Iris Purchase beamed with joy as she took part in a Corpus Christi procession at Epiphany Cathedral on June 21, 2025, the Vigil of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.
“The Lord’s Presence in the Blessed Sacrament brings me great comfort,” Purchase said. “I feel so happy to be able to honor Jesus in this special way, and I pray I will continue to carry out His call for me in my life.”
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) is a celebration of the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Our Lord which is a tradition that dates back centuries and is often marked by a Eucharistic Procession, a “public witness of faith and worship of the Most Blessed Sacrament.”
Instituted in 1264 by Pope Urban IV, Corpus Christi is an important affirmation of our belief that Our Lord is truly sacramentally present in the form of bread and wine. When Our Lord instituted the Eucharist, He said “this IS My Body and this IS My Blood;” not this represents or is symbolic of my body and blood. The Sacrament was defined as “an outward sign” of inward grace given to us by Jesus Christ for our sanctification and salvation.
During the celebration of the 4:30 p.m. Vigil Mass at Epiphany Cathedral, Msgr. Patrick Dubois, Rector of Epiphany Cathedral, spoke about the Solemnity and the corresponding Eucharistic Procession which was taking place in Parishes, cities, towns and villages throughout the world.
“The Body of Christ is honored, not just in churches, but with wonderful processions, outside in the streets decorated with beautiful symbols and banners to celebrate our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus. A presence that is total in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.”
The Corpus Christi procession in Venice began with Msgr. Dubois placing a consecrated host in the monstrance (a sacred vessel that displays the sacred host to the faithful). After a series of prayers before the Most Holy Eucharist the procession, led by altar servers carrying candles and an incensor, began.
Msgr. Dubois carried the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament, proceeding out of the church under a canopy, to three temporary altars set up in the parking lot of the Cathedral. Participating in the procession were Bishop Frank J. Dewane, priests and deacons of the Cathedral, musicians and members of the choir, as well as hundreds of the faithful.
The canopy serves a dual purpose. The canopy protects the Blessed Sacrament against anything that might fall on it, including rain, creating a sacred space that is reserved for the priest carrying the monstrance. Secondarily, the faithful in the large crowd can locate the Blessed Sacrament at the head of the procession more easily.
At each stop, the monstrance was placed on the temporary altar as a series of Gospel passages were read, and prayers recited. The procession concluded with Benediction in the Santa Maria Chapel as thunderstorms loomed overhead. The faithful were encouraged to remain in the Chapel for Adoration.
Pope Leo XIV explained the spiritual and missionary meaning of the Eucharistic Procession prior to beginning his own Procession in Rome.
“Together, as shepherds and flock, we will feed on the Blessed Sacrament, adore Him, and carry Him through the streets,” the Holy Father said. “In doing so, we will present Him before the eyes, the consciences, and the hearts of the people.”
Pope Leo XIV called on the faithful to “share the bread” – a sign of the gift of divine salvation – to “multiply hope and to proclaim the coming of God’s kingdom” as he presided for the first time as Pope over Mass for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.
On the Solemnity when the Catholic Church celebrates especially the mystery of the Eucharist Pope Leo declared: “Christ is God’s answer to our human hunger, because His body is the bread of eternal life: Take this and eat of it, all of you!”
The Holy Father traveled to the Basilica of St. John Lateran, his Cathedral as Bishop of Rome, to celebrate the Mass, which was followed by a Eucharistic Procession along the city’s streets to the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
The Solemnity of Corpus Christi is observed two weeks after Pentecost. The Feast of Pentecost, which took place on June 8 this year, is celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday, and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem, as described in the Acts of the Apostles.
In addition, the 2025 Solemnity marks the conclusion of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year movement initiated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to encourage the faithful to answer the call of Jesus Christ to return to the source and summit of Our Faith – the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.
Bishop Dewane advised that the conclusion of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival not be seen as an ending, but a beginning.
“Let us go forth and share the Mystery of the Eucharist with the world,” Bishop Dewane said. “The time is now for us all to be Eucharistic Missionaries, sharing the good news of the Real Presence of Jesus Christ with everyone you know! Non-believers, lapsed Catholics, those on the margins. Bring the saving grace of Christ to the world around you!”
Deacon Doherty was born in Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. After high school, he moved south to attend Ave Maria University where he graduated with a degree in Mathematics and Political Economy and Government. After working in business for several years and earning a master’s degree in systems engineering from Penn State University, he heard more clearly God’s call to holiness and discerned his vocation to the priesthood, completing his philosophy studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach and a theology degree at the Gregorian University in Rome. He is currently completing further studies at the Angelicum University in Rome. He has completed summer assignments at several Parishes in the Diocese of Venice, including St. Leo the Great in Bonita Springs, St. William in Naples, and St. Francis Xavier in Fort Myers. He looks forward to walking with people in the challenges of daily life and growing and working with the Catholic community.
Deacon Gwynn was born and raised in Palmetto, and was baptized by Father Teofilo Useche, the current pastor of his home parish, Holy Cross. A graduate of Palmetto High School, Deacon Jacob went on to study at St. John Vianney College Seminary and St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary. As a Diocesan seminarian, Deacon Gwynn has had summer assignments at the following Parishes: St. William in Naples, St. Agnes in Naples; Our Lady of Lourdes in Venice; and Our Lady of Grace in Avon Park, St. John XXIII in Fort Myers, as well as serving a pastoral year at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice. He currently serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and looks forward to becoming a Navy chaplain following five years of priestly ministry in the Diocese of Venice.
The second of six children, Deacon Long grew up in Sarasota, graduating from St. Martha Catholic School and Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. He earned a degree in marketing from Florida State University and before discerning his vocation to the priesthood, enjoyed a career in marketing in the health care industry. Deacon Long has always been active in the Church, as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, Religious Education teacher, youth group leader and Pro-Life volunteer. He credits his active participation in the Church to leading him to hear God’s call to the priesthood. Deacon Long completed his theological studies at Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Weston, Massachusetts. As a seminarian for the Diocese, Deacon Long served summer assignments at Incarnation Parish, St. Martha Parish and St. Thomas More Parish, each in Sarasota. Additionally, he attended the Institute for Priestly Formation at Creighton University in Nebraska, later participating in a Spanish Summer Immersion Program in Guatemala.
The Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus summer program continues to inspire young people to develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. The week-long summer camp program is visiting different Parishes each week and offering camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, as well as for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. Three missionary teams are leading the campers. In the first four weeks, the program has taken place at 10 Parishes, with the most recent Ave Maria in Ave Maria and St. Jude in Sarasota. Following the Fourth of July holiday, the program resumes at the following: St. Cecilia, Fort Myers; Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers; St. John XXIII, Fort Myers; St. Thomas More, Sarasota (July 6-11); St. Joseph, Bradenton; Epiphany Cathedral, Venice; Our Lady Queen of Heaven, LaBelle (July 13-18); Our Lady of the Angels, Lakewood Ranch; St. Peter the Apostle, Naples (July 20-25). Youth are welcome to attend any of the Totus Tuus camps, but registration is requested ahead of time. To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at 
The Diocese of Venice Respect Life Office and Incarnation Parish staff in Sarasota were recognized for their work in support of Pro-Life initiatives in the community during the Sarasota Ministerial Association “24th Anniversary Celebration,” June 19, 2025, at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church in Sarasota. Among those recognized were Tavia Ames, Diocesan Respect Life Director, Father Eric Scanlan, Pastor of Incarnation Parish, Deacon Kevin McKenney, of Incarnation Parish and the board of Sarasota Family Promise, and Lisa Russo, Incarnation Parish secretary. Presenting the honor was Art Reilly, past board chair of Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center.
Every day, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc., serves the most vulnerable population in Diocese of Venice’s 10 counties by feeding, housing, empowering, and helping all in need. This summer, you can be the one that makes a difference. Your acts of kindness have the power to transform lives and leave a positive impact in our community. The Catholic Charities “Summertime and the Giving is Easy Appeal” is asking for your support. The giving is easy! Your gift will make a positive impact on our less fortunate brothers and sisters. To donate to “Summertime and the Giving is Easy Campaign,” please visit 
Are you or someone you know struggling because of a past abortion? You are not alone. Know that healing retreats and support are available for anyone who has experienced an abortion, including mothers, fathers and other family members who have been hurt. For help, or to learn more about the Diocese of Venice support after abortion program, Project Rachel, simply call or text 941-412-5860, or email 
The Diocese of Venice Totus Tuus summer program continues to inspire young people to develop a closer relationship with Jesus Christ. The week-long program is visiting different Parishes each week and offering day camp for students entering grades 1 – 6, as well as evening camp for middle school and high school students entering grades 7 – 12. Three missionary teams are leading the campers. In the first two weeks, the program has taken place at six Parishes, with the most recent at St. Agnes in Naples. Upcoming host Parishes include: Ave Maria in Ave Maria and St. Jude in Sarasota (June 22-27); St. Cecilia, Fort Myers; Our Lady of Light, Fort Myers; St. John XXIII, Fort Myers; St. Thomas More, Sarasota (July 6-11); St. Joseph, Bradenton; Epiphany Cathedral, Venice; Our Lady Queen of Heaven, LaBelle (July 13-18); Our Lady of the Angels, Lakewood Ranch; St. Peter the Apostle, Naples (July 20-25). Youth are welcome to attend any of the Totus Tuus camps, but registration is requested ahead of time. To register, please contact the hosting Parish directly. Parish contact information can be found at 
Bishop Frank J. Dewane invites the faithful to the Ordination to the Priesthood of Transitional Deacons Joseph Doherty, Jacob Gwynn and Pat Long. The Ordination will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 12, at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, 1301 Center Road, Venice. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this important event in the lives of Deacons Joseph, Jacob and Pat as well as the Diocese of Venice. The Ordination will also be livestreamed at the following link: 
