Patna: The veneration of the Holy Sacrament under a decorated canopy took place at city churches on Sunday as thousands of devotees participated in the Eucharistic procession to mark the feast of Christ the king.
The theme of this year’s annual event is from Chapter 24 verse 15 of Joshua, ‘As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.’
The procession was taken out from churches at Patna City, Bankipur, Phulwarisharif, Pataliputra Colony, Kurji, Raja Bazar, Danapur, Khagaul and Maner. At Kurji, the procession commenced from Asha Deep School at Fairfield Colony through Digha Ghat and concluded at the Queen of the Apostle’s Church, Kurji. Thousands of devotees attended the procession led by Archbishop William D’Souza of Patna.
The parish priest of Kurji church, Fr Johnson Kelakath SJ, said, “We wait for the annual procession eagerly as it gives us a chance to profess our faith. It is the Advent season and marks the preparation of Christmas. The feast commemorates the reign of Christ as king of the world.”
The procession is taken out every year coinciding with the feast of Christ the king that falls on Sunday before the beginning of Advent season (the Sunday that marks the beginning of Christmas).
The parish priest of Padri ki Haveli Church at Patna City, Fr Suresh XaXa, Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (OFM Cap) and assistant parish priest Fr Lalit OFM Cap carried the Holy Sacrament early in the morning and led the procession as the devotees said prayers and sang hymns. The verses of the Bible were read out by the head of church, followed by the prayer service.
The Eucharistic procession is also known as the Corpus Christi procession. Started in the year 1246, the feast of Corpus Christi or the body and blood of Christ, symbolizes man’s faith in Jesus Christ.
(Source: The Times of India)