Antonina Zielinska
Poles filled St. Frances de Chantal Church for Mass and procession with the Blessed Sacrament in the streets of Borough Park on the Feast of Corpus Christi.
“We want to show the whole world what we believe,” Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio said during his homily. He was the main celebrant and carried the monstrance in the outdoor procession.
“Just as the people were fed on the hillside of Galilee – so we are fed, with His flesh and blood, not with loaves and fish, but with His flesh and blood,” he said.
The bishop also said that in bringing Jesus out into the neighborhood, the faithful share their blessing with others.
Canon Andrzej Kurowski, S.A.C., pastor, explained that the outdoor ceremony is a way to visualize that Jesus Christ is not confined to the Church.
“The living Jesus is with us,” he said. “We take Him to where we live.”
Although Corpus Christi is celebrated with outdoor processions throughout the world, for Poles it is one of the most important days of the year. Entire communities come together to make sure the celebration is conducted smoothly, and people travel to their towns to be able to celebrate in their home parishes.
Children Prepare the Way
Among the most visible icons of the Polish processions are little boys and girls dressed in the white they wore a month before for their First Communion. The girls prepare the way for Jesus with a trail of flower petals.
“I like this Polish tradition, and I like to uphold it,” said Danuta Denis, whose daughter, Samantha, was one of the flower girls.
Often times, younger girls also help in laying out the flowery path for the line of march. Among them in St. Frances were Olivia Siekierzycka, 6, and her sister, Alicia, 3.
“Above all, this is a way to introduce the children to religion,” said their mother, Irena Siekierzycka. “Children must be formed in the religion from the very beginning.”
She said Corpus Christi is an important event for her family – one that requires preparation. She said her daughters wore traditional Polish dresses, hand sewn by their grandmother. She pointed out that the day is a way to maintain their ties to Poland. More important, however, is the tie to the universal Church.
“The celebration of the Corpus Christi,” she said, “is one in all the world.”
