Indiana procession marks Corpus Christi feast for 160 years in a row

Published: 2006-06-16

OLDENBURG, Ind. (CNS) -- The historic street marker tells the story of Holy Family Parish's tradition of celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi with a eucharistic procession through the "village of spires" for 160 consecutive years. The ceremony honors the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ and draws several hundred participants who pray the rosary during the one-mile procession every year. Although the feast day was June 18 this year, the procession took place a week earlier. "The annual devotion honors the Blessed Sacrament on the ninth Sunday after Easter," the street marker reads. "It was first celebrated here in 1846, but originated in 13th-century Germany. The solemn and colorful march follows a one-mile route through woods, meadow and village streets." The origin of the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ dates back to France in 1246 and its observance was extended throughout the church by Pope Urban IV in 1264.

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