Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Parishioners at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, Millinocket, had multiple reasons to celebrate on Sunday, June 14.  In addition to the celebration of Sunday Mass, the parishioners:

• witnessed and applauded the baptism of five children,
• congratulated John and Doris Levesque of Millinocket on their 60th wedding anniversary,
• and participated in an outdoor procession honoring the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, formerly known as the Feast of Corpus Christi.

Five grandchildren of John and Doris Levesque were baptized, with Rev. Joel Cyr, pastor and Deacon Daniel Watson officiating. Catholics consider baptism one of the Seven Sacraments of the church and frequently refer to it as the "first sacrament" or the "door of the church."

In his homily, Deacon Watson described baptism as the doorway to the Eucharist.  Those receiving Baptism were: Hyleigh Dewitt, Riley Levesque, Emerson Michaud, Khaleb Hale and Brayden Maug. Godparents were, respectively: Linda and Brett Hale, Tim and Vicki Levesque, Deanne Michaud, Tammy Dewley and John Levesque, Jr., and John and Doris Levesque.

Shortly after the Baptism ceremony, John and Doris were recognized on the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary as their children looked on. Their children are Linda Hale, Barbara Brown, Sherry Dewitt, John Levesque, Jr., Allen Levesque, Tammy Dewley and Timothy Levesque.

Just before the end of Mass, the congregation, local Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, and local Daughters of Isabella participated in the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ procession. With musical accompaniment and Pastor Cyr carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance, the procession went out the Colby St. door, around to Maine Ave., and then through the main entrance back into the church. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament followed.

The Feast of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ can be traced back to the petitions by a 13th century Augustinian nun, Juliana of Liège, who from early youth had a great veneration for the Blessed Sacrament and longed for a special feast in its honor. For details on the history of the feast, see the Catholic Encyclopedia on New Advent dot com.