It was a scene that was pure Catholic. Bishop Michael McGovern of the Diocese of Belleville (where the national route had just concluded) entered Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Collinsville, carrying the national Eucharistic Pilgrimage monstrance and processed down the main aisle to where Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois was waiting in front of the altar. The estimated 500 faithful inside the church knelt in adoration of our Lord while a trumpet, organ, and beautiful voices announced this arrival of our Lord. Then, the two bishops - two successors of the Apostles, met together. Bishop McGovern handed the monstrance to Bishop Paprocki, a powerful moment, signifying the national procession officially entering the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Bishop Paprocki then placed the monstrance on the altar where the two bishops and the faithful prayed in adoration for several minutes. After the handoff of the monstrance, Bishop Paprocki then led Catholics on a Eucharistic procession to Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery and back (one mile) before Fr. Michael Haag, pastor of Ss. Peter and Paul, did Benediction.
#jesus #jesuschrist #catholic #catholicchurch #eucharist #God #hope #faith #SpiCatholic #eucharisticpilgrimage #eucharisticrevival