Corpus Christi procession passes Lockport landmarks

On June 2, Central Niagara Catholic Family of Parishes celebrated the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ with a unifying procession through Lockport’s main streets from St. John the Baptist Parish to All Saints. The overcast skies remained at bay until the last person entered All Saints Parish.

The procession began at noon following Mass at St. John’s. An estimated 800 people marched the mile-long path from Chestnut to East to Main and finally to Church Street and All Saints Parish. The family’s three priests – Father Matt Nycz, Father Andrew Lauricella and Father Daniel Ogbeifun – took turns carrying a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament, stopping at two street altars, reading from the Gospel and leading prayers.

Benediction was held at All Saints with a light reception following.

The idea came from Dan Rawlings, parishioner of St. Brendan on the Lake in Newfane. “God’s the mastermind. I’m the person to blame if something goes wrong,” he said.

“About 12 months ago the thought came to me. The Spirit gave me the thought and I said, ‘Well, that’s a funny thought.’ I thought about it and prayed about it for a month or so. Then I started mentioning it to the local priests. It took a couple months more to get off the ground.”

The city of Lockport cooperated by providing permits and blocking off streets to allow the faithful to pass by some of Lockport’s notable landmarks such as the Erie Canal. Passersby stopped to take pictures and one asked what the procession was all about.

“Today is the Feast of Corpus Christi. That means the body and blood of Christ,” Rawlings explained. “Catholic believe that God became man and that a man died for us named Jesus Christ. Before He died, at the last supper, he gave us His body and blood to be with Him and He can be with us until the end of time.”

The Corpus Christi procession originated in Germany in 1275. By 1350, it became a universal practice.

The Family of Parishes plan to make this an annual event.

“We hope this will help unify the Central Niagara Catholic Family. We really had a great cooperation between the parishes. I don’t see anything but great things happening in our parishes,” Rawlings said.