Queen of Peace Residents joined the Saint Ann’s Novitiate community this Sunday in welcoming a Eucharistic Procession walking throughout the streets of Queens. This annual event takes place on the feast of Corpus Christi in order to honor the Body and Blood of our Lord. Each year the parishioners of the nearby Saint Joachim and Ann’s Church process with the Blessed Sacrament to different parts of the neighborhood. Saint Anne’s Novitiate always opens its gates to the procession and provides a place where they can stop to have Benediction.
As the procession approached the sounds of singing could be heard in the distance. Novices lined up at the entrance with glasses of water to hand the thirsty parishioners while the residents sat in their seats waiting for the procession to arrive. They soon came flooding in. It was truly touching to see so many people, dressed in their best Sunday clothes, following our Lord throughout the streets. One resident named Lucy exclaimed “I can’t believe how many there are!”
The priest carried the Blessed Sacrament up to the top of the novitiate steps as the people sang songs in French, Creole, Spanish and English. Everyone bowed as the Blessed Sacrament was raised high into the air. After hymns and prayers, the people left the St. Anne’s yard and began to walk again. Many sisters and volunteers joined them as they continued down the street. One Queen of Peace Resident named Carmela was so inspired by the ceremony that she decided to walk along with them. After an hour more of walking, the procession ended. The sisters and Carmela then headed back to Queen of Peace.
We look forward to welcoming the Corpus Christi procession for years to come.
Corpus Christi Eucharistic Procession