BY ANTHONY D. ALONZO
Northwest Indiana Catholic
VALPARAISO – Participants wondered when the last time a Eucharistic procession made its way through their Lutheran-affiliated college campus. St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center members learned the answer to that question was that their evening walk through Valparaiso University was indeed a first.
On Nov. 15, collegiate members of the Catholic ministry gathered for an evening session centered around testimonials and worship in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. A new venture in the center’s ongoing Inspire sessions, the effort was an outward facing manifestation of the core of the faith.
“I would say (to onlookers) this is a Catholic procession around campus and we’re the Catholic ministry and we believe Jesus is present in the Eucharist and we’re introducing him to these campus streets,” said Quinlan Scott, a VU senior, who participated in the campus Eucharistic procession.
She continued, “Some things happen behind closed doors – not everybody knows that we’re having Bible study, or that daily Mass is going on. But when we’re able to bring Jesus out to campus, publicly, it’s different and people notice that.”
Inspired, in part, by participation in and observation of local processions that were coordinated with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage last summer, St. Teresa members discussed the possibility of taking the Real Presence of the Lord across the sidewalks of VU. Senior business major Nathan Ringelstein could not wait to pound the pavement, so he reached out to collegiate friends and circulated information through church channels.
At St. Teresa, the lights were dimmed before collegiate altar servers escorted Father Jacob McDaniel, chaplain, to the sanctuary. Those in attendance fell to their knees as the consecrated host was moved from the tabernacle to the monstrance. After prayer and in the presence of the Lord, a testimony was delivered by Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) missionary Noah Fredericksen.
He recalled a teaching assignment in which he mentored a young student who was appreciative of his care and who came to trust him.
“The Lord calls us to have childlike faith – I’ve spent a long time thinking about that and what that means,” Fredericksen related to those gathered. “We can (sometimes) forget about the faith, hope and love that the Lord gives us each and every day. That’s what it means to have child-like faith: to know that despite all the troubles of our lives … the Lord just wants us to be here tonight.”
Fredericksen was heart-warmed by the idea that the students among whom he ministers would spearhead a plan such as the procession proposal.
“Tonight, we are able to experience something so wonderful, so profound, so beautiful and we get to share that with the rest of Valparaiso University in the Eucharistic procession,” said Fredericksen.
Scott joined fellow students who lit small candles as they queued up for the procession. Preceding Father McDaniel, who raised up the radiant golden monstrance, were VU students Rocco Hutter and Fredericksen as candle bearers and Ringelstein, who lifted high the cross. Patrick Vasil incensed the Blessed Sacrament with the help of boat bearer Robert Rojo. A team of young men held aloft a processional canopy.
About two-dozen Catholics stepped into the starry night singing songs such as “Christ Be Our Light,” and “Be Not Afraid.” They passed by buildings on the east end of campus and walked next to the Chapel of the Resurrection, a mid-century modern-style church and focal point for the university.
On the campus that is known to serve a predominantly Catholic student body, some students strolling across the central quad stopped to observe the procession. A police escort was provided for the Eucharistic pilgrimage by Chuck Garber, VU chief of police and St. Paul parishioner, and patrolman Joe Hisaw.
Garber said when he heard of the procession plans, he knew he could lend some support. He and Hisaw, who is a person of faith but not Catholic, respectfully remained among the students through the benediction and dismissal.
“It’s wonderful to see our young students out here praying and worshiping in adoration – it’s just beautiful in my opinion,” said Garber.
Ringelstein, who works part time in the Diocese of Gary finance office, is a convert to the Catholic Church. He is knowledgeable about Church history and Scripture and is devout in his practice.
“I was a hardened atheist for a decade growing up. I was raised Lutheran, but I never had any sort of foundation for the faith; we’d go (to church) on Sundays but it never meant anything to me,” he shared. “When I was 19, I made the decision to convert … reading about Genesis, I was convinced of the truth of it and I became Catholic.”
Ringelstein took the lead on getting the procession off the ground, but that event was just one on a journey of high contrast that he said, “essentially changed my entire life.”
“I could never have become faithful to the degree that I am, if it weren’t for the helping hand of my peers, Father Jacob, who has been very kind for mentoring me, and the presence of the Eucharist – both in Communion and Adoration – so readily available to me,” Ringelstein said. “I could not have done it (without) the grace that has been poured out over me and that has been divinely ordained.”
Though the procession was certainly not the first time VU students – known as Crusaders until 2021 – then as Beacons after a rebrand – would pray while walking among the academic buildings, the distinctly Catholic essence of the endeavor could be compared to the faith of those who protected pilgrims on their religious journeys.
Regarding a return to the fullness of Christianity, Father McDaniel is optimistic that a cultural pendulum has swung and he and his faith family are ready to boldly embrace those who are called to the Catholic Church.
“It’s a great opportunity to give witness to our Catholic faith and our love of the Eucharist,” said Father McDaniel.
Caption: Members of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center led by Nathan Ringelstein (right) process with the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance held by Father Jacob McDaniel, chaplain, near the Chapel of the Resurrection on the campus of Valparaiso University on the evening of Nov. 15. The Eucharistic Procession was coordinated as part of the Inspire program for collegians at the Valparaiso school, and, according to Father McDaniel, the first such prayer journey through the campus of the Lutheran-affiliated college. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)