Archbishop Weisenburger leads thousands in Eucharistic procession to Spirit of Detroit plaza in a powerful public witness of faith
DETROIT — “We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes.”
The famed motto of the city of Detroit, coined by Fr. Gabriel Richard following the Great Fire of 1805, could not be more fitting for the Rising from the Ashes Revival, which was held July 22 at Huntington Place in downtown Detroit, just steps from where the city was founded.
And while the 5,200 people who attended the conference could clearly see the “Rising” signage above the main stage, Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger summed up the conference's real message:
“Hope.”
“My number one thing I hope people take away from today is hope,” Archbishop Weisenburger told Detroit Catholic. “Because I find there is a sense of a loss of hope today — we see it in the political world, we see it in the world of the economy, we see it in the world's values. And yet for those who embrace the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there's very, very good reason for us to be truly a people of hope, and that changes our perspective on everything.”
On a day when a legion of Catholics processed down Jefferson Avenue in a triumphant column led by Jesus in the Eucharist, the Church in Detroit clearly expressed its hope in Christ.
The daylong conference on the banks of the Detroit River comes amidst a time of archdiocesan restructuring, a renewed interest in the faith in the wake of the National Eucharistic Revival, and on the 325th anniversary of the city itself, where French explorers and missionaries first celebrated Mass in 1701 — not far from where the revival took place.
As the local Church prayerfully discerns its future during a time of archdiocesan restructuring — navigating a shortage of priests and a complex set of decisions regarding how best to maintain the Church's presence in southeast Michigan — hope is needed more than ever, said Fr. Joe Mallia, lead coordinator for the revival.
And hope bears witness that the faith in Detroit is very much alive.
“I think it's actually a perfect time with the restructuring that's going on,” said Fr. Mallia, who serves at St. Kieran Parish in Shelby Township. “The restructuring is about making parishes vibrant, and by centering our lives in the Eucharist, this is how we're going to make our parishes vibrant.”
Fr. Mallia said the organizing team has been planning the revival for two years, raising the entirety of the funds needed from sponsors and private donations.
“This has been in the works for two years,” Fr. Mallia said. “I really hope people grow in a sense of awareness of the role of the Eucharist in their life, the importance of it. We as Christians and Catholics have to make a public witness to our faith, bringing Christ to the world.”
Fr. Mallia said all proceeds from the event will support local charities, including Better Way Detroit, Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan, Mary’s Mantle, the Pope Francis Center, and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen.
Holy Spirit moves in Detroit
The idea for the Rising from the Ashes Revival came about after the COVID-19 pandemic and the National Eucharistic Revival, Fr. Mallia said, which saw a series of Eucharistic processions around the country and a rise in interest in the Eucharist — including an increase in young people entering the Church through OCIA.
It's a sign God continues working in His Church, Fr. Mallia said.
“At the National Eucharistic Congress (in Indianapolis in 2024), people came from everywhere to celebrate their faith, to grow in their faith, and to learn how to witness to it and how to serve, and I think that's exactly what we're trying to build on,” he said.
Throughout the day, attendees heard from renowned Catholic speakers such as Bishop Daniel E. Flores of Brownsville, Texas (a former auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit); Fr. John Riccardo, founder of ACTS XXIX and a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit; Sr. Mary Grace, SV, of the Bronx, N.Y.-based Sisters of Life; and Jeff Cavins, creator and founder of the popular Great Adventure Bible Study.
Nationally known musicians, including Matt Maher, Sarah Kroger, Steve Angrisano and Sarah Hart, performed during a concert at the end of the revival, wrapping a day of spiritual revival, praise and worship. Local artist Santiago Fernandez also provided music during the conference.
But the highlight of the day — naturally — was Jesus.
At the conclusion of the day's talks, Archbishop Weisenburger led thousands of Catholics in a Eucharistic procession from Huntington Place to the city's iconic Spirit of Detroit statue — with thousands of Catholics worshipping Christ in the very heart of the city.
In a moment rich with symbolism and hope, the archbishop held the monstrance high in a blessing over the city and the Church in Detroit.
“We have great musicians, adoration, and the archbishop himself leading a Eucharistic procession," Fr. Mallia said. “This public demonstration of faith is key. I think people focus too much on what happens inside a church building — but our faith isn't called to be lived just inside a church building. It's called to be lived out in the world.”
A 'fan' of Jesus, or a follower?
In the first keynote address, Catholic apologist and evangelist Cavins spoke about the core message of the Gospel: that God loves his creation and sent his son, Jesus, to redeem the world from sin, including each and every person.
“When it comes to rising from the ashes, we have broken families, broken individuals, broken men, broken women, broken cities, broken countries,” Cavins said. “That theme of rising from the ashes? It’s about being transformed with Christ. And it comes down to this: Are you a fan of Jesus, or a follower of Jesus? Are you a spectator or are you on the field?”
Getting on the field — being an active disciple of Jesus Christ — means making Christ your top priority in life, the primary focus of everything you do, Cavins said.
“You only have one priority, only one,” Cavins said. “And that is to follow Jesus. And when you know the kerygma — that Jesus died for your sins because he loves you and wants you to have eternal life — once you make that the priority in your life, all decisions are so much easier. And discipleship becomes easier when you proclaim that truth.”
“If rising from the ashes is going to be a reality in your life, your home, your parish, your city, your nation, it's going to begin with you making that choice," Cavins added.
Bishop Flores of Brownsville, Texas, a former Detroit auxiliary bishop from 2006 to 2009, spoke about the need to study Scripture so as to better know Christ.
“Throughout all of Church history, in all the rites of the Church, we always precede the celebration of the Eucharist with the Scriptures, and that’s no accident,” Bishop Flores said. “Why? Because the Eucharist is so rooted in the Scripture, that when we read the Scriptures, we enter even greater into the mystery of the Eucharist. Without the Scriptures, we lose the mystery of God’s presence in the Eucharist.”
On a practical level, Bishop Flores said the faithful’s understanding of Scripture is critical because a person comes to reflect more and more what they hear and speak.
“We become what we hear every day. If we want to think as Christ thinks, love as he loves, do as he does, we must immerse ourselves in the Scripture,” Bishop Flores said. “And after we immerse ourselves in Scripture, we need to let it transform us. Because it does us no good to be able to quote every verse in Scripture if it doesn’t transform us.”
'Literally following behind Jesus'
The revival brought together Catholics from all corners of the Archdiocese of Detroit — and throughout Michigan — many of whom have recently rediscovered their faith.
David Dempsey of St. Paul on the Lake Parish in Grosse Pointe Farms attended the National Eucharistic Congress in 2024, which inspired him to attend Rising from the Ashes.
“We went to the Eucharistic Congress, which was in Indianapolis, and it was an incredible event, so my wife and I thought we'd make it to this event,” Dempsey said. “Just pulling together a bunch of Catholic folks, it's kind of inspiring. It's a recommitment to your faith. It's powerful to see how many people arrived.”
Addie Wallace of Holy Name Parish in Birmingham attended the revival with her dad, Mark, as a way for their family to reconnect with their faith.
“I went to Catholic school, but kind of got away from it for a little bit, and in the past year I've come back to it, and it's been a really great experience with my family,” Wallace said. “So, for Father's Day, I bought my dad and I tickets to come down here, to grow in our faith deeper together through this experience.”
Wallace enjoyed checking out information booths about various apostolates in the community, as well as speakers such as Cavins — of whom she is a regular listener.
“My family and I make it a daily routine to listen to him in the mornings (on the Hallow app) to start our day, and it was really great to see him in person and hear practical tips on how you can bring God to others,” Wallace said. “It was my first time hearing Bishop Flores, but he was incredible to hear.”
Wallace in particular cited the Eucharistic procession down Woodward Avenue as a profound moment of faith.
“I did my first Eucharistic procession a couple of months ago at National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, and it was really cool,” Wallace said. “I know in everyday life we follow Jesus, but it really felt like I was literally following and walking behind Jesus, and it was just such an incredible experience to bring that out into the community. Hopefully someone who doesn't know about it sees it and has questions and starts looking into it and is able to find God through that.”
Many of the revival participants expressed a renewed sense of energy — both at the event itself and in their local parishes.
“You know, I think the world is just in such chaos, and I think people are looking so hard for stability," said Michelle Snead of St. Anthony Parish in Belleville. "They didn't realize they need it, and I think that's what's calling them back to the Lord. Joining with so many other like-minded people, people all strong in the faith, and walking with them as one and adoring the Lord for the Church here in Detroit is so powerful.”
Called again to rebuild
During the lunch break, attendees packed into St. Aloysius Parish in downtown Detroit for Mass, while others flocked to Old St. Mary's Parish in Greektown or SS. Peter and Paul (Jesuit) Parish, further down Jefferson Avenue, which hosted Eucharistic adoration.
Sr. Mary Grace, SV, opened the afternoon by speaking about the healing power of the Eucharist and how Christ’s presence in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a testament to God's love for His creation.
“When we adore the Holy Eucharist, we allow God to break into our lives,” Sr. Mary Grace said. “Every Eucharistic encounter doesn’t become a trickle of grace, but a torrent of grace in our lives.”
A sense of revival and hunger for God still exists today, she said, in a society longing to grow closer to God.
“Today we are seeing a likeness of the early Church in that holiness makes an immediate impact,” Sr. Mary Grace said. “Now is an unprecedented time to grow holy. Why? Because God is seeking holiness, and to those who are faithful, we will reach a height of perfection that the saints will be jealous of.”
The final speaker, Fr. Riccardo, a Detroit priest and founder of ACTS XXIX, called upon the faithful to emulate the priest who coined the city’s motto: Fr. Gabriel Richard, who rallied Detroiters to rebuild after the city burned to the ground in 1805.
"Maybe you know this, maybe you don't, but the place where you're sitting right now is the where the event that gave the city of Detroit its motto took place," Fr. Riccardo said. "It's interesting that the Lord wants us to be here today."
While all seemed lost after the fire, God quickly raised up men and women who rebuilt the city in faith and hope.
“That was the hope of Fr. Gabriel Richard," Fr. Riccardo said.
Today, the Church in Detroit and around the world faces another moment of crisis — one which requires a similar response, Fr. Riccardo added.
“I think God has another plan,“ Fr. Riccardo said. "The same Jesus who chose for Fr. Gabriel Richard to live in the 19th century, he chose us to live now, because we have another fire raging all around us. Here today, we are being asked to put out the fire of despair with the Gospel of hope.”
In order to rebuild lives, to rebuild cities, and to rebuild the Church, Fr. Riccardo said it is just as important today for the faithful to place their trust in Jesus, who is Lord.
“Do we know that Jesus is Lord?” Fr. Riccardo asked. “Yes, Jesus is kind. Yes, Jesus is nice. But that’s not who Jesus is. Jesus is Lord. He has won the victory for us. He is in charge. That means we still have to do the work. But Jesus is Lord, and He is with us.”
