Procession of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel enters 110th year
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - A donation is pinned to the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel at Gilbert and Lloyd Streets in 2021.
SHENANDOAH – This Sunday marks the 110th Procession of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on Shenandoah’s west end.
The longstanding Catholic tradition began in 1914 as part of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, at Washington and Diamond Streets. It continued as a part of the Divine Mercy Parish, which took over the procession when catholic churches in the Greater Shenandoah Area merged.
Traditionally, families carry homemade “cintas,” or small shrines, some of which have passed from generation to generation, while others volunteer for the honor of carrying the statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel or the canopy held over the statue.
Residents and parishioners alike make donations to the parish by pinning dollar bills to the statue as it passes through town.
This year, as in recent years, families will not bid for the honor of carrying the statue of Our Lady or her canopy. Instead, it will be shared by individuals and families who wish to participate, Divine Mercy said in a recent church bulletin.
“All Divine Mercy Parishioners and friends are invited to participate,” the parish wrote. “As in previous years, the large replica of the Rosary will be included in the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel procession. All children and teenagers are invited to help carry, for a little, for a block, as long as you wish.”
Cintas may be dropped off at St. Casimir’s Church on North Jardin Street on Saturday, July 20 between 5pm and 6pm or Sunday, July 21 prior to the 8am mass.
The procession will begin this year at St. Casimir’s.
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