While downtown, the procession also caught the attention of people on several party buses and party bikes on which people drink and blare music. Most of the partiers waved and cheered as they continued to sing along and dance to music while the procession went past. One young woman on one of the party buses appeared to genuflect while passing the Eucharist.
Thayer noted the intrigue of the onlookers, telling CNA: “It was definitely a very positive interaction [with the community] that I saw.”
Phillip Baker, a lifelong resident of the area, told CNA the turnout was “extraordinary.” He said the interactions with the community during the procession were “one of overwhelming joy and peace and real welcome.”
Noting that central Tennessee is located in the Protestant-heavy Bible Belt, Baker said: “I think people were more curious and flabbergasted than anything.”
He added that “people hear about us but they don’t really see us.”
In addition to going downtown, the procession brought the faithful to three Catholic churches that are more than 130 years old: St. Mary’s of Seven Sorrows, which was constructed in 1845; Assumption Catholic Church, which was constructed in 1858; and St. Patrick Catholic Church, which was constructed in 1889. The procession stopped for adoration at all three locations.
The procession also walked up Capitol Hill in Nashville, passing near the Tennessee State Capitol.
Friday’s procession was part of the broader National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which is an initiative of the U.S. Catholic bishops’ National Eucharistic Revival — an effort to help foster a greater understanding and devotion to the mystery of Jesus in the Eucharist.
(Story continues below)
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The pilgrimage began on Pentecost along four routes launched from the East and the West coasts and the northern and the southern border.
The pilgrimages are leading hundreds of events along their routes before meeting in Indianapolis on July 16 for the National Eucharistic Congress.
The route that stopped in Nashville is the St. Juan Diego Route, which began in Texas and has traveled through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. The route left Tennessee and is now making its way through Kentucky before heading into Indiana.
Tyler Arnold is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency, based in EWTN News’ Washington Bureau. He previously worked at The Center Square and has been published in a variety of outlets, including The Associated Press, National Review, The American Conservative, and The Federalist.
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