Pope Urban IV extended the feast of Corpus Christi to the whole Church in 1264, and the procession grew up around it in the following century. The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy treats it as the model of Eucharistic processions: it is a public act of worship, an extension of the Mass just celebrated, and a witness of faith to the town, not a display. The Blessed Sacrament is carried in a monstrance by a priest or deacon under a canopy; the procession ordinarily concludes with Benediction.

The procession normally sets out from the Mass of the solemnity, the Sacrament having been consecrated at that Mass. Walk in order behind the cross, with candles, singing Eucharistic hymns — Pange Lingua, Lauda Sion, Adoro Te Devote — and praying between the hymns; the singing and prayer should express the faith of the whole community, not merely accompany a spectacle. Where the route allows, stop at altars prepared along the way for a Gospel reading, a prayer, and Benediction. At the end return to the church and conclude with the Tantum Ergo, the versicle and prayer, Benediction with the monstrance, and the Divine Praises. Take part with reverence and, if you cannot walk it, kneel as the Sacrament passes.

About 1 hour

Citation

Enchiridion Indulgentiarum, 4th ed. (Apostolic Penitentiary, 1999), grant on Eucharistic adoration and procession: a plenary indulgence, on the usual conditions, for devoutly taking part in a solemn Eucharistic procession of particular importance, such as the procession of Corpus Christi. The governing norms are those of Paul VI, Indulgentiarum Doctrina (1967).

eucharistic