Eucharistic Procession Sunday In Leesburg - stop at Courthouse

Photo: Catholics celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi - Loudoun County Courthouse Leesburg, Virginia

Catholics around the world have celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for Body of Christ), symbolizing their belief in the body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

The Feast day was established in 1246 by Bishop Robert de Thorte of Liege, France and in 1264 Pope Urban extended the Feast to the Universal church. Then, as now, this is a time when faithful Catholics can show to their neighbors and the world, their love, honor, gratitude and belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

The Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, truly present; this is the source and summit of the Catholic Faith.

Although largely a Catholic feast, it is also observed by some Anglican churches and Lutheran congregations.

Church Street to Be Closed on Sunday, June 7, 2015, for Corpus Christi Procession

This event requires Church Street to be closed from the church property to East Market Street, from approximately 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm. The closures will be rolling as the procession passes and the street will be reopened as soon as possible.

Saint John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church will hold a Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi on Sunday, June 7, 2015 from the church with a stop at the Loudoun County Courthouse in downtown Leesburg.

Saint John the Apostle Roman Catholic Church is located at 101 Oakcrest Manor Drive NE, just north of downtown Leesburg.

The event will begin with a celebration of the Spanish Mass at 2:00 pm. The procession from the church immediately will follow the mass. Readings and prayers will be emulated at stations along the procession route. The procession will conclude back at the church.

FIRST STATION: - Gospel: John 6:47-51
SECOND STATION: - Gospel: Mark 6:34; 39-44
THIRD STATION – Gospel: Matthew: 26:26-29
FOURTH STATION: - Gospel: Luke 24:28-35

The procession is made up of clergy, Catholic groups and organizations, and lay people and their families. Children in First Communion dress traditionally strew flower petals in front of the transported Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is held in a processional monstrance carried by a priest or bishop. The monstrance itself is protected by a decorated canopy.

The procession with the Blessed Sacrament under guarded canopy will commence at 3:30 pm. The procession will parade through the church property, St. John’s cemetery and down Church Street, with a stop at the County Courthouse. The procession will return to St. John’s via North King Street.

Parishioners participate to show Jesus and their town their devotion to Corpus Christi especially: First Communicants in their communion clothes, Knights of Columbus in their 4th degree regalia, Altar Servers in their cassocks and members of all parish ministries.

The Anima Christi is a prayer from around the 14th century. It is still widely used after receiving the body and blood of Our Lord, Jesus Christ in Holy Communion.

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.
From the malicious enemy defend me.
In the hour of my death call me and bid me come unto thee
that with thy saints I may praise thee forever and ever. Amen.

Note:

The Church in Leesburg truly spans the centuries. From the small, 137-year-old chapel on King Street to the new church on the hill opposite, St. John the Apostle blends the quaint and the modern in a growing, yet still small-town, atmosphere.

The new St. John the Apostle Catholic Church breaks tradition to make a statement to Leesburg residents, said the Rev. John Mosimann. The church at the intersection of North King Street and Oakcrest Manor Drive, points north-to-south, instead of the customary east-to-west facing of Catholic churches, Mosimann said. The church’s front doors face the Town of Leesburg.

“We wanted to open our doors to Leesburg,” Mosimann said.

Quick facts
St. John the Apostle Church
231 North King St., N.W.
Leesburg, Va. 20176
703/777-1317

Pastor: Fr. John P. Mosimann

Mass Schedule:

Saturday: 5:30 pm (Church)

Sunday: 7:30 am, 9:00 am, 10:45 am, 12:30 pm, 2:15 pm (Spanish), all in Church

Latin Extraordinary Form (Chapel): 10:30 am

Daily Mass: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am (Chapel) and noon (Church); Saturday, 9:00 am (Church)

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