By Józef Łopuszyński

For what is believed to be the first time in the history of Catholicism in Birmingham, a Corpus Christi Procession took place from St. Michael’s R.C. Church (opposite Moor St Station) to St Chad’s Cathedral.

The day started with Holy Mass at St Michael’s in English and Polish, after which the Blessed Sacrament was exposed for Veneration and during which prayers and litanies were said and sung.

During the procession four priests took it in turns to carry the Blessed Sacrament; Cathedral Dean Canon Gerry Breen, Ksiądz Proboszcz Krzysztof Kita of St Michaels’s, Ksiądz Grzegorz Marchwiński, and Father Christopher Marshall, Priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham.

As the Blessed Sacrament was carried beneath the Baldachin, each of the priests’ each elbows were supported by two men walking alongside, reminiscent of Moses as told in  Ecclesiastes 17:12. “And Moses' hands were heavy” … and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands on both sides.”

On arrival at the Cathedral, as is traditional in Poland, “Ciebie Boga Wysławiamy” (the Te Deum) was sung by all, and after a short homily Benediction took place.

In conclusion, organist John Pryor led the hymn “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus. ”  before ending with an improvisation based on “Boże coś Polskę.”

The event was organised by the Polish Community in Birmingham in conjunction with the cathedral, and supported by the Knights of St Columba who provided marshalling assistance.