It makes me very happy that my first piece as managing editor of NLM should be a set of photographs from the most impressive Corpus Christi procession I have ever seen, which took place this Sunday at the F.S.S.P.’s church in Rome, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini. The procession had all of the elements of a truly traditional Italian Corpus Christi. Congratulations to the Fraternity of Saint Peter, and all those who serve and sing at the church, on a truly magnificent ceremony.
The deacon sings “Benedicamus Domino” at the end of the Mass.
A special float was made for the occasion, decorated with candles,
flowers and wooden carvings of vases in the corner. Into each of the
latter were inserted a few ostrich feathers and a plume of a peacock.
The float was carried during the procession by four priests in white
chasubles.
The canopy held over it was carried by eight seminarians in copes. (This
particular canopy has long been nicknamed “the dragon” from its
tendency to bounce around like a Chinese New Year dragon puppet, and
these young men are to be commended for managing it perfectly!)
A member of the parish carried a banner with an image of the Holy
Trinity at the very head of the procession,
followed by a small musical band.
The other priests in the procession wore chasubles over their surplices.
In addition to the normal two thuribles, the Sacrament was also preceded
by six young boys and girls who strew flowers along the processional
route.
A temporary altar was set up on the façade of the nearby Monte di Pietà, about half way along the route, where a brief Benediction was held, before returning to the church.
At the main door of the church, as the float came to the door, some very
loud fireworks were set off. (This is the noise heard starting at 0:44. Unfortunately, the sound was not really
caught properly by my camera; it was really very much louder.)
The Sacrament was then brought back to the high altar of the church for the second Benediction.
The canopy held over it was carried by eight seminarians in copes. (This
particular canopy has long been nicknamed “the dragon” from its
tendency to bounce around like a Chinese New Year dragon puppet, and
these young men are to be commended for managing it perfectly!)
A member of the parish carried a banner with an image of the Holy
Trinity at the very head of the procession,
followed by a small musical band.
The other priests in the procession wore chasubles over their surplices.
In addition to the normal two thuribles, the Sacrament was also preceded
by six young boys and girls who strew flowers along the processional
route.
A temporary altar was set up on the façade of the nearby Monte di Pietà, about half way along the route, where a brief Benediction was held, before returning to the church.
At the main door of the church, as the float came to the door, some very
loud fireworks were set off. (This is the noise heard starting at 0:44. Unfortunately, the sound was not really
caught properly by my camera; it was really very much louder.)
