Corpus Christi Procession – “That They May All Be One” (Part 1)

The Corpus Christi Procession in Austin, Texas, is a very special one. This year, two communities are coming together to praise and adore the Lamb of God on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. For the first time in Central Texas history, the English and Spanish Corpus Christi Processions will become one, fulfilling the prayer of Jesus on the eve of His crucifixion, “That they may all be one.” (Jn. 17:21)

Pope Francis at the 2014 Day of Adoration

Uniting both processions will create a very large Eucharistic gathering never seen before in our city, but it is for a purpose. Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, when writing about the true meaning of the Corpus Christi procession stated that it, “Takes place publically and on a grand scale,”¹ because it is about the joy of the Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and “The triumphal procession of the Lord, whom we publicly recognize as Lord, inviting him to take possession of our streets and squares.”²

In this spirit, we will process from Saint Mary Cathedral to the Capitol of Texas, to the University of Texas Tower, and into the University Catholic Center in accordance with the procession rite that states, “The procession should go from one church to another.” (107) In keeping with tradition, we will have four altars where the four gospels will be proclaimed, and “A Eucharistic blessing [benediction] is given at each station” (104) in accordance with the rite. Cardinal Ratzinger explained that, “The number four symbolizes the four corners of the earth that is, the whole universe, the world we live in. The blessing was imparted in four directions, with the intention of putting them under the protection of the Eucharistic Lord.”³ He further explained that the gospels were proclaimed that in, “Uttering it, one is as it were sending out the breath of the Holy Spirit to engage the four winds, pervading them and turning them to good.”⁴

Now more than ever the people of Texas are invited to process with Jesus Our King to proclaim His glory, and to stand up for our Catholic faith, religious freedom, and basic human rights which are rapidly disappearing. The Church and humanity have one common enemy. It is the devil and his minions who divide the people of God, “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness.” Ephesians 6:12. But this day, June 7th 2015, “… is a day on which heaven and earth work together”⁵ to route the enemy as we process with Our Lord toward the Promised Land.

May the 2015 Corpus Christi Procession, of Austin, Texas, “show forth the triumph of truth in such a way that,”⁶ as the Council of Trent declared, “in the face of such magnificence and such joy on the part of the whole Church, the enemies of the truth will either fade away or, stricken with shame, attain insight.” Amen.

[1] “Joseph Ratzinger Collected Works Theology of the Liturgy” 2008, Ignatius Press
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.

Read: Corpus Christi Procession – “One Heart and Soul” (Part 2)