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What is a Eucharistic Procession?

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. A Eucharistic procession, therefore, is a public witness of the veneration toward the most holy Eucharist, typically conducted through public streets. It takes place in this way: A consecrated host, the real and substantial presence of Jesus Christ: body, blood, soul, and divinity, is placed within a monstrance, which is then lifted and carried by a member of the clergy, usually a priest, who leads the faithful in procession. Like a pilgrimage, a Eucharistic procession normally starts at one holy place and ends at another. This earthly journey reminds the Catholic faithful of their spiritual journey toward eternal life with God.

The idea of having a Eucharistic procession became popular during the celebration of Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ). This solemnity is attributed to St. Juliana, a young Belgian nun who lived in the 13th century.  While praying, she received the inspiration for a feast that celebrates and promotes the gift of the Real Presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist.

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI noted in a homily in 2007, “It (the feast day) was born for the very precise purpose of openly reaffirming the faith of the people of God in Jesus Christ, alive and truly present in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist. It is a feast that was established in order to publicly adore, praise, and thank the Lord, who continues ‘to love us to the end,’ even to offering us his body and his blood.”

Eucharistic processions, such as the one beginning our three-year Eucharistic Renewal on Sunday, June 19, (The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ), are occasions when faith meets enacted reality. Within our diocese, Eucharistic processions will be led by Bishop Edward Rice at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Cape Girardeau at 2 pm; by Bishop Emeritus John Leibrecht at St. Agnes Cathedral in Springfield at 2 pm; and here in our lake’s area by Fr. William Hennecke at Our Lady of the Cove in Kimberling City at 4 pm.

By processing with the Holy Eucharist in a reverent, prayerful, and joyful manner, the faithful can honor Christ in the Eucharist and serve as witnesses to the intimate presence of God in the world and in each individual.  Processions powerfully display the Incarnation, or God becoming human, and thus speak of his merciful love for all who journey to eternal life with him.




Author Bio:
Deacon Dan Vaughn