{"id":7534,"date":"2024-06-09T15:00:02","date_gmt":"2024-06-09T15:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/?p=7534"},"modified":"2024-06-13T15:30:09","modified_gmt":"2024-06-13T15:30:09","slug":"nearly-5000-process-through-the-heart-of-denver-to-give-testimony-to-real-presence-of-jesus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/nearly-5000-process-through-the-heart-of-denver-to-give-testimony-to-real-presence-of-jesus\/","title":{"rendered":"Nearly 5,000 process through the heart of Denver to give testimony to Real Presence of Jesus"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_row_inner content_placement=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” left_padding_desktop=”12%” constrain_group_2=”yes” right_padding_desktop=”12%” left_padding_phone=”6%” constrain_group_6=”yes” right_padding_phone=”6%” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”7535″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”None” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_custom_heading text=”(Photo by Andy Sanchez)” font_container=”tag:h5|font_size:15|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Libre%20Baskerville%3Aregular%2Citalic%2C700|font_style:400%20italic%3A400%3Aitalic”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”30px”][vc_column_text]Downtown Denver ground to a halt Sunday morning, as nearly five thousand faithful descended upon the economic, legal and legislative centers of the City and State, following the Eucharistic Lord Jesus in procession as part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.<\/p>\n

The Jun\u00edpero Serra route of the pilgrimage, which started in San Francisco and\u00a0arrived in Colorado<\/a>\u00a0Wednesday, has made its way through the Archdiocese of Denver, with stops at\u00a0St. Ignatius Church in Rangely<\/a>,\u00a0Holy Name Parish in Steamboat Springs<\/a>, St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Boulder,\u00a0St. Joan of Arc Parish in Arvada<\/a>,\u00a0Light of the World Parish in Littleton<\/a>\u00a0and Holy Protection Byzantine Catholic Church in Denver. The pilgrimage also visited\u00a0Camp St. Malo\u2019s St. Catherine Chapel on the Rock<\/a>, the Augustine Institute,\u00a0Christ in the City<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Mother Cabrini Shrin<\/a>e.<\/p>\n

The Colorado portion of the pilgrimage culminated in Sunday\u2019s events, with nearly five thousand faithful prayerfully processing through downtown in what is likely the largest Eucharistic procession in Denver history \u2013 and which might be the largest procession the Serra route has seen so far.<\/p>\n

With hymns and prayers echoing through the downtown streets, Denverites couldn\u2019t help but stop and take notice as their Eucharistic Lord passed by \u2013 a complete change of pace for downtown\u2019s typical busyness.<\/p>\n

The historic day began at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, where Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila celebrated Mass for a massive congregation, overflowing from the cathedral.<\/p>\n

In his homily, Archbishop Aquila noted the countercultural witness of those gathered. Just like Adam and Eve in Sunday\u2019s first reading, Catholic Christians today are in the midst of a spiritual battle, striving to move ever closer to Christ and to reject the falsities of the world.<\/p>\n

By surrendering to Christ and imploring that God\u2019s will be done, we become friends \u2013 brothers, sisters and mothers \u2013 of Christ and saints, Archbishop Aquila said, referring to Sunday\u2019s Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe must listen to the voice of Jesus, to the voice of God, not our own voice. That is essential,\u201d he said, encouraging those gathered to ask themselves, \u201cWho do I trust more?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe only way that peace will come into our world, the only way that the joy that Jesus has desired for us will enter our hearts, and the only way that peace will happen within our hearts and souls is if we surrender, if we give ourselves completely to him who is love,\u201d Archbishop Aquila continued.<\/p>\n

In short, Jesus\u2019 own\u00a0complete, total, loving surrender<\/a>\u00a0gives a profound example for those living the Christian life; we are called to live the same self-gift that Jesus lives in each Eucharist.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the Eucharist, he has left us the greatest gift he could: his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity,\u201d the archbishop added, expounding on St. Paul\u2019s exhortation to the Corinthians in Sunday\u2019s second reading. \u201cEvery time you and I receive the Eucharist, what we see is bread and wine. It is truly the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ. It is the second person of the Trinity, risen and ascended to the Father, seated at the right hand of the Father, who we receive. Why? Because he has said so, and we take Jesus at his word. He is faithful, and it is truly his gift for us as we journey on this earth.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_gallery type=”flickity_style” images=”7538,7536,7539,7540,7537″ flickity_spacing=”default” flickity_controls=”next_prev_arrows” flickity_overflow=”hidden” flickity_wrap_around=”wrap” flickity_desktop_columns=”1″ flickity_small_desktop_columns=”1″ flickity_tablet_columns=”1″ flickity_phone_columns=”1″ flickity_box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” display_title_caption=”true” onclick=”link_image” el_class=”removetitle”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]As Mass concluded, the great gift of the Blessed Sacrament was exposed in the Cathedral for those gathered to adore. Then, bringing to life the dismissal of every Mass, the congregation\u00a0literally<\/em>\u00a0went forth, proclaiming the Gospel with their lives as they took to the streets of Denver in procession.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs we accompany Jesus through the hustle and bustle of economic, legal and legislative centers of the City and State, I am reminded of the way Jesus stopped to heal the woman with a hemorrhage in the Gospel of Mark,\u201d Archbishop Aquila said of the historic procession through downtown. \u201cEven amid the busyness of his day, Jesus stopped to encounter his beloved daughter and heal her. During these days, Jesus comes to encounter his beloved sons and daughters in northern Colorado, in the heart of Denver.\u201d<\/p>\n

Indeed, Jesus came to encounter his people on the streets of Denver, as the Eucharist was processed down Colfax Avenue, around Civic Center and the United States Mint, up 14th<\/sup>\u00a0Avenue, and down Lincoln Street.<\/p>\n

The procession made its way in front of the Colorado State Capitol, where Denverites could be seen gathering for photos and watching from the Capitol\u2019s balcony.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival at the Capitol, Archbishop Aquila paused and offered a Eucharistic blessing, praying for the legislators, staffers and the work inside.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a profound joy to see so many of the faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Denver gathered in prayer and witness to Jesus. Through our joyfully countercultural witness to our abiding relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I pray that many come to know Jesus Christ, so that all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father,\u201d Archbishop Aquila told the\u00a0Denver Catholic<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In a moving testament to the catholicity (universality) of the Church, thousands of faithful from across the archdiocese followed the Lord Jesus, representing different parish communities, ministries, ages, races, ethnicities, and languages.<\/p>\n

As the Eucharistic Lord made his way through the heart of the city, shouts of \u201cViva Cristo Rey!\u201d and \u201cViva la Virgen de Guadalupe!\u201d resounded and were coupled with hymns in English, Latin and Spanish.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was really profound to see Christ in the monstrance, in the Eucharist, coming down the streets of Denver,\u201d said Grace Eckard. \u201cChrist is for everyone and anyone, even walking by. We heard people asking \u2018What is this? What\u2019s happening right now?\u2019 And it was so profound, like they don\u2019t know Christ, but Christ is here for them and we\u2019re coming down the street for them as well.\u201d<\/p>\n

The feeling of unity and community among believers was palpable through Sunday\u2019s display of devotion. For Senite Sahlezghi, that unity in faith-filled pilgrimage was striking.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt felt like the Church! It was the communion of saints processing in together \u2013 Church triumphant, church militant \u2013 and, it felt like we were all on pilgrimage towards the goal, which is him,\u201d Sahlezghi shared.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_gallery type=”flickity_style” images=”7551,7545,7552,7553,7546,7547,7556,7548,7554,7555,7543,7544,7549,7550″ flickity_spacing=”default” flickity_controls=”next_prev_arrows” flickity_overflow=”hidden” flickity_wrap_around=”wrap” flickity_desktop_columns=”1″ flickity_small_desktop_columns=”1″ flickity_tablet_columns=”1″ flickity_phone_columns=”1″ flickity_box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” display_title_caption=”true” onclick=”link_no” el_class=”removetitle”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]For those gathered in prayer, worship, community and witness, Jesus indeed was the goal: coming to receive his love more deeply, know and love him more profoundly, and witnessing to him more boldly.<\/p>\n

As they walked with him through the very heart of Denver, some couldn\u2019t help but reflect on how Jesus has knocked on the doors of their own hearts.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a new convert to Catholicism, the Eucharist means everything. It\u2019s the source and summit of our faith. It\u2019s what drew me to convert to Catholicism,\u201d said Tracy, who was recently received into the Catholic Church. \u201cEvery time I receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I\u2019m overwhelmed with humility and love. It\u2019s amazing. I would invite everybody to come into this. The fact that we all receive from the one Body of Christ, nothing can beat it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others were struck by the importance, power and grace of the Eucharist, of their faith in Jesus and his Church, which was on full display Sunday.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor us, the Eucharist means life. It provides us the life the force to move forward in our family. Without it, we\u2019re lost, struggling around in this world but it gives us a point, a direction to go,\u201d Huy Le shared with the\u00a0Denver Catholic<\/em>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is awesome that we have something so cool to process about,\u201d shared Maura Lee, who has only attended two Eucharistic processions including Sunday\u2019s. Though more comfortable in one-on-one interactions, Lee said she found herself warming up to the boldness of Sunday\u2019s procession. \u201cIt\u2019s nice to be here; it\u2019s good to be here with so many others and with Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was beautiful to see so many faithful gathered together, religious and lay alike. It was truly an embodiment of the universal Church,\u201d said Alison Naughton. \u201cThere was such a pride in Mother Church. We were all excited to walk with our Lord throughout the streets of Denver. The victory of our Lord was so tangible.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was beautiful to walk both with and by faith, and to prayerfully witness to the goodness of the Eucharist,\u201d said Tony Cornejo.<\/p>\n

As the massive Eucharistic procession rounded the corner and approached Holy Ghost Parish, its final destination, an air of beatitude permeated the usually hectic downtown. Jesus, the Eucharistic Lord, had triumphantly entered the city, rounded the centers of power and came to rest on a simple, humble altar on the steps of the beautiful church physically dwarfed by the skyscraper around it, but towering in devotion.<\/p>\n

Upon arrival, the thousands of faithful received Jesus\u2019 Eucharistic blessing through solemn benediction.<\/p>\n

The Lord who had walked with the pilgrims then made his way to the tabernacle, where, in the words of St. Josemaria Escriv\u00e1, \u201che has been waiting for you for centuries.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sunday\u2019s powerful demonstration of faith serves as a confirmation and a catalyst for the continued renewal of the local Church. The procession having ended, Denver Catholics stand on soil tilled for a revival of Eucharistic devotion.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sincere hope is that this National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which has passed through the heart of our capitol city, will renew our zeal and devotion to Jesus, present in the Eucharist,\u201d Archbishop Aquila concluded.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a profound joy to see so many of the faithful throughout the Archdiocese of Denver gathered in prayer and witness to Jesus. Through our joyfully countercultural witness to our abiding relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I pray that many come to know Jesus Christ, so that all might be rescued and have abundant life, for the glory of the Father.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”default” custom_height=”60px”][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” text_align=”left” row_position=”default” row_position_tablet=”inherit” row_position_phone=”inherit” overflow=”visible” pointer_events=”all”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” overflow=”visible” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

The Archbishop\u2019s Catholic Appeal is the Archdiocese of Denver\u2019s largest annual fundraiser, and helps events like these impact more lives.<\/div>\n
Join us in spreading Christ’s love through your generous gift.<\/div>\n[\/vc_column_text][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”15px”][nectar_btn size=”jumbo” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” color_override=”#f58320″ icon_family=”none” text=”Give Today” url=”https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/GiveNow\/”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][divider line_type=”Full Width Line” line_thickness=”1″ divider_color=”default” custom_height=”60px”][vc_column_text]\n
This story was updated on June 9th, 2024. Originally published in the Denver Catholic.<\/a><\/em><\/h5>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

While known to some for its party culture, multiple Denver priests think of the University of Colorado in Boulder as a turning point in their discernment. Three priests share their experience at the university and its impact on their vocation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":7535,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","content-type":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7534","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-religious-outreach"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7534","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7534"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7534\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7564,"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7534\/revisions\/7564"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7534"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7534"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archden.org\/give\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7534"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}