Oxford's Corpus Christi Procession

This year's Oxford deanery Corpus Christi procession was held on 1 June, the Sunday after Corpus Christi. As usual, the Procession began at the Oxford Oratory and made its way through the streets to the Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy, pausing at Blackfriars.





As the Blessed Sacrament was brought into Blackfriars church, a schola of friars sang the Sequence hymn 'Lauda Sion', written by their confrere St Thomas Aquinas. The Blessed Sacrament was then exposed on the High Altar and Bishop William Kenney CP, who was leading the procession, preached on the Eucharist.



The bishop reflected on the Old Testament figure of Melchisedech and saw in this enigmatic person an indication that the Eucharist called on us to welcome the stranger in our midst. We were also reminded that priests were ordained in the order of Melchisedech, this anonymous, humble and somewhat counter-cultural Biblical figure, and so were called in some sense to be like him.

Below are more photos from the day:









"What could be more wonderful than this? No other sacrament has greater healing power; through it sins are purged away, virtues are increased, and the soul is enriched with an abundance of every spiritual gift. It is offered in the Church for the living and the dead, so that what was instituted for the salvation of all may be for the benefit of all. Yet, in the end, no one can fully express the sweetness of this sacrament, in which spiritual delight is tasted at its very source, and in which we renew the memory of that surpassing love for us which Christ revealed in his passion."

- St Thomas Aquinas