Why do Catholics have processions?

Catholics hold processions as a public manifestation of their faith, linking spirituality with a communal practice of veneration (to the saints) and adoration (to Jesus in the Eucharist). This tradition has theological, liturgical, and biblical foundations and is a concrete expression of the journey of God's People towards the heavenly Jerusalem. The Catechism of the Catholic Church mentions that "the Church advances in its pilgrimage through the persecutions of the world and the consolations of God" (CIC 769), and processions are an expression of this journey.

Biblical Foundation of Processions

Processions have deep roots in Scripture, both in the Old and New Testaments. A clear example in the New Testament is Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, narrated in all four Gospels. On Palm Sunday, Jesus enters the city riding on a donkey, while the crowd follows Him with palm branches, singing "Hosanna to the Son of David" (Matthew 21:8-9). This passage is the foundation for the Palm Sunday procession in the Catholic Church, symbolizing the acclamation of Jesus as King and Savior.

Another example is Jesus' walk to Calvary, carrying His cross (Luke 23:26-27). This event inspires the Via Crucis or Way of the Cross procession, where the faithful remember the Passion of Christ, meditating on the mysteries of His suffering and death. Just as Jesus was accompanied by a crowd on His journey to Calvary, Catholics, in prayer, symbolically accompany Christ on His sacrificial walk.

In the Acts of the Apostles, it is reported that crowds gathered around the apostles, moved by faith and the hope of receiving cures and graces. People brought their sick to the streets so that at least Peter's shadow would touch them, believing in the power of God that worked through him: "They brought the sick into the streets [...] so that when Peter passed by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them" (Acts 5:15). This account shows us how the early Christians, moved by faith, united around the apostles, seeking closeness to the divine—an essence that processions also capture as they gather the faithful around Christ and the saints, seeking God's grace and protection.

Expression of Faith and Devotion

Processions are also a way of publicly professing faith and devotion to God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that "the faithful have the duty to confess Christ before men" (CIC 1816). Processions, such as Corpus Christi, are a way for Catholics to express this faith in public. During this feast, the Blessed Sacrament is carried through the streets, and the faithful accompany it in adoration, proclaiming the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (John 6:51).

Moreover, many processions are held in honor of Our Lady and the saints. The procession of Our Lady of Fatima, for example, reflects Marian devotion and the belief in the intercession of the saints, as taught by the Catechism: "The intercession of the saints is the highest service they render to God's plan" (CIC 2683).

Liturgy and Spiritual Significance

Processions also have a deep liturgical significance. They symbolize the spiritual journey of the Church, which is, in itself, a pilgrimage towards the Kingdom of God. This image of a journey is present in various parts of the liturgy, such as the Easter procession, which celebrates Christ's resurrection and victory over death (Matthew 28:6). During this celebration, the faithful move from darkness to light, symbolizing the passage from death to eternal life in Christ.

In summary, processions in the Catholic Church go far beyond simple external rituals; they are profound manifestations of faith and devotion, uniting the community around God. In these sacred walks, the faithful express their adoration of Christ, demonstrate their devotion to the Virgin Mary and the saints, and remember the spiritual journey that all make towards the Kingdom of God.