MIDTOWN MANHATTAN -- The heart of Manhattan came to a reverent pause on Oct. 14 as 5,000 people participated in the Napa Institute's annual Eucharistic Procession -- believed to be the largest of its kind in New York City.
Drawing participants from across the country, the event brought clergy, religious, and lay faithful into the streets to bear public witness to the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
The afternoon, which began at St. Patrick's Cathedral, included opening talks from Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Apostolic Prefect of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Father Ambrose Criste, a Norbertine priest from St. Michael's Abbey in Orange County, California, followed by Mass at St. Patrick's celebrated by Cardinal Sean O'Malley, archbishop emeritus of Boston. Catholic actors Jonathan Roumie and David Henrie were also in attendance, and Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the archbishop of New York, made closing remarks.
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Among the priests who concelebrated Mass and helped organize the event was Father Sean Suckiel, pastor of Holy Family in Fresh Meadows and American Martyrs in Bayside. He said watching the Blessed Sacrament move through the city's bustling streets carries a deep message.
"In a city that never stops, Jesus is coming into the chaos. He's entering the noise of New York City," Father Suckiel said. "What's happening here is also happening in our own lives -- Jesus wants to come into our hearts and souls to give us that peace and comfort."
Founded more than 15 years ago, the Napa Institute's annual Eucharistic Procession aims to unite and uplift people in a public celebration of faith.
"What we do here as Catholics, in a way, can give a soul to the city. It can help people see that there is hope and there are things that, no matter what adversity you're facing in your life, you can overcome them," said Mark Rohlena, president of the Napa Institute. "It's amazing to see the reactions of people on the street when Jesus leads the way."
From school groups to those joining right from work, participants joined the hymns and prayer as onlookers paused.
"Jesus is present in the Eucharist, and we wanted to share that with the people of New York," said Kathleen Leary, a resident of Babylon, Long Island. "We wanted to share our faith today, and hopefully, inspire others."