PARKERSBURG — Congregants across the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston will take to the streets to kick off the three-year national Eucharistic revival for the Catholic Church in the United States with regional Eucharistic processions the weekend of June 18-19.

The weekend marks the solemnity of Corpus Christi, a day when Catholics celebrate and honor the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.

The Eucharistic procession is a 14th century Catholic tradition. Priests carry the Blessed Sacrament in an ornate vessel, the monstrance or ostensorium, which is shaped like a cross. Catholic families and organizations follow the priest outside the church and on the streets as a sign of honor and glory for Christ in the Holy Eucharist – communion.

Six vicariates are in the state, Wheeling, Parkersburg, Clarksburg, Martinsburg, Charleston and Beckley. Each will host a Eucharistic procession as a respectful public act of unity and give gratitude and honor to God. The public is invited to participate in these respectful events.

Plans for the Vicariate of Parkersburg on June 19 include a procession to St. Francis Xavier Parish, Parkersburg, after the 9:30 a.m. Mass. The Catholic community will gather for a festive meal after the procession. The procession to St. Margaret Mary Parish, Parkersburg, is set for 3 p.m. on the solemnity.

St. John’s Parish, St. Marys will have a procession at 5 p.m. on June 19. A covered dinner will follow. St. Vincent de Paul Parish, New Martinsville, will hold a procession after 10:30 a.m. Mass on June 19, followed by a picnic in Holy Name Park for all parish and Catholic community missionaries of this region.

Traffic near listed churches may be affected during these times.

The National Eucharistic Revival begins with this Diocesan Year across the country. In June 2023, the parish year will begin and culminate on July 17, 2024, at the National Eucharistic Congress to be held in Indianapolis (July 17-21, 2024), when Catholics of all ages will gather for a conference to send the faithful with mission to serve and teach others about the Eucharist and Christ – the life of the world