From San Roque to San Antonio, parishes in Saipan celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) with the traditional procession of the Blessed Sacrament with the Solemn Blessing on the faithful.
Altar stations beautifully decorated were set up around the church ground where the Blessed Sacrament carried by the priest was venerated. The feast of Corpus Christi is one time when our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is exposed not just to the faithful Catholics but to all the world. This is a time when Catholics can show their love for Christ in the Real Presence by honoring Him in a very public way. This Feast of emphasize the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist not only during the celebration of the Mass but even after, hence the public procession after the Mass.
In San Vicente, parishioners did the procession around the Church’s parking lot and across the street with Fr. Jason carrying the monstrance ahead of the people. “In their journey in the desert, God gave the People of Israel the manna, the bread of angels to be their food and sustenance. Today, God reminds us that it is the Body and Blood of His Son which is also our true food and sustenance in our journey in faith”, says Fr, Jason during his homily. The First Communicants and Confirmandi of San Vicente this year also joined in the celebration.
In the parish of San Roque and San Jose, 22 and 44 children respectively received their First Holy Communion in both species. Fr. Allan commended the large crowd who attended the Mass and reminded the new communicants that this is their first time they will receive Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist but certainly not the last. He also encouraged their parents to continue bringing their children to Mass.
Fr. Charlie reflected with joy that he remember baptizing 2 of the 44 communicants this year. “Perhaps you won’t remember I baptized you when you were babies and now I am happy to be able to give you your first Holy Communion”, says Fr. Charlie.
In Mt. Carmel Cathedral, Bishop Ryan led the Corpus Christi procession through the altar stations set up around the Cathedral. In San Antonio parish, Fr. Romil led his parishioners in the solemn procession around the block of the church.
