The United State Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has called for a Eucharistic Revival, a three-year “grassroots revival of devotion and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.” The mission of the revival is to renew the Church by enkindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. Locally, we will prepare for the Eucharistic Revival with a Forty Hours Devotion, beginning June 17. The devotion will culminate with a Eucharistic procession through the streets of downtown Birmingham on June 19, the Feast of Corpus Christi, at 7 p.m.

Regarding the eucharistic procession, the Birmingham Police department will escort the eucharistic procession which begins and ends at the Cathedral of St. Paul. The route is 1.1 miles through downtown Birmingham and will take approximately 30-40 minutes to make in solemn procession.

Street parking is available around the cathedral and at the Fourth Avenue North Parking behind the cathedral. Upon arrival, some individuals may wish to enter the cathedral where the Blessed Sacrament will already be exposed. Once the cathedral is full, please assemble according to your parish, school, or apostolate outside the cathedral. The Birmingham police department will have Third Avenue blocked off so that we can assemble in the streets. Parishes and groups will follow behind the Blessed Sacrament in procession at the invitation of an MC. Everyone is invited to carry their banners or statues or any other appropriate devotional items that they wish to carry in procession. Lighted candles and a liturgical resource to be used during the procession will be distributed to all prior to the procession.

Altar Servers from all parishes are invited to assist in the procession, vested in their respective altar server robes from their parish. Altar servers are invited to arrive at 6:30 p.m. in the upper level of the Cathedral of St. Paul Family Life Center. They will be guided to their place in the procession, and they will return to the Family Life Center after the procession.

Likewise, those children who received their First Holy Communion this year are invited to dress in their First Communion outfits and process ahead of the Blessed Sacrament, strewing rose petals. These children are invited to meet in the lower level of the Cathedral of St. Paul Family Life Center at 6:30 p.m. where the petals will be provided. They will be guided to their place in the procession, and they will return the Family Life Center after the procession.

At the end of the procession, the Blessed Sacrament will return to the altar of the cathedral. Clergy and faithful are invited to fill in the cathedral as they are able. Once the cathedral is full, the faithful will once again fill out into the streets. Exterior audio will be provided. After the incensation at the cathedral altar, the Blessed Sacrament will come to the cathedral steps for the final eucharistic benediction.