COEUR d’ALENE — Around 350 area teens, young adults and their families carried a message for their community as they walked Tuesday evening in a youth-led Eucharistic Procession from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church to McEuen Park.

“They are painfully aware of the crises in the world and are adamant about showing (that) there is a reason for hope,” said Tina Johnson with St. Thomas the Apostle.

Last week, Owen Keith, who recently completed his 40-day Exodus 90 journey, called on the youths of the congregation to bring the “real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist” into the community.

Exodus 90 is a program designed for men that is intended to strengthen their relationship with their faith and community.

“His conviction stirred hearts and confirmed what many of us sense,” Communio CDA founder and Holy Family Catholic School Campus Minister Jason Chavez said. “The Lord is raising up courageous young disciples.”

Keith led Tuesday’s walk with the processional cross.

While most often performed on occasions special to the Catholic Church, such as the Feast of Corpus Christi in June, Eucharistic Processions are ultimately a way for Catholics to publicly share their faith.

The congregation sang hymns and prayed as the Eucharist, which Catholics believe to be the Body of Jesus Christ and is contained in a special container called a monstrance, was carried from St. Thomas the Apostle to McEuen Park, where an altar was set up for rosary prayer, also led by Keith.

The last Eucharistic Procession in North Idaho was nearly four years ago, Chavez said.

“This is more than just another event,” Chavez said. “It’s a youth-led, Eucharist-centered movement — a public witness to the real presence of Jesus in our streets.”

Pope St. Pius X youth minister Wes Miller called Tuesday’s procession “a time of devotion” in his address to the congregation.

“Tonight is about our Lord, (and) honoring him in the streets of Coeur d’Alene,” Miller said. “I want to encourage you to keep opening your hearts.”