Shillong & Tura streets come alive during Eucharistic processions

Shillong: Catholics in large numbers joined the annual Eucharistic processions at Shillong and Tura on Sunday.Morning prayers, followed by a solemn Holy Mass marked the start of the procession from the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians at Laitumkhrah within the Shillong Archdiocese.

The Holy Mass was conducted by Shillong Archbishop, Most Rev Victor Lyngdoh.The procession commenced at 1.30pm, moving from the Calvary area through Dhankheti, Shillong-Jowai Road, Laitumkhrah Main Road, Don Bosco Square and back to the Calvary for the Eucharistic celebration.Known as “Corpus Christi” or “the Body of Christ,” this revered tradition dates back to 1247 in Liege, Belgium, and has since become a globally significant event in the Catholic Church, celebrated widely for its spiritual significance, a church statement says.Meanwhile, make-shift food stalls serving ethnic and other dishes were set up all along the city streets to cater to the sea of people, mostly from the rural areas. Vendors selling a variety of wares made brisk business.All the scenic tourist spots in the city and its outskirts were teeming with visitors.The police made special arrangements for smooth flow of traffic as hundreds of vehicles from outside, ferrying pilgrims converged in the city on occasion of the Eucharistic procession.

In Tura, headquarters of the West Garo Hills district, the Catholics took part in the annual Eucharistic Procession, following a Holy Mass at the Sacred Heart Church in the Chandmary locality. The service was led by the Most Rev Andrew R Marak, Bishop of Tura.Auxiliary Bishop Jose Chirackal led the faithful in the procession from the Sacred Heart Shrine.Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma also joined in the procession, which went through the main thoroughfares of the town before re-converging at the church ground for the Eucharistic celebration.