Notwithstanding the ongoing scandal of the commencement honor slated for President Obama, the University of Notre Dame will host the 5th annual Eucharistic Procession this Sunday, in cooperation with Saint Mary’s College and Holy Cross College.

“We thank the organizers of this beautiful devotion and encourage those praying for the end of the Notre Dame scandal to also join their hearts in reverence before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament this Sunday,” said Patrick Reilly, president of The Cardinal Newman Society, whose petition at NotreDameScandal.com has surpassed 330,000 signers.

The tradition of the Eucharistic Procession was revived at Notre Dame in 2005. In years past a procession was held on the Feast of Corpus Christi. This year’s procession will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2009.

The Eucharistic Procession, to be led by Rev. Patrick Neary (Rector of Moreau Seminary), will take place on Notre Dame’s “God quad.” It will begin with Holy Mass at Notre Dame’s Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The procession will stop at each of the four altars of Benediction located in front of statues of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of the University, Father Sorin, and on the steps of the Administrative Building.

A 40-hours devotion organized by Children of Mary will be held in the hours leading up to the Mass and Eucharistic Procession.

According to the Notre Dame Procession website, “In addition to the praise and honor we offer to Jesus Christ fully present in the Blessed Sacrament, we pray for these intentions: A greater respect for and protection of human life, from conception to natural death; An increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, especially in the Congregation of Holy Cross; For blessings upon the students, faculty, administration, and staff of Holy Cross College, Saint Mary's College, and the University of Notre Dame.”

The entire University of Notre Dame community, as well as the general public, are invited to participate in the Eucharistic Procession.