Catholics take Christ to Canberra’s streets

TRAFFIC between Narrabundah and Manuka came to a halt on November 15 as a crowd of almost 100 Catholics took part in the annual Eucharistic procession from St Benedict’s Church to St Christopher’s Cathedral.

Fr Ken Barker MGL, who carried the Blessed Sacrament during the journey, and several Missionaries of God’s Love seminarians, who carried the pilgrim statue of Our Lady Help of Christians, led the procession.

Participants recited the Rosary and several litanies during the procession, as well as singing a number of Marian hymns.

The event finished with Benediction at the Cathedral, followed by Mass celebrated by Archbishop Christopher Prowse.

Catholics took part in the annual Eucharistic procession from Narrabundah to Manuka on November 15. PHOTO: LOUI SESELJA.

It was the 14th time such a procession has been held in the nation’s capital, with the first taking place in 2002.

Organiser Brian Curtis said the procession went smoothly and that he was grateful for pleasant weather once again.

“It was great to have the Archbishop’s support again, along with the ever present help of the Missionaries of God’s Love, without whom the procession could not be run,” he said.

“Some Catholics may see events such as these as old fashioned. I believe processions such as these have great symbolic meaning, and are a great heritage not to be lost. The Blessed Eucharist is Christ himself. It is the greatest treasure of our faith.”

Mr Curtis added that the procession was a good way of publicly witnessing to one’s faith.

“It is always a highlight each year to walk past the ‘latte’ set in Manuka shops, singing Catholic hymns and reciting litanies of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Precious Blood,” he said. “You see a lot of open mouths and wide-eyed stares.