At the doors of the Eucharistic Congress

We are about to celebrate the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress, and our entire diocese is very happy to be able to accompany our Lord through the streets of Charlotte with our bishop –who for 19 years has wanted all to gather at such a solemn event.

It is such a beautiful thing when you see the procession of the faithful following the Blessed Sacrament, from the bishop, priests, deacons and religious to all the people of God who walk and pray. One wonderful thing to witness is parishioners entering with their banners, proudly representing their local parishes. In years past, when all the children who made their first Holy Communion that year come in, it is as if the angels themselves are present in the solemn Eucharistic procession.

Perhaps we can ask ourselves, what is the importance of this great event? First, I want to echo what our dear Bishop Peter Jugis has expressed on several occasions when asked about the reason for the event: “I want to give the opportunity for my diocese to meet with our Lord and His shepherds so that together we can give Him glory and honor.”

We have witnessed all the graces and fruits that the Congress has brought to our diocese from the very start. For me as a priest, it gives me the opportunity to meet with my present community and be able to greet the faithful coming from past parishes and give them the great embrace of friendship. We have seen how the parishes have been getting to know each other, and the faithful are happy to see so many Catholics from our diocese. It reaffirms their own faith and helps them see that we are composed of many cultures in the same faith. We have also seen that, since the Congress, more chapels of adoration and more nocturnal adorations have been opened in parishes. The extraordinary impulse of grace has encouraged us to render adoration to our good God and has characterized us as a Eucharistic diocese.

Among the most beautiful things we have witnessed and experienced is the birth of St. Joseph College Seminary in our diocese. The prayer of the faithful to the Lord to send workers to His harvest is very present in the Congress, and the testimony of all the seminarians working in the Congress inspires young people. Young Catholics see a diocese that prays, believes and makes them ask themselves the great question: “Lord, what do you want from me?” Many families have told me how the Congress has helped them and their children grow in devotion to the Eucharist and how homes have been restored in faith because of the gathering.

WHERE DOES THIS TRADITION COME FROM?

One of the manifestations of this increased devotion was the introduction of Eucharistic processions, the earliest evidence of which comes from Cologne, Germany, in the 1270s. By the 14th century, the practice of processing the Blessed Sacrament on the feast of Corpus Christi had been adopted throughout Europe. In cities and towns, these processions took place in the streets, but in rural communities, Eucharistic processions usually took the form of a procession through the fields. In the latter setting, four outdoor altars were often built, and at each altar the beginning of one of the four Gospels was sung.

The writings of St. Thomas Aquinas, in particular, influenced the Church during this period to use the term “transubstantiation” to describe the miraculous conversion of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ during the consecration at Mass. Once these truths were deepened in priestly formation at seminaries, the Eucharistic explosion was not long in coming. The faithful began to ask their pastors for exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and the great Corpus Christi processions. And so, the Church has continued to persevere in these processions and Eucharistic Congresses that do so much good for the faithful.

HOW ARE THE PROCESSIONS ORGANIZED?

The liturgical books of the Church continue to encourage the carrying of the Eucharist in procession on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi or other important occasions, calling this practice “desirable” (cf. Roman Missal, Form of Mass for Corpus Christi; Ceremonial of Bishops, 386). The purpose of such processions through the streets is to give public witness to the faith of the Christian people and to manifest their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.

The ritual book Holy Communion and Adoration of the Eucharist outside Mass indicates that it is for the local Ordinary (bishop) to decide on the appropriateness of such processions and to approve a place and plan that will ensure that these movements are carried out with decorum and reverence (101). In addition, appropriate arrangements should be made with public authorities and law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of those who will participate in the processions.

Ideally, the Blessed Sacrament will be reserved in a tabernacle, and a monstrance is prepared and placed on the altar. A suitable prayer is offered, which in our diocese consists of the recitation of Lauds by all the priests. The Blessed Sacrament is incensed and then the procession begins. Eucharistic songs and hymns that are easy to sing and memorize should be led by a choir during the procession. While not required, the traditional custom of stopping at stations to proclaim the Word of God and give a Eucharistic blessing may take place. A canopy or baldachin held over the Blessed Sacrament may also be used as an option. At the end of the procession, a blessing with the Blessed Sacrament should be given in the church where the procession ends. The Blessed Sacrament is then reposed.

The Ceremonial of Bishops gives the following order for Eucharistic processions: Cross bearer with candle bearers; clergy and deacons with their albs in procession; deacon(s) of the Mass; thurifer; bishop or priest carrying the Blessed Sacrament; other members of the Catholic congregation (optionally carrying lighted candles); persons carrying appropriate banners; musical instruments; followed by all the holy people of God.

My dear brothers and sisters, I encourage all of you to come to Charlotte on Saturday, Sept. 9, and, as our dear bishop has said, avail yourself of the great graces God is showering on us as we “meet with our Lord and His shepherds so that together we can give Him glory and honor.”