Ancient procession tradition continues in Woodbridge parish

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, known by its Latin name, Corpus Christi, is celebrated universally because of the unrelenting efforts of St. Juliana of Liège, whose devotion to the Blessed Sacrament led her to advocate for the establishment of a feast celebrating the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

It wasn’t until after her death that Pope Urban IV declared the solemnity of Corpus Christi, establishing a universal, obligatory feast, and assigning St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the liturgical texts to accompany it.

Eucharistic processions began shortly after the declaration and have continued throughout the years. Pope St. John Paul I reflected on the popular tradition, saying, “Our faith in the God who took flesh in order to become our companion along the way needs to be everywhere proclaimed, especially in our streets and homes, as an expression of our grateful love and as an inexhaustible source of blessings”

St. James Parish, Woodbridge, held their annual Corpus Christi procession on June 2, processing from St. James Church to St. Joseph’s Senior Home, Woodbridge, and, as they walked, praying for Church and country. Vocationist Father Thomas Naduviledathu, pastor, asked those in procession to lift the flags they received at the start of the procession as they prayed.

Members of the Order of Malta and the order of the Holy Sepulchre were invited to join the procession by a member parishioner, each wearing their respective regalia.

To learn more about the Feast of Corpus Christi visit www.simplycatholic.com/celebrating-corpus-christi