The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CORPUS CHRISTI FESTIVAL

ON CORPUS CHRISTI WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE A PARADE THAT STARTED
AT THE CHURCH AND PROGRESSED AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD TO
ALTARS SET UP ON THE PORCHES OF PEOPLE IN THE PARISH.
THE FAMILY CHOSEN TO HAVE THE ALTAR DECORATED THE HOUSE
ON THE OUTSIDE WITH FLOWERS, LOTS AND LOTS OF FLOWERS - MY
MOTHER USED TO CUT DOWN HER WHOLE BED OF PEONIES AND BRING
THE FLOWERS TO THE CHURCH; THEY REALLY NEEDED AS MANY AS
THEY COULD GET. THE ALTAR WAS JUST A STURDY TABLE COVERED,
AND THERE WERE FLOWERS ALL AROUND. THE MEN CUT BRANCHES OFF
TREES AND NAILED THEM UP TO MAKE A GREEN BACKGROUND. ANYWAY,
THE PROCESSION STARTED AT THE CHURCH, STOPPED AT EACH
ALTAR AROUND THAT BLOCK, AND ENDED AT A CHAPEL. THE PARADE
WAS A MASS, AND A DIFFERENT PART OF THE MASS WAS SAID AT
EACH ALTAR. THE BLESSED SACRAMENT WAS CARRIED IN THE PARADE,
AND THE PRIESTS LED IT WITH THE SERVERS WHO CARRIED CANDLES.
BEHIND THEM, THE CHILDREN MAKING THEIR FIRST COMMUNIONS WALKED
IN THEIR DRESSES AND VEILS AND SUITS. THEN CAME THE CHURCH
CLUBS, AND THE REST OF US GOT TO WALK IN THE REAR. EVERYONE
SANG WITH THE CHOIR AS WE WALKED FROM PLACE TO PLACE, AND
THE LINE WAS SO LONG THAT THE PEOPLE IN THE END WOULD BE
LAGGING IN THE SONG, OUT OF PACE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD

Date learned: 11-00-1983