In Rome:

Benedict XVI invited all in Rome "to take part in great numbers" in the Corpus Christi procession this week.

The liturgical ceremonies surrounding Thursday’s feast express "the faith and love of the Christian community for its Lord present in the Eucharist," the Pope said today after reciting the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square.

The Bishop of Rome will celebrate Mass at 7 p.m. on the feast of Corpus Christi, in the Basilica of St. John Lateran.

At the end of Mass, "we will solemnly accompany the Most Holy Sacrament on the Via Merulana to St. Mary Major’s Square, where I will impart the Eucharistic blessing," the Pontiff said.

The Vicariate of Rome announced that for two days preceding the celebration, 40 uninterrupted hours of Eucharistic adoration will be held in the Basilica of St. Mary Major.

That’s a hike – from St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major- and it’s uphill. When the marvelous Zadok took us on a guided tour of the two basilicas and points in between that Sunday afternoon in February, as we emerged from the St. John Lateran/ Scala Santa part, and he pointed to St. Mary Major, informing us that this would be our destination – I am sure we let out a faint, "Oh…" especially those who were porting a baby on our backs. A baby who gained a pound every thirty feet and who had by then discovered the joy of hair-pulling. The story of that walk is here.