Chicago: Two Processions, One Heart

By Fr. Miguel Suarez, SDB, Pastor, St. John Bosco-St. James Parish

(Chicago, Ill. – June 16) – The St. John Bosco-St. James Parish community in Chicago recently came together to celebrate two profound expressions of faith: the feast of Mary Help of Christians and the solemnity of Corpus Christi. Hundreds of parishioners—both young and young at heart—walked side-by-side to proclaim their deep love for Christ and His Blessed Mother, showcasing a vibrant example of Salesian Family spirit.

Because the traditional feast of Mary Help of Christians coincided with Pentecost Sunday this year, the parish celebrated our Marian patroness on Friday, May 29. A large crowd congregated at St. James Church to conclude the Marian month with a joyful procession to the St. John Bosco Church building. Pilgrims filled the Chicago streets with hymns, prayers, and public testimonies of love for Our Lady. A special note of gratitude goes to the Association of Devotees of Mary Help of Christians (ADMA) for their dedication in coordinating this beautiful Marian event. The procession culminated in a joyful Mass at St. John Bosco Church, followed by a festive, family-oriented gathering around the St. Dominic Savio Center.

The spiritual journey continued during the solemnity of Corpus Christi with a second procession that reversed the route, starting at St. John Bosco Church and ending at St. James Church. This Eucharistic pilgrimage relied on the collaborative efforts of our entire community. Along the path, the procession paused at altars, which were beautifully decorated by various parish groups. At each altar, parishioners gathered for intentional moments of prayer and Eucharistic adoration. Upon arriving at St. James Church, the Blessed Sacrament remained exposed until 5:00 p.m. To support the faithful after their long public witness, volunteers distributed fresh fruit and cold water.

These sacred celebrations beautifully illustrated our parish's deep love for Mary Help of Christians and our absolute devotion to our Lord in the Most Holy Sacrament. A warm thank you to ADMA and all the parish ministries and individuals whose hard work made these events a true success, proving that we are many members, but one heart in Christ!