Corpus Christi celebration resurrected for Ferdinand 175th

Back in Ferdinand’s earliest days and stretching into the 20th century, St. Ferdinand Parish would host a Feast of Corpus Christi celebration in June.

Days before the celebration children would make wreaths and garlands for the church and outdoor altars along the procession route. The men would erect triumphal arches, and bunting and flags would be hung. Houses along the route were decorated with flowers, holy pictures and statues. Flower petals would be gathered to strew along the way and four specially constructed shrines would be crafted of wood and ornamental muslin.

The event was later confined to church property and eventually done away with all together. It is being resurrected this year in honor of St. Ferdinand’s 175th in almost the exact configuration of its origins back in the 1800s.

Corpus Christi will be celebrated on Sunday, June 7, following 9:30 a.m. Mass. The procession will start from the church and wind south along Maryland Street as far as 6th Street (NOTE: The original route went to 5th Street but since that road leads to the 5th Street Park with lots of summer tournaments, it seemed prudent to stop at 6th Street). The first shrine will stand at the intersection of 6th and Maryland. At each of the altars an appropriate passage of one of the Gospels will be sung.

From 6th Street the procession will turn west to Missouri, where the second altar/shrine will be situated.

From Missouri the procession will continue to 11th Street, (third altar)) then back east to Maryland (fourth altar) then back to the church.

In olden days the girls wore white with fluttering ribbons in red, blue and green. The societies (D of I, St. Joseph, St. Anne’s) would carry banners as the band and choir alternated psalms and hymns, followed by flower girls, mass servers, etc. The priest carried the Blessed Sacrament under a canopy, followed by the rest of the congregation. The church bells were rung as well and also cannons would be shot from Mt. Calvary (that last item cannot be recreated).

For additional information on Ferdinand’s 175th Celebration events visit the website, http://www.ferdinand175.com.