Corpus Christi Procession
by Matt O’Connell
The second annual Diocesan Holy Hour and Eucharistic Procession was held on the feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday 7 June, at Our Lady of Victories Church, Sockburn. Msgr Rick Loughnan was the celebrant. Over 500 people gathered for a time of adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, which included prayers, scripture, and a homily from Msgr Loughnan. Following this time of Adoration, the Blessed Sacrament was processed around the streets of Sockburn.
Processions form a very important part of the solemnity of Corpus Christi. All around the world, processions were held on this great feast. Pope Leo XIV was on an Apostolic Visit to Spain at the time, and led a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Madrid. In his homily during Mass proceeding the procession, the Pope reflected on the importance of processions. It is worthwhile to briefly reflect on the words he preached, because they help us to realise, once again, the importance of the Eucharist for our lives, the life of the church, and indeed the life of the World.
Pope Leo began his homily by highlighting the fact that the Eucharist is “the gift of Christ’s living presence among us … so that we might enter into communion with the Father and become his children.” Howeasy it is for us to become complacent about the Eucharist, and that is why we need this feast to help us “return to the heart of the faith to renew our love and fidelity to God.” “Eucharistic Processions,” says Pope Leo, “held on this day … for centuries have shaped the piety, art, music, architecture, and life of (not only the Spanish people, but) all people.” These processions are a “profession of faith in the presence of the risen Lord, who is alive and continues to walk among us, who becomes bread to satiate our hunger for life, and visits the recesses of our hearts and history, even those shrouded in darkness.”
Pope Leo further noted that Eucharistic processions also ‘show’ that Jesus “is not confined to the church, but comes out to meet us. Jesus travels the streets, crosses the squares, and visits our neighbourhoods, dwelling in the settings of our daily lives. He is a God who is close to us, who walks with his people, the Lord of history,” including the sick, the struggling, the poor, and the weak.
Eucharistic processions are also a great witness of our faith in Jesus in the midst of an unbelieving world. Jesus asks us not to hide the light he has given each of us, but to shine for all to see.
I encourage you to participate next year, and even consider the possibility of organising a procession in your own parish on the next feast of Corpus Christi, Sunday 30 May, 2027.
Published in Inform Issue 149 - Winter 2026
