Solemnity of Corpus Christi
It was a privilege to process through the streets of Melbourne yesterday behind the True Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus.
My children and I joined hundreds of people at the Corpus Christi seminary Church, and were happy to see some of my seminarians friends from Catholic Theological College. Lots of young people, from all walks of life and many nationalities made the day very special and were a great witness to the people in the cafe zone around Lygon Street.
It was surprising to hear silence from the spectators as we walked by.
No heckling or yelling: just silence - with a few quiet Signs of the Cross and genuflections.
I like to think people were genuinely awestruck by the sight of so many taking this aspect of their faith seriously. I’ve walked through the streets for the unborn, but have never had the opportunity to walk in a Eucharistic Procession before this. It seems that people are used to seeing activism and other forms of public witness, but are not familiar with such a prayerful display of reverence.
A Eucharistic Procession IS our Catholic faith, on display for the world.
The Eucharist is what sets us apart.
It is the reason we are Catholic.
The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in the sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offences and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.
St. John Paul II, Dominicae cenae
