Father Eric Sternberg, a member of University of Wisconsin-Madison Council 6568, had envisioned organizing a Eucharistic procession with university students through the state’s capital since becoming pastor of St. Paul’s Catholic Student Center in 2023.
“Why not have a public manifestation of faith that might give students confidence to express and give testimony to their faith publicly?” Father Sternberg asked.
In the fall of 2024, he shared the idea with Grand Knight Andrew Hodgson, who quickly proposed it to his brother college Knights. The council decided not only to support the procession, but to organize an entire festival — including Mass, Eucharistic adoration and procession and a reception — celebrating Divine Mercy Sunday, April 27.
“At first, the other Knights thought it sounded like something that would be awesome to attend,” said Hodgson, who also serves as chairman of the College Councils Advisory Board. “Once we broke it down into achievable steps, people saw that it was something we could do as a council.”
It was not an easy undertaking, as permits and equipment rentals would cost thousands. The Knights set up a fundraising website, relying on word of mouth to raise the support for the festival. With help from K of C councils throughout Wisconsin, Council 6568 collected over $10,000 to fund the celebration.
“It was a leap of faith for the people who were willing to donate,” Hodgson said. “They had to believe we could pull this off and that it was going to be what we said it would be.”
When Father Sternberg first heard the procession was going to happen, he said he was filled with a “tremendous sense of excitement.”
“I know the amount of work it takes to put on public events,” Father Sternberg said. “I was really excited that these young laymen were taking their responsibilities seriously and that they would learn a lot from it.”
More than 500 people from across the state participated in the event, which began with a noon Mass celebrated by Bishop Donald Hying of Madison in James Madison Park. During his homily, Bishop Hying remarked how the day was a “historic moment” as it was the first time Mass was being celebrated in the park.
The Mass was followed by Eucharistic adoration, which included the recitation of the Divine Mercy Chaplet, readings from St. Faustina’s Diary, and opportunities for confession.
The Eucharistic procession began at 3 p.m., the Hour of Mercy, with council members escorting Father Enan Zelinski, parochial vicar and a brother Knight, as he carried the Blessed Sacrament. Participants sang hymns along the 1.5-mile route through downtown Madison to the state capitol, where they paused for prayer.
“It was really fascinating to see the awestruck reaction of onlookers,” Hodgson recalled. “They were instantly curious — and that’s all we can hope for from people who haven’t experienced something like this before.”
Father Sternberg led the second half of the procession back to the park, where the day concluded with Benediction and a reception featuring food from local Catholic-owned businesses.
“You could just feel God’s anointing on the day; he was there with us,” Father Sternberg said. “The public expression of faith can be a beautiful thing.”
Hodgson, who received positive feedback from many people who attended, was thankful for the event’s impact and the effect it had on his brother Knights.
“It opened their eyes to the possibilities of what a community of men coming together can actually do,” Hodgson said. “I think a lot of guys who hadn’t strongly considered remaining active in the Knights after college are now really excited about it.”