The streets of the Principality were filled with a spirit of devotion and purpose on Wednesday 3rd June as the faithful gathered to celebrate Corpus Christi, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Though traditionally held on a Thursday, the celebration was rescheduled to accommodate the constraints of the Grand Prix, bringing together a diverse community to honour the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

The celebration served as a ‘Feast of the Diocese’, inviting the faithful to gather for a time of sharing, praise, and enrichment. The programme began in front of the Oceanographic Museum, where attendees enjoyed a welcome featuring testimonies from the sisters of the Sacred Heart parish, the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, and members from the diocesan service for Christian initiation of adults (SICA). The event was further enlivened by the presence of the Monaco Municipal Orchestra.

“This feast honours the belief of the faithful in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist,” explained Karine, a representative from the Diocese of Monaco, to Monaco Life. The event featured a Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral, followed by a solemn Eucharistic procession through the streets of ‘The Rock,’ complete with moments of adoration and blessings for the residents and businesses of the area.

For Karine, the procession serves as a profound act of evangelisation. “We carry the people around us in our prayer, to transmit to them the peace and the blessing of God, so that many leave this evening from Monaco a little happier, by having had the testimony of our joy.” She reminded Monaco Life of the words of Pope Leo XIV during his visit to the Principality: “The Church in Monaco is called to bear witness, by living in the peace and the blessing of God”.

A historic procession on ‘The Rock’

During the procession, the priest carried the Eucharist in a monstrance beneath a canopy, a tradition reflecting the history of the feast when streets were once elaborately decorated with drapes and garlands. In Monaco, the procession holds special significance, moving from the Cathedral toward a repository at the Place du Palais—where Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene were waiting at a window to greet the procession—before continuing to a second repository at the Place de la Mairie. The Archconfraternity of the Penitents of Mercy actively accompanied the procession, with music sustained by the Monaco Municipal Orchestra.

For those unfamiliar with the significance of the day, a dedicated team was available throughout the procession to offer explanations, ensuring the event remained an open and welcoming tradition for all to discover.

A vital link to the holy land

The celebration highlighted the essential work of the Lieutenancy of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in Monaco. The Order, which traces its roots back to the First Crusade and the protection of the Holy Sepulchre, remains deeply committed to supporting the Christian communities in the Holy Land—Israel, the Palestinian territories, Cyprus, and Jordan.

With approximately 60 members, the Monaco Lieutenancy is small but highly active. Led by Lieutenant Hubert Perrin, the Order’s mission rests on three pillars: vivifying the Catholic faith in the Holy Land, supporting Church institutions such as schools and hospitals, and deepening the spiritual life of its own members through charity.

“Concretely, the Order is the main financial support of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem,” a representative noted. “We finance schools, parishes, hospitals, and charitable works for the benefit of the Christian communities in the region.” In recognition of this dedication, Prince Albert II was invested as a Knight of the Collar in 2021.

Personal journeys of faith

The event provided a platform for members to share their deeply personal paths to the Order.

For one member, a Knight of the Order, the ceremonial habit is not merely clothing, but a silent testament to his faith. “Wearing this habit in the street is saying without a word: ‘I believe.’ It is a testimony even before opening one’s mouth,” he shared. He emphasised that the Order acts as a “living chain” that has endured for centuries, ensuring that the memory of Christ in Jerusalem is never extinguished.

Another member, Sister Yves Charbel Octave Bamba from the Institute of the Sisters of Our Lady of the Incarnation, shared her transformative journey from a modest Muslim family in Ivory Coast to her religious life in Monaco. Her path was defined by a profound “inner conviction” and the support of spiritual guides, eventually leading her to serve the youth and the Church.

Similarly, Simon, a member of the service for Christian initiation for adults, spoke of his own discovery of faith at the age of 40. “I encounter the Lord, I discover faith,” he said, reflecting on his work assisting adults seeking baptism or confirmation. He noted that the service welcomes anyone with curiosity, regardless of their background, aiming to foster free individuals who “live with love”.

A global solidarity

As the procession concluded, the message remained one of unity. Whether serving through the catechumenate or providing aid to the Holy Land, the members of the Monaco community underscored that faith is not a private matter, but a shared journey.

“We are a solidarity that crosses borders, centuries, and cultures,” the Knight reflected during the procession. Through their prayers, pilgrimages, and concrete support, the faithful of Monaco continue to offer a lifeline of hope to those facing immense hardship in the Middle East, reminding them, in the words of the faithful: “You are not alone”.

The evening concluded at the FANB school with a diocesan aperitif, where young people preparing for the upcoming World Youth Day served the community, marking a final moment of conviviality and prayer to close the feast.

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Main photo credit: Michael Alessi, Prince’s Palace