Corpus Christi Celebrated in East New York, Brooklyn, 1879

CORPUS CHRISTI.

The Feast Celebrated by the German Catholics of East New York.
The Brooklyn Eagle, June 13, 1879, 4.

Yesterday was a gala day among the German Catholic residents of East New York. The religious ceremonial known as Corpus Christi was celebrated in an enthusiastic manner. At an early hour crowds could be seen dressed in holiday attire, going to the German Catholic church on John street, where the ceremonies were conducted. The church was full. Solemn high mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Neiman, the pastor of the church, and the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament for forty hours was commenced. Solemn high mass was then sung. The military organization connected with the church, in the uniform of the Papal army, attended in full force, and at the elevation of the host the soldiers knelt and dipped their colors. The procession was then formed in front of church. It was headed by the military, following which came the members of the church and also many connected with St. Malachi’s Church. Preceding the white silken canopy, under which the Blessed Sacrament was carried by the celebrant, were a number of little girls clad in white, with long white veils covering their heads, who strewed beautiful flowers upon the ground. The procession winded its way through many of the streets upon which the prominent German citizens reside, and then returned to church, where they were dismissed. A number of guns were discharged, to drive his Satanic Majesty away, a custom that has existed many years.

NOTE
The German church referred to above is St. Michael, founded in 1860. St. Malachy (referred to here as St. Malachi) was founded in 1854 for Irish Catholic immigrants. It has since been closed and merged with St. Michael.