The upcoming, June 7, 2015, Corpus Christi procession unites the Austin, English and Spanish communities, as when the early Church was a “Community of believers [that] was of one heart and soul.” (Acts 4:32) From the very beginning the early Christians were a convergence of a trilingual culture, so public statements were often, “Written in Hebrew, Latin, and Greek,” (Jn. 19:20).
Pope Francis’ message for the Corpus Christi procession states that, “He makes us go from being a multitude to being a community, from being strangers to being in communion.”¹ Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, when writing on the Corpus Christi procession said, “The public nature and the given structure of worship remained, so that people who otherwise never meet were brought together.” ² He lamented that we hurry past each other and that our cities are places of solitude of a type never seen before where people are most lonely, abandoned, and deserted even though they live in apartment complexes that are very near to each other; therefore, we must have confidence, “Once more trusting each other, opening up to each other, and together letting ourselves be led by Him.”³
The Church’s rite on Eucharistic processions found in Eucharistic Worship Outside of Mass states that, “It [the procession] can truly be a sign of common faith and adoration” (102) when different groups with their banners come together. Of course Cardinal Ratzinger when writing about Corpus Christi reminds us that “What unites us today is not the private interest of this group or that, but the interest that God takes in us to which we can calmly confide all our own interests and wishes.”⁴
The Church’s rite further explains that on that day, “It is fitting to hold some kind of public celebration for the entire city.” (102) In the past we had two large processions “through the streets” (101) coming and leaving “the Cathedral Church,” (102) but now we will unite them so that, “The Christian people may give public witness to faith and devotion toward this Sacrament.” (101)
Uniting the processions will create a very large gathering never seen before in our city but it is for the purpose of taking “A procession through the public streets which yearly fills with joy those who partake in it,” (143) as Redemptionis Sacramentum recommends. This 2004 document further states, “New ways should be sought of holding them [processions] in today’s conditions,” (144) so this year we will process through the heart of the city and state going from Saint Mary Cathedral to the State Capitol, to the University of Texas Tower, and into the University Catholic Center for 12 noon mass.
This year, two cultures – Spanish and English – will unite as one heart and soul, “Transcending our own prejudices, our limits and our barriers, going forward, going toward Him, and moving to the point at which we can meet each other.”⁵ Let us beseech Our Lord, “Gather us together from all corners of the earth. Unite your Church, unite wounded humanity! Give us your salvation! Amen.”⁶
[1] 2013 Corpus Christi Homily
[2] God Is Near” by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger 2001, Ignatius Press;
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Pope Benedict XVI Corpus Christi homily 2006
Read: Corpus Christi Procession – “That They May All Be One” (Part 1)
2015 Corpus Christi Procession to Texas State Capitol
Download PDF Flyer
WHEN: Sunday, June 7, 2015
STARTS: Saint Mary Cathedral with 9:30 am Mass *
WHO: English & Spanish Corpus Christi Processions
ROUTE: Cathedral – State Capitol – University of Texas
ENDS: University Catholic Center 12:00 noon Mass *
WHAT: Bring your group/organization banner
INFORMATION: www.austindiocese.org (*pick a Mass)
Austin Corpus Christi Procession Flyer 2015
I love processions!