The Feast of Corpus Christi, also called the Feast of the Body of Christ, is a feast day that is very dear to me personally and is also quite relevant at this time of the Eucharistic Revival in the Church. It is primarily a Eucharistic Feast, commemorating Christ’s True Presence in the Blessed Sacrament. Corpus Christi originated with a miracle in which a consecrated host began to bleed during Mass. Following the initial shock, the corporal (a special altar cloth) which was now stained with Christ’s Blood, was processed through the small town of Orvieto, Italy. June 16 is the proper Feast of Corpus Christi, but it was celebrated on Sunday June 19 this year. In many places, the first Corpus Christi procession is celebrated, as Catholics process with Jesus in the Eucharist, while adoring and singing to Him.
This beautiful tradition was carried out in a powerful way here in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. On June 19, priests, seminarians, and many of the faithful joined in a large procession, with Jesus in a monstrance being pulled on a float for over a mile. The procession was led by servers with a crucifix, a drummer, and men carrying flags in honor of the patron saints of our archdiocese. Alongside the float bearing Our Lord, several seminarians and I carried torches and incense, as we all sang, prayed, and chanted through the streets of downtown Indianapolis.
It was an incredible experience to see the people of God flock to Him in the Blessed Sacrament, and perhaps still more powerful to see those who did not know Him standing mystified, perhaps wanting to know more. I could not help but be humbled by the faith of the people of the Archdiocese. All I could think was, “See, Lord, how much they love You?”
Please pray for the success of the Eucharistic Revival both locally and nationally. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has the great honor of hosting the Eucharistic Congressin 2024, and what better way to prepare the way of the Lord than to bring Him, with shouts of joy and gladness, through the streets of our home.