From the Eucharistic Revival Committee 

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi (Body of Christ) falls on June 22 this year, two weeks after Pentecost, and celebrates in a particular way the doctrine of Jesus’ True Presence in the Eucharist — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. To honor this, our diocese will again join others across the globe in holding a solemn Eucharistic Procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament as a public witness of faith and worship.

Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Scott Bullock at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help starting at 3 p.m., and then the consecrated host will be placed in a monstrance that is carried through the streets of Rapid City from the cathedral to Memorial Park. Accompanied by the songs and the prayers of the faithful, this solemn yet joyous procession vividly shows Christ among His people, walking with us on our pilgrimage to heaven. In a beautiful way, we will bring Jesus to the streets as we are called to sanctify the whole world. 

Participants from previous processions fondly recall their experiences. Amy Tweed of Blessed Sacrament Church warmly recalls her walk:

A Eucharistic Procession is a profound Catholic event in which we get to demonstrate the graces and hope we have in Jesus through His presence in the Eucharist — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. It deeply touches the heart, soul, and physical senses.

I last walked in the 2023 Rapid City Eucharistic Procession. On a beautiful Sunday afternoon, I joined the hundreds of pilgrims — babies, toddlers, children, moms, dads, grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and grandfathers — in following the canopy sheltering the monstrance of Our Lord. The canopy was held by our seminarians and escorted by catechumens and Knights of Columbus.

As I followed that canopy, I walked in awe at the power of the Eucharist to bring so many Catholics together to witness to fellow Rapid City residents about our shared faith. I was filled with peace as we sang eucharistic hymns and prayed the Rosary. I heard the laughter of children and the devotion of adults. I heard the beautiful bells of Immaculate Conception Church, reminding me of the bells during Mass. I smelled the incense as we walked through it. 

I was among the first hundred or so walkers, so I reached the civic center’s bandshell before most of the large procession. There were so many people that when I looked back, I saw that there were still people crossing Omaha street as I began adoration. 

Renewed in my faith, I rejoined the world with a sense of hope and peace.