Basilica of St. Mary Corpus Christi Mass and Procession

On June 6, members of the Northern Virginia Region participated in a traditional Eucharistic Procession for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

Leading the procession at the conclusion of Mass were the Knights of Columbus, Fitzgerald Council No. 459. The Very Rev. Edward C. Hathaway, rector of the basilica, led the procession along with the Rev. David Dufresne, parochial vicar. Sharing the honor of carrying the large antique monstrance were the Rev. Nicholas Blank, also a parochial vicar, and the Rev. Jonathan Smith.

Members of the Knights of Columbus met the procession outside the basilica. As Father Smith brought the Most Blessed Sacrament down the granite steps, he was immediately followed by the members of the Order of Malta.

As the procession advanced through the tree-lined streets of the Old and Historic District, lay faithful and clergy knelt on the sidewalks and in the street out of reverence for the Real Presence of Our Lord passing in the monstrance. A lone bagpiper piped hymns for the entire distance of eight blocks to and from the Basilica School of Saint Mary. While at the school, the faithful rested for a brief period of Eucharistic Adoration. After returning to the basilica, the faithful participated in the rites of Solemn Benediction and Reposition of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Representing the Order of Malta in the Corpus Christi Procession were Rebecca Littig, DM, Peter-Anthony Pappas, KM, and Mary A. D. Petrino, DM.  Elizabeth Scheuren, DM, served as the official photographer for the Basilica of Saint Mary.