Photo Taken from Google via Creative Commons License

Royals were invited to reflect on the experiences of the travelers on the road to Emmaus as they walked with Jesus.

On Wednesday, Oct. 7, Royals had the opportunity to take a walk along with Jesus and Mary. Rosary students experienced a Eucharistic Procession this past week, a unique take to prayer that involved participants praying the Rosary while walking behind a monstrance holding the Eucharist, which is carried by a priest. With the help of Fr. Ian and Campus Ministry, the Eucharistic Procession was a success and helped many Royals to connect with their spirituality. 

The procession began in the Karcher Center where Fr. Ian brought the monstrance with the Body of Christ in for all to worship. The story of Jesus on the Road to Emmaus was read from Scripture, which was a very fitting story to be read right before the Royals were about to walk with Jesus themselves. Fr. Ian then gave a short, yet meaningful homily about how Royals should incorporate, recognize and acknowledge Jesus in their own lives. After they reflected on what they had just heard, prayed and participated by singing, everyone followed Jesus out of the Karcher Center, and the Eucharistic Procession began.

As the entire school, faculty and staff included, walked out of the front gates and onto Acacia Ave., the first Joyful Mystery was announced. Royals prayed the Rosary and connected with Mary, Jesus and their faith while they made the loop around the school. Processions like this one are helpful because they instruct students on how to pray the Rosary and the prayers encompassed in this tradition. Royals had the opportunity to reflect on the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary, which were shared between the different decades. These mysteries included the Annunciation, the Visitation, the Birth of Jesus, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple. These mysteries reveal the divinity of both God and Jesus and can inspire Catholics to live like Mary and follow her example. When the procession reached Rosary’s back parking lot, students had grown in their faith and had grown in their individual relationships with God. Bella Ambata ‘27 was deeply impacted by the procession and felt Jesus’ presence as he walked beside her. “The procession and the praying of the Rosary this morning helped me to connect with my faith because I was able to envision Jesus walking beside me, as He did with the disciples in the Road to Emmaus passage we reflected on beforehand,” Ambata says, “I think it is really beautiful that Rosary constantly encourages us to be on fire for Christ!” Rosary is a very special place in which Royals can grow in their faith and relationship with God in an environment where they are always supported by their peers, no matter what. 

Upon entering back into the Karcher Center, Royals put down their rosaries and prayer cards to spend more time with Jesus in Adoration. This procession provided the perfect “break from the action” that all students needed: some time to put down everything, whether it be schoolwork, home or family stress or extracurriculars, and to follow Jesus, with Mary by their sides. The procession reminded Royals how difficult it is to be caught up in earthly things, and how simple it is to allow Jesus to take our minds off of superficial things and onto him – a way that we can achieve true peace. Bella Ramirez ’26 felt this peace and was given relief by Jesus during the procession: “The Eucharistic Procession impacted me because it allowed me to deepen my faith alongside the school community and publicly to the surrounding community.”

If Dr. Pautsch decides that another Eucharistic Procession would be fitting later this year, it is safe to say that the idea will be welcomed with open arms by all Royals, who will be very eager to participate in this wonderful form of            prayer once again.