Bishop Larry Silva, accompanied by Knights of Columbus, carries the Holy Eucharist along School Street in last year’s Corpus Christi procession. (HCH photo | Darlene Dela Cruz)
The diocese will commemorate the June 22 feast of Corpus Christi with its annual 1.25-mile eucharistic procession from the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa in Kalihi-Palama to the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace in downtown Honolulu.
Bishop Larry Silva has traditionally led the co-cathedral-to-cathedral Eucharistic procession marking the feast of Corpus Christi — also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ — since he started the observance in 2007.
The bishop on June 22 will celebrate Mass at the co-cathedral at 10:30 a.m. He is expected to begin the procession after the liturgy at about 11:30 a.m. Adoration and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament is scheduled to take place at the destination cathedral at 1:15 p.m.
Past Corpus Christi events have drawn hundreds of local Catholics, who brave the noonday sun walking behind Bishop Silva as he holds a monstrance containing the Holy Eucharist. The bishop and other clergy take turns holding the monstrance throughout the procession route, which follows School Street, and then goes over the freeway, onto Vineyard Boulevard and Beretania Street, leading to the cathedral.
The walk takes more than 30 minutes for all the marchers to complete. Participants sing hymns and say prayers along the way.
“We who are his (Jesus’) Body, take our faith to the streets to demonstrate that our faith is not only meant to be lived inside the church, but to transform society, to bring it healing and reconciliation,” Bishop Silva explained before leading his first Corpus Christi procession in 2007.
“Just as he (Jesus) walked through the towns of Galilee, Judea and Samaria, he can also walk through Honolulu,” the bishop added.
Participants at the June 22 procession are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and personal sun protection. A shuttle service will be available to bring congregants back from the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace to the Co-Cathedral of St. Theresa after the event.
For more information, contact the diocesan Office of Worship at 585-3342.
