Visitation of Our Lady students ‘follow Christ’ in eucharistic procession

By BETH DONZE
Clarion Herald

Braving overcast skies and a chilly turn in the weather, the entire student body at Visitation of Our Lady School in Marrero paused their studies the morning of Feb. 17 to take part in an outdoor eucharistic procession led by their pastor, Father Colin Braud.

Hymns trumpeting the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist were sung by the school choir as Father Braud, assisted by Father Jude Emunemu, parochial vicar, carried a monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament down school breezeways and in sweeping, circular processions around the parking lot fronting Ames Boulevard.

The procession concluded with the placement of the monstrance on an outdoor altar for eucharistic adoration, the Litany of the Holy Eucharist and a reading from the book of Corinthians in which St. Paul shares the story of Christ’s gift of himself at the Last Supper. Students then took turns leading their schoolmates in a decade of the rosary that focused on the 5th Luminous Mystery: “The Institution of the Eucharist.”

During the subsequent reflection, Father Braud said the special adoration event was giving students, teachers and others the opportunity to “raise our minds and hearts to Christ” in the midst of the busy school day.

Realizing that many students – and some of their teachers and parents – had never taken part in a eucharistic procession before, Father Braud prepared them for a special moment that would be taking place shortly after his reflection: the Benediction, in which the priest raises up Christ, present in the monstrance, for a blessing of God’s people.

“It’s probably the greatest blessing we can receive – to not just be blessed by the priest at the Mass, but to be blessed by our Lord in the Eucharist,” Father Braud said.

Another reason for the outdoor  procession was explained by Father Braud to the attending adults.

“We’re here to sanctify,” he told them. “The heart of Catholic schools is to sanctify – to lead us all closer to Jesus, closer to heaven. That’s what sets us apart from the (public) school behind us. We’re here to bring ourselves and others to Jesus. That is the mission of Catholic schools!”

In his explanation of the eucharistic procession to students, Father Braud said one of the great symbols of Catholic life is that image of “following Jesus” in the “journey” of life – something the young people were literally doing that day by physically following the monstrance in one long procession.

“We actually followed Christ today in the Eucharist as we processed around the school and around the parking lot. Never forget that,” Father Braud said. “Always follow Christ every day – in the classroom, when you’re at home with friends, and even if nobody’s with you. Don’t stop following Jesus, don’t stop following Christ. Keep your eyes focused and fixed on him. Follow him, and you will get to heaven.”

Seventh grader Addilyn Trauth, Visitation of Our Lady’s student council president, said the eucharistic procession was a great addition to other action-oriented prayer opportunities at her school, such as the Living Rosary in October and the Stations of the Cross during Lent.

“Any reason to celebrate Jesus is worth it,” Addilyn said. “We are lucky enough to be going to a Catholic school, and we get to do this – not everybody has the privilege to do that.

“When I saw all of the school coming together and walking around the campus praising Jesus, I was like, ‘Wow! This is amazing!’” Addilyn added. “Everybody in school gets to see this miracle before their eyes!”

Seventh grader Myles Tuccio had the honor of ringing the bells to call attention to the presence of Christ in the Eucharist – something he had done many times at Mass as an altar server, but had never before done in a eucharistic procession.

“It was a cool experience seeing everyone walking together and united as one school,” Myles said.

Visitation of Our Lady second graders had a special role in the procession, each displaying monstrance art they had made in anticipation of their First Communion in May.

“I’m very proud of the way all the students participated,” said Carolyn Levet, Visitation of Our Lady’s principal. “They gave it their all!”

Father Braud said the procession was inspired by the archdiocesan celebration of “The Year of the Eucharist,” an observance that officially concluded earlier this year, but whose fruits continue to emerge.

Noting that most of the miracles at the Catholic shrine to Our Lady of Lourdes (in France) had taken place during exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, Father Braud said the graces of eucharistic adoration are abundant and sometimes surprising.

“Who knows how hearts will change (after today’s procession) in terms of our students living out their faith?” he said.

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