When Dave Yanke’s friend, Men of Christ co-founder Kevin O’Brien, asked him to help stage a Eucharist procession to promote Unite Our Nation through the streets of Madison, he immediately said yes.

That’s because Yanke believes there is a need.

“We are praying for unity, peace and safety,” Yanke told the Wisconsin Catholic Tribune. “My son is a police officer and we’re all so unsettled that we just need to unite. It’s as simple as that.”

With its 3,000 participants, the initial Aug. 15 Madison event was such a success that Yanke and O'Brien are organizing a follow-up for Sunday, Oct. 11 at Holy Redeemer Church.

“We are walking the exact same route,” said Yanke in an interview. “We made some refinements from the first time because we have speakers, and to make it easier on police officers so that they don’t have to block traffic for an hour.”

The procession will start at 2 p.m. at 120 W Johnson St., proceed three blocks and end at the Capitol at 3:30 p.m.

“We will pray at the Capitol building since Madison is the capital of Wisconsin,” he said. “We will have a patriotic rosary for the 50 states there, benediction and there will possibly be a speaker afterward. We will also probably have a deacon and two servers take the blessing sacrament back to the church just so there is no disrespect or lack of reverence to our Lord.”

O’Brien will be leading a similar procession further north Green Bay at the same time, on the same day.

“People are more aware of what we’re planning and people are more hungry to attend,” Yanke said. “The situation in the U.S. seems to be getting worse. We are hoping for a conversion of hearts.”

The Oct. 11 Wisconsin processions are among some 30 planned nationwide, including Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Oct. 4, Detroit on Oct. 31, Steubenville, Ohio on Oct. 3, Little Rock on Oct. 17, and Atlanta on Nov. 7.

“This is a time to give witness to others that even in difficult times people of all races and beliefs can come together under the watchful eye of Our Lord through the intercession of the Blessed Mother,” Yanke said.

Unite Our Nation was formed to bring peace and prayer to local communities, and healing to the nation. For more details, to be involved as a participant, volunteer or organizer, visit Rosary Coast to Coast, Unite Our Nation or email Dave.Yanke@gmail.com.