Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is Latin for "Body of Christ". It is a Catholic liturgical solemnity which celebrates the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It is considered a joyful celebration, where all are welcome to join. The Feast of Corpus Christi is typically held two months after the Eucharist on Holy Thursday, however, as seen in these photos, the Feast of Corpus Christi was a much more common occurrence in the Pacific Northwest.

The photos shown in this exhibit are from celebrations of the Feast of Corpus Christi on the Plateau dated somewhere in the early 1900s. The photos feature Native American plateau tribes as well as white settlers celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi. They show that the feast was held either inside a church or outside where more can gather. Participants of all ages and sexes are seen filling in lines of two to their destination.

In Fr. Griva's 1926 Corpus Christi account Fr. Griva's describes Native American's and their participation in Catholic Ceremonies. "The Feast of Corpus Christi is one of those most loved by Indians. Year after year they look far ahead for it. The Feast of Easter is hardly over, when some Indians ask me already: where will you celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi?" (Edward Griva, "Account of the Celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi in some Indian Missions 1926;" Edward Griva Collection; Oregon Province Archives of the Society of Jesus, Foley Library, Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington).