After a dark and rainy week in Nome, the sun shone through the clouds just in time for the Feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary.

This year St. Joseph Church and KNOM celebrated Christ’s presence in the Eucharist with a procession through town.

Ever since he moved to Nome from India four years ago, Father Kumar Pasala has dreamed of a Eucharistic procession through town.

He told listeners that after seeing the profound needs of his parishioners he felt a deep desire to bring Jesus in the Eucharist to all who live in Nome. With practical assistance from KNOM staff and volunteers, and their family members, Father Kumar’s dream became a blessing to the community.

It was a powerful scene: With a procession route approved by City Manager Glenn Steckman, police vehicles lined the route with lights flashing to mark the way. As Father Kumar led the monstrance through town and blessed onlookers, the familiar sound of KNOM radiated the Rosary and Christian music through car radios. People waved and bowed and made the sign of the cross, many raising their hands in salute and solidarity as Father Kumar blessed them with the Blessed Sacrament.

As organizer and participant Karla Calumet writes, “one may never know all of the healings that took place that evening in Nome. That is between God and His people. One certainty we have, however, is that as Catholics we know Christ promised He is present in the Blessed Sacrament. Thus, on October 7th, 2021 the people of Nome were blessed to have Jesus go among them as He was processed. ‘Oh Sacrament most Holy, Oh Sacrament Divine, all praise and adoration be forever thine!’”

Image at top: From the back of a truck, Father Kumar led a eucharistic procession through the streets of Nome.