The feast of Corpus Christi on Thursday, June 15, 2017, marked the first visit to Detroit of Monsignor Gilles Wach, Founder & Prior General of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. A Solemn High Mass was offered by Msgr. Wach, with Canon Michael Stein as deacon and Canon Edward Gardner, a native son of Detroit, as subdeacon. Assisting in choir were Canon Matthew Talarico, Provincial Superior, and Archdiocesan clergy, while Deacon Jonathon Fehrenbacher served as master of ceremonies. Msgr. Wach delivered a beautiful homily on the Holy Eucharist and St. Thomas Aquinas, in French with translation given by Canon Talarico. St. Joseph Cappella presented a music prelude before the Mass, and sang Palestrina's Missa Brevis for the Ordinary.
Following the liturgy, Msgr. Wach led the candlelight procession of the Most Blessed Sacrament outdoors and Benediction in the church. The choir's recessional was Beethoven's majestic Hallelujah Chorus (from Mount of Olives), in German. At the reception to conclude the evening, the faithful joyfully celebrated Msgr. Wach’s inaugural visit to St. Joseph Oratory, the 10th Anniversary of Ordination (to the day) of Canon Talarico, and Deacon Fehrenbacher’s upcoming Ordination to the Priesthood on July 6. O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine!
