Invitation from Cardinal Leo – Solemnity of Corpus Christi – Procession & Resources

Corpus Christi and the Jubilee 2025

27 March 2025

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

May Jesus and Mary be in your souls.

I am writing to you in anticipation of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi which will be celebrated this year on June 22nd. As part of our annual observance, the Church invites us to conclude our Eucharistic celebration with a Procession. This year our Corpus Christi celebrations and processions take on special significance because they occur within the context of the Jubilee.

As Pilgrims of Hope, we acknowledge that the foundation of our hope is Jesus Christ, really, truly, and substantially present in the Eucharist. Our hope in the Risen Lord leads us to witness to God’s love in the world, trusting him completely and “relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (CCC, 1817). It is God alone who guides, nourishes, and strengthens us while we are on our earthly pilgrimage. Pope Saint John Paul II reminds us, “In the humble signs of bread and wine, changed into his body and blood, Christ walks beside us as our strength and our food for the journey, and he enables us to become, for everyone, witnesses of hope” (Ecclesia de Eucharistia, 62). 

The spirituality of pilgrimage recognizes that we are on a journey from this earthly dwelling to our heavenly home prepared for us by Jesus Christ (cf. CCC. 2691). Processions are imbued with the same spiritual meaning, most notably experienced at Mass during the Entrance Procession and at Communion—a Eucharistic Procession. The Final Blessing at the end of Mass carries with it the understanding that we are being sent, in union with Christ and one another to proclaim the Good News (Sacramentum Caritatis, 66). Our Corpus Christi processions provide us the opportunity to uniquely fulfill this mandatum, proclaiming the message of Jesus Christ’s love for the world, while at the same time pointing to his presence among us (Directory on Popular Piety,162).

The Office of Formation for Discipleship has developed the resources to assist you in better understanding and celebrating this beautiful Catholic devotion. The resources consist of three documents:

1. A Eucharistic Triduum (three-day preparation before Corpus Christi Sunday);
   PDF / Word document
2. A Eucharistic Procession Ritual for pastors and parish liturgical teams;
   PDF / Word document
3. A Resource document with more information, FAQs and links to related readings and prayers.
   PDF / Word document

The three documents are provided in both PDF and Word versions to facilitate your planning and celebration. We are very grateful for the Office staff in preparing these.

While many parishioners will be participating in their local parish Masses and processions, if this is not the case for you, please consider joining the Corpus Christi Mass and procession planned at Saint Michael’s Cathedral Basilica on Sunday, 22 June 2025. I would also like to once again extend an invitation to the various lay ecclesial movements & associations, organizations and religious communities in the Archdiocese of Toronto to join us. Please consult the document “Additional Information” for important details. The Eucharistic procession will take place following the Noon Mass and we anticipate the route in the immediate vicinity of the cathedral to take approximately 30-45 minutes. Solemn Benediction will conclude the liturgy. May Our Lady intercede graces of joy and consolation upon you all. I hope that you will be able to join us on Sunday, 22 June 2025 in worship, prayer, devotion and fellowship to follow the procession & benediction.

Thank you for doing your best in preparing & celebrating with the parish community / family this grace-filled event of our beloved Catholic Faith.

Sincerely yours in Jesus with Mary,

Frank Cardinal Leo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto