Eucharistic Procession “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. A Eucharistic procession, therefore, is a public witness of the veneration toward the most holy Eucharist, conducted through public streets. It takes place in this way: A consecrated host – that is, the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ: body, blood, soul and divinity – is placed within a monstrance, which is then lifted and carried by a priest who leads the faithful in procession. Like a pilgrimage, a Eucharistic procession normally starts at one holy place and ends at another. This earthly journey reminds the Catholic faithful of their spiritual journey toward eternal life with God.” (Source: Faith Magazine, September 2018)

“Eucharistic processions first became a popular practice in the life of the Church during the celebration of Corpus Christi, traditionally celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. The idea for this solemnity is attributed to St. Juliana, who lived in the 13th century. As Pope emeritus Benedict XVI eloquently noted in a homily in 2007, “It was born for the very precise purpose of openly reaffirming the faith of the people of God in Jesus Christ, alive and truly present in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist. It is a feast that was established in order to publicly adore, praise and thank the Lord, who continues ‘to love us to the end,’ even to offering us his body and his blood.” Though directly connected to the liturgical feast of Corpus Christi, Eucharistic processions may take place at other appropriate times and places under the authority of the bishop and following liturgical norms.” (ibid)

As I wrote a few weeks ago, at the request of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and in a particular request of Archbishop Leonard P. Blair of Hartford, our parish will join in to the Eucharistic Revival in the Archdiocese of Hartford with a celebration of the Eucharist on Corpus Christi Sunday, June 11. At the 11 a.m. Mass, the concluding rite will have us process with the Eucharist, in the Monstrance, outside on the lawn and process toward the Mary Garden, near the flagpole, where we will set up and outside altar and have adoration for a brief period. The procession itself will be laid out for all to understand and there will be a worship aid for the day.

As Roman Catholics, we believe in the Real Presence. Meaning, that our faith teaches us that the Mass, the celebration of the Eucharist, is not a re-enactment like a summertime festival remembering the Revolutionary War or the Civil War. What happens at the Mass is not a re-enactment of the Last Supper, but rather a memorial of the Last Supper. The priest, In Persona Christi, in the person of the Christ, memorializes the Last Supper and the Real Presence of Christ is made present in the bread and wine, which becomes the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ.

It is my hope that on this feast, Corpus Christi, June 11 at the 11 a.m. Mass, we as a parish will fully join in on this celebration and the procession to follow. The Eucharistic Procession will add approximately 20 minutes to Mass (the outdoor procession) and adoration, which then will be followed by a lite collation in Russell Hall. It is my hope that as a Catholic community will shall give praise to our God, “who is all good, and deserving of our Love.” Amen!