A Chicago priest led a Eucharistic Procession to the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois. Was this a genuine attempt to bring the presence of Christ in the consecrated host to the facility for public adoration and witness, or a political statement? Let’s take a look.
What is the Eucharistic Procession?
The worldwide Eucharistic procession is a growing global movement of public worship and unity centered on Christ the King. Significant events in 2025 will mark the 100th anniversary of the feast established by Pope Pius XI. Thousands of Catholics participate in solemn processions that carry the consecrated host through city streets, riversides, and public squares. Some of the major highlights for the procession:
- February 2025: The first global Eucharistic procession was held on St. Brigid’s Day in Derry, Ireland. More than 5,000 participants gathered locally, while over 70 parishes across six continents joined in simultaneously—including communities from Rome, Medjugorje, Mexico City, New York, Paris, and beyond.
- New York City: On October 14, 2025, a major Eucharistic procession will occur at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, featuring Mass, meditations, and a public procession through Midtown Manhattan led by Cardinal Dolan and other clergy.
- November 23, 2025: The second worldwide procession will commemorate 100 years of the Feast of Christ the King, established by Pope Pius XI in his 1925 encyclical Quas Primas.
These processions are acts of public witness, calling for healing, deliverance, and unity in a world facing division and secularism. The movement reaffirms Christ’s sovereignty over individuals and nations, echoing the original intent of the feast.
The Chicago Procession to the ICE Facility
On October 11, 2025, Father Larry Dowling led a Eucharistic procession to the Broadview ICE Facility. Priests, nuns, and laypeople joined him, totaling over one thousand participants. Upon arrival, Father Dowling requested to speak with Homeland Security or an ICE representative. His goal was to bring the Eucharist into the facility. The State Police relayed the request to federal officials, who denied it. Father Dowling posted an update to his Facebook account stating:
Fr. Dowling added that ICE did not speak with the clergy directly, saying federal authorities could not “stand in the presence of the Monstrance holding the Blessed Sacrament. No wonder. Evil is repelled, recoils in the presence of Christ.”
In 2025, the Broadview ICE facility in Illinois emerged as a focal point of national controversy. Since then, daily anti-ICE protests have led to arrests, restricted access, and ongoing legal battles over public safety and civil rights. As tensions mounted, demonstrations intensified, with hundreds of protesters confronting ICE agents. In response, federal forces deployed tear gas, baton rounds, and riot gear to disperse the crowds. Meanwhile, local and federal politicians have failed to de-escalate the crisis. On the contrary, their actions appear to have worsened the situation.
Were the Participants Sharing Christ or Making a Political Statement?
The answer is both. Let’s take a look at the facts:
- Bringing the Eucharist for adoration to the people detained at the ICE facility is a very faithful thing to do. I am sure that many of the detainees would have loved to have an opportunity to sit in the presence of Jesus during a very tumultuous time in their lives.
- There have been no reports of Father Dowling contacting Homeland Security or ICE officials before beginning the march. Based on his response, as quoted above, I believe no attempts were made to get approval before the procession. It seems like this was a forced confrontation.
- Even if it was a forced confrontation, what was wrong with allowing Father Dowling and maybe a couple of other leaders into the facility to allow the detainees to sit with Jesus? I acknowledge that I do not know the ICE procedures for requests like this. That being said, with all of the negativity surrounding ICE and its actions, this may have helped de-escalate the situation. Unfortunately, that did not happen.
- The Chicago Sun-Times reported that the detainees were “denied” communion. The Eucharistic processions do not distribute communion, or haven’t done so in recent processions. It is not clear if the paper is trying to enflame the situation by stating the detainees were denied communion, or if the Sun-Times does not understand the event. The Chicago Sun-Times does not have a formal history of “attacking” ICE, but it has often published content critical of immigration enforcement and right-leaning policies—primarily through its opinion columns and reporting. I report so you can decide.
The Catholic View
Jesus never denied anyone who came to Him in faith. In this instance, ICE and Homeland Security officials denied the detainees the opportunity to sit in the presence of Jesus. Matthew 25:42-45 states:
“For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.’ Then they will answer and say, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?’ He will answer them, ‘Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'”
Father Dowling should not have used the Eucharist as a prop for his cause. There were better ways to handle this while showing more respect to the Eucharist. Both sides were responsible for the detainees’ failure to get the opportunity for adoration. We all need to be better, as we are all God’s children.
Please share your thoughts about this article in the “Comments” section.
Peace
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