DU Community Members Join Eucharistic Procession to Immigration Detention Center

Several members of the Dominican University community joined a prayerful procession and act of social justice when they walked alongside about 1,000 activists to the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Broadview.

The Oct. 11 Eucharistic Procession from St. Eulalia Church in Maywood was organized by the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), a Dominican University partner. Catholic religious leaders and laypeople joined in an effort to bring the detainees Holy Communion and minister to them, both of which have been denied in violation of their rights and dignity, said Sr. Christin Tomy, OP, university minister for community life and pastoral care, who took part in the procession.

Participants carried signs in support of immigrants and their humane treatment, prayed the Rosary and sang hymns as they accompanied the Eucharist on the one-mile journey.

“It was really prayerful and peaceful,” Sr. Christin said of the procession. “At times it felt quite solemn. There were folks in tears, recognizing that some people present are touched very personally by what is happening. There was also a real spirit of hope that was nurtured by the fact that we could gather together.

“For me, bearing witness to the way people are being harmed and calling attention to that was very important,” she added.

Once again, no one was permitted inside the facility to bring Communion to the detainees, Sr. Christin said.

Others from Dominican University who joined the walk were Andrew Mercado, Director of University Ministry; Lupe Tiscareño, assistant director of academic advising; Giselle Garcia, advising and retention specialist; and Eddie Rivera, a student who has worked as an intern and organizer with CSPL.

The DU participants carried poster boards featuring the butterfly and migration-themed Stations of the Cross, created by Dominican University alumna Jacqueline Romo ’19.

Read more and view photos of the Eucharistic procession at Chicago Catholic.