Order of a Blessed Sacrament Procession

[docmattc]

What is the proper order for such a procession? We had one round the block this morning and the servers and first holy communion children led off, followed by all the congregation and then the clergy, and bishop with Monstrance followed up the rear (I presume, but they were behind me)

This is contrary to what I've experienced in the past when the Blessed Sacrament led (with the exception maybe of some sort of honour guard 'preparing the way') and the people followed. How we did it today seems somewhat disrespectful.

[Southern Comfort]

What is the proper order for such a procession? We had one round the block this morning and the servers and first holy communion children led off, followed by all the congregation and then the clergy, and bishop with Monstrance followed up the rear (I presume, but they were behind me)

This is contrary to what I've experienced in the past when the Blessed Sacrament led (with the exception maybe of some sort of honour guard 'preparing the way') and the people followed. How we did it today seems somewhat disrespectful.

Without books at hand, I believe the correct order is as follows:

Cross-bearer, flanked by two acolytes
Congregation (inc. children except for those below) and choir
Other servers, children strewing rose petals, etc
Thurifers (two for preference)
Other clergy
Priest carrying Blessed Sacrament under a canopy borne by four members of the Blessed Sacrament Guild (or by whomever)

In other words the most important thing/person brings up the rear, as is normal in most processions. The only exception I can think of off the top of my head is the procession out at the end of the Rite of Election when the Bishop, Pied Piper-style, leads the Elect out of the cathedral (hopefully to tea and buns in the cathedral hall!)

[HallamPhil]

Our rather grand procession today stopped at four especially erected open-air altars in Sheffield City Centre. From memory we had cross servers, children, priests, canopy with monstrance held by a succession of priests or bishop, choir and then people.

We sang a different hymn between stations and when this was not enough the Cameroons or Eritrean Catholics supplied the necessary songs. At each station we sang Taize's Adoramus te, Domine for the incensation, followed by a different (at each) Canticle in preparation for the Gospel, a sung response to the Common Prayer and then the Benediction.

I understand the Rite used was translated from a Polish original where the custom of Corpus Christi processions is alive and well.

Hundreds turned up, the sun shone and a very public witness to faith was achieved.

[Southern Comfort]

Without books at hand, I believe the correct order is as follows:

Cross-bearer, flanked by two acolytes
Congregation (inc. children except for those below) and choir
Other servers, children strewing rose petals, etc
Thurifers (two for preference)
Other clergy
Priest carrying Blessed Sacrament under a canopy borne by four members of the Blessed Sacrament Guild (or by whomever)

In other words the most important thing/person brings up the rear, as is normal in most processions. The only exception I can think of off the top of my head is the procession out at the end of the Rite of Election when the Bishop, Pied Piper-style, leads the Elect out of the cathedral (hopefully to tea and buns in the cathedral hall!)

Having now consulted the documents —

From Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass, para 75:

Eucharistic processions should be arranged in accordance with local customs concerning the decoration of the streets and the order followed by the participants [sic].

But the Ceremonial of Bishops is rather more specific in paras 391-2:

The procession is then formed in this order: first the crossbearer, accompanied by acolytes carrying candlesticks with lighted candles; next, the clergy; deacons of the Mass; canons and presbyters, wearing copes; the minister carrying the bishop's pastoral staff; two censerbearers carrying censers with burning incense; the bishop carrying the blessed sacrament; a little behind him the two deacons assisting him; the ministers who assist with the book and the mitre. All carry candles [sic], and torchbearers escort the blessed sacrament.

Whether or not a baldachin (canopy) is held over the bishop as he carries the blessed sacrament depends on local custom.

If the bishop is unable to carry the blessed sacrament, he should walk in the procession immediately before the priest carrying the blessed sacrament. The bishop is vested and walks with head uncovered, carrying the pastoral staff, but not blessing as he walks.

Other bishops present for the procession vest in choir dress and take their places in the procession after the one carrying the blessed sacrament, in the order indicated in no. 1100 of this Ceremonial.

392. The procession should be arranged in accordance with local custom in regard to the decoration of the streets and the order to be followed by the faithful [sic] who take part.

In case anyone wants the further paras from the Ceremonial:

1099. The arrangement of processions should follow the order indicated for them in this Ceremonial and in the various liturgical books. At the head of every procession there is to be a crossbearer between two ministers carrying lighted candles and, if incense is used, preceded by the censerbearer varrying censer with burning incense, except in processions of the blessed sacrament.

(This is because the incense needs to be in close proximity to the Blessed Sacrament, so the thurifers are not leading the procession but leading the Blessed Sacrament.)

1100. When the bishop takes part in a procession of the blessed sacrament, of the wood of the cross, or of relics or images, it is always fitting that, wearing a cope, he preside by carrying the blessed sacrament or the sacred object.
When the bishop does not carry the blessed sacrament or the sacred object but is vested in a cope, he walks before the one who does. But if he is vested in choir dress, the bishop walks behind the blessed sacrament or the sacred object.
If other bishops should take part in a procession and they are vested in choir dress, they walk behind the blessed sacrament or sacred object, in such a way that those of higher rank walk nearer the blessed sacrament. But when they are wearing a cope, they walk ahead of the bishop, in such a way that the higher in rank are always nearer the blessed sacrament or the sacred object.

1101. Except in a procession of the blessed sacrament or of a relic of the true cross, the bishop wears a mitre if he is wearing sacred vestments.....

[docmattc]

The Ceremonial of Bishops makes no mention of congregation then?

In other words the most important thing/person brings up the rear, as is normal in most processions.

If other bishops should take part in a procession and they are vested in choir dress, they walk behind the blessed sacrament or sacred object, in such a way that those of higher rank walk nearer the blessed sacrament.

So there is a 'tail' to the procession behind the most important thing, which goes in descending rank. Does this imply that the laity, being of least rank, follow on at the end, or is the 'tail' only composed of bishops?

Eucharistic processions should be arranged in accordance with local customs concerning the decoration of the streets and the order followed by the participants [sic].

Order as in where they are positioned or order as in 'order of service'? What does the Latin say?

[alan29]

Way back when, I seem to remember the laity following the cross etc and before the other servers/clerics.
But we are talking half a century ago and the memory .......
...........
forgot what I was going to type.

[Southern Comfort]

Way back when, I seem to remember the laity following the cross etc and before the other servers/clerics.
But we are talking half a century ago and the memory .......
...........
forgot what I was going to type.

Yes, that is my memory too. Cross and acolytes, then people, then clergy party (as I mentioned in my first post). That's certainly how they did it when I was growing up, and how they still do it in Arundel.

[Southern Comfort]

The Ceremonial of Bishops makes no mention of congregation then?

In other words the most important thing/person brings up the rear, as is normal in most processions.

If other bishops should take part in a procession and they are vested in choir dress, they walk behind the blessed sacrament or sacred object, in such a way that those of higher rank walk nearer the blessed sacrament.

So there is a 'tail' to the procession behind the most important thing, which goes in descending rank. Does this imply that the laity, being of least rank, follow on at the end, or is the 'tail' only composed of bishops?

No, the Ceremonial only mentions people by implication in para 392, which is no help at all. The tail is composed of bishops in choir dress (but not if they are wearing copes), deacons assisting the bishop (if they are present), and mitre and book bearer. No one else.

Eucharistic processions should be arranged in accordance with local customs concerning the decoration of the streets and the order followed by the participants [sic].

Order as in where they are positioned or order as in 'order of service'? What does the Latin say?

Order of positioning, not order of service. Don't have the Latin in front of me.

[HallamPhil]

For those who are interested in seeing something of the Sheffield City Centre Corpus Christi procession I have just discovered that it is on youtube. If you google 'Corpus Christi procession Sheffield' it should come up.

Whether we kept to the recommended procession order or not it was a fine affair with ritual music from myself as well as lively contributions from the Cameroon (French) and Eritrean communities. Bishop John is the wearing the cope throughout.

Unfortunately you won't see the bit as we returned to the outside of the cathedral during which Fr Solomon beat his drum and bounced up and down as everyone clapped and the Eritreans sang some jubilant chants before we all sang the Te Deum (Chris Walker) and Tantum ergo.

[alan29]

Brilliant vid.
I just love those parasols.

[HallamPhil]

Yes the parasols (if we only had more sol) manifest the Indian contingent.

[alan29]

Thats why they are para, and not real.