Order of Participants in a Eucharistic Procession

There are no formal guidelines given in the The Roman Missal for the order of a Eucharistic Procession. The local Bishop has the authority to give guidelines. The [[Ceremonial of Bishops]] has a suggested order that includes a Bishop and his attendants.

Order¶

The order of procession is:¹

Candle bearer, Crucifer, Candle bearer
Banners
Religious in choir dress
Concelebrants in Cope
Deacons
Flower girls and their families
Thurifers and Boat Bearer
Canopy (four Canopy bearers), Priest with Monstrance under it, Torch bearers
- If two Torch bearers, flanking the Monstrance outside of the Canopy.
- If four Torch bearers, one at each corner of the Canopy, outside it.
Umbrellino Bearer, extra Servers
Schola Cantorum
Congregation
Musical instruments.

Other possible orders and guidelines¶

Archdiocese of NY Guidelines for the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass¶

These are the guidelines the local Bishop has promulgated for the Archdiocese of New York, and therefore the ones we follow most closely.

Guidelines for the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass, pages 8-9:

Candle bearer, Crucifer, Candle bearer.
Clergy in Copes / Mass vestments.
Deacons.
Thurifers.
Priest with Eucharist, with Canopy and Torches.
Congregation.
Banner(s).
Musical Instruments.

According to Ceremonies Explained for Servers¶

These guidelines differ, but are notable. Ceremonies Explained for Servers, paragraphs 488-494:

Candle bearer, Crucifer (OR Eucharistic Banner), Candle bearer
Servers without duties
Clergy in choir dress / Deacons / Concelebrants.
Thurifers, Boat Bearer
Canopy with priest and Eucharist. Flanked by 2, 4, or 6 Torch bearers "grouped around the canopy but not beneath it".
Congregation.

References¶

Ceremonies Explained for Servers
Guidelines for the Worship of the Eucharist Outside of Mass
[[Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass]]
[[Ceremonial of Bishops]]

This is the order that was used for Corpus Christi 2023. ↩