CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION

Once again members of the Grand Priory and British Association assisted with the 5th Annual Corpus Christi Procession between our two friendly parishes of St James Spanish Place and Our Lady of the Assumption Warwick Street, in which churches most of our Masses are offered during the year.

About 20 Knights and Dames processed – helping carry the canopy alongside the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, carrying banners and other duties. As in previous years, we were pleased to be joined by some knights from other Associations visiting London. Countless Companions helped the Parishes with serving, singing, marshalling and the organisation. This really is a wonderful outreach of our noble Order of which we can be truly proud. As one of our confreres has written to the organisers afterwards: "I was immensely grateful for the privilege of taking part, an experience which occasionally brought me close to tears." About 1,500 faithful processed in lovely sunshine, and the closing Benediction at Spanish Place was given by Monsignor Newton, following the rousing tones of Mendelssohn's Lauda Sion. The lovely video below captures this sublime moment. This procession responds directly to Cardinal Nichols' desire to promote Eucharistic Devotion in the Diocese, to which end he has also established the Diocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament at Corpus Christi Maiden Lane, where Cardinal Arinze celebrated Pontifical Mass at the Throne last Thursday, in the Extraordinary Form. The Bishops conference website has photographs HERE.   Several members of the Order were present in the congregation.

EWTN were filming the Procession, so look out for their report.