Tag: eucharistic procession

Corpus Christi Sunday – Celebrating the Real Presence with processions

Posted on by Bob Reddy

In a tradition which dates back nearly 800 years, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), the faithful at Parishes throughout the Diocese of Venice celebrated the Real Presence of Jesus Christ on June 2, 2024.

Eucharistic processions throughout the Diocese of Venice gave a “public witness of our faith in the Most Blessed Sacrament,” a true celebration of the Eucharist and the Real Presence of Our Lord.

At Our Lady of Light Parish in Fort Myers, the Pastor, Father Hugh McGuigan, Oblate of St. Francis de Sales, explained the importance of the Solemnity as a “celebration of the fulfillment of God’s great desire to be one with His people – to establish an everlasting covenant with us – a covenant which guarantees our forgiveness and reconciliation.”

Following Mass, Father McGuigan invited the faithful to take a “walk with Christ.” The Corpus Christi procession began with the placement of a consecrated host in the monstrance (a sacred vessel that displays the sacred host to the faithful). After a brief time for all to pray before the Most Holy Eucharist, the procession, led by altar servers carrying candles and an incenser, advanced out of the Church sanctuary.

Because of the heat, the procession led out into the courtyard and into the Parish Hall. At three locations along the route there were decorated altars where the monstrance was placed and, after a period of prayer, which included a Gospel reading and intercessions, the people were blessed. In this way the Church shows that Christ, here among us, walks with us on our pilgrimage to heaven. A Eucharistic Procession is not only a tradition in the Catholic Church but is a public witness of our faith in the Blessed Sacrament in the community.

Processions, like the one at Our Lady of Light, and elsewhere throughout the Diocese, took on a special meaning during a time of National Eucharistic Revival and teaching leading up to the July National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. There, tens of thousands of Catholics will gather to celebrate the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year movement by the U.S. Bishops 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 Frank J. Dewane will be leading a group of pilgrims to the Congress.

The National Eucharistic Revival was launched as an initiative of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in 2022. Here in the Diocese of Venice, at the direction of Bishop Dewane, several major events have taken place, including a 2023 Diocesan Eucharistic Congress and Youth Rally, a 2024 Diocesan Eucharistic Conference, as well as many more Most Blessed Sacrament-themed Parish initiatives. These events drew thousands together to set hearts afire in celebration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Annunciation of the Lord celebrated in Ave Maria

Posted on by Bob Reddy

The Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord is when we celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary saying “Yes!” to God.

Usually celebrated on March 25, the Solemnity was transferred to April 8, 2024, because the original date fell during Holy Week. The Solemnity marks the Angel Gabriel’s appearance to the Virgin Mary (Luke 1:26-38), and his announcement that the Blessed Virgin had been chosen to be the Mother of Our Lord, and Mary’s willing acceptance of God’s Holy Plan.

For the faithful at Ave Maria Parish, Ave Maria University, as well as the entire town, the Solemnity marks an important occasion as it is the Feast Day of the community and was celebrated this year on April 6.

The focus of the day was on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, with Bishop Frank J. Dewane as the principal celebrant.

Bishop Dewane said during the Mass that the faithful should learn from the example of Mary and apply Her willingness to be open to the call of the Lord in our own lives; as it is inspiring to know the Blessed Virgin Mary had the courage to say “yes.”

“Take the grace that the Lord gives each of us, and live it and go forward,” the Bishop said. “We learn the important lesson that nothing is ‘impossible for God.’ Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her’ (Luke 1:37-38). Without God, we cannot fulfill His Mission. Our Lady understood that, so must each one of us. We have to radically change our inner selves and have that same strength to do the will of the Lord.”

At the conclusion of Mass, the faithful recited a Prayer of Consecration to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, followed by a public Eucharistic Procession through the university and town. Later in the day was an outdoor barbecue dinner and concert.

Hundreds Venerate Jesus in Eucharistic Procession

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Reciting prayers and singing hymns, hundreds participated in a public Eucharistic Procession through the streets around St. John Neumann Catholic High School in Naples on Oct. 22, 2023.

This procession consisted mostly of the faithful from nearby St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and was led by their Pastor, Father Casey Jones, and is one of several initiatives scheduled as part of “The Year of Parish Revival,” the latest phase of a National Eucharistic Revival. Launched as an initiative of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in June 2022, the National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year movement that aims to deepen Catholics’ love for Jesus through encountering His Real Presence in the Eucharist.

“This event is all about bringing Jesus Christ to the neighborhoods of the people,” Father Jones said. “The message is that our God loves us so much that he comes to us, rather than waiting for us to approach him. Just as Jesus Christ of Nazareth walked the streets of Galilee, He’s still alive and walks among us on our streets… We hope to give a witness to our belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist as a sign of Hope to a world that needs a Savior.”

Starting in Neumann’s Our Lady of the Angels Chapel with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Solemn Vespers, the group lined up for the Eucharistic Procession through the surrounding Golden Gate neighborhood. Father Jones said additional processions in other neighborhoods within the Parish boundaries will take place in the coming months. This includes one with the students at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic School during Catholic School Week in early February 2024.

With a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard and a dozen altar servers carrying candles, Father Jones and Deacon Roberto Landron rotated carrying the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament held high. Four volunteers carried a canopy to protect the Blessed Sacrament during the procession. This canopy served to create a sacred space that is reserved for the priest/deacon carrying the monstrance.

Hymns and prayers, both in English and Spanish, were heard as the group departed the Chapel and meandered their way to four stations where the monstrance was placed on a table and additional prayers were recited.

The National Eucharistic Revival will culminate in the first National Eucharistic Congress in the United States in almost 50 years. In July 2024, more than 80,000 Catholics are expected to join together in Indianapolis for a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage in a celebration of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and our Catholic Faith.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane is leading a Pilgrimage to this 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. This historic 5-day gathering will take place July 17 – 21, 2024. It is a pivotal moment in the Church, and a unique opportunity for participants to draw into a deeper, more intimate relationship with Our Lord.

The cost of the Diocese of Venice pilgrimage package is $1,049. With the package, pilgrims receive the National Eucharistic Congress 5-day pass, which provides access to all speakers and events, as well as four nights’ accommodations in a 4-star hotel within walking distance of the convention center. Please note, the pilgrimage package does not include transportation or meals. Space is limited! Register today using https://ctscentral.rezmagic.com/Booking/Reservation/Start?tripID=5394&CategoryId=52540. Questions? Contact Carrie Harkey, harkey@dioceseofvenice.org.

Celebrating the Real Presence – Corpus Christi marked with processions

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Lily Palmer beamed with contented joy as she took part in a Corpus Christi procession at San Pedro Parish in North Port on June 11, 2023, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

“The power of Our Lord, and His Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, brings me great comfort,” Palmer said. “I feel so happy to be able to honor Jesus in this special way.”

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.”

Prior to the solemnity, San Pedro Parish hosted a 40-Hours of Devotion (Eucharistic Adoration), as part of the ongoing celebration of the National Eucharistic Revival. The 40 Hours was opened on the afternoon of June 9 by Parochial Vicar Father Nathan Marzonie, Oblate of the Virgin Mary, as a large group participated. Parishioners filled in the hours through the day and night (with the exception of times for the celebration of Mass) to stand vigil with the Blessed Sacrament.

At the Mass on the Solemnity, Father Marzonie explained that Corpus Christi is a day to celebrate the gift of the Most Holy Eucharist, “not because it’s only worth celebrating that gift, or paying honor to honor Jesus in a special way once a year, but to help us grow in that for every day. To remind us that Jesus gave us this gift, to give His presence to us, to be always with us. Every day. All the time.”

After the celebration of the 10:45 a.m. Mass at San Pedro, the Corpus Christi procession began with the placement of a consecrated host in the monstrance (a sacred vessel that displays the sacred host to the faithful). After a brief time for all to pray before the Most Holy Eucharist, the procession, led by altar servers carrying candles and an incenser, began. Father Marzione carried the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament. Proceeding out of the church, the faithful followed; members of the Knights of Columbus escorted the Blessed Sacrament by carrying the canopy.

The canopy serves a dual purpose. On one hand, it protects the Blessed Sacrament against anything that might fall on it, including light 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.

As the procession circled the church, the faithful sang. At three locations along the route there were decorated altars where the monstrance was placed and, after a period of prayer (which included a Gospel reading and intercessions), the people were blessed. In this way the Church shows that Christ, here among us, walks with us on our pilgrimage to heaven. A Eucharistic Procession is not only a tradition in the Catholic Church but is a public witness of our faith in the Blessed Sacrament in the community.

Launched as an initiative of the U.S. Catholic Bishops in June 2022, the National Eucharistic Revival is a three-year movement by the U.S. Bishops to answer the call of Jesus Christ to return to the source and summit of Our Faith – the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. This effort includes a National Eucharistic Congress next year in Indianapolis. The Revival’s first year was titled “The Year of Diocesan Revival,” and efforts focused on formation for Diocesan leadership and Diocesan-wide events (March 2023 Diocesan Eucharistic Congress and Youth Rally). The Revival’s second year, “The Year of Parish Revival,” aims to reach Catholics in their Parishes through renewed attention to the “art” of the Mass, Eucharistic devotions, and small-group faith sharing and formation.

Instituted in 1264 by Pope Urban IV, Corpus Christi is an important affirmation of our belief that Our Lord is really and 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.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is observed two weeks after Pentecost. The Feast of Pentecost, which was on May 28 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.

Diocesan Eucharistic Congress deepens faith, brings joy

Posted on by Bob Reddy

4,400 youth and adults brought closer to the Lord

During the span of two days and three unique events, the Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Congress in Fort Myers was a massive success.

An estimated 4,400 (middle school students, youth and adults) participated from March 24 to March 25, 2023, at the Caloosa Sound Convention Center and Luminary Hotel on the Fort Myers riverfront.

Over the span of two days, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated twice (one for youth, one for adults), there were three Eucharistic Adorations (two outdoors for the younger participants and one indoors for the adults), and there was a 1,600-person strong public Eucharistic Procession in the streets of Fort Myers.

Additional high points included inspirational talks in both Spanish and English, live music, and fellowship as participants shared the beauty of our Catholic Faith, and its Sacraments, together.

Bishop Frank J. Dewane called for the Diocesan Eucharistic Congress as part of a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year revival of devotion to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The U.S Bishops want the National Eucharistic Revival to serve as a reminder that Catholics around the world are raised to be aware of the transforming power and mercy of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist – the Source and Summit of the Faith.

“What a wonderful time to be together celebrating our Faith in the Most Holy Eucharist,” Bishop Dewane said at the opening of the main conference on Saturday morning, addressing both the English and Spanish language groups. “Let the Blessed Sacrament guide you, may you go forth in a deeper relationship with Our Lord, Jesus Christ.”

The Eucharistic Congress, with a theme “The Word Became Flesh,” encompassed several parts, including three unique sessions. The first was for 1,300 Diocesan Catholic middle school students; the second was a Youth Rally for 1,500 high-school aged teens (both on March 24); and the showcase event on March 25 was for 1,600 adults which featured special breakout sessions for men and women, and offerings in both English and Spanish.

The response to the Eucharistic Congress was enthusiastic with calls for this type of gathering to become an annual event.

“It was so glorious to be together for Christ,” said Amy Trask of St. Columbkille Parish in Fort Myers. “I can’t stop smiling. Everything was so wonderful!”

The public Eucharistic Procession circled the Luminary Hotel and stretched around the block as people prayed and sang while curious onlookers took photos, videos and asked questions about what was taking place.

“It was so great to be a part of such a public display of our faith,” said Joanne Collins of St. Leo the Great Parish in Bonita Springs. “It gave me goosebumps to be with everyone, accompanied by Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.”

Rosalia Hernandez of St. Paul Parish in Arcadia loved the entire day, from the message of the speakers to the procession and closing Mass.

“Beautiful,” Hernandez said. “I was brought to tears during adoration with everyone silently together in the room coming from the procession and properly honoring Our Lord as He was displayed before us in that beautiful monstrance. I will never forget this day.”

The inspirational talks throughout the Eucharistic Congress were presented by several well-known Catholic speakers with offerings in English and Spanish.

First up on the English track was Father Donald Calloway, MIC, who was a keynote, spoke on “Conversion and the Holy Eucharist,” and then on “St. Joseph and the Eucharist.” Teresa Tomeo focused her talks on “Rediscovering the Eucharist on my Journey,” and on “Becoming a True Daughter of the King by Way of the Eucharist.” Mallory Smith spoke about a “Eucharistic Faith in a Broken World,”

Speaking to both the English and Spanish participants was Hector Molina who focused on “The Eucharist as a Sacrifice, Real Presence, and Holy Communion,” and then “Men of the Eucharist: Taken, Blessed, Broken & Given.”

Also speaking to the Spanish track, was Joel de Loera, who focused on “The Eucharist: Strength and Joy of the Family,” and then “Men as Spiritual Leaders and Defenders of the Faith.” Mary Ann Weisinger-Puig spoke on the topic, “This is My Body Given Up for You,” and then on “Drawing Close to Jesus in the Eucharist: Meditations on Sacred Art.” Meanwhile, Martha Fernandez-Sardina talked about “The Eucharist and the Feminine Genius.”

Each speaker offered the faithful the opportunity to become part of the greater National Eucharistic Revival and to leave with their hearts and minds aflame for the love of Jesus, His Catholic Church, and especially the Most Holy Eucharist.

For additional photos from the Diocese of Venice Eucharistic Congress, please visit https://dioceseofvenice.org/eucharistic-congress/.

 

 

Celebrating the Real Presence – Corpus Christi marked with processions

Posted on by Bob Reddy

Mary Dwyer quietly wept as she took part in a Corpus Christi procession at Incarnation Parish in Sarasota on June 19, 2022, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

“The power of Our Lord, and His Presence in the Blessed Sacrament, brings me great comfort,” Dwyer said. “I feel so happy to be able to honor Jesus in this special way.”

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. This year’s celebration fell on Father’s Day.

At Incarnation, the procession began with a flower girl, sprinkling rose petals onto the ground, then the cross bearer, altar servers and a Knights of Columbus Honor Guard ahead of Father Eric Scanlan, Pastor of Incarnation, carrying the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament while it was under a canopy, as the Parish Choir led everyone in song.

The procession made its way from the main church into the Parish courtyard and then into the parking lot, stopping at four temporary altars where Father Scanlan led everyone in prayer and readings from the Gospel. The procession concluded in the Parish Chapel where Father led the Benediction.

Participating in a procession is viewed as an opportunity to reflect on this gift of the Holy Eucharist as the faithful pause at four “stations” for a reading and prayer and then conclude with Benediction. It is an opportunity to remind ourselves how special we are that God should want to nourish us with the body and blood of His Son, and it is an opportunity to thank God for these wonderful gifts.

During the Mass, Father Scanlan reflected on the importance of approaching one’s faith by focusing on the Real Presence – the true body and blood of Christ – that is found in the Most Blessed Sacrament.

“Brothers and sisters, Our God dwells among us,” Father said during the Mass. “He comes to honor us. To strengthen and heal us… But, the Lord can only do so much, unless we open our hearts to Him. We can say Lord, help me to believe; help me to receive You with love and affection; help me to allow you to heal me and to transform me, this heart and soul of mine. He wants so much for us to encounter Him, here today, each one of us. Brothers and sisters, this Great Feast offers us the opportunity to rekindle our love and our wonder and our gratitude of the Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. He is here. He is here.”

The Corpus Christi celebration, and its associated Eucharistic Processions, which took place at Parishes within the Diocese, also marked the opening of the National Eucharistic Revival. This Eucharistic Revival is an effort by the U.S. Bishops to answer the call of Jesus Christ to return to the source and summit of Our Faith – the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.

The Diocesan Year of the National Eucharistic Revival is from June 19, 2022, to June 11, 2023. During the Diocesan Year there will be a series of events and retreats that encourage the renewal of the Church “by rekindling a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.” Please check the Diocese website regularly for the plans for implementing this Revival in the Diocese at  https://dioceseofvenice.org/offices/offices-departments/eucharistic-congress-2023/.

Instituted in 1264 by Pope Urban IV, Corpus Christi is also known as the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

The Feast Day is an important affirmation of our belief that Our Lord is really and 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.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is observed two weeks after Pentecost. The Feast of Pentecost, which was on June 5 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.

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