Corpus Christi processions in newspapers and photographs around the world

Last updated on Jun 8, 2023 5 min read
Festival of Corpus Christi, Tokyo, Japan, ca.1920-1940. Yale Divinity School Library

Processions in Africa

BURKINA FASO. Crowd watches Corpus Christi processional, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, ca.1900-1930. International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection), YDS/RG101/007/0000/0036 (file). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-m12896
BURKINA FASO. Crowd watches Corpus Christi processional, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, ca.1900-1930. International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection), YDS/RG101/007/0000/0036 (file). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-m12896

MADAGASCAR. Corpus Christi procession, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, ca.1900-1930. International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection), YDS/RG101/005/0000/0073 (file). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-m12520
MADAGASCAR. Corpus Christi procession, Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, ca.1900-1930. International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection), YDS/RG101/005/0000/0073 (file). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-m12520

CONGO. Celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi, Lubumbashi, Congo, ca.1920-1940. IMP/YDS/RG101/045/0000/0098 (file), International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-c123-84381
CONGO. Celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi, Lubumbashi, Congo, ca.1920-1940. IMP/YDS/RG101/045/0000/0098 (file), International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-c123-84381

Processions in Asia

JAPAN. Corpus Christi at Hiroshima, Southern Cross, July 11, 1947. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167715926
JAPAN. Corpus Christi at Hiroshima, Southern Cross, July 11, 1947. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/167715926

JAPAN. Festival of Corpus Christi, Tokyo, Japan, ca.1920-1940. IMP/YDS/RG101/043/0000/0082 (file), International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-c123-84069
JAPAN. Festival of Corpus Christi, Tokyo, Japan, ca.1920-1940. IMP/YDS/RG101/043/0000/0082 (file), International Mission Photography Archive, ca.1860-ca.1960 (collection), Mission Photographs: Yale Divinity School Library (subcollection). https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-c123-84069

VIETNAM. Hanoi prays as Reds approach city. The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio), 16 July 1954. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83007243/1954-07-16/ed-1/seq-8/
VIETNAM. Hanoi prays as Reds approach city. The Catholic times. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio), 16 July 1954. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83007243/1954-07-16/ed-1/seq-8/

Processions in Europe

AUSTRIA. Fronleichnam in Wien. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10BE2778
AUSTRIA. Fronleichnam in Wien. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10BE2778

AUSTRIA. Fronleichnamsprozession der Hofburgpfarre mit dem Kaiserpaar Karl I. und Zita. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10DD986C. Karl and Zita Habsburg are underneat the tent on the left. This may have been the last Corpus Christi procession they led in Vienna.
AUSTRIA. Fronleichnamsprozession der Hofburgpfarre mit dem Kaiserpaar Karl I. und Zita. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10DD986C. Karl and Zita Habsburg are underneat the tent on the left. This may have been the last Corpus Christi procession they led in Vienna.

FRANCE. Bayonne. Fête-Dieu Carrefour des cinq cantons. ca 1900. Médiathèque de Bayonne. https://bilketa.bibliomondo.com/ark:/27020/B641026201_PHO330
FRANCE. Bayonne. Fête-Dieu Carrefour des cinq cantons. ca 1900. Médiathèque de Bayonne. https://bilketa.bibliomondo.com/ark:/27020/B641026201_PHO330

FRANCE. Procession à la Fête-Dieu devant le mont Kellerman sur le plateau de Valmy : photographie de presse / Agence Meurisse. 1916. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b9044653v.r=fete-dieu%20procession?rk=2489282;4#
FRANCE. Procession à la Fête-Dieu devant le mont Kellerman sur le plateau de Valmy : photographie de presse / Agence Meurisse. 1916. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b9044653v.r=fete-dieu%20procession?rk=2489282;4#

FRANCE. 17-6-28, procession de la Fête-Dieu à Caen : photographie de presse / Agence Rol. 1928. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b53201948r.r=fete-dieu%20procession?rk=2467823;2#
FRANCE. 17-6-28, procession de la Fête-Dieu à Caen : photographie de presse / Agence Rol. 1928. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/btv1b53201948r.r=fete-dieu%20procession?rk=2467823;2#

GERMANY. Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.), 28 June 1945. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95079130/1945-06-28/ed-1/seq-2/
GERMANY. Dickenson County herald. [volume] (Clintwood, Va.), 28 June 1945. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn95079130/1945-06-28/ed-1/seq-2/

HUNGARY. Fronleichnamsprozession in Kalosca, 31. Mai 1956. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10C6A135
HUNGARY. Fronleichnamsprozession in Kalosca, 31. Mai 1956. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10C6A135

HUNGARY. Fronleichnamsprozession in Kalocsa. Undated. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10C6A12C
HUNGARY. Fronleichnamsprozession in Kalocsa. Undated. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10C6A12C

ITALY. Holy Father in Corpus Christi procession. The Catholic World in Pictures, 19 June 1950. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=cwp19500619-01.2.12&srpos=24
ITALY. Holy Father in Corpus Christi procession. The Catholic World in Pictures, 19 June 1950. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=cwp19500619-01.2.12&srpos=24

SLOVENIA. Fronleichnamsprozess in Dornberk (Dornberg), dem Kommando des 16. Korps. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/11067CDE
SLOVENIA. Fronleichnamsprozess in Dornberk (Dornberg), dem Kommando des 16. Korps. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/11067CDE

SWITZERLAND. Picturesque procession on Corpus Christi Day, approaching cathedral of Lucerne. Switzerland, 1903. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2022647944/.
SWITZERLAND. Picturesque procession on Corpus Christi Day, approaching cathedral of Lucerne. Switzerland, 1903. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2022647944/.

YUGOSLAVIA. The Catholic Transcript, Volume LXVIII, Number 7, 10 June 1965. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=CTR19650610-01.2.97&srpos=152
YUGOSLAVIA. The Catholic Transcript, Volume LXVIII, Number 7, 10 June 1965. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=CTR19650610-01.2.97&srpos=152

Processions in North America

UNITED STATES. San Francisco Call, Volume 86, Number 5, 5 June 1899. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC18990605
UNITED STATES. San Francisco Call, Volume 86, Number 5, 5 June 1899. https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC18990605

UNITED STATES. New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]), 07 April 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1912-04-07/ed-1/seq-47/
UNITED STATES. New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]), 07 April 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030214/1912-04-07/ed-1/seq-47/

Processions in Oceania

AUSTRALIA. The feast of the Corpus Christi, Manly, Sunday, June 1, 1902. The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser. June 7, 1902. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/163815139
AUSTRALIA. The feast of the Corpus Christi, Manly, Sunday, June 1, 1902. The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser. June 7, 1902. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/163815139

PAPUA NEW GUINEA. The Church in Papua. The Advocate (Melbourne, Vic.). August 24, 1912. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170953115
PAPUA NEW GUINEA. The Church in Papua. The Advocate (Melbourne, Vic.). August 24, 1912. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/170953115

NEW ZEALAND. Roman Catholic religious ceremony. Evening Star, issue 22800, 8 November 1937, page 7. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19371108.2.49.2
NEW ZEALAND. Roman Catholic religious ceremony. Evening Star, issue 22800, 8 November 1937, page 7. https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ESD19371108.2.49.2

Processions in South America

ARGENTINA. Año. 15.1930=Nr. 170. 1930. https://digital.iai.spk-berlin.de/viewer/image/787262579/37/LOG_0030/
ARGENTINA. Año. 15.1930=Nr. 170. 1930. https://digital.iai.spk-berlin.de/viewer/image/787262579/37/LOG_0030/

COLOMBIA. Sábado. 1.1921,5. 1921. Berlin: Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut - Preußischer Kulturbesitz. https://digital.iai.spk-berlin.de/viewer/image/894707914/13/LOG_0020/
COLOMBIA. Sábado. 1.1921,5. 1921. Berlin: Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut - Preußischer Kulturbesitz. https://digital.iai.spk-berlin.de/viewer/image/894707914/13/LOG_0020/

PERU. Corpus Christi Parade, Cuzco, Peru. Cuzco Peru, 1957. Peru: Organization of American States. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021669808/
PERU. Corpus Christi Parade, Cuzco, Peru. Cuzco Peru, 1957. Peru: Organization of American States. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2021669808/

URUGUAY. Ku-ku. 1.1911=Nr. 3. n.d. Berlin: Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut - Preußischer Kulturbesitz. https://digital.iai.spk-berlin.de/viewer/image/1002902592/22/LOG_0023/
URUGUAY. Ku-ku. 1.1911=Nr. 3. n.d. Berlin: Ibero-Amerikanisches Institut - Preußischer Kulturbesitz. https://digital.iai.spk-berlin.de/viewer/image/1002902592/22/LOG_0023/

Boat Processions in Austria and Germany

AUSTRIA, HALLSTAT. Paris-soir. 1937-06-01. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb34519208g
AUSTRIA, HALLSTAT. Paris-soir. 1937-06-01. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb34519208g

AUSTRIA, HALLSTAT. Fronleichnam auf dem Hallstätter See, Menschen in festlich geschmückten Booten, Pfarrer, Musik-kapelle, Touristen. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10E96E57
AUSTRIA, HALLSTAT. Fronleichnam auf dem Hallstätter See, Menschen in festlich geschmückten Booten, Pfarrer, Musik-kapelle, Touristen. Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10E96E57

AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Fronleichnamsprozession am Traunsee. 1928. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10EF2798
AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Fronleichnamsprozession am Traunsee. 1928. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10EF2798

AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Traunkirchen. 1930. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10B9A333
AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Traunkirchen. 1930. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10B9A333

AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Traunkirchen. 1930. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10BA4372
AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Traunkirchen. 1930. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10BA4372

AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Fronleichnamsprozession am Traunsee. Undated. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10C67ACB
AUSTRIA, TRAUNSEE. Fronleichnamsprozession am Traunsee. Undated. Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek. https://onb.digital/result/10C67ACB

GERMANY, THE RHINE. The Catholic Advocate, Volume 8, Number 23, 5 June 1959. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=ca19590605-01.2.13&srpos=130
GERMANY, THE RHINE. The Catholic Advocate, Volume 8, Number 23, 5 June 1959. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=ca19590605-01.2.13&srpos=130

GERMANY, THE RHINE. The St. Louis Review, Volume 27, Number 36, 8 September 1967. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=SLR19670908-01.2.61&srpos=157
GERMANY, THE RHINE. The St. Louis Review, Volume 27, Number 36, 8 September 1967. https://thecatholicnewsarchive.org/?a=d&d=SLR19670908-01.2.61&srpos=157

See more photographs

These photographs can’t be reused without permission, but I can link out/cite them!

Maryknoll Mission Archives

Maryknoll students in Corpus Christi procession at Fushun, China, 1938. Maryknoll Mission Archives. https://doi.org/10.25549/impa-m5213

Google Arts and Culture

BRAZIL. Corpus Christi Procession. 1920. Secretaria da Agricultura, Comércio e Obras Públicas Collection / Centro de Memória-Unicamp. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/corpus-christi-procession-unidentified/4AGMZM0e5ueWnA

GERMANY. Oberammagau. 1947-06. LIFE. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/oberammagau/-QGRyufocMEzQw

INDIA. Corpus Christi procession at the Valivade settlement. 195. The Polish History Museum in Warsaw. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/corpus-christi-procession-at-the-valivade-settlement/YgFDdtRd8wM2uQ

PERU. Chambi, Martin. ‘Corpus Christi’ procession in the village of Andahuaylillas. 1932. Comune di Milano, Mudec - Museo delle Culture. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/corpus-christi-procession-in-the-village-of-andahuaylillas-mart%C3%ADn-chambi/HgE-nrsjO9nZ7w

UNITED STATES. Brown, William Henry. Street Altar during procession of Corpus Christi, Sante Fe, N.M. (Full Front). 1870-1875. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles. https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/full-front/dgEd7IAnqafvLQ?childassetid=1QGWP6wS3U_R1A

JSTOR

CANADA. Bayard, Hippolyte, 1801-1887. Corpus Christi Day Procession in the Rue Des Batignolles. 1842. Salted paper print, 16.3x11.7cm. https://jstor.org/stable/community.13725846.

IRELAND. Henri Cartier-Bresson. IRELAND. 1952. IRELAND. Munster. County Kerry. Tralee. 1952. Corpus Christi Procession. 1952. https://jstor.org/stable/community.9850890.

Assorted

BELGIUM. Photograph. 1915.The Illustrated War News, Aug 04, 7.

CANADA. Corpus Christi procession parading the streets of Montreal. 1918.Canadian Daily Record, Jul 27, 1.

CHINA. Holy Procession in Macao. 1965.South China Morning Post (1946-), Jun 22, 8.

ENGLAND. Gloucester Journal, Saturday, June 29, 1946. Page 12.

FRANCE. Huard, Benjamin. Bayonne - Procession de la Fête Dieu. Ville de Bayonne - Médiathèque de Bayonne. https://bilketa.bibliomondo.com/ark:/27020/go637971.locale=fr

FRANCE. Taupenot, Jean-Marie. Procession de la Fête Dieu dans la Cour d’honneur du Prytanée impérial militaire. ABES - Muséum national d’histoire naturelle. http://www.calames.abes.fr/pub/ms/Calames-2017125111166971117

GERMANY. Illustrated London News, June 30, 1945, 704.

GERMANY, BOATS. A German Corpus Christi Procession by Water: Religious Pageantry on a Bavarian Lake. Illustrated London News, June 24, 1933, 930-931.

GERMANY, BOATS. Sacred and secular: religious occasions and May Day celebrations. 1958.The Sphere 233 (3038) (Jun 21): 440-441.

ITALY. Thirty-five tons of flowers for Genzano’s floral carpet brilliant patterns at the Corpus Christi festival. 1950.The Sphere 201 (2679) (Jun 24): 459.

LITHUANIA. Famous cities of the old Baltic states. 1939.The Sphere 159 (2075) (Oct 28): 121-121, 120.

POLAND. The Sphere surveys the world. 1927.The Sphere 110 (1432) (Jul 02): 30.

SWITZERLAND. The festival of Corpus Christi at Lugano. 1911.The Graphic 83 (2168) (Jun 17): 942.

WALES. The Illustrated London News, Saturday, July 2, 1960

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Sharon Kabel
Sharon Kabel
Librarian; Nuisance

I like Catholic newspapers, amateur data visualizations, and walls of text.