Real Traveler
Corpus Christi Procession
This is a Corpus Christi procession taking place on the streets of Janów, a tiny village in southern Poland.
Corpus Christi is a Roman Catholic holiday celebrated every year on Thursday, about 8 weeks after Easter, which is why the date changed every year. This year it was celebrated on June 23. Poland, along with several other Catholic countries have declared it a national holiday. Everyone had an official day off, and there were processions taking place all around Poland, and it's something I just couldn't miss!
Corpus Christi is Latin for "Body of Christ". The tradition is believed to have originated in the 13th century, when an Augustineian nun called, Juliana of Liège reportedly had visions of Christ throughout a period of 20 years. She finaly told about her visions to her confessor, and in 1246, Robert de Thorete, Bishop of Liège officialy ordered a celebration of Corpus Christi to be held every year thereafter. Today, it is celebrated as a feast to honor Christ's presence in the Eucharist.
In some small villages, the entire village will participatein the procession. It is a tradition for kids who finish First Communion to walk in the procession that same year. The girls will walk in front of the boys in the procession and scatter flower pettles who Jesus, who the participants believe actualy walks with them in the procession. The most respected members of the community, often firefighters and police officers are usualy selected to lead the priest in the procession, and they usualy do so in uniform. There are also several prayer stations set up in town. Here, they stopped to pray four times, and the procession last around 2 hours. In large cities they can have several prayer stations set up, and the procession could last even longer.
Around 88% of the Polish population is devout Roman Catholic, making it one of the most religious countries in Europe, so this is a really important day for every one. I think almost the whole village, plus the neighboring village of Ponik in attendence. This was a really big event.
I actualy got to walk in the procession, which was really neat. My entire family is Roman Catholic, but here in America most churches don't do Corpus Christi processions, so it was really incredible to see a part of my religion I never got to before. I was mostly interested about getting some good footage for my travel documentary. It was a bit difficult, as I had to run next to the procession to set up a good shot, but at the end, i got some amazing footage! Seeing it on pictures and video though is nothing compared to the incredible experience you get from being there in person! This was deffinately one of the most amazing experiences I had in Poland! I think no matter what religion you are, everyone should witness this at least once! Absolutely incredible!
Corpus Christi Procession
This is a Corpus Christi procession taking place on the streets of Janów, a tiny village in southern Poland.
Corpus Christi is a Roman Catholic holiday celebrated every year on Thursday, about 8 weeks after Easter, which is why the date changed every year. This year it was celebrated on June 23. Poland, along with several other Catholic countries have declared it a national holiday. Everyone had an official day off, and there were processions taking place all around Poland, and it's something I just couldn't miss!
Corpus Christi is Latin for "Body of Christ". The tradition is believed to have originated in the 13th century, when an Augustineian nun called, Juliana of Liège reportedly had visions of Christ throughout a period of 20 years. She finaly told about her visions to her confessor, and in 1246, Robert de Thorete, Bishop of Liège officialy ordered a celebration of Corpus Christi to be held every year thereafter. Today, it is celebrated as a feast to honor Christ's presence in the Eucharist.
In some small villages, the entire village will participatein the procession. It is a tradition for kids who finish First Communion to walk in the procession that same year. The girls will walk in front of the boys in the procession and scatter flower pettles who Jesus, who the participants believe actualy walks with them in the procession. The most respected members of the community, often firefighters and police officers are usualy selected to lead the priest in the procession, and they usualy do so in uniform. There are also several prayer stations set up in town. Here, they stopped to pray four times, and the procession last around 2 hours. In large cities they can have several prayer stations set up, and the procession could last even longer.
Around 88% of the Polish population is devout Roman Catholic, making it one of the most religious countries in Europe, so this is a really important day for every one. I think almost the whole village, plus the neighboring village of Ponik in attendence. This was a really big event.
I actualy got to walk in the procession, which was really neat. My entire family is Roman Catholic, but here in America most churches don't do Corpus Christi processions, so it was really incredible to see a part of my religion I never got to before. I was mostly interested about getting some good footage for my travel documentary. It was a bit difficult, as I had to run next to the procession to set up a good shot, but at the end, i got some amazing footage! Seeing it on pictures and video though is nothing compared to the incredible experience you get from being there in person! This was deffinately one of the most amazing experiences I had in Poland! I think no matter what religion you are, everyone should witness this at least once! Absolutely incredible!