Submitted By St. Nicholas of Myra Evangelization Committee
Processions in honor of the Feast of Corpus Christi have been a staple of the eight Heartland Parishes of Ellis County for several years.
But as with everything else in 2020, this year’s procession was different for parishioners and priests who serve the Heartland parishes.
The COVID-19 pandemic guidelines, restricting churches in their ability to minister to their congregation, caused ministry in all denominations to think outside the box in reaching out to their faithful.
Responsibility for organizing the processions rotates each year with the three largest parishes in Heartland Parishes – St. Joseph, St. Nicholas, and Immaculate Heart of Mary. This year, the evangelization committee at St. Nicholas decided to be creative.
Corpus Christi is a solemnity celebrating the real presence of the body and blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Eucharist, so the procession of taking Jesus to the people was a way to offer a beacon of hope in the midst of fear, uncertainty and turmoil throughout the world.
This year’s Corpus Christi celebration – a public profession of the Catholic faith in the real presence of Christ in the Holy Sacrament – took on a somewhat deeper meaning since Catholics have been unable to receive Holy Communion physically during the COVID-19 lockdown.
The Hays 2020 Corpus Christi procession was meant to literally bring Jesus to the people.
With a forecast of 95 degrees and gusts of wind, a cloud cover rolled in just before the 2 p.m. start of the procession on June 14, giving pleasant relief from the heat to the estimated 150 people who participated in the procession.
The ceremony and procession began at St Joseph Church at the corner of 13th and Ash and ended at Immaculate Heart of Mary at 18th and Vine. Leading the procession were cross- and candle-bearers, followed by the clergy and priests.
As the crowd made its way along the streets, priests from the three parishes took turns holding high the monstrance carrying the Holy Eucharist, walking under a canopy supported by the members of the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, a Catholic fraternal organization.
Members of the Daughters of Isabella, the female auxiliary of the K of C, held red candles indicating the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Cheryl Glassman, music director at St. Nicholas of Myra, led the procession in song as they walked the distance of about a mile between St. Joseph and IHM, stopping along the way at three temporary tented altars.
Participants knelt and stood near the temporary altars as the priests from the three Catholic parishes led the group in a gospel reading, prayer, and benediction, each taking their turn at their respective altar.
With the welcomed assistance of the Hays Police Department, the group sang songs and praises along the way, ending at Immaculate Heart of Mary with prayer, benediction and divine praises.
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