Eucharistic processions are annual tradition at parishes
The Feast of Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, celebrates the institution of the Eucharist. It is observed this year on June 2.
The Corpus Christi procession is a centuries-old tradition of the Catholic faith to publicly celebrate the Real Presence of Jesus — the Eucharist. The feast of Corpus Christi was established in Liege, Belgium, in 1247. Pope Urban IV extended it to the universal Church almost two decades later, and the Corpus Christi procession followed soon after. Corpus Christi processions continue to be held worldwide.
Parishes throughout the archdiocese will hold eucharistic processions on Corpus Christi weekend. The following is a sampling in the three vicariates of the archdiocese:
NORTHERN VICARIATE
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis; noon Mass on June 2 with Auxiliary Bishop Mark Rivituso, followed by a short procession to two outside altars and ending at the main altar inside the cathedral basilica.
North City Parishes; 10:30 a.m. prayer service on June 1 at St. Josephine Bakhita (Sts. Teresa and Bridget), 2431 N. Grand Blvd. in St. Louis, followed by a procession to St. Alphonsus Liguori “Rock” Church, 1118 N. Grand Blvd. Refreshments will be served afterward. Participants are encouraged to park at the Rock Church and walk or shuttle to St. Josephine Bakhita.
North County Parishes;6 p.m. Mass on June 2 at Sacred Heart, 751 N. Jefferson St., followed by a procession at 7 p.m. and ending at the Old St. Ferdinand Shrine, 1 Rue St. Francois St. Parking will be available at Sacred Heart Church. A reception with ice cream and bottled water will be held afterward.
Spirit and Truth St. Louis; The young adult group will host a pontifical Mass and eucharistic procession on Thursday, May 30, at Epiphany Parish, 6596 Smiley Ave. in St. Louis. A catered dinner will be served at 5 p.m., followed by Mass at 7 p.m. with Auxiliary Bishop Mark S. Rivituso and the eucharistic procession. A dessert reception will take place afterward. To sign up for the dinner, visit stlreview.com/3UXnBUO.
SOUTHERN VICARIATE
Assumption in south St. Louis County; 6 p.m. Mass on June 2 at the church, 4725 Mattis Road, followed by a eucharistic procession.
St. Joseph in Farmington; 10:30 a.m. Mass on June 2 at the church, 10 N. Long St., followed by a procession through downtown Farmington (under a half mile).
St. Joachim in Old Mines; 10 a.m. Mass on June 2 at the church, 10120 Crest Road, followed by a procession on the church grounds.
Ste. Genevieve in Ste. Genevieve; 8:30 a.m. Mass on June 2 at the church, 49 DuBourg Place, followed by a procession through downtown Ste. Genevieve.
WESTERN VICARIATE
Ascension in Chesterfield; 5:30 p.m. Mass on June 2 at the church, 230 Santa Maria Drive, followed by a procession along Wild Horse Creek Road and ending with an ice cream truck reception at Ascension.
Sts. Joachim and Ann in St. Charles; 6 p.m. procession on June 2 at the church, 4112 McClay Road, followed by an ice cream reception afterward.
St. Ignatius in Concord Hill, Immaculate Conception in Augusta and St. Vincent de Paul in Dutzow;10:30 a.m. Mass on June 2 at St. Ignatius, 19127 Mill Road, followed by a procession on the church grounds. Light refreshments will be served in the Community Center afterward.
Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Francis Borgia in Washington; 6 p.m. procession June 1, beginning at Our Lady of Lourdes, 1014 Madison Ave., and ending at St. Francis Borgia, 310 W. Main St. A shuttle service will be provided back to Our Lady of Lourdes. Those not walking with the procession may meet at St. Francis Borgia for Benediction at 7:30 p.m.
Church teaching on the Eucharist
The Catholic Church professes that in the celebration of the Eucharist, bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit and the instrumentality of the priest. Jesus said: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world… . For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink” (John 6:51-55). The whole Christ is truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, under the appearances of bread and wine — the glorified Christ who rose from the dead after dying for our sins. This is what the Church means when she speaks of the “Real Presence” of Christ in the Eucharist.
“By the consecration, the transubstantiation of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ is brought about. Under the consecrated species of bread and wine Christ himself, living and glorious, is present in a true, real, and substantial manner: His Body and His Blood, with His soul and His divinity” (CCC 1413).
“The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession” (CCC 1378).
Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
