LITURGY MATTERS: Was the holy Lamb of God on Hobart Town’s Streets Seen?
By Michael McKenna, Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies
In his short poem ‘Jerusalem’, the English poet and artist William Blake, inspired by the legend of Jesus visiting Glastonbury in England with Joseph of Arimathea, poses the question:
And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
On England’s pleasant pastures seen?
Blake’s poetic employ of the mythical legend founded in a biblical verse in the Book of Revelation animates the Christian imagination, especially when rendered as Sir Hubert Parry’s rousing hymn and anthem – ‘Jerusalem’. As a segway it provides a fascinating context in which to consider that invitation which for several years now has been taken up by many Tasmanian Catholics: to take a Walk with Christ through the streets of Hobart.
The annual Walk with Christ on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi originates in 13th century Rome when the solemnity was first established in the liturgical calendar for the universal Church conceived by Pope Urban IV to openly reaffirm the faith of the people of God in Jesus Christ, alive and truly present in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist.
Eucharistic processions quickly became a part of this celebration and in the centuries that followed, the practice spread more and more throughout the Church. The Council of Trent (1545-1563) solemnly approved and recommended the procession on Corpus Christi as a public profession of the Catholic faith in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Sacrament.
An important expression of Eucharistic piety, while directly connected to the Solemnity of Corpus Christi these processions may take place at other appropriate times and places under the authority of the diocesan bishop.
Pope Francis notes that, far from any extravagant spectacle, when we carry the Eucharist through the streets, “we are not doing this to show off or to flaunt our faith” but to invite others to share in the life that Jesus gives by making himself a gift.
Eucharistic processions provide Catholics in this time and in this place the opportunity to not only gaze upon our Eucharistic Lord, but to walk with him in our towns and villages as the disciples did over 2000 years ago, proclaiming the Good News to the world.
And so to William Blake I say not only in ancient time or on England’ pleasant pastures does the holy Lamb of God walk among us but here in Antipodean England too… and today!