Parishes celebrate Body of Christ

MADISON — On Sunday, June 26, the Spanish-speaking community at Holy Redeemer Church, led by Fr. José Luis Vazquez, celebrated its annual Corpus Christi procession following the 11:30 AM Spanish Mass.

Nearly 12 years ago today, the Corpus Christi procession was initiated by Fr. George Fox for the Spanish-speaking community with the help of Richard Bonomo, Dr. Milton Pozo, and Mercedes Pozo, and has grown since with the help of others in the Spanish community. This year, assisting with the procession were :

	More celebrations Other parishes in the Diocese of Madison, celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi with processions, including the first of what is hoped to be an annual event in Fennimore, where the parish has offered perpetual Eucharistic Adoration for more than 15 years. See this week’s print edition for more information.

• Acolytes: Francisco Espinoza, Juan Estrada, Norman Fuentes, Lino Antonio, Armando Pérez Sr.

• Thurifer: Richard Bonomo

• Rosary Coordinators: Milton Pozo-Mazzini and Brian Wentz.

At the Corpus Christi Celebration

This year’s Feast of Corpus Christi was especially meaningful because the First Communicants of the Spanish-speaking community participated in the procession and later received their First Communion at the 2:30 p.m. Spanish Mass, celebrated by Father Vazquez.

There was also a special guest at the procession — Fr. Barnabas Gorski, OFM, who was visiting from and is currently stationed in Morocco, North Africa.

Frs. George Fox and Barnabas Gorski both shared more in common than just their participation in the Corpus Christi Procession, past and present; they also celebrated the 50th anniversary of their priesthood this year.

Why was the Corpus Christi Feast instituted?

Its principal aim is to proclaim and increase the belief and faith of the Catholic Church in the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, made manifest in the Holy Eucharist. On September 8, 1264, Pope Urban IV issued the Papal Bull, Transiturus de hoc mundo, in which Corpus Christi was instituted as a feast day.

For those who were unable to attend or would like to share the events of Corpus Christi procession with others, Joe Ptak of Memory Video has created the following video: www.memorylanevideo.com/gallery/corpus.html