The most important ritual of Corpus Christi is
that of the Procession. For this event, the entire village, parish
or town assembles in finest dress. The Procession is comprised of
clergy, special guilds or groups, and families. Often children in
First Communion dress precede the Blessed Sacrament dropping rose
or other flower petals to create a carpet for the approaching Eucharist.
Altar boys, clergy, prominent citizens with guild and society banners
of silk, and others process. The Holy Eucharist is itself transported
in a processional Monstrance, carried by the priest or bishop. The
Monstrance is further protected by an embroidered silk canopy held
by four posts, borne by parishioners or altar servers. Publicly
proclaiming and reaffirming their devotion to the Holy Eucharist,
the entire congregation walks around the church and its grounds
to the sound of bells and voices singing sacred hymns. The procession
then walks and sings its way to the first of the altars. There the
Blessed Sacrament rests while the assembled faithful kneel to pray
and sing in adoration of the Holy Eucharist. The procession then
continues on in the same manner to the other altars until finished.
* See the Procession in
Chicago's "Helenowo" Neighborhood
* See the Procession in Krakow, Poland COMING SOON!
* Illustration of traditional Polish Corpus
Christi Procession
* Dla Dzieci / For Kids: Corpus Christi
Procession to Print & Color
* English/Polish Sheet Music for Polish
Corpus Christi Hymn:
"Twoja Czesz Chwala" ("Thine
is All Glory")
