The Corpus Christi procession, the great feast of Toledo, complies with the provisions of Pope Urban IV who, in 1262, to give way to the growing devotion to the Host Consecrated in the Eucharist, decreed that processions be held with it so that the faithful manifest their faith. If initially these processions were limited to the temples, they soon took to the streets, exciting popular religiosity and the participation of all the faithful.
Although a Catholic religious holiday incorporated into its liturgy, the participation of believers reaches all levels, public or private, not only religious, but also civil and even military. In Toledo, the city and its neighbors have been turning since 1342 to ensure that the presence and participation of all is as splendid as possible, passing through the city full of ornaments and always under the presidency of the Archbishop and complying with the provisions of the Cathedral Chapter, as responsible for the order and processional protocol. In total, more than 60 different participants, including brotherhoods, brotherhoods, institutions, public and private corporations, animated by various musical, civil and military bands. They come to express their devotion from all parishes, even from distant lands.The Corpus Christi procession, the great feast of Toledo, complies with the provisions of Pope Urban IV who, in 1262, to give way to the growing devotion to the Host Consecrated in the Eucharist, decreed that processions be held with it so that the faithful manifest their faith. If initially these processions were limited to the temples, they soon took to the streets, exciting popular religiosity and the participation of all the faithful.
Although a Catholic religious holiday incorporated into its liturgy, the participation of believers reaches all levels, public or private, not only religious, but also civil and even military. In Toledo, the city and its neighbors have been turning since 1342 to ensure that the presence and participation of all is as splendid as possible, passing through the city full of ornaments and always under the presidency of the Archbishop and complying with the provisions of the Cathedral Chapter, as responsible for the order and processional protocol. In total, more than 60 different participants, including brotherhoods, brotherhoods, institutions, public and private corporations, animated by various musical, civil and military bands. They come to express their devotion from all parishes, even from distant lands.
The prominence of the Sagrada Forma is enhanced by its exhibition inside a processional monstrance that is one of the great jewels that faith has created to express the greatest devotion and respect, the custody of Enrique de Arfe. Created by arrangement of Cardinal Cisneros at the beginning of the 16th century as an openwork Gothic tower, it is made up of 183 kg of silver and 18 kg of gold, with 5,600 pieces fastened with 12,500 screws and adorned by 260 small sculptures.
The entire length of the route is covered with awnings, to protect the Sacred Form as requested by the liturgy, and the streets in which it runs, scented with fragrant herbs on the pavement and in hanging garlands, are adorned with motifs of all kinds: lights in artistic lanterns, flowers forming colorful and fragrant bouquets, rich ornamented fabrics, such as shawls, confectioners, flags and other hangings, as well as many other ornaments of all kinds. To get everything ready for that day, the religious and civil institutions have the collaboration of the Pro-Corpus Christi Toledan Board, an altruistic institution with more than half a century of existence adorning the city.2
