Over 7,000 Catholics to attend Eucharistic procession

The procession is taken out every year coinciding with the feast of Christ the King.

Patna:  More than 7,000 Catholics from different parts of Patna, Bihar, are expected to take part in the annual Eucharistic procession on Sunday.

The procession would commence at Loyola High School (LHS), Kurji, with special prayers, intentions and devotional hymns.

It will move to St Michael's High School, Digha, before concluding with a Holy Mass at the Queen of the Apostles Church, Kurji.

As 2013 was declared the 'Year of Faith' by the Church, the theme of the prayer service would be "to make a human society based on firm faith in God."

In fact, prayers on this theme were offered all round the year.

This year, the celebration would be held at the deanery level in which people from 11 churches of Patna Deanery participate.

Fr Johnson Kelakath, parish priest of Kurji Parish, who is overlooking the preparations of the procession, said, "earlier, the procession was taken out only by the residents of Kurji Parish. But, this year, we've taken it a notch higher and people of other churches would also be participating."

Patna Deanery includes churches of Patna City, Bankipur, Phulwarisharif, Chakaram, Patliputra, Kurji, Raja Bazar, IGIMS, Danapur, Khagaul and Maner.

Along with the devotees, priests will carry the Holy 'Sacrament' (believed to have the presence of Jesus Christ in the form of bread and wine in a monstrance) under a decorated canopy. It would be led by Archbishop William D'Souza of Patna.

The procession is taken out every year coinciding with the feast of Christ the King that falls on the Sunday before the beginning of Advent season (the Sunday that marks the beginning of Christmas).

"The benediction at LHS would be offered by Fr. Devasia, vicar general, while the homily at the Mass would be delivered by Fr Peter Ignatius, parish priest of Danapur church," said Fr Kelakath.

Believers also install special altars en route and designer arches would be constructed by various Catholic institutions of the city.

"We wait for the annual procession eagerly as it gives us a chance to profess our faith," said a resident of Kurji parish.

Source: Times of India