Feast of Corpus Christi Celebration at Saint Ann

           According to the “old-timers” at Saint Ann Parish, the Corpus Christi Celebration in June was a “first” for our parish. But this isn’t a new Catholic celebration, as younger parishioners and other first-timers might assume. It’s been part of our Church calendar since 1264, created by Pope Urban IV, encouraged by Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church, and inspired by a visionary nun and a Eucharistic miracle.

           Following the Holy Mass on June 11, 2023, there was a procession of the Blessed Sacrament displayed in a monstrance. The Blessed Sacrament was carried in the procession under our newly-acquired canopy, a lovely addition to our parish regalia. The procession stopped at three stations, or altars which were decorated with flowers, wreaths, candles, and icons, where participants knelt, recited prayers, read Scripture and sang, or made a private devotion while the Blessed Sacrament briefly rested there. Our three altars were created by the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, the Hispanic Community, and the Knights of Columbus. Following the procession there was a Solemn Benediction with the Blessed Sacrament. Our celebration continued in the parish hall with food, music, and fellowship.

           Such processions happen around the world. In the Swiss Alps, where villages are very remote, many communities have their own uniformed brass bands that lead the procession. The procession includes the first communicants carrying umbrellas as they pass through the damp clouds. They stop at altars decorated with flowers along the way. Observers kneel as the Blessed Sacrament passes by, some of these wooden altars are more than 500 years old. In Brazil and Portugal, the streets are covered with street carpets made of coffee grounds, flowers, salt, and sand. In Poland, parishioners arrange a carpet of live flowers a kilometer long. These traditional carpets are designated by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In our own pastor’s home of Colombia, and in other Central and South American countries, streets are decorated with colorful carpets created with colored sawdust.

           All over Europe these processions take place in towns, cities, country sides, and neighborhoods, following roadways, sidewalks, and narrow pathways, while church bells peal to announce the arrival of the procession. Most will end at a Catholic Church for Benediction.  

           Around the world for the Feast of Corpus Christi, altars are created and covered in flowers, streets festooned in green boughs, candles light the windows; the bells ring and the faithful proclaim their faith and bring their love of the Eucharist into the community with processions and displays.

           This may be “new” to us, but we’re just late for the party! How wonderful that we are now joining in and already anticipate next year’s Corpus Christi celebration.