The Blessed Sacrament on Broadway, literally on Broadway… on the street itself.
CORPUS CHRISTI PROCESSION MARKS END YEAR FOR PRIESTS
New York, May 25th – Manhattan’s historic Church of the Holy Innocents will mark the final First Thursday of the Year for Priests with a Solemn Mass and Corpus Christi Procession down Broadway and through the streets around the midtown church, located on 37th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue.
The Mass begins at 6 PM on Thursday, June 3, which this year is also the traditional date of the centuries-old Feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for Body of Christ). The Liturgical Procession will begin just after the Mass at around 7:15 PM and conclude with Solemn Benediction back in the Church. A reception will follow in the Church Hall.
“It is a great blessing this year that the traditional date of Corpus Christi is also the last First Thursday of the Year for Priests,“ said Rev. Thomas Kallumady, pastor of the Church of the Holy Innocents, “what better day to celebrate the Catholic priesthood than on the very day when we celebrate our most Blessed Sacrament?”
Established in 1868, the Church of the Holy Innocents celebrates the 140th anniversary of the current church building this year. Its sanctuary features murals painted by Constantino Brumidi, who decorated the U.S. Capitol rotunda. The church continues to serve the garment district with both spiritual and social programs.
The Rev. James Miara of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in the Bronx will celebrate the Mass and preach. Christopher Mueller will lead Manhattan’s Church of Notre Dame Choir providing the music: a Mass setting by Flemish Renaissance composer Philippe de Monte, Gregorian chant, and music by Orlande de Lassus and Palestrina.
WHAT: Solemn Mass, Procession and Solemn Benediction for the Feast of Corpus Christi
WHERE: The Church of the Holy Innocents, 128 W. 37th Street, Manhattan
WHEN: June 3, 2010: Solemn Mass, 6 PM; Procession, 7:15 PM; Solemn Benediction, 7:45 PM; Reception to follow in the Church Hall
For more information, call (212) 569-1252.
