A few months ago, Devin reached out to me with a question:
“Would you help us cover the Eucharistic Procession at UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago)?”
“Eucharistic Procession in Chicago?” I thought.
That’s amazing!
For those who aren’t from Chicago: Eucharistic Processions are quite rare in the “Windy City,” so when we get to experience one, we get really excited!
“When?” I asked.
“April 16th.”
It was perfect—I had availability, and it was Holy Week.
Could there be a better time for a Eucharistic Procession?
Right at the Vigil of Holy Thursday, when the Institution of the Holy Eucharist took place!
I arrived at the St. John Paul II Newman Center ahead of time. My friend Becca (the brain behind the whole operation) welcomed me with a big smile. We were both excited about what was coming.
Everything began with Holy Mass at 12 PM, led by Fr. Tim. The chapel was full—even with extra seats added. You could feel the excitement in the air. A Eucharistic Procession was about to happen—in the middle of Chicago, right on UIC’s campus.
We started immediately after Mass. The sun was shining the entire time. Many students passed us without paying much attention, but we prayed for them to be curious—to ask what was going on.
And some of them did!
Which gave us the chance to share the truth—the Good News:
The King is here!
The King of the Universe came to Chicago—to the University of Illinois—so that hundreds of people could worship Him and be witnesses to others, some of whom had never heard about the Lord Jesus before.
By God’s grace, a few more learned about Him today.
We spent about half an hour at “ComEd Green Space” in adoration, with a stunning view of the Willis Tower (yes, still known to some of us as the Sears Tower). It was a truly unique experience—something I hadn’t encountered in my ten years of living in the Windy City.
Bishop Bartosic blessed us with the Most Holy Sacrament.
The joy was overwhelming—even in the midst of Christ’s betrayal and Passion—because we know what we’re waiting for:
The Resurrection!
Chicago, you just leveled up.
Let’s keep it going!
