St. Francis de Sales holds Corpus Christi rites

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) — The Catholic Church has many long-held traditions, including the Feast of Corpus Christi, first celebrated all the way back in the year 1264.

One of many sacred days in the Catholic faith, Corpus Christi translates from Latin to “body of Christ”.

This feast day focuses solely on the Eucharist, the ceremony which commemorates the Last Supper.

St. Francis de Sales Church in Beckley held their Corpus Christi and Eucharistic Procession on Sunday, June 2nd. What all does this day entail?

Deacon Harry Evans with the church gave an explanation.

“Well, this is called a solemnity, it is the highest order of worship we have within our liturgical functions. It is the solemnity of the body and blood of Jesus,” said Deacon Evans. “And the main reason we call this out as a special day is because as Catholics, we believe that the bread and the wine that is consecrated by the priest during Mass becomes the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ.”

The congregation then takes the Eucharist to the streets of their community in order to bring awareness to Jesus to the forefront of people’s minds. There is music and singing and a sense of togetherness formed by the congregation walking as one.

Deacon Evans said this faith is what brings them together as Catholics.

“This is something that really makes us unique as Catholics, and of course, it’s one of these mysteries that’s a little hard to bring to your head so to speak, but we like people not to try to over think the idea and come to it as an article of faith,” said Deacon Evans.

After the Eucharistic Procession is complete, the congregation all sits down for a meal together at the church.

St. Francis de Sales Church is located at 614 South Oakwood Avenue in Beckley.

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