Columbus St. Thomas More Newman Center brought Jesus into the heart of Ohio State University’s campus on Friday, March 25 with a Eucharistic procession that included Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and recitation of the prayer for the consecration of humanity, with emphasis on Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The Blessed Sacrament rests on an altar for adoration at Browning Amphitheater near Mirror Lake on Ohio State's campus.     CT photo by Ken Snow

After the 5:30 p.m. Mass on the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord at the Newman Center on West Lane Avenue, Father Jimmy Hsu, CSP, carried the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament onto campus and across the Oval with students and others following before stopping at Browning Amphitheater near Mirror Lake for Adoration, which concluded with the consecration prayer.

The procession then resumed, crossing campus back to the Newman Center.

“We hope that this will serve as a visible sign of Christian unity for our university and the country,” said Daniel Rich, president of the Buckeye Catholic student organization at Ohio State.

 “The Newman Center and campus Catholic organizations like FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students) ministry and St. Paul’s Outreach have been so generous in offering their time and resources to make this happen. And with this public witness in the Eucharistic procession, we want the presence of our Christian unity to be known by the students on campus so that they, too, are able to see the face of Jesus.”

Father Jimmy Hsu, CSP, raises the monstrance to bless Ohio State students and others gathered for the Eucharistic procession and the act of consecration on Friday, March 25.     CT photo by Ken Snow 

Earlier in the day, the act of consecration was led by Pope Francis in Rome. Bishops and the faithful throughout the world also took part in their home dioceses. At a noon Mass in the Diocese of Columbus at St. Joseph Cathedral, the consecration was prayed by Msgr. Stephan Moloney, diocesan administrator and vicar general, before a congregation of approximately 250.