Procession witnesses faith to the world

One thousand follow Lord's Body and Blood down Jasper Avenue

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

- WCR photo by Bill Glen The faithful silently worship Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament outside the Edmonton General Hospital during the June 18 Corpus Christi procession.

Tim and Laurie Gallant knew how they wanted to celebrate Father's Day this year. They joined about 1,000 other people in a colourful outdoor procession along Jasper Avenue and 111th Street to honour the feast of Corpus Christi.

With their three young sons in tow, the Gallants drove in from their home at Calahoo, west of Edmonton, in part because they wanted the boys to see what their Catholic faith meant to them.

And a little exercise on a beautiful June 18 afternoon would not hurt.

Called to witness

"I think this is a good opportunity to witness with other people on this feast day," Laurie said. "We want to be a good example for our children to show them how proud we are of our faith. We feel called to be apostles of Christ. We want to be out there."

- WCR photo by Bill Glen

It was the second year for the archdiocesan Corpus Christi procession that publicly highlights the fact that the Eucharist is a central focus for Catholics.

Friends of the Gallants joined the procession last year.

"It's important for us to march the streets," Tim said.

The procession followed a special afternoon Mass at St. Joseph's Basilica celebrated by Archbishop Thomas Collins.

- WCR photo by Bill Glen The Gallant family of Calahoo pray during the procession.

During Mass, the archbishop said the presence of Christ in our lives comes as a subtle invitation to walk with him.

"This is the great feast of Corpus Christi; the feast of the blessed Body and Blood of Christ. We recognize the gentle presence the Lord gives to us," he said.

"Rarely does the Lord come in thunder and lightning as in the Old Testament. He is found in the gentle breeze. He does not overwhelm us with his power, but with his mightiness saying 'Come. Follow me.' He gives us the freedom to follow, or walk away as some did back then. And we all do from time to time, in our lives."

Gifts from the journey

- WCR photo by Bill Glen A parade of banners from Gatholic groups and parishes led the Corpus Christi procession down Jasper Avenue.

Collins said those who choose to journey with Christ receive blessed gifts.

"So much in the way God deals with us that he has a delicate respect for our freedom. As we celebrate the Holy Eucharist, each time he comes to us quietly in a veiled presence so we might feel invited. He comes not in majesty - yet. His presence is a gift."

Procession of banners

The procession was led from the basilica by youth carrying a replica of the World Youth Day cross. Many people holding church banners followed. Representatives of the Catholic Women's League and the Knights of Columbus also showed their colours. Polish Catholics wore traditional attire, priests were in white vestments and the archbishop carried the monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament.

Renata Kowalczuk helped organize seven Polish Catholic dancers who carried flowers in the procession. "It is exciting. We need to thank and praise the Lord for the Blessed Sacrament."

The procession stopped at the General Hospital where several residents sat in their wheelchairs on a patio to hear Collins pray for them. The group moved south along 111th Street to St. Joachim Church - Edmonton's oldest Catholic church.

It travelled to Ezio Faraone Park before stopping at Grandin School where drumming by the Alexis Drum Group from Lac Ste. Anne filled the air.

The procession was followed by a large barbecue and fellowship.

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