It is always interesting to see what the YouTube algorithms recommend. Perhaps as a consequence of watching material suggested by Scoop and Phillip Augustine, I often receive recommendations of Catholic videos. The similarities between the way Brian Holdsworthy talks and Phillip’s own own discourse is beginning to make me wonder if they are actually the same person…Joking aside, this video was on my YouTube homepage today:
I would rather not get embroiled in Eucharistic philosophy debates. However, I will say that I believe the Eucharist is more than symbolic. The Lord is present in the Eucharist – but whether the manner of the Lord’s presence can be described using Aristotelian category theory (or post-Aristotelian variants) is a question rather beyond my paygrade.
I liked seeing this procession. Whatever the precise nature of Christ’s presence in connection with the consecrated host, the symbolic elements of the procession are of value in and of themselves.
The presence of laity is a public testimony to the continuation of a living Christian community embracing people from various walks of life. Though our numbers may be small (in some contexts) the Christian Church is not confined to a set of ordained ministers performing rites in empty buildings.
Those strewing roses on the path of the procession and those holding censers were testifying to the divinity and kingship of Christ, showing the respect that is due to our Creator and Redeemer. It is right to remind the world that Christ is the King and is coming back to rule from Jerusalem in the Millennium.
The cross, going before the people, is a reminder of His suffering, of what it cost Him to redeem us. It is only through the cross that we can receive pardon and enter the community to God to accompany our King and Saviour.
The surplices (a shortened form of the alb) of the priests and attendants are a reminder of the call to purity and holiness in Christianity, and of the righteousness and justification granted to us by God through faith in Jesus Christ. Christianity is a call to new life, to the ideal God intends for us, and we shall receive perfection in full when Christ raises us and transforms our bodies at the Last Day.
Though the world does not see Christ now, yet it will when He returns. In the meantime, these public displays of faith are a reminder of who Christ is, what He has done, and what He will do.
All Along the Watchtower 
Yes indeed. In the 50’s when these processions were common those who were not in the procession often fell to their knees until the Blessed Sacrament had processed by them. Not so much anymore. Just curiosity and mostly something to catch on your cell phone video camera. But it is good to see that a few parishes still do this and NYC is in great need of such things.
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I cannot speak to the situation in NYC, but in general I think it is good to have public reminders now and then.
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Indeed it did. Fr. Z had another idea for getting our bishops to exorcises their own dioceses. I think that would be a step forward as well. Satan has had his hour and it is about time we fight back: http://wdtprs.com/blog/2019/06/a-confluence-of-promptings-leads-fr-z-to-rant-and-to-make-a-plea-to-bishops/
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I think I may have read that one before, as I recall he wanted the old Latin Rite to be used, not the modern version.
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Correct. The late Fr. Amorth (a great exorcist) said that the new rite doesn’t work and was put together by a committee of bishops who never saw or even witnessed an exorcism. He always, until his death, used the older form.
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Yeah, its good to take god out for a parade every now and then. Keep that umbrella on him…he sun burns easy.
Hey everybody, lookee here. Heres god.
Jesus said,…if any man say to you, here is christ or lo, there is christ, believe it not.
God says…heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool. Where is this house you will build for me.
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