Penang’s Corpus Christi procession draws thousands

Jul 05, 2019

By Aaron Lim
Close to 1,500 Catholics from the various parishes of Penang Island took part in the celebration of the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) on June 23.

The Eucharistic celebration at the Church of the Assumption was presided over by Bishop Sebastian Francis, with Msgr Aloysius Tan (parish priest), Fr Joachim Robert, Fr Francis Anthony, Fr Michael Raymond OFM Cap, Fr Arul Mariadass OFM and Fr Oliver Tham OFM as concelebrants.

Bishop Sebastian in his homily shared that, despite the different placement of tabernacles in various churches, the altar of sacrifice remained as the central point of the church and worship.

“All these tell us that the altar of sacrifice, and above all the sacraments, the Eucharist is the source and summit of all Christian life,” the Bishop said.

Bishop Sebastian also explained that the Feast of Corpus Christi focuses on the sacrifice and centrality of the altar, together with the feeding of spiritual food for the soul’s nourishment.

“In the Gospel, we see Jesus feeding the crowd; in that way, he welcomes us, talks to us about God’s Kingdom, cures those who need healing and, more importantly, he gives us something to eat: His body and blood,” the Bishop said.

The Bishop also informed the crowd that the greatest act of worship for Catholics is not songs, deliverance and intercessory prayers or meditation. They only prepare the faithful for the ultimate act of worship.

“The greatest act of worship for Catholics is the simple act of eating and drinking in which, through Christ’s sacrifice, he feeds us with His body and blood,” Bishop Sebastian said.

The Bishop concluded by saying that the communion and intimacy with Christ comes through His presence in every person, and “the two of them shall become one.”

Bishop Sebastian also unveiled the BASE 12 (Baptised and Sent Experience) book, published in conjunction with the Extraordinary Missionary Year 2019, that highlights twelve important events surrounding the Sacrament of Baptism.
Msgr Tan, in a short speech, thanked all who were present for their support towards walking in unity and bearing witness to the faith.

Parishioners began their walk of faith after Mass, singing hymns along a two kilometre route from the Church of the Assumption to the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows.

The monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament was placed in a beautifully decorated processional float, accompanied by bunga mangga bearers, streamers bearing the names of all the Catholic churches on Penang Island, and the statues of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Sacred Heart.

Along the route, three stops were made at the Church of St Francis Xavier, the Penang Police headquarters and Kinta Lane for the solemn blessing of the faithful, who knelt in reverence to the Blessed Sacrament.

The celebration ended with Bishop Sebastian elevating the Blessed Sacrament at the altar of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows for Benediction.