Quito celebrates Corpus Christi 2024 with devotion
Quito, June 2, 2024
Editor: Genesis Almeida
With a fervent demonstration of faith and brotherhood, Quito celebrated the solemnity of Corpus Christi, one of the most important religious events in the liturgical calendar. The ceremony, which brought together hundreds of faithful, was marked by a solemn Eucharist and the procession that toured the main streets of the Historic Center of the capital.
Around 10:00 in the morning, the capital’s parishioners began to gather outside the Cathedral Church for the celebration of the Eucharist of Corpus Christi. At the same time, García Moreno and Chile streets were painted in colors with the creation of carpets made with flower petals, dyed sawdust and other natural materials that gave life to images of religious scenes, Eucharistic symbols and elements of Ecuadorian culture, so rich in traditions.
The celebration began at 11:00 in the morning with the Holy Mass in the Metropolitan Cathedral, presided by Mons. Alfredo Espinoza Mateus, SDB., Archbishop of Quito and Primate of Ecuador. During his homily, he stressed the importance of preparing to receive the body and blood of Christ in a context of brotherhood: “We cannot commune with the Body and Blood of Christ if we do not commune with our siblings, if we are not able to sit down the same table as brothers and sisters, if we do not open our hands, our eyes, our ears, our hearts to the specific brother.”
After the post-communion prayer, Bishop Alfredo, accompanied by his auxiliary bishops, Bishop Danilo Echeverria and Bishop Maximiliano Ordoñez, prepared the sacred monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament to walk through the streets of the Historic Center in a procession that would take them to the Basilica of the National Vote . The route was marked by the 50 carpets prepared by the different pastoral groups, movements and families of the Archdiocese of Quito.
Around 2,500 people participated in the Corpus Christi procession, dispersed between those who followed the Blessed Sacrament and those who watched the journey from the sidewalks, avoiding damaging the works of art displayed in the streets. These rugs embellished the route with vibrant designs and colors, creating a visual spectacle that elevated the solemnity of the event.
Marcelo Guijarro, a citizen of Quito, made his rug with his family and the Cortez family to express his devotion. This carpet was dedicated to the rosary which, in his words, “represents faith and family unity” in the context of preparation for Corpus Christi and the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress. Likewise, Marcelo expressed that for him the Eucharist is a main act of faith that symbolizes union and solidarity.
The meaning of flower carpets lies in their symbolism of welcome and reverence towards the Blessed Sacrament. Being a tradition that dates back centuries, these rugs not only beautify the procession route, but also reflect the deep spirituality and sense of community of the participants.
The procession was led by the Blessed Sacrament carried by the Archbishop of Quito followed by ecclesiastical authorities, parish delegations, apostolic movements and numerous faithful who, with songs and prayers, accompanied this act of solemnity.
During the journey, the procession stopped at altars raised by pastoral groups. In these spaces, the participants, together with the bishops and priests present, raised prayers and requests for the most needy, for the poor and for those who do not know Christ.
This celebration was experienced in an atmosphere of fraternity and brotherhood among the capital’s residents; several of those present assured that they set aside a stand early in the morning to view the carpets and the procession. The logistical organization of the celebration was guarded by members of the National Police of the Manuela Sáenz district. Likewise, members of the Red Cross were attentive to the health of the participants.
Upon arriving at the National Basilica, the parishioners were received in the facilities of the main nave, where they performed the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament to end the solemnity of Corpus Christi. This festivity is the reminder of the Eucharistic miracle that we experience in each mass.
