Diocese treasures the 'gift and grace' of His Presence
June 3, 2024 at 3:10 p.m.
Pilgrims traveling along the Seton Route made their final stop in the Diocese of Trenton, and joined the faithful in St. Mary Church, Bordentown, May 30. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated Mass, accompanied by Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor and diocesan Eucharistic Revival co-chair, along with priests from neighboring parishes and those traveling with the perpetual pilgrims.
PHOTO GALLERY: Eucharistic Pilgrimage- Bordentown
PHOTO GALLERY: Eucharistic Pilgrimage- Lower Trenton Bridge
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the nationwide movement designed to bring all to Christ through the Eucharist.
“The Eucharistic Revival has been here and will continue to be for the Church in our country a time of encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ who desires to be so intimately united to us that he has given us his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity from the time of that first Holy Thursday until this very moment.”
He also shared his prayers regarding the outcome of the Revival.
“What do we hope and pray with be the fruit of this Eucharistic Revival and pilgrimage: “What do you want him to do for you, for us, for our Diocese, for our Church? Reinvigorated worship in active, devout attendance at Mass, time spent in Eucharistic Adoration, growing in our understanding of the Eucharist and sharing that understanding with others by inviting them to join with us in our Eucharistic journey of faith.”
Reverent Send-off
Michael Ehrmann Following the Mass, the faithful accompanied Bishop O’Connell who carried Jesus in the monstrance to Hillside Park in Bordentown, where pilgrims and surrounding neighbors came together for prayer and Benediction.
Representatives of the Diocese then joined the Seton Route pilgrims as they traveled north to Trenton. There, they processed over the Lower Trenton Bridge where Bishop O’Connell delivered the Blessed Sacrament to Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Seton Route pilgrimage will now continue on, with visits in multiple Pennsylvania dioceses and the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., before heading west until they reach Indianapolis for the Eucharistic Congress July 17-21.
Moving Memories
On the return walk to their cars, those who had just witnessed the special moment couldn’t help but feel a multitude of emotions.
“I was sad to see Jesus leave. But you know he is going to someone who needs him, and you take comfort in that. I know I’ll never be able to look at the bridge or drive over this bridge and not remember the time I walked here with Jesus,” Donna Frappolli, member of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish spoke.
Her husband Joe shared, “It was an emotional experience- the whole day- you knew Jesus was present. We are just so blessed to be a part of this.”
Fellow parishioner Virginia Olsen said, “I’m speechless. Wow –it was an emotional day. You really felt His Presence here with us. I know that Jesus walked with me today.”
David Epstein from Incarnation- St. James Parish, Ewing, shared similar thoughts.
“I was sad when the pilgrimage continued without us. I was surprised to see that I was crying. But I know Jesus will continue to walk with me during everyday life.”
While some were able to share their thoughts and feelings on what they experienced by taking part in the Eucharistic Pilgrimage and in other aspects of the Eucharistic Revival, Father O’Reilly suspects the graces of this event haven’t been fully revealed just yet to all.
“The personal impact has been really great. And it hasn’t been really fully processed either. I know for me it was so moving just to walk across the bridge and recognize and realize that Christ is walking with us. For me I feel that it will probably be in the weeks and months ahead that I’ll really truly appreciate all that has happened.”
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Events
Pilgrims traveling along the Seton Route made their final stop in the Diocese of Trenton, and joined the faithful in St. Mary Church, Bordentown, May 30. Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., celebrated Mass, accompanied by Father Martin O’Reilly, pastor and diocesan Eucharistic Revival co-chair, along with priests from neighboring parishes and those traveling with the perpetual pilgrims.
PHOTO GALLERY: Eucharistic Pilgrimage- Bordentown
PHOTO GALLERY: Eucharistic Pilgrimage- Lower Trenton Bridge
In his homily, Bishop O’Connell reflected on the nationwide movement designed to bring all to Christ through the Eucharist.
“The Eucharistic Revival has been here and will continue to be for the Church in our country a time of encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ who desires to be so intimately united to us that he has given us his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity from the time of that first Holy Thursday until this very moment.”
He also shared his prayers regarding the outcome of the Revival.
“What do we hope and pray with be the fruit of this Eucharistic Revival and pilgrimage: “What do you want him to do for you, for us, for our Diocese, for our Church? Reinvigorated worship in active, devout attendance at Mass, time spent in Eucharistic Adoration, growing in our understanding of the Eucharist and sharing that understanding with others by inviting them to join with us in our Eucharistic journey of faith.”
Reverent Send-off
Michael Ehrmann Following the Mass, the faithful accompanied Bishop O’Connell who carried Jesus in the monstrance to Hillside Park in Bordentown, where pilgrims and surrounding neighbors came together for prayer and Benediction.
Representatives of the Diocese then joined the Seton Route pilgrims as they traveled north to Trenton. There, they processed over the Lower Trenton Bridge where Bishop O’Connell delivered the Blessed Sacrament to Auxiliary Bishop John McIntyre from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
The Seton Route pilgrimage will now continue on, with visits in multiple Pennsylvania dioceses and the Archdioceses of Baltimore and Washington, D.C., before heading west until they reach Indianapolis for the Eucharistic Congress July 17-21.
Moving Memories
On the return walk to their cars, those who had just witnessed the special moment couldn’t help but feel a multitude of emotions.
“I was sad to see Jesus leave. But you know he is going to someone who needs him, and you take comfort in that. I know I’ll never be able to look at the bridge or drive over this bridge and not remember the time I walked here with Jesus,” Donna Frappolli, member of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish spoke.
Her husband Joe shared, “It was an emotional experience- the whole day- you knew Jesus was present. We are just so blessed to be a part of this.”
Fellow parishioner Virginia Olsen said, “I’m speechless. Wow –it was an emotional day. You really felt His Presence here with us. I know that Jesus walked with me today.”
David Epstein from Incarnation- St. James Parish, Ewing, shared similar thoughts.
“I was sad when the pilgrimage continued without us. I was surprised to see that I was crying. But I know Jesus will continue to walk with me during everyday life.”
While some were able to share their thoughts and feelings on what they experienced by taking part in the Eucharistic Pilgrimage and in other aspects of the Eucharistic Revival, Father O’Reilly suspects the graces of this event haven’t been fully revealed just yet to all.
“The personal impact has been really great. And it hasn’t been really fully processed either. I know for me it was so moving just to walk across the bridge and recognize and realize that Christ is walking with us. For me I feel that it will probably be in the weeks and months ahead that I’ll really truly appreciate all that has happened.”
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.