For 108 years, the Chambersburg section of Trenton has upheld a beloved tradition of paying tribute to the Blessed Virgin Mary with a Mass and procession. Such was the occasion Aug.  10 when members of Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Trenton, former parishioners and other guests gathered for the Mass and then joined in a procession through several nearby streets, reciting the Rosary and singing hymns of praise. The focal point of the procession was the float bearing a statue of Madonna and the Christ Child. The Mass was celebrated in Immaculate Conception Church, one of the parish’s two worship sites. The procession traveled to St. Joachim Church, the second worship site, where Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament was held.

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The procession was originally started in St. Joachim Church by the Italian immigrants to the community as a way to publicly celebrate their faith and the rich culture and heritage of the Italian Americans living in Chambersburg.

Since 2006, the procession date has been moved to a Sunday in August from its 100-year tradition of being held on the second Sunday in September. The decision to move the date was made following the 2005 merger of the two Chambersburg parishes into the new Our Lady of the Angels Parish.

Since 2006, the second Sunday of August was chosen as the date for the parish’s patron feast and procession as Aug. 2 is the feast day of Our Lady of the Angels.