LAKE CHARLES – Father Rommel Tolentino celebrated a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form on Thursday, June 4, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception for the Feast of Corpus Christi (the Body and Blood of Christ). Bishop Glen John Provost presided and Father Nathan Long and Father D.B. Thompson assisted.
After Communion, those attending the Mass kneeled while Father Tolentino, assisted by the sacred ministers and the servers, exposed the Blessed Sacrament. As the sacred ministers and servers departed the church for the streets, everyone remained kneeling until the Blessed Sacrament passed. They then stood and followed in line behind the Blessed Sacrament, the sacred ministers, and the servers for the procession.
The Eucharistic Procession, at left, wound a seven tenths of a mile route over the streets of downtown Lake Charles – north on Bilbo, west on Pujo, south on Ryan, east on Iris (with a stop for adoration on the steps of the Chancery building), then, north on Common and finally, west on Kirby back to the Cathedral.
A Eucharistic procession builds up the Kingdom of God, wrote Pope St. John Paul II: "The Eucharist is truly a glimpse of heaven appearing on earth. It is a glorious ray of the heavenly Jerusalem which pierces the clouds of our history and lights up our journey" (EE, 19). The presence of the Body and Blood of Our Lord will assist in the sanctification of our neighborhood and parish. We recall the words of Our Lord to the Apostles: There are many things impossible for men; but all things are possible with God (Mt. 19:26).
Father Tolentino, in prepartory material for the procession, wrote: First, our involvement in this procession means that we are participating in supernatural realities. As is fitting for such an august occasion, the atmosphere will be festive and one of great joy. At the same time, however, we must be cognizant of the fact that it is the Lord (In. 21 :7)! in Whose presence we shall be. The Eternal Word of God has humbled Himself to come among us, and to process through our streets. Consequently, we must imitate Our Lord's humility by conducting ourselves with the utmost reverence, keeping before our eyes the fear of the Lord (Pro, 1:7). Second, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament is a highly effective type of prayer. Each should form an intention(s) to pray for during the procession.
