Just in time for Corpus Christi Sunday, you can make your own "paper doll" version of a Eucharistic Procession. I've got a few difference variations from the more complicated 3-D version in the photo to a simple coloring page, but I do hope that they are a tool to inspire Eucharistic Devotion in your home and classroom.
Make your own Eucharistic Procession Model
If you'd like to create the Eucharistic Procession, but don't need the supporting pieces to made the figures stand on their own, this paper saver version reduces the whole set down to three pages, and would be great for making a poster or other two-dimensional set:
What is a Eucharistic Procession?
A Eucharistic procession is like a holy parade that brings Jesus, truly present in the Holy Eucharist, into the world that he loves. The Blessed Sacrament is placed in a monstrance and carried out of the church by a priest. A Eucharistic procession sometimes begins at one church and ends at another. It can be a short walk around the neighborhood of a church or can stretch for miles and miles from start to finish. Along the way, Jesus is accompanied by priests, deacons, altar servers, and people of all ages. Together they can pray the Rosary, sing hymns, or walk in silent prayer. Processions are often planned for the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, but can take place just about any time of the year.
The altar servers might carry a canopy, processional cross, candles, a thurible, or bells. One type of processional canopy, a baldachhino, is held over the monstrance by four servers holding a pole for each corner. This creates a sacred space that is set aside for the Eucharist during the movement of the procession. The processional cross is a large crucifix attached to a long handle that can be lifted high for all to see. The candles remind us of Jesus, the Light of the World, truly present in the Holy Eucharist. The thurible is filled with burning incense, which releases sweet smelling smoke that rises to the sky, symbolizing our prayers rising to Heaven. The bells incorporate another of our five senses, announcing that Jesus is really present here with us. A Eucharistic procession is a wonderful opportunity to worship our Lord and pray together as a community as we witness our faith publicly to the world.
You can use this printable set to make your own model of a Eucharistic procession with a priest, servers, and lay people. The priest can carry the Monstrance and the servers can carry the processional canopy, candles, cross, and thurible. Use the tips on each page to put the model pieces together, and then set up the whole Eucharistic procession on a table or floor. Sing a Eucharistic hymn or say a prayer, praising the Lord for the gift of the Eucharist Then check with churches in your area and attend a real Eucharistic procession with your family!
Click here to download the whole Eucharistic Procession set, including an explanation of processions, making it easy to share with students or other families:
If you'd like to create the Eucharistic Procession, but don't need the supporting pieces to made the figures stand on their own, this paper saver version reduces the whole set down to three pages, and would be great for making a poster or other two-dimensional set:
