News

Procession and Mass to signal end to Eucharist Year

By Renae Bauer
Assistant Director of Communications

	Related articles: from Oct. 21 issue: • Adoration to include vocations     Adoration for vocations begins with     the close of the Year of the Eucharist • Procession to end Eucharistic Year     Bp. Zubik will lead procession     in downtown Oct. 29 from Oct. 7 issue: • Procession and Mass to close the Year of Eucharist on Oct. 29     Event set in central Green Bay

The Year of the Eucharist will close Saturday, Oct. 29, with an eight-block Eucharistic Processional through downtown Green Bay, followed by Mass in St. Francis Xavier Cathedral.

Bp. David Zubik will lead the processional, which will begin at 2:30 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, 140 S. Monroe Ave., travel to St. Willebrord Church, St. John the Evangelist Church and then back to the Cathedral. The procession will stop for prayer at an altar at each church. All Catholics and church organizations are invited to participate.

Bp. Zubik will lead the procession, while carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a sacred vessel called a monstrance, under a canopy flanked by candle-bearers. Either a deacon or master of ceremonies will assist Bp. Zubik in leading the celebration.

Clergy, members of religious orders and religious associations, and lay people are all encouraged to join in the procession, including singing hymns and carrying banners with a Eucharistic theme. As the procession goes through the streets, the faithful not walking in it should kneel as the Blessed Sacrament passes by.

After the procession, Bp. Zubik will preside at Mass at the Cathedral at 4 p.m. as Masses are celebrated at the other two churches. Bp. Zubik invited all priests of the diocese to concelebrate with him. In addition, the Mass will be broadcast live on Relevant Radio.

The procession and Mass will encourage people to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ through prayer before the Eucharist and close the Year of the Eucharist, which Pope John Paul II proclaimed for October 2004 to October 2005 so that Catholics may "grow deeper in our faith and love for the Eucharist, which is the source and the summit of our faith and the church."

Catholics believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist or Blessed Sacrament - the bread consecrated (or blessed) at Mass. The belief is based on Jesus' words at his Last Supper when he broke bread, blessed it and said to his disciples, "Take and eat; this is my body."

In case of inclement weather, there will be a Holy Hour of prayer in the Cathedral instead of the outdoor procession.