In Fribourg, in both the city and the countryside, Corpus Christi is a big celebration. Altars are set up on elaborately decorated altars of repose.
After Mass, a procession starts out. The children who have taken their first communion that year are honoured, walking behind the priest (the Bishop of Fribourg) who makes his way forth step by solemn step, monstrance in hand. Then there is the local brass band and the political authorities. The procession stops in front of each altar to pray and sing and then returns to the church.
Fête-Dieu in French and Fronleichnam in German, the Feast of the Body of Christ was instituted by Pope Urban IV in 1264. Its purpose is to thank God solemnly for the Sacrement.
