PALM BEACH GARDENS | On the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, also called Corpus Christi, June 7, 2026, faithful worldwide joined in public processions with Jesus, present in the Eucharist, witnessing faith and love for Christ.
In the Diocese of Palm Beach, young and old alike and people of all cultures and backgrounds joined Corpus Christi processions at parishes in the diocese’s five counties. Priests and deacons led processions around church grounds and through neighborhoods in various towns, and parishioners participated by walking along, singing and praying. The processions ended inside the churches with Benediction.
The ancient feast and procession tradition dates back to 1246. St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon first promoted Corpus Christi, and in 1264, Pope Urban VI extended the feast to the universal Church to strengthen and reaffirm belief in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
Pope Leo XIV recently spoke about the traditional solemnity and procession during a general audience days before the actual feast day, encouraging Catholics to keep the old, beautiful practice alive.
“An expression of popular Eucharistic devotion is found in the processions with the Blessed Sacrament that takes place in the streets of many towns and countries. In this regard, I encourage you to keep alive this beautiful manifestation of public witness to the faith,” he said. “In the Eucharist, we contemplate Jesus, bread broken and given for each one of us.”
