Eucharistic procession crosses Ohio State campus

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” – John 6:51 

“The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1380

On Tuesday, Nov. 1, the Solemnity of All Saints, the Columbus St. Thomas More Newman Center held an outdoor Eucharistic Procession after the 7:30 p.m. Mass led by students, seminarians, Father William Hahn, diocesan vocations director, and Father Adam Streitenberger.

“The procession was an opportunity for the students of Buckeye Catholic to witness their faith in two ways,” said Father Streitenberger, diocesan director of evangelization and executive director of the Newman Center, which is near Ohio State University. 

“First, by processing with Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, we proclaim the need for Him at the Ohio State campus. Second, as we held the procession on the Solemnity of All Saints, we proclaimed that the Catholic Church and the communion of saints, throughout history, have led us to Jesus Christ. 

“More than 175 students joined in the procession. It was one of several signs of the vibrant faith of our young adults and the renewal in mission to the Ohio State University through Buckeye Catholic and the St. Thomas More Newman Center.” 

The Blessed Sacrament was carried throughout the main campus from the Newman Center and across the Oval before stopping at Browning Amphitheater near Mirror Lake for Adoration and silent prayer. 

“A Eucharistic revival is happening in our Church,” said Tara Shope, a junior at Ohio State who took part in the procession. “Our generation is on fire, and revival is in the air. This is only possible because of the deep humility of God’s love that comes to consume us by allowing us to consume Him through the loving gift that is Jesus in the Eucharist.” 

Other Ohio State students and campus missionaries were asked what it meant to them to have the Eucharist on campus.

“Jesus is the Light of the World,” said Daniel Rich, a senior. “College campuses are dark places, so having Jesus fully present with us is a display of his faithfulness and love.”  

“Being able to see Christ tangibly has greatly deepened my faith,” said senior Nicholas Arnold.

“It’s truly incredible to be able to process with the Creator of the Universe through campus,” said Patrick Towles, a fifth-year FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) missionary. “The Lord desires to be amongst the people, and it was special to be able to take Him there.”

Dominic Ratliff, a seminarian at the Pontifical College Josephinum, said, “On a college campus, everyone is looking at their phones. If we can get them to look up and look at their Lord, if only for a moment, that can be the difference between their loneliness and their starting journeys toward Christ.”

“The procession was not only an impactful experience for me but for my brother seminarians as well,” said Michael Rhatican, who is also studying at the Josephinum. “In seminary, it’s often easy to get caught up in the stress of formation and academics and forget why we’re in seminary.

“The procession helped rejuvenate our spirits and remember that we’re ultimately in seminary to be formed as men after the heart of Jesus, who brings His love to the world.”  

When asked what the Eucharist means, Rhatican said, “The Catechism says that the Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. As a future priest, God willing, I will strive to bring the love of Jesus to others, and this is primarily done through the Eucharist.” 

Kenny Davy is a Catholic Campaign for Human Development intern in the diocesan Office for Social Concerns.