It was less than six months ago that Columbia University had to cancel graduation ceremonies over widespread campus protests. Father Roger Landry remembers well the distressing moments — and that’s why the Eucharistic procession he led throughout the campus over the weekend meant so much to him.

“This was the fourth Eucharistic procession we’ve done on campus since I became chaplain in 2022 and the first since the controversies last spring. It was a special time to bring the Prince of Peace to the Columbia campus and to ask him to restore the peace in which students can genuinely flourish," Father Landry told the Register. 

Security is still tight on campus, Father Landry explained, but he was touched by the concern the university showed to allow the procession to take place in a reverential way.

“We were very grateful that Columbia not only accommodated our request for special considerations — giving us wristbands at the beginning of the procession, so that we wouldn’t all have to pass one by one, getting IDs checked, at the security checkpoints to enter campus — but even opened up the huge gates to the campus so that we could pass while retaining a spirit of prayer,” the Catholic chaplain and frequent Register contributor said. 

“To me, it was like the fulfillment of Psalm 24: ‘As the gates lifted up their heads to welcome the incoming Messiah and Lord.’”

This was a monumental procession for the Catholic chaplain. 

“For me, personally, this Eucharistic procession was special. First, because it is the last I will lead as Catholic chaplain to Columbia, because I’m leaving at Christmas to become the full-time national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. It was a great opportunity for me to thank God for all that he’s done for me and for students since I began in 2022.”

This procession throughout the campus of Columbia was also much shorter than the Catholic priest’s last one. Father Landry was the only priest to walk the entire arm of the Seton Route during the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage this past summer. During the campus procession, Father Landry “carried Jesus in the same monstrance we used this summer.”

The Columbia procession also had two other “Perpetual Pilgrims” taking part, so it was a special reunion of sorts and a way to invite others. 

“The music was provided by Zoe Dongas, and the master of ceremonies was recent Columbia alumna Marina Frattaroli, two of the six ‘Perpetual Pilgrims’ who journeyed with me throughout the summer. So it was a means by which Columbia students were able to participate a little bit in the fruits of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.”

Frattaroli also found the experience illuminating telling the Register:

"It was special for me as someone who participated in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage this summer to see the flourishing of the Eucharistic Revival, to see it continue past the Congress in Indianapolis and flowing into the lives, the spiritual lives of the community I’m a part of."

And it was not lost how striking this event was given the ongoing lockdown with threats of protests and violence still persisting on campus. "It was very moving and symbolic for the gates of campus, college walk, to be open for the first time in who knows how many months, specifically for this procession and specifically so that Jesus could come through," Frattaroli shared. "To me, I see it as a foretaste of Christ’s eternal victory." 

Bringing Jesus into the streets is a very real way to evangelize to the masses, said Father Landry, noting how unique it is to witness the impact on those processing as well as passersby. 

“Eucharistic processions help all Catholics learn how to share our faith, which is ultimately about bringing the Lord to others and them to him. When we take Jesus out of our churches — out into the world he redeems — and give witness that we stand with him and are trying to follow him, then we are emboldened to be able to bring him up in conversations and to share him as the treasure he is.” 

He continued: “It’s so moving to me to see how moved students are to walk with Jesus on campus, asking him to bless their studies, to bless their friends and faculty, to heal the campus from its various self-inflicted wounds. They return emboldened by the ambulatory adoration that Eucharistic processions are.” 

"Eucharistic procession is such a beautiful tradition in the Catholic faith," Frattaroli stated adding, "I think it’s important as a tool of evangelism because it does what the church does best, which is point the world to Jesus."

And as Father Landry embarks on a new journey serving with the Pontifical Mission Societies, the humble and inspiring priest has left an indelible mark on the recent law graduate.

"They say that one burning coal can light the whole stove and I have seen first hand, Father Landry have that effect on many of the students at Columbia. His beautiful daily Mass, inspiring preaching, and thorough RCIA program have inspired so many zealous young Catholics here and created a real Eucharistic culture on Columbia’s campus."

Frattaroli also pointed out a very intriguing fact as we are still in this year of Eucharistic Revival. Not only did Father Roger Landry bring the love of the sacraments to the student body, "and making adoration and confession available every day before daily Mass," she explained. But he was also the Catholic chaplain who brought Christ to the campus. 

"When he came, he also began the practice of Eucharistic procession, and to our knowledge, brought Jesus through the gates of Columbia for the first time ever."