The tradition goes on: Abridged Our Lady of Mt. Carmel procession marks 106th year
KAYLEE LINDENMUTH / SHENANDOAH SENTINEL - The statue of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is placed on the porch of the Annunciation BVM church rectory on Cherry Street.
SHENANDOAH – A century-old tradition continued this morning, albeit in an abridged fashion because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
This morning marked the 106th annual Our Lady of Mount Carmel Procession at Divine Mercy Parish, Cherry and Chestnut Streets.
“From a three mile procession, to the porch and back, it’s different, but the people came out, the band was supportive, and the donations were there,” said Tom Talerico, organizer.
In a normal year, the procession would begin at the church, travel along West Street to the northwest side of town, where it would wind up and down the streets, making its way to the Glover’s Hill section before returning.
This year, however, the procession only traveled next door, to the church rectory.
Despite the shorter distance, much remained the same, including parishioners carrying cintas and the Upper Schuylkill Marching Band performing Italian tunes.
Most attendees wore masks, and social distancing was observed to the best of their abilities.
“I think they did the best they could, with the COVID circumstances, and I think it was nice for them to continue the tradition because things like this have been cancelled in many places,” said Katie Catizone, a Shenandoah councilwoman.
The statue of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel was carried from the church to the porch of the rectory, where it was set down for about an hour and a half. Attendees pinned donations to the statue as the marching band performed alongside the rectory building.
The procession concluded just after 11:00am.
Beginning in 1914 as part of the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Washington and Diamond Streets, the procession continues as a part of the Divine Mercy Parish, which took over the procession when catholic churches in the Greater Shenandoah Area merged.
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