On Sunday, June 22, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – His Eminence Frank Cardinal Leo led a Eucharistic procession through the streets of downtown Toronto following the Noon Mass at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica.

In the blazing heat of the day, a large representation of clergy, religious men and women, groups and associations, and lay faithful participated in the Corpus Christi procession – that both started and finished at the Cathedral Basilica. 

In his homily during Mass, Cardinal Leo used the Catechism of the Catholic Church to illustrate the importance of attending Mass, “by the Eucharistic celebration, we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life when God will be all in all.”

His Eminence expanded, “when we celebrate Mass it is as if the veil between Heaven and Earth parts and we see something: some of the glory, the mystery and the majesty of God when we come to celebrate Mass on Sundays.”

Prayers of the faithful during Mass were offered in ten different languages in recognition of the cultural diversity of the archdiocese. “These different languages point to the beauty of our church,” Cardinal Leo exclaimed, “and the Gospel that preaches to the four corners of the world.”

When the celebration of Mass and procession concluded, the faithful took to the Cathedral courtyard for fellowship and refreshments in the form of pizza, cupcakes, drinks and ice cream.

A special thank you to all who helped make this procession possible – parishioners, lay movements, organizations and religious communities, and of course the staff and volunteer team at the Cathedral Basilica – all played a special role on this occasion, and we are very grateful for their support.

To watch video highlights, please click here.