Corpus Christi, Ecuador

On Sunday, May 29,th at 10 h 00 at the Metropolitan Cathedral, Monsignor Danilo Echeverría officiated Mass to celebrate Corpus Christi. Later the procession through the streets of the historical centre with the Blessed Sacrament towards the Basilica del Voto Nacional took place, and the blessing to the faithful was given.Corpus Christi means "Body of Christ", with these words the Catholic Church refers to the Consecrated Host in the sacrifice of the Mass. Another way of referring to this great mystery of faith is "Eucharist", which in Greek means "Good grace". The Eucharist was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper on Holy Thursday. The Catholic Church is since then, still celebrating it in obedience to the words of the Savior: "Do this in remembrance of Me".Very early in the life of the Church, the common people began to worship in a special way the Body of Christ with a procession. From the year 1269 Pope Urban IV extended it to the Universal Church and arranged this celebration to be held the Sunday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity.For centuries it was the main way in which the Catholic faithful worshipped the Blessed Sacrament, the hidden Body of Christ under the appearance of bread. We must always keep in mind that this rooted devotion has its point of reference in the Easter of the Lord, in His Passion, Death and Resurrection.The Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated as follows:SUNDAY, MAY 29TH10.00 Holy Eucharist at the Metropolitan Cathedral11.00 Procession with the Blessed Sacrament, Altars and rugs made of flowers12.00 Arrival to the Voto Nacional Basilica, blessing of the faithful and the commencement of Jericho.