Shreveport Catholics Pay Tribute To Religious Icon

Dozens of local Catholics gathered in Shreveport Saturday morning for a special prayer service. They walked more than a mile-and-a-half long procession down Fairfield and Jordan, carrying a monstrance... A case and stand used to display the Holy Eucharist for adoration. "Catholics believe that... the consecrated bread that will be carried in the procession is the body and blood soul divinity of the risen Christ." said Bishop William Friend. The monstrance was blessed by the late Pope John Paul II to encourage prayers for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Currently there are only five men enrolled in seminary in northwest Louisiana. "We hope they will persevere. We need more. We need at least 15 or 20 more." said Bishop Friend. For some Catholics, just being in the presence of the monstrance is a religious experience. "It`s a traveling tabernacle brought to us. It`s the equivalent to us of going to the holy land or going to Rome." said Ann Fertitta. The procession was followed with a prayer service at Saint John Berchmans Cathedral. The monstrance will be on display inside their St. Michael Chapel through Sunday morning. Then it will be shipped to another diocese in Spokane, Washington.