 2023

Hundreds attend annual eucharistic rosary procession in Northampton

REGIONAL
Story and photos by Carolee McGrath

 

NORTHAMPTON – More than 500 people attended the 21st Annual Diocesan Wide Eucharistic Rosary Procession, held Sunday, June 4 at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton parish in Northampton. The theme of the procession, organized by the Children of Mary, was “To Jesus Through Mary to Console Their Two Hearts.”

The afternoon included eucharistic adoration, the rosary, and an opportunity for confession.

Father Valentine Nworah, parochial vicar at St. Brigid Parish in Amherst and assistant chaplain at the Newman Catholic Center at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, spoke before the procession. He focused on the messages of Our Lady of Kibeho, who appeared to three young girls in the early 1980s in Rwanda.

“Most Catholics are familiar with the Marian apparition sites in France, Portugal, and Mexico. Yet, many are unaware of the Marian apparitions that took place in Kibeho, Rwanda between 1981 and 1989 to three children, 13 years before the brutal genocide of over one million Rwandans in 1994,” Father Nworah told those gathered.

“So my intention today is simple, to be an instrument in the hands of our Blessed Mother; to introduce Our Lady of Kibeho to you; to help us understand her message as she intended it to be for the whole world; to understand the importance of her sorrowful message in our world today through her Seven Mysteries of Sorrow. As our own country continues to seek healing and unity, perhaps the message of Our Lady today will help us avoid the snares of the devil and return our hearts to the Father,” he said.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament followed Father Nworah’s talk. The congregation then made an act of consecration to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and to St. Joseph. Prayers were 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; and the protection of those serving in the military.

Following petitions, the procession stepped off on King Street and wound through downtown Northampton. Several priests from across the Diocese of Springfield were in attendance, as well as many families. Once back in the church, children laid flowers before a statue of the Blessed Mother, before the entire congregation sang the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

“The procession means a lot to me,” said Maria Baez, a mother of two who belongs to St. Michael’s Cathedral Parish in Springfield. “To bring Christ to the streets so everyone can see him, even those non-believers, even those who don’t know that he exists. It’s important for us as Catholics to gather in faith and just bring him out to those who don’t know him yet.”

Deacon Michael Forrest, of the Christ the King Parish in Ludlow, served as the emcee for the event. Deacon Forrest is a convert to the Catholic faith.

“Many people get a chance for the first time to see Jesus in their midst. We believe that he’s truly present in the Eucharist. It’s not just a piece of bread,” Deacon Forrest said. He added that a public procession, while unfamiliar to some, is a way to let people know that Jesus is in their midst.

“God has a way of calling us. He is able to write straight with crooked lines. I think seeds get planted,” he said.

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