Solemnity of Corpus Christi 2023
Celebrating the Real Presence and Our School
Processions and Ice Cream Social on June 10–11
The parish year of the National Eucharistic Revival begins on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ), and OLL is pulling out all the stops to honor our Lord’s real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. We are also praying for our parish school, Corpus Christi Catholic School, on its feast day.
The 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. Masses will conclude with a Eucharistic procession around the inside of the main church, ending in the chapel for a brief period of Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
The 11 a.m. Mass will conclude with a Eucharistic procession to the prayer garden for a brief period of Adoration. We will then process to the chapel to conclude with Benediction. Parishioners with mobility problems may go directly to the chapel instead of processing to the garden. After Benediction, there will be an ice cream social on the parish lawn to celebrate the Blessed Sacrament and our school.
School families are invited to sit in reserved pews at the front of the church at all Masses so they can take an honored place at the front of the procession. Wear your Corpus Christi uniform or school spirit wear!
Eucharistic processions are a traditional part of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi. Led on a symbolic pilgrimage by Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, carried by our pastor, we publicly demonstrate our faith in Christ’s real presence among us in the Eucharist and experience with our senses how he leads the Christian community from this earth to the heavenly banquet. The procession will include periods of singing and reverent silence. Please maintain a reverent, prayerful silence except when we are singing. Incense will be used during the processions. The fragrant smoke creates an atmosphere of sacredness, solemnity, and mystery while also symbolizing the prayers of the faithful rising up to heaven.