The Most Reverend Robert J. Baker, Catholic Bishop of Charleston, will lead a eucharistic procession at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 5, from St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church at 89 Hasell St. to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. A Eucharistic Procession is an ancient rite of Christian worship. Over two dozen Church groups, schools and fraternal societies will take part in the procession with over 500 people expected to participate.

"This is the first time in memory that the Bishop of Charleston will lead a Eucharistic Procession through the Holy City,” Bishop Baker said. “It will be an historic and holy day in a city steeped in history and faith.” 

The procession will begin at St. Mary's and travel South on King Street to Broad Street and on to the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.  It will be led by Altar Servers carrying candles followed by numerous Church and school groups carrying banners, children who received First Holy Communion this year, fraternal societies such as the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians, and Deacons with incense. Bishop Baker will carry Jesus in the Eucharist under an elaborate canopy.  The Procession will culminate at the Cathedral with a presentation by Reverend Edward Fitzgerald followed by Bishop Baker blessing the entire city.

The adoration of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is something which grew out of the writings of the Evangelists and St. Paul who made it plain that the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine were literally Jesus Christ continuing His saving mission among mankind.
Monsignor Joseph Roth, Pastor of the Cathedral and coordinator of the procession, said that it will be quite a glorious event, "The King of Kings certainly deserves no less pomp and circumstance than we would accord the President of the United States or monarch of another country."