Hundreds of parishioners took to the streets of Columbus Park Sunday afternoon in a tradition that has been observed for decades by many Italians and Italian Americans who attend Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church: the procession of the Blessed Mother.

Despite temperatures that soared into the upper 80s by early afternoon, many of the faithful followed as church volunteers hoisted the statue of the Virgin Mary and the child Jesus, and clergy took to the streets in the neighborhood around the church at 5400 19th Ave.