North Idaho Catholics take to streets in youth-led Eucharistic Procession

The youth-led Eucharistic procession included 20 North Idaho young men ages 8-18 serving in various roles such as carrying the crucifix and the Marian platform on the streets of Coeur d’ Alene. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

By Lisa Ormond

ICR North Idaho Correspondent

On May 19, nearly 400 North Idaho Catholics, representing five parishes, gathered in peaceful witness for the second annual youth-led Eucharistic procession through the streets of Coeur d'Alene, publicly walking with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

This prayerful, public proclamation and celebration of faith was led by approximately 20 altar servers ages 8 to 18, with four clergy alongside them in communal reverence.

Deacon Vince Perry of St. Stanislaus Parish in Rathdrum had praise for the altar servers who volunteered.

“You could tell they were serious about their service to the Lord, and they were truly enjoying it,” he said.

Powerful display

With spiritual solidarity and worship, Catholics of all ages walked and sang hymns while on foot, in strollers and wagons, and on bikes behind the processional crucifix, holy relics, the Marian platform and statue weighing more than 200 pounds, and the monstrance containing the consecrated Eucharistic Body of Christ.

New to the procession lineup this year was the addition of the Marian platform, which was constructed and donated by area Catholics. The wooden Blessed Mother statue was borrowed from the Holy Family Catholic School adoration chapel in Coeur d’Alene.

Before and after the procession, the group gathered at St. Thomas the Apostle parish to adorn the Body of Christ and to offer prayers as a faith community“It was so beautiful having Mary leading the way for Jesus in this procession,” said Perry. (ICR photo/Lisa Ormond)

Deacons Chris Stewart of St. Pius X and Andy Finney of St. Thomas the Apostle joined Deacon Perry in honoring and carrying Jesus that evening. Father Mariusz Majewski of St. Thomas also processed.

The community began the procession by assembling at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, with opening comments and prayer, then moved out the church doors toward neighborhoods and city streets in unison, eventually stopping at downtown McEuen Park before returning to the church.

Peaceful prayer

One processional highlight was the recitation of the rosary. An altar was set up on the park’s grass field for the Blessed Sacrament. Owen Keith of Coeur d’Alene, 17, led the rosary as he did last year before hundreds of kneeling, devoted participants.

It was Keith’s passion for the Lord that led him to suggest the idea of the public, youth-led Eucharistic procession in his hometown in 2025. It had never been done before.

“For me personally, the procession was magnificent. It filled me with great pride that our Catholic community came together in such a strong and meaningful way,” he told the Idaho Catholic Register.

Deacon Perry described this year’s procession as a “moving, memorable” experience.

“It hits you hard being a part of this. It’s so amazing,” he said. “You could feel the Holy Spirit around everyone there. You feel the faith.”