St. Patrick’s Cathedral erupted in laughter. The oil of annointing dripped down from now Bishop Joseph Espillat’s hairless head onto his smiling face as Cardinal Timothy Dolan joyfully handied a towel to him to clear his eyes.
At that time, Espillat would become the youngest bishop in the United States. And he brought with him a passion for evangelization and the Blessed Sacrament the likes of which would join an ever-growing movement, the Eucharistic Revival, that was in its infancy.
About a year later, after photographing a priestly ordination at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, a photographer friend of mine nudged me and asked if I was going to the Eucharistic procession in Times Square. To which I glanced him and asked, “What procession?”
I was sitting on 51st Street with a sandwich and a cold cup of coffee, sorting photos and writing down a few thoughts. The procession wasn’t until late afternoon, and I was already pretty tired. I wasn’t planning to go. So I left it in God’s hands, which, once again, proved to be the best idea.
Hours later, I found myself in Father Duffy Square, surrounded by thousands of people praying before the Blessed Sacrament. And there at the center of it all was Bishop Espaillat, his energy and joy unmistakable. The atmosphere was electric.
In a place the world knows for its lights and spectacle, people had gathered to adore Christ. I’d nearly missed it because I was “tired.” Now I was standing in the middle of Times Square, trying to take in something utterly breathtaking.
And now, another invitation to follow Him into the streets.
On Oct. 13, 2026, the Napa Institute returned to St. Patrick’s Cathedral for its annual Eucharistic procession.
And that same bishop, whose anointing filled the cathedral with laughter, and whose joy I encountered in Father Duffy Square, celebrated the 4 p.m. Mass and preached the homily. He was joined by Dominican Father Gregory Pine and Father John Burns who led Eucharistic meditations before Mass. After Mass, the Eucharistic procession spilled from the cathedral onto the crowded city streets to bring the Presence of Christ and the witness of faith of countless thousands made through Midtown.
Napa’s New York procession began in 2021. Its invitation simple: accompany Christ in the Blessed Sacrament through the city. It takes a faith nourished at the altar into the streets, where anyone passing by might encounter it.
Since then it’s been the inspiration of countless Eucharistic Processions around the world. Even the National Eucharistic Revival that launched in June 2022 carried that same desire to renew Catholics’ relationship with Christ in the Eucharist.
In his homily, Espaillat preached about the people we too easily pass by. His homily was grounded in the day’s readings: Jesus at the Pharisee’s table and the cup polished outside while something remained wrong within. The remedy was almsgiving, a heart learning to give. He spoke of mercy made concrete, turning us toward the needs of another.
Near the end, he recalled Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis telling young people that they were a mystery to be encountered. Then he extended that invitation to babies, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, and inmates on death row.
“Young people are not a problem to be figured out. They are a mystery to be encountered!” he said.
And then came the challenge.
The bishop was asking us to look honestly at our own hearts, and he gave us somewhere to begin. Support a food pantry. Walk with someone who is lonely or anxious. Sit down with someone whose views differ from our own and have a Christ-like conversation. Give quietly, without announcing it on social media.
“Be kind. Give out of love, not out of obligation.”
The cathedral was standing room only. The Sisters of Life, the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal and Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, the Dominicans, and dozens of other religious filled the cathedral.
And above it all was an absolutely breathtaking sky, with New York’s rush hour below.
The afternoon concluded with Benediction, led by Espaillat.
Once dismissed as “Hughes’ Folly” for standing too far outside the city, St. Patrick’s now stands at its heart.
And the invitation reaches beyond its doors, into the places where we work, the people we pass, and the lives we too easily overlook.
In a city that stands as the worldʼs cultural capital, a new culture is emerging: the Culture of Christ.
New generations of Catholics are forming new communities. Churches once quiet are now filled to capacity. And it’s no surprise when you realize that by bringing His Presence to the streets, grace overflows.
Christ is here. His love is for every person on these streets.
The culture of Christ begins there.
And, by His Grace, it can begin again in us again.
This article was first published by the National Catholic Register, EWTN News’ sister publication, and has been adapted by EWTN News English.