Corpus Christi processions in Oldenburg, multi-parish on Sunday

(OLDENBURG, Ind.) – A local church continued their longtime Corpus Christi tradition while 3 other parishes held an inaugural procession together on Sunday.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is a global Catholic event that celebrates the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. 

Holy Family Church in Oldenburg hosted the first Corpus Christi Procession in 1846. 

On Sunday, parishioners walked out of the church to continue that tradition for the 180th consecutive year. 

The solemn procession stopped by various locations including the cemetery chapel, through the woods to another chapel, Oldenburg Academy, the Knights of St. John Hall, Oldenburg Town Hall and back to the church. 

The procession is led by the Cross, flags, altar servers, and young children who strew flower petals along the path, immediately followed by the canopy under which the Blessed Sacrament is carried. 

Here are some photos that were taken by Katie Rauch:

Three churches hold inaugural multi-county procession

Drivers in Ripley and Decatur County may have noticed a long vehicle procession on Sunday afternoon.

St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Osgood, St. Maurice in Napoleon and Immaculate Conception in Millhousen held their first-ever Corpus Christi Procession. 

It was led by a fire truck and the first vehicle featured a decorated trailer that carried Fr. Matthew Binu and six servers.

Each stop featured a brief ceremony in the churches and the Millhousen visit was followed up with a community luncheon.

"I counted cars at Millhousen and we had 60 cars and one bicycle. 126 people at Mass and more preparing the hall for the meal," said procession attendee Keri Johnson.

During the community luncheon, Stone's provided fried chicken while ladies from all three parishes provided sides and desserts.

Here are some photos and video of the inaugural procession: