SHEPHERD OF THE VALLEY
IS HOSTING A EUCHARISTIC PROCESSION
IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SOUTHERN OREGON VICARIATE
https://shepherdcatholic.com/corpus-christi
In this Jubilee Year of Hope, proclaimed by Pope Francis, Archbishop Sample invites all clergy and lay faithful to publicly celebrate our Eucharistic faith through four major processions on the Feast of Corpus Christi at pilgrimage sites across the Archdiocese of Portland. Shepherd of the Valley is a Jubilee Pilgrimage Site hosting a Procession.
Sunday June 22nd Corpus Christi Celebration details:
2:30pm -- Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
Faith Formation Center - Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 517 W 10th St, Medford, OR 97501 Medford, OR
3:00pm -- Procession Depart (Send off)
Faith Formation Center - Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 517 W 10th St, Medford, OR 97501 Medford, OR
** 5.4 mile walk along the Bear Creek Greenway **
(if you choose not to walk, please join us at send off or conclusion)
5:00pm Approx -- Procession Arrive (Conclusion)
Church (will be open early for prayer and awaiting Jesus' arrival)- Shepherd of the Valley, Catholic Church, 600 Beebe Rd, Central Point, OR 97502
Questions: Contact Terry Marks 541-210-3840
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What is Corpus Christi?
We’ve been blessed as a Church to celebrate Corpus Christi for over 750 years. The significance of this solemnity is as relevant today as it was in 1264, when Pope Urban IV declared it a feast of the Universal Church. A year before that, a priest was struggling to believe that the Eucharist was truly Jesus’ Body and Blood. While celebrating Mass at the tomb of St. Christina, something miraculous happened. Just as the priest spoke the words of Consecration, the host began to bleed! When the pope heard what had happened, he instructed the bishop of the diocese to bring the host and the corporal with the drops of blood to the cathedral in Orvieto. This procession was met by Pope Urban IV, and the relics were placed in the cathedral where they can still be venerated today. The pope created the Solemnity of Corpus Christi as an opportunity to celebrate the gift of the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ truly present in the Eucharist.
What is a Eucharistic Procession?
A Eucharistic procession is like a holy parade that brings Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, into the world that he loves. The Blessed Sacrament is placed in a monstrance and carried out of the church by a priest. A Eucharistic procession sometimes begins at one church and ends at another and is connected to the celebration of the Mass or a time of Adoration.
The procession can be a short walk around the neighborhood of a church or can stretch for miles and miles from start to finish. Along the way, Jesus is accompanied by priests, deacons, altar servers, and people of all ages. Together they can pray the Rosary, sing hymns, or walk in silent prayer.
The altar servers or other members of the Eucharistic procession might carry a canopy, processional cross, candles, a thurible, or bells. One type of processional canopy, a baldacchino, is held over the monstrance by four servers holding a pole for each corner. This creates a sacred space that is set aside for the Eucharist during the movement of the procession. The processional cross is a large crucifix attached to a long handle that can be lifted high for all to see. The candles remind us of Jesus, the Light of the World, truly present in the Holy Eucharist. The thurible is filled with burning incense, which releases sweet-smelling smoke that rises to the sky, symbolizing our prayers rising to heaven. The bells incorporate another of our five senses, announcing that Jesus is here with us. A Eucharistic procession is a wonderful opportunity to worship our Lord and pray together as a community as we witness our faith publicly to the world.
What is a Pilgrimage?
A pilgrimage is a trip made for a religious purpose to a holy site. Pilgrimages help us remember that our whole life is a journey toward our eternal home in heaven. On this journey we are strengthened through prayer and the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, which is our food for this earthly pilgrimage.
Christians might go on pilgrimage to pray for a specific intention, to do penance, or to grow closer to God. Pilgrimages always include two elements: prayer and some sort of travel, especially walking. Prayer takes the form of intercession and/or petition, praying for a specific intention (like for healing or discernment), making a sacrifice, and participating in the sacraments through Mass and Confession.
You Can Go on a Pilgrimage!
A pilgrimage could take you around the world or it could be right in your own backyard. Someday you might plan a trip to Jerusalem, Rome, Lourdes, or Fatima, but you can still go on pilgrimage right in your own town or even your own home! A pilgrimage to your parish church, a nearby shrine, or a statue in your garden is an opportunity to pray and learn to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit.
The distance of the pilgrimage does not determine its effectiveness. Our openness to accompany the Lord can create a spirit of pilgrimage even within the walls of our home. Ultimately, every pilgrimage is a journey of the heart in which we follow the path that the Lord has given us to travel on our way to heaven.
“Pilgrimages evoke our earthly journey toward heaven and are traditionally very special occasions for renewal in prayer. For pilgrims seeking living water, shrines are special places for living the forms of Christian prayer ‘in Church’.” Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2691
Also check out other Trips & Adventurous Activities in Central Point.
