In an effort to publicly affirm that Jesus Christ is Lord over all of human existence, Catholics from around Alaska have embraced a centuries-old tradition of marching down main streets and along busy highways to mark the feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for “Body of Christ”).
Over the last few days, large caravans in the Kenai, Mat-Su, Eagle River, Anchorage and elsewhere have processed with incense, candles, canopies and banners as hundreds of parishioners followed priests who held aloft the Eucharist, which Catholics affirm is the Body of Christ.
Beginning last week, and running through this past Sunday, congregations have embarked on lengthy journeys through their communities.
“Participating in the Corpus Christi procession expresses our willingness to follow after our Lord as we make our way through life,” a notice from St. Andrew Church in Eagle River stated. “A Corpus Christi procession is also an outward indication of our understanding that we are to bring the presence of Jesus to all places beyond the walls of the church: into our homes and schools, into our workplace and the marketplace and into the streets and all places where we go each and every day. We literally take the presence of Jesus Christ beyond the church walls, indicating our desire to bring him to our Eagle River community and to the whole world.”
Corpus Christi celebrations, while not as common in the U.S. as they once were, date back to the 13th century when Pope Urban IV established a the public feast day to emphasize that the Eucharist is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus.
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In recent years, Corpus Christi has gained traction in increasingly secularized Western nations. It stands as a contrast to the many cities which now dedicate the entire month of June to LGBTQ Pride marches.
Catholic immigrants to the U.S. have long taken part in Corpus Christi celebrations with the Eucharist held aloft for the entire community to see.
While many Protestants disagree with the theology behind Corpus Christi, it does stand as a reminder that faith has a prominent role in the public square, and Americans have a right – some would argue a duty – to boldly affirm their faith in God.
11 Comments
Separation of church and state must not be infringed upon. All people of faith must retain the right to calmly proclaim Christ in the public square. We should have no fear of praying in public.
Right, and when we pray for these-woke LGBTQ people they’ll get mad at us.
A sin is a sin. When you bring your sin out into the open/light, we’re going to say something.
Psalm twenty Two , 22 NIV
These goofy men wearing gold jewelry dressed in long skirts are grooming our youth toward believing in talking snakes!
Remember it your choice living in the lake of fire in Hell
Or living in Heaven with streets of Gold no pain or suffering anymore.
Proud. False binary choice.
?
So you are talking about goofy men? Ha! Gimme a break! Read the mainstream news and enjoy the goofiness!
SS. I agree. Lots of goofiness afoot.
I am glad that people are starting to publicly push back now against this move to eradicate Christianity or religion from the world. This is a war against evil. Along the line of eradicating, ever hear of ‘One Health’? Better say “NO!” to that also. Here’s a link explaining what it is: https://www.cdc.gov/onehealth/index.html
Fascinating conversation between Sean/SGT Report and Dustin Nemos about the children of Satan.
https://rumble.com/v2u2gf0-the-children-of-satan-dustin-nemos.html