MyGlasgow News

More than two hundred people attended a Corpus Christi procession hosted by the University of Glasgow Chaplaincy on Sunday 22 June, writes Helen Border.

Students and staff joined parishioners from different parts of Glasgow along with First Communicants to celebrate this great feast.  This was the second of hopefully what might become an annual event to encourage Catholics to proclaim their faith in a quiet and reverent manner by walking with the Lord through the streets of Glasgow.

The celebrations began with a prayerful holy hour held in St Patrick’s Church, Anderston.  As incense wafted through the church and music filled the air it was wonderful to see so many people, religious, youth, children and the elderly and many parents with young children kneel or sit respectfully praying before the Blessed Sacrament as they were led in prayer and listened to a homily by Father Ross Campbell, University of Glasgow Catholic Chaplain. They were led in prayerful song by a music group from the University of Glasgow Catholic Chaplaincy and St Mirin’s Cathedral choir, Paisley. 

It was wonderful to hear the Divine Mercy Chaplet sung so beautifully and the congregation singing so joyfully.  Many people said it was a most holy and prayerful experience with Our Blessed Lord enhanced by the wonderful singing and prayers.  One elderly person said this reminded them of days gone by in the church - seeing such reverence for the Blessed Sacrament shown by so many people.

Following Father Ross’s blessing of the people in the Church with the Blessed Sacrament, the large crowd of more than 200 people gathered outside as several priests respectfully led the procession along the three mile walk to St Paul’s Church in Whiteinch.  Four priests took it in turn to carry the Blessed Sacrament.  Prayer cards and medals were distributed to people along the route.

The procession ended two hours later at St Paul’s Church with everyone attending Holy mass at 6.30pm. concelebrated by Archbishop Philip Tartaglia and his brother priests assisted by Tommy Morrison, the deacon for St Paul’s and  three servers.  The first communicants who had joined the procession half way offered the gifts to the priests.  St Mirin’s Cathedral, Paisley choir led the congregation in joyful praise. 

Archbishop Philip Tartaglia said: "It was a great privilege for me to celebrate the evening Mass on the Feast of Corpus Christi for the very enthusiastic and happy congregation which had gathered in St Paul’s Whiteinch.

The Holy Eucharist is the very mystery of salvation. As Archbishop, I am so pleased, consoled and proud that this Corpus Christi event – adoration, procession and Mass – ,  a fruit of the Year of Faith, took place on this scale in this diocese, and I hope it will continue to take place year on year."

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First published: 2 July 2014