With the Blessed Sacrament held high, Archbishop José Gomez led more than 1,000 Catholics carrying flags, rosaries, and an abundance of spirit out of Mission San Gabriel Arcángel and onto the streets of the San Gabriel Valley March 25.
The Saturday morning event was unlike any other in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles’ history, planned as part of the National Eucharistic Revival underway at the prompting of the country’s bishops.
“Hey, Christ is alive!” called out Teodora Magluyan, a parishioner of St. Luke the Evangelist Church in Temple City. “The power of God is so amazing. … This is my opportunity to tell the world.”
Dozens of priests, sisters, and seminarians helped lead the procession, which traveled 3 miles east to St. Luke The Evangelist Church in Temple City and then back to the historic mission. Among them was Auxiliary Bishop Marc Trudeau of the San Pedro Pastoral Region.
Along the tree-lined streets of the San Gabriel Valley, walkers trailed the monstrance that was transported on a trailer filled with white and yellow roses. A second trailer carried musicians who led the crowd in song. Residents came outside to peek at the spectacle; some waved, some prayed, some just stared. And that’s exactly what organizers wanted.
“Many people are going to see us that don’t come to church, that may not be Catholic, that don’t know anything about this,” said Father Juan Ochoa, director of the Office for Divine Worship for the archdiocese, before the event. “Hopefully that will create a curiosity … what are they doing?”
The day, which coincided with the annual feast of the Annunciation, started with Mass in the mission chapel. The crowd was so large, some worshippers had to stand outside. During his homily, Archbishop Gomez noted that it was Mary who made the first eucharistic procession when she carried Jesus in her womb. An event like today’s, he told the crowd, was an opportunity to renew their “amazement” at the extraordinary gift of the holy Eucharist.
“Let us give our lives to Jesus, as he gave his life for us,” said Archbishop Gomez. “And as he changes the bread and wine into his body and blood, let us allow Jesus to change our hearts and to give us new zeal to announce him to people of our times….”
Full story at Angelus News.
If you look at the pictures in the story at the link, they are all old people. The Church is dying. Where are the young? The aren’t at Catholic churches.
don’t be so hard on yourself
That’s why we do this. Monday of Holy Week’s readings are about preaching to the pagans of the outside world, and this is how we do it! As one of my favorite priests at my parish says, “You guys get it, but it’s the outside that we have to preach to!”
Monday of Holy Week’s readings are not about preaching to the pagans. The reading from Isaiah is about the servant of the Lord, upon whom the Spirit rests, and the Gospel is about Mary of Bethany anointing Jesus with expensive perfumed oil.
Both readings are about Jesus as the Lord’s anointed.
Not in North SD County. Lots of young families, teens and young adults here.
Don’t rely on that one tiny picture.The old must lead the young. That is their responsibility. You should respect your parents and grandparents, who taught you the Faith! The young are way too young for leadership positions, and must learn from their elders. Your elderly Grandma and Grandpa may not be able to walk 6 miles– and may be unable to join this Eucharistic Procession. But they are experienced in the Faith, and have much to teach you. Respect them! Never look to the kids for leadership– they are way too young, and lack training and experience in all areas of life– including religion.
It’s really wonderful, your concern for young Catholics to come to Mass! In my previous comment, I didn’t mean to sound like young people do not respect their elders. Anyway, there really are lots of young Catholics, married with children and single, who are very devout. Many of them love the authentic Catholic Faith, and its beautiful and holy traditions, such as Eucharistic Adoration. Many are homeschooling their children, along with other Catholic families. Many are on the front lines of the Pro Life movement, along with Lila Rose of “Live Action,” Shawn Carney of “40 Days for Life,” and many others. They are the future of the Church, and have much to offer, to help transform the dark and evil Death Culture into the Culture of Life, for Christ.
Praise Jesus.
Between Fri. March 24th and Sun. March 26th, at about the same time as the Eucharistic Procession by Abp. Gomez, the Tabernacle in the late Bishop David O’Connell’s home was stolen. Hope the police soon find it, with all the sacred hosts, and no further desecration. Very sad. Bp. O’Connell was senselessly murdered Feb. 18th.
The tabernacle was empty when stolen.