Over the weekend, Catholics shared their faith in a very public way in a tradition that dates back to 14th-century.
Following Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi, they left the safety and solitude of their churches, to follow the Blessed Sacrament through the streets, proclaiming their belief that Jesus is truly present in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.
Some onlookers may have been surprised by the spectacle of a priest holding the Eucharist aloft, followed by hundreds, and in some cases, thousands of people singing hymns. They may have asked, “What are these Catholics up to now?” Or perhaps more disparagingly, “Damn, Catholics!”
But for others, that confusion may have been mingled with an unexpected taste of the divine. This demonstration of their neighbors’ devotion and their proximity to God in the Eucharist might have inspired at least a curiosity, and perhaps a desire for more.
This year the Corpus Christi processions kicked off a three-year National Eucharistic Revival, initiated by the U.S. Catholic bishops to help Catholics grown in their faith and understanding of the Eucharist. To learn more visit their website.
Enjoy these snapshots of Corpus Christi processions that took place across the country:
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Thousands of Catholics from the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, took part in an 8 pm Eucharistic Procession on The Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Detroit, Michigan
Catholics in Detroit processed for two-miles through city streets.
Indianapolis, Indiana
The Archdiocese of Indianapolis will be hosting the Eucharistic Congress in July 2024, which will be the culminating event of the three-year eucharistic revival.
And today we celebrate...