SHC celebrates Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ with procession

KOTA KINABALU –  Sacred Heart Cathedral here celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) with a candlelight procession on 2 June 2018.

The procession started after the post-Communion prayer from the cathedral to the parish centre via the basement car park.  Benediction was given by Father Max Hontor after a period of silent adoration.

Joining Fr Hontor were Deacon Russell Lawrine, the extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion (EMCs) who have just renewed their commitment to serve for another year after the homily, the English choir, and all the faithful present for the Sunset Mass.

Of the 37 EMCs, 16 serve during the cathedral’s Sunset Mass, 16 the Sunday Morning Mass, and five at the Morning Mass at the Carmelite Chapel.  Those serving in the Chinese and BM Masses would renew their commitment the next day at the 7 am Chinese Mass and 10:45 am BM Mass respectively.  Those serving in Church of Mary Immaculate Bukit Padang would renew their commitment at the 9 am Mass.

“The feast of the Blessed Sacrament was established in 1246 by Bishop Robert de Thorte of Liege at the suggestion of St Juliana of Mont Carvillon. [It was] extended to the universal Church by Pope Urban VI in 1264. The office composed by St Thomas Aquinas and customary procession was approved by Popes Martin V and Eugene IV. Celebrated in June, the first Sunday after the feast of the Trinity.” (Modern Catholic Dictionary, by John A Hardon, SJ)