On Thursday, July 11, the Serra Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passed through Springfield. After a Mass attended by more than 300 people, we took to the streets of Springfield with a Eucharistic Procession that spanned 5 miles, making stops at the Capitol, Blessed Sacrament Church, the Dominican Sisters Motherhouse, and St. Agnes Church.
I must say that my experience of this procession was amazing! I’ve been a part of Eucharistic processions before, but this was by far the longest, and it struck me as a powerful witness to the world of the gift of the Eucharist, a gift that we are not ashamed of, but that we delight to share with the community that we call home. No doubt many people who saw our group of a few hundred people were intrigued by what they were seeing. Overall, I think people were respectful and there did not seem to be any hostility or disrespect for what we were doing. The Springfield Police Department was extremely helpful as they kept us safe, ensuring our path was clear. The weather was beautiful and there was such a reverent, peaceful, and even joyful spirit that was present throughout the journey.
I was blessed to carry Our Lord in the monstrance for a few blocks fairly early on in the procession. Being able to have Jesus just a few inches in front of my face was such a gift. I could not really see around me, but I just kept taking one step after another, always with my eyes fixed on Him. This strikes me as a perfect image of the life of a disciple of Jesus. We cannot always see exactly where we are headed, or what is happening, but as long as we let Him lead us, and we cooperate by taking one step at a time, we will go where He wants to take us.
As I have been reflecting on this experience of the procession, especially my carrying Jesus for a few blocks, I keep thinking of the passage from Matthew’s Gospel that was proclaimed at Mass just a couple of days before our procession: “At the sight of the crowds, His heart was moved with pity for them because they were troubled and abandoned, like sheep without a shepherd.” (Mt 9:36)
As I held Jesus so close to my eyes, it struck me that as He was looking at me, He was at the same time looking at the crowd behind me, and in fact all of the people we encountered along the way who were not following. He saw those in their cars, those walking down the street, even those in their homes. He saw the struggles in their lives, how so many feel “troubled and abandoned” and how He was longing for them to look to Him, and see in Him a ray of hope, an invitation to come to Him for healing and peace. Perhaps we will never know how the people we encountered that day were touched by Jesus passing by, but the Lord knows, and we can give thanks to Him for the graces He bestowed that day.
I have begun writing about the mission of our parish and our diocese, and how we ultimately rely on the Lord to do the building of this community of fervent disciples. I have great hope that our experience of our Eucharistic Procession here in Springfield will renew our commitment to being a part of this mission. After all, it is the gift of the Eucharist which gives us the graces we need to go and cooperate with the Lord in building His Kingdom, beginning right here in our families, our workplaces, and our community. This is the mission field to which He has called us, let us continue to bring Him everywhere we go by living the Gospel day in and day out.
Father Alford