Alcalá de Henares, June 15, 2026. The Corpus Christi procession in Alcalá became an intense manifestation of religious fervor, considered the most important feast of glory for the Catholic people: that of Christ the Sacrament. Yesterday, the Blessed Sacrament worked a miracle and was able to complete its procession without the downpour that the yellow warning for storms, issued by the State Meteorological Agency and the Community of Madrid through its Security and Emergencies Agency, had already anticipated. The yellow warning, which implied the risk of rain, was in effect from 12 noon until 9 p.m. yesterday Sunday. It was at this last hour, when the monstrance with the Eucharist had practically entered the church of Santa María, that the downpour began to fall with full intensity.
Participation of brotherhoods and associations
In previous years, Corpus Christi was the feast of children who had made their first communion during that year, being the second occasion in which they wore their dress or suit parading in the procession. Today, the reduction in First Communion celebrations makes the attendance of children at the feast of Christ the Sacrament less visible. Yesterday there were barely fifty. Instead, Corpus Christi has gained intensity and a much more universal devotion. The key was the incorporation into the celebration of the direct participation of brotherhoods, associations, and religious entities, from the smallest to the largest, from those of Passion to those of glory, including the sacramental ones.
This year, as previously reported by elpuerta.com, the Corpus Christi procession was delayed due to the Pope’s visit, but not the liturgy in the parishes. After the recitation of vespers in the Magistral Cathedral, the procession began. Brotherhoods and religious associations opened the procession along a route carpeted with different motifs and materials for the greater glory of Christ on his great feast. These were carpets made by the Scouts of the diocese, by the Servants of the Home of the Mother, by the mothers’ prayer group of the diocese, and all with the participation of the Diocesan School of Evangelization.
Altars and images of saints
As for the altars, there were those of the Sacred Heart of Jesus school, the brotherhood of Christ of Hope and Work, the Charismatic Renewal association, the brotherhood of the Virgin of Val, patron saint of the city and perpetual mayoress (which is why her altar was next to the City Hall facade), the Catholic Association of Propagandists, and the brotherhood of the Virgin of Solitude Crowned, which placed a carpet in front of its altar with the image of Pope Leo XIV recalling his trip to Spain. Accompanying the Sacrament of Christ, images of the Complutensian saints paraded. Saint Felix of Alcalá was carried on a litter by the brotherhood of Jesus Despoiled of His Garments. Saint Diego of Alcalá was carried on shoulders by his brotherhood, that of the Risen Christ. The Holy Children also participated, whose images were carried by members of their diocesan association.
Closing the parade was the monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated host that is the Body of Christ. The throne with the monstrance was carried on a litter by members of the brotherhood of the Most Holy Christ of Hope and Work. The monstrance was accompanied by the Complutensian bishop, Monsignor Antonio Prieto, by the episcopal curia, and by Complutensian priests and deacons. Members of the municipal corporation from the PP and Vox groups also paraded, led by the mayoress, Judith Piquet. The musical part of the parade was provided by the Pasión y Muerte group of Ajalvir and the Jesús de Medinaceli Musical Group.
Blessing and petitions of the bishop
Upon arrival at Plaza de Cervantes, the bishop took the Sacrament in his hands and with it went to the bandstand (published on June 15, 2026)
Photo: ichida sonny on Unsplash
