Guatemala celebrates the traditional festival of Corpus Christi

2023-06-08 23:11:28

The Corpus Christi celebration commemorates the presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. This 2023, took place this Thursday, June 8, in the Holy Metropolitan Cathedral Church with a solemn procession that toured the main square of the Constitution amid songs and burning gunpowder.

“Corpus Christi” means “body of Christ” in Latin, refers to the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, highlighting the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Although most churches celebrate this holiday on Sunday, because it is the day when more people attend mass.

For the Catholic faithful, the Corpus Christi feast is of great importance, since the Eucharist is considered the greatest gift that God left us, a sign of his desire to stay with us after the Ascension. According to Catholic.net, the celebration focuses on the presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Celebration in Guatemala

The historian Domingo Juarros described that the Corpus Christi procession in colonial times was the most sumptuous and magnificent seen throughout the year, because it had the participation of ecclesiastical and civil authorities. As was customary in religious celebrations, the Cabildo fully accompanied this external manifestation of faith.

Corpus Christi is a festivity established in the liturgical calendar and is celebrated 60 days after Resurrection Sunday. It takes place on the Thursday following the solemnity of the Holy Trinity, which takes place on the Sunday after Pentecost.

Photo Gio Miranda

origin of the party

The origin of this party dates back to numerous Eucharistic miracles, which led the Church to establish a celebration in honor of the Body and Blood of Christ. Although miraculous manifestations have occurred, such as hosts that have bled, Bolivian scientist Ricardo Castañón has documented that the blood found in these hosts is human. Thus, science has corroborated the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, as mentioned by the religious.

During the celebration of Corpus Christi, faith in the presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is reinforced through public adoration. Therefore, it is common to see processions in the streets or public places, where the body of Christ is exhibited and accompanied by faithful Catholics.