Listen to the audio version of this article (generated by AI).
By Lisa Ormond |FāVS News Reporter
Coeur d’ Alene, IDAHO – Last week nearly 400 North Idaho Catholics from five different parishes gathered for the second annual youth-led Eucharistic Procession to walk for Jesus on the streets of Coeur d’ Alene. This public proclamation of faith was led by approximately 20 altar servers ages 8 to 18 with four clergy alongside in communal support and service.
Deacon Vince Perry of St. Stanislaus in Rathdrum had praise for the altar servers who volunteered.
“You could tell they were serious about their service to the Lord, and they were truly enjoying it,” he said.
Powerful display
With spiritual solidarity, worshipers of of all ages walked and sang hymns while on foot, in strollers and wagons, and on bikes behind the processional crucifix, holy relics, the Marian platform and statue weighing over 200 pounds, and the monstrance containing the consecrated Eucharistic Body of Christ.
New to the procession line up was the addition of the Marian platform which was donated and made by area Catholics and the wooden, Blessed Mother statue which came borrowed that day from the Holy Family Catholic School Adoration Chapel.
“It was so beautiful having Mary leading the way for Jesus in this procession,” said Deacon Vince Perry of St. Stanislaus in Rathdrum.
Deacons Chris Stewart of St. Pius X Catholic Church and Andy Finney of St. Thomas the Apostle joined Perry in carrying Jesus that May 19 evening. The Rev. Mariusz Majewski of St. Thomas also processed.
The community gathered at St. Thomas the Apostle parish with opening comments and prayer and then moved out the church doors toward neighborhoods and city streets in unison, eventually stopping at downtown McEuen Park before returning to the church.
Peaceful park prayer
One processional highlight was the recitation of the rosary. An altar was set up on the park’s grass field for the Blessed Sacrament. The Sorrowful Mysteries rosary was led again by Owen Keith of Coeur d’ Alene,17, who last year also guided the hundreds of kneeling, devoted faithful through the Christ-centered prayer.
It was Keith who suggested the idea of the public, youth-led Eucharistic procession in his hometown in 2025. It had never been done before.
“For me personally, the procession was magnificent. It filled me with great pride that our Catholic community came together in such a strong and meaningful way,” said Keith.
Perry described the procession as a “moving, memorable” experience.
“It hits you hard being a part of this. It’s so amazing,” he said. “You could feel the Holy Spirit around everyone there. You feel the faith.”
FāVS News uses professional journalists and thoughtful commentary to explore faith, values and ethics. Support journalism like this by making a tax-deductible donation. FāVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. © FāVS News. All rights reserved. Reproduction permitted only to authorized media partners or with written permission.
I’m not of their faith but I stand united with them in their show of faith for our Savior, Jesus Christ. Any thing that leads to Him is good for us all.
Yes, Douglas, that is the beauty! Thank you for recognizing and sharing that important point. It is relevant–there are many believers in our communities, a blessing.
Why to Catholics worship Mary and not Jesus? They seem to put Mary first and that is not biblical!
“Catholics do not worship Mary or put her above Jesus. Jesus is the center of the Catholic faith. Mary is honored because she was the mother of Christ and because she always points people toward Him.
Yes, thank you, Dawn for your response and comments. Words spoken well. Great question, Kathy! This is often misunderstood–how Catholics honor the Blessed Mother. She did carry and birth Jesus and had a significant role in his upbringing, in his public ministry on earth. She was the first disciple, really, and was closest to him during his passion and death on the cross.
Hello, I’m Jason Chavez, founder of Communio CDA, and I spearheaded this youth led Eucharistic Procession. Here is the flow of the procession along with a brief theological understanding behind why it is structured this way. Thank you for your support, prayers, and willingness to publicly witness to Jesus Christ.
Traditional Eucharistic Procession Flow
1. Processional Cross The Cross leads the way because everything begins and ends in Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. The Cross reminds us that we follow Jesus crucified and risen.
2. Incense Incense represents prayer rising to Heaven and honors the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
3. Youth, Servers, and Faithful The people of God follow after the Cross as pilgrims journeying toward the Kingdom. The youth leading the procession is a visible sign that the next generation is rising up boldly in faith.
4. Shrine or Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mary is placed before the Eucharist not as the destination, but because she always leads us to her Son. She is the first disciple, the Ark of the New Covenant, and the Mother who says, “Do whatever He tells you.” Her role in the procession reflects her role in salvation history: to bring souls to Jesus Christ.
5. The Eucharist Under the Canopy The Eucharist is the center, summit, and climax of the procession. Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is the King moving through His people and into the public square. Everything in the procession points toward Him and flows from Him.
6. Priests, Religious, and the Faithful Following Christ The faithful walk behind Our Lord as a sign that we are disciples following Christ the King. The procession becomes a public witness that Jesus is not hidden only inside the church walls, but Lord over every street, city, family, and nation.
7. Benediction at the Destination Benediction is the blessing of Christ Himself over the city, the people, and the land. It is an act of intercession, evangelization, and spiritual warfare proclaiming that Christ reigns.
At the heart of this entire procession is one truth: everything points to Jesus Christ. Every symbol, every prayer, every person walking is ordered toward the Eucharist the source and summit of our Catholic faith. Christ is the center. Christ is the King. Christ is the reason we walk.
Thank you, Jason, for offering your perspectives to the conversation with others.
Dear Lisa, excellent article! ~ The correct term or word is ADORE not adorn. Please revise. Thanks & may Our Lady, Mediatrix of All Graces continue to bless & protect you.