Shillong, Nov 11: Thousands of Christian faithful coming from different parts of Shillong and outside filled the city streets in a display of devotion as they took part in the annual Eucharistic Procession on Sunday.
Besides the devotees under Shillong Archdiocese, the annual procession attracted Catholics from surrounding archdioceses such as Jowai and Nongstoin.
The solemn procession was preceded by morning prayers and a Holy Mass conducted by Shillong Archbishop, Most Rev Victor Lyngdoh in the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians at Laitumkhrah here.
Other bishops – Most Rev Wilbert Marwein of Nongstoin and Most Rev Ferdinand Dkhar of Jowai – also took part in the Holy Mass.
The procession started in the afternoon from the Calvary area through Dhankheti, Shillong-Jowai Road, Laitumkhrah Main Road, Don Bosco Square and back to Calvary.
Known as “Corpus Christi” or “the Body of Christ,” the annual Eucharistic Procession dates back to 1247 in Liege, Belgium and has since become a globally significant event in the Catholic Church, celebrated widely for its spiritual significance.
The Parish Priests, Rectors, Major Superiors, Provincials, MLAs, MDCs, the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, officers of the government of Meghalaya, delegates from many Dioceses of the North East and from other parts of India also took part in the procession.
In the Holy Mass in the morning, the archbishop in his homily appreciated generosity of the faithful towards the need of the Church.
It was in the homily that he reminded that 90 years ago, on this day, November 10, 1934, Bishop Stephen Ferrando and Bishop Louis Mathias were ordained Bishops by Archbishop Ferdinand Perier in the same venue, the Calvary of the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah.
He also reminded the centenary arrival of the great missionary, Fr Constantine Vendrame in Khasi-Jaintia Hills.
In the afternoon, the Archbishop announced the Jubilee Year 2025 of the Universal Church with the theme – “Pilgrims of Hope”. And also declared “The Year of the Sacrament of Reconciliation”.
The Diamond Jubilee will be in the year 2029, and the Centenary year of the Archdiocese in 2034.
The day was concluded with the solemn blessings from His Grace, Archbishop Victor Lyngdoh.
