How Jesus Moved Hearts at the Eucharistic Procession on NYC's Streets: 'An Amazing Experience'
On the morning of Tues., Oct. 15, 2024, EWTN News media took to the streets of Fifth Avenue to speak with participants of the third annual Napa Institute Eucharistic Procession in New York City.
Veneration of a first-class heart relic of Carlo Acutis, prayer, and Mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral preceded the Eucharistic procession.
After Mass, thousands took to the streets of Manhattan for Napa's Eucharistic procession. The event later concluded with benediction at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral.
Thankfully, the city was a mere 3.5-hour train ride away and witnessing the pure joy and excitement of participants following our Lord made the commute worthwhile.
Among the thousands of Catholics gathered for the event, ChurchPOP spoke with a few who shared what this day meant to them.
One participant who lives in Brooklyn stated, “It’s beautiful. The Mass at Saint Patrick’s was beautiful. Processing through the streets, hoping to touch some hearts as we go. I prayed for peace in the Holy Land, Sudan, Ukraine, and here in the United States.”
Two religious sisters also shared their joy.
"We decided to make a pilgrimage out of this," one sister stated. "Today has been a beautiful day in the presence of our Lord.”
The other sister said, “We wanted the young people to come here to participate in this because our first mission in the home of the Mother is the defense of the Eucharist. Without Him, we’re nothing.”
“All of the saints, the root of their spirituality, everything that they lived, where they got their strength for everything they did was the presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. For us, that is where we have to find the source and the strength for everything.”
A senior in high school who walked in the procession, noted, “This is beautiful– the fact that there are thousands of people here proclaiming the word of God in the Eucharist. We have singing, we have people praying the rosary, it’s an amazing experience. [In Mass] That is the most number of priests I've ever seen in one spot, so that was awesome to see.”
Another native New York Catholic said, “I brought one of my eight grandchildren--my grandchild, who is a freshman at Regis High School in New York City. I watch EWTN every day. We are here for the glory of God and to acknowledge that the Eucharist is the real presence of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It is time for spiritual renewal. "We are going back to Saint Pat’s for the benediction and the veneration of Blessed Carlo.”
Two friends from Boca Raton, Fla., shared they flew in Tuesday morning to take part in the procession. They just completed a 33-day consecration to Jesus by Matthew Kelly and wanted to attend as a gift back to God.
“Look at this, this is Manhattan, and look at what we're seeing. This is incredible--a lot of youth here– and this is the revival we’re needing.”
“The Eucharist means everything," They added. "It means life and hope. It is the reason why I am a Catholic and love being a Catholic.”
“Every time I take the Eucharist, it reminds me that he is in my heart and with me with everything that I do.”