Mechernich – On Corpus Christi Day, around 70 members of the Catholic parish of St. John the Baptist and members of the Ordo Communionis in Christo gathered for the traditional procession at the Communio chapel in Mechernich.
Father Erik Pühringer, Superior General Jaison Thazhathil and Father Patrick Mwanguhya, who comes from Uganda, led the celebrations together. Although the solemn procession to the parish church took place without a band of musicians this year, the participants were not deterred: accompanied by familiar sacramental hymns and the communal recitation of the rosary, they made their way through the streets of Mechernich, led by the cross-bearer, prospective deacon Tilj Puthenveettil, and his daughters Joann and Jennifer.
Samaritan sisters carried the ‘heaven’
The monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament was carried by Father Patrick, accompanied by Samaritan sisters from India, who carried the baldachin – the so-called ‘heaven’ – above him. The artistically designed flower carpet at the beginning of the procession was the work of Henrieta Schumacher, Raji Wienand and the Indian sisters. Wouter Dijkstra from Communio provided the sound system.
The participation of numerous residents of the Communio in Christo care facilities was particularly impressive. ‘Communio means,’ emphasised Father Pühringer, ‘living community!’ Volunteers from the church community took it upon themselves to push or support wheelchair users during the Corpus Christi procession to the parish church. Their silent testimony of faith lent the procession a special dignity and depth.
In his sermon, Erik Pühringer addressed the current crises and wars in the world. At the same time, he emphasised the power of the community that had come together in faith that morning – as a sign of hope and peace.
Flowers from the Family Mass Circle
The head of the pastoral area had special praise for the main organiser, Communio Sister Lidwina, and the family mass group led by Agnes Peters and Claudia Simon, who had made papier-mâché flowers and distributed them to the procession participants: ‘You made sure that we carried a carpet of flowers with us in the procession through Mechernich.’ In the parish church, the faithful had the opportunity to place their flowers in sand-filled boxes.
The Mass was concelebrated by Superior General Jaison Thazhathil and parish priests Erik Pühringer and Patrick Mwanguhya, with liturgical assistance from Mechernich deacon Manfred Lang, who is also a member of the leadership circle of Communio in Christo. Special thanks also went to the Mechernich Red Cross comradeship under the leadership of Sascha Suijkerland, who ensured safety.
The Holy Mass was sung by the church choir of St. John the Baptist Parish under the direction of Erik Arndt, who also played the organ. And he did so in such an excellent manner that there was thunderous applause.
pp/Agentur ProfiPress
