Corpus Christi Procession St Casimir Church 8223 Sowinski Avenue, Cleveland June 11, 2023
Corpus Christi is a celebration of the Eucharist that the Catholic Church has celebrated since 1246. The name "Corpus Christi" is a Latin phrase that refers to the body of Christ. Corpus Christi is a public holiday in Poland. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Large groups of people take part in outdoor processions in many villages, towns and cities in Poland. The processions include children dressed in white who scatter flower petals on the streets. Some of the procession's participants stop to pray at temporary shrines. Many homes are decorated with religious icons during Corpus Christi.
In Cleveland, many churches had Corpus Christi processions. Following 11:30 Mass, there was a Corpus Christi procession to the outside altars with children distributing rose petals at St. Casimir Church.
Fr. Eric Orzech is pastor of St. Casimir Church (and the Shrine Church of Saint Stanislaus) and is celebrating 30 years as a priest.
Father Eric Orzech at St. Casimir Church
After Mass he led the procession to 4 altars carrying a monstrance containing the consecrated Eucharist.
First was the main altar of the Church where Father Eric explained the Eucharistic miracles of Mass.
They then processed with children strewing rose petals and ringing bells to the 2nd altar at the convent. The readings, songs and prayers were in both English and Polish.
They then processed to the 3rd altar at the school where Father read and reflected on the Gospel passage of the Road to Emmaus.
The 4th altar was at a grotto in the back of the Church property.
At the Grotto, Father Eric also led the crowd in the Divine Praises.
Here is video of some of the event, part in Polish and part in English.
