Corpus Christi 2025
On Sunday 22nd June 2025, the Grand Priory once again participated in the annual Corpus Christi procession through central London. The procession, started by members of the Order in the parish of St James’s Spanish Place over ten years ago, now brings together three central London parishes and other religious communities, our Order playing an important role in the coordination and organisation of the procession.
The day started with solemn Mass celebrated by Dom Cuthbert Brogan OSB, Abbot of Farnborough, at the diocesan shrine of the Blessed Sacrament, the church of Corpus Christi, Maiden Lane.
The procession then set off, the great canopy above the Sacrament carried by members of the Order and members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, the sacred ministers vested in cloth of gold, with lanterns, flags, and incense all around.
Having passed through Trafalgar Square and Regent Street, the procession arrive at the church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Warwick Street, in the care of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham and where the Grand Priory hold many of its liturgical celebrations. There benediction was given and the Sacrament exposed on the altar for two hours for venerations.
At 3:30pm, the great procession resumed, travelling from Warwick Street to Oxford Circus and along Oxford Street to the Ukrainian Cathedral of the Holy Family, Duke Street, hundreds of the faithful singing litanies and hymns, and reciting the Rosary.
At Duke Street, benediction was given by the Ukrainian Eparch, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, accompanied by beautiful hymns sung by the choir of the cathedral.
Finally, the procession arrived at 5pm at the neo-gothic splendour of St James’s, Spanish place, where the Ordinary of the Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, Bishop David Waller, gave solemn benediction.
Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar!
All images © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk