The Corpus Christi procession has been a longstanding tradition in Brisbane, dating back to the early 1900’s. The public exhibition of faith began in 1912 at St Joseph’s Nudgee College, were the solemn walk with Jesus, saw the participation of thousands of the faithful. At one point exceeding 50,000, the procession was forced to move to the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds, from 1950- 1980 to accommoda
te all the people. In the 1950’s, attendance was especially high: over 50,000 (1950); 70,000 (1951); 100,000 (1952); and 60,000 (1953). However, after the 1950’s, attendance dropped significantly, mainly because of the withdrawal of many school students, and competing with other Sunday activities. After discussion by the Priests' Senate, the celebration became a Deanery one. In the Brisbane North Deanery the last celebration was in 1987, lead by Bishop Gerry. The tradition itself disbanded in Brisbane nearly 45 years ago until Jesuit Father Gregory Jordan (dec.) revived the devotion almost 25 years ago. Since then, the procession has been celebrated yearly seeing the participation of people from all over Brisbane and from various cultural communities; Vietnamese, Filipinos, Indonesians, Latin Americans, Indians, Pacific Islanders and many others. The procession was again brought to a halt from 2020-2022 due to the COVID outbreak, and then restarted again in 2023. Why a Procession with the body of Christ? Under Chapter II of the Cannon law ie; the reservation and veneration of the most holy eucharist it is stated that:
Can. 944 §1. When it can be done in the judgment of the diocesan bishop, a procession through the public streets is to be held as a public witness of veneration toward the Most Holy Eucharist, especially on the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.
§2. It is for the diocesan bishop to establish regulations which provide for the participation in and the dignity of processions
References
Brisbane Catholics and Corpus Christi – Family history across the seas
Corpus Christi Procession in Brisbane - Archdiocese of Brisbane
Sea of Catholics follow Christ for Corpus Christi feast - The Catholic Leader
Vol 5 p 38 - The Church in Brisbane Before and After Vatican II, by Paul Martin
Code of Canon Law - Book IV - Function of the Church Liber (Cann. 879-958)
