Eucharistic procession brings Christ to the people

Bright blue skies graced the West Tamar Parish on 6 June for the seventh annual Walk with Christ procession, despite the forecast indicating a 90 per cent likelihood of rain.

“It was amazing,” Fr Martin Aye Ngwe said of the unexpected break in the weather.

“I told the people Jesus was giving us our chance. After we finished the procession, the rain started straight up again.”

The one-kilometre procession marks the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, which Fr Martin describes as an intrinsic part of the history and culture of the Catholic Church.

“The Body and Blood of Christ is the centre of all; the centre of our mother the Church, the centre of the congregation, the centre of every person. The Eucharist is the centre of our lives,” he said.

“By processing with the Holy Eucharist in a reverent, prayerful and joyful manner, Catholics can honour Christ in the Eucharist and serve as witnesses to the intimate presence of God in the world and in each individual.”

Fr Martin said processions remind us we are pilgrims journeying through this earthly existence following Jesus on “the Way.”

“In the Eucharistic processions of the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) we publicly proclaim this truth, following the Lord physically even as we pledge anew to do so spiritually,” he said.

“We also give public witness to our acceptance of the Lord’s words: ‘The bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.’ As such, public processions serve as tools of evangelisation within our neighbourhoods.”

Further south, Archbishop Julian led almost 200 people in the Hobart Walk with Christ procession from St Joseph’s Church to St Mary’s Cathedral, concluding with Benediction.

In his homily on the Feast of Corpus Christi, Archbishop Julian noted that the Lord left very clear and specific instructions about the celebration of the Eucharist.

“At each Mass we are given the extraordinary blessing of being able to receive the Body of Christ,” he said.

“In speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper Jesus said that he would not leave them orphans. They would not be left to fend for themselves. In fulfilling this promise Jesus has given something beyond expectation.”