Thousands of Catholic parishioners from different parts of the country gathered this Thursday on the esplanade of the Columbus Lighthouse and in the midst of a heavy downpour they celebrated the Day of “Corpus Christi”one of the most significant festivals of the Catholic Church, in which the faithful venerate and adore the real presence of Christ, through the Eucharist.
The Metropolitan Archbishop of Santo Domingo, Francisco Ozoria Acostaat the beginning of the celebration, exclaimed that “the rain will not stop the party” that had not been held for two years due to the confinement caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
“We are happy and with this concentration we are saying goodbye to the pandemic. We want that, that from this concentration and this celebration of Corpus Christi the pandemic ceases and that we can gather to celebrate our faith, ”he said.
As of 2:00 in the afternoon today, the esplanade of the Columbus Lighthouse was gradually filled with Catholic parishioners. While another group arrived at 3:30 in the afternoon with the procession led by Ozoria Acosta.
During the walk, which was attended by young people, adults and the elderly, the faithful sang hymns and prayed to the Lord. Most wore white clothes, a symbol of holiness.
“The rains break chains”
Just when they arrived at the Lighthouse facilities, an intense downpour began that, while the Christian festival was taking place, never stopped. Many opened their umbrellas, others sheltered in tents, while many stayed outside in the rain and enjoyed the entire Corpus Christi celebration.
“If we don’t believe because of what they preach to us from the written words, we believe because of the signs of the times. Today was a downpour that we all got wet without difference. That is a sign of humility where we are all equal to God,” said Alexis Valdez, a Christian who came from the Los Frailes I sector, Santo Domingo Este.
Another man who was joyful despite trembling from the cold caused by the rains was Juan Arcadio Franco, who congregates in the La Altagracia parish in Herrera. He said that the rains were Christ’s waters and that is why he receives the word under the downpour.
María Estela Batista indicated that Catholics were eager to get together to celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi after two years without being held as a result of the pandemic. She stated that the rains are a sign of breaking chains, so they feel rejoiced that this event has been held under such a heavy downpour.
“Rain is life. Also, it is breaking chains, it is a great blessing, I think it is the best thing that could have happened to us on this wonderful day,” said the lady who came from the Liban Guzmán sector, Santo Domingo Este.
