The day will begin with the Mass of the Assumption at St. Leo the Great Church in Leonville celebrated by Bishop Glen Provost, D.D. of the Diocese of Lake Charles. After Mass,the Blessed Sacrament with a special monstrance built for the occasion (measuring 68″) will proceed to the Leonville boat landing and embark from Leonville in a boat procession down the Teche toward St. Martinville. The Blessed Sacrament will be fixed on an altar on the lead boat under canopy with a pair of adorers in adoration between the towns visited. The procession will stop at Catholic Churches along the way for recitation of the Rosary and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament for those gathered at Arnaudville, Cecilia, Breaux Bridge, and Parks. The boat procession will end at the Evangeline Oak in St. Martinville around 4:45pm. At that time, a Benediction will take place at St. Martin de Tours. The procession will continue to Mater Dolorosa down main street for the celebration of Solemn Vespers of the Assumption and Final Benediction at 6:00 PM. The Diocese is hoping to gather several hundred Catholics at each of the stops along the way as well as at the beginning at Leonville and at the final destination in St. Martinville. The goal is also to register up to 100 boats in procession. Each parish might register a boat and have a banner or decorate the boat identifying the parish. Also, councils of the Knights of Columbus, Cursillo groups, religious communities, families, etc. might get together and register a boat. To do so, simply send an email to fetedieuduteche@gmail.com and a registration packet will be emailed to you. People living along the bayou are also encouraged to gather on the bayou bank and greet the Blessed Sacrament as it passes by.
