CHICAGO (August 4, 2005) The Archdiocese of Chicago and the Knights of Columbus are combining efforts to present a major Catholic celebration in honor of the Eucharist, the Most Blessed Sacrament, on the afternoon of Friday, August 5, at Grant Park on Chicago’s lakefront.

A procession will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. tomorrow afternoon when Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, the auxiliary bishops of Chicago, and bishops from across the country join representatives of the Knights of Columbus to carry the Eucharist from the Chicago Hilton Hotel to Chicago’s Grant Park’s Butler Field near the Petrillo Music Shell, located at Jackson and Columbus Drive. A celebration of adoration and benediction will follow the procession at that location.

Cardinal George will carry the Blessed Sacrament at the beginning of the procession and will offer a homily during the service in Butler Field.

This special event is being held in honor of the “Year of the Eucharist,” proclaimed last year by the late Pope John Paul II. It is also taking place in conjunction with a national Eucharistic Congress that is being held in Chicago by the Knights of Columbus on August 4 and 5.

For more information on the Eucharistic procession and celebration, visit the official website of the Archdiocese of Chicago at www.archchicago.org.

Eucharistic Procession & Benediction -- Friday, August 5 (all times approximate)

12:30-40 p.m. At the conclusion of the 11:30 a.m. Mass in the Chicago Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom, the Eucharistic Procession will form, and it will include:

• Two candle bearers
• The Knights of Columbus (more than 1,000 expected)
• A Brass ensemble
• A Deacon with the Book of Gospels
• Dozens of Priest Concelebrants, followed by Bishop Concelebrants
• Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I., Archbishop of Chicago, who will carry the Blessed Sacrament for a short distance.

The Procession then makes its way to the hotel’s 8 th Street entrance, where a canopy carried by Knights of Columbus will be waiting outside the entrance to accompany the Blessed Sacrament once it exits the hotel.

12:45 – 1 p.m. The Procession then makes its way:

• Across Michigan Avenue at 8 th St., meeting an Archdiocesan choir on the east side of Michigan Avenue;
• North along Michigan Avenue to Balbo Drive;
• East on Balbo Drive toward the Rose Walk within Grant Park (passing a second Archdiocesan choir stationed just west of Columbus Drive);
• North at the Rose Walk toward Buckingham Fountain (passing a third Archdiocesan choir near the Fountain).

1 p.m. The Procession enters the Buckingham Fountain area, and the brass ensemble accompanying the Blessed Sacrament announces its arrival with fanfare.

1-1:15 p.m. As the Procession moves north of Buckingham Fountain (passing a fourth Archdiocesan choir situated north of the main fountain), Catholics who have gathered at the Fountain will join the Procession.

The Procession will then

• cross Jackson Boulevard (past a fifth Archdiocesan Choir);
• enter Butler Field, with the brass ensemble announcing its arrival;
• move along a pathway within the field , making its way to the sanctuary platform.

1:30 – 2:30/3 p.m. After the Blessed Sacrament has been incensed, the celebration will continue with the following Order of Service:

• The Proclamation of the Gospel: John 6: 53-59 (proclaimed by the Deacon) In this Gospel reading, Jesus speaks about His Body as nourishment for all who would follow Him. The Church sees in Jesus’ words a reflection on the Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be the real presence of Christ among us.

• The Homily, offered by Cardinal George;
• Meditation (the choir will sing and a period of silence will follow);
• Benediction
• The choir will lead the singing of Tantum Ergo (a traditional song for this ritual, attributed to St. Thomas Aquinas);
• Incensation of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by a closing prayer;
• Blessing of all present with the Blessed Sacrament; Divine Praises;
• Closing Song.