Faithful in Thailand moved by Pope's words on Corpus Christi

Si Racha, Thailand, Jun 4, 2013 / 15:12 pm

In a spirit of jubilation and fervor, Catholics in Thailand celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi with Eucharistic adoration and processions.

The solemn liturgical celebrations at the Sacred Heart Church in Sriracha drew large crowds, despite heavy rain showers. Mass was followed with traditional floral processions and adoration to celebrate the real presence of Christ's body and blood in the Eucharist.

In his homily, Bishop Silvio Siripong Chartsri of Chantaburi stressed that the Eucharist empowers and transforms lives in order for the faithful to be true disciples, sharing in the communion of Christ.

Bishop Silvio drew his homily from the words of Pope Francis, who spoke before leading a Corpus Christi procession.

The Eucharist motivates and invigorates Christian life, he said, explaining that the sacrament "nourishes" the faithful to "be in close communion with the Lord and His people."

The bishop highlighted the words of Pope Francis: "The Eucharist is the sacrament of the communion that takes us out of our individualism so that together we live our discipleship, our faith in him."

He further encouraged the faithful to remember the importance of "Eucharistic Communion with God and the relationship with the neighbor." Charity is an indispensable virtue in the life of a Christian, he said.

Bishop emeritus Lawrence Thienchai Samanchit joined in the sacred celebration, along with local priests and various religious communities, schools and parishioners.

Parishioners welcomed the Corpus Christi homily of the Pope Francis with enthusiasm, saying they were "happy" to hear the Holy Father's teachings translated into their own language. 

Kanjanee Jokthong, a local catechist said, said that the feast of Corpus Christi "is important to reinforce our spiritual life and interpersonal relationship with our fellow beings." 

"In totality, this sacrament is the center of our life," she explained.