This year’s celebration of Corpus Christi in Vilnius served as a special opening moment for the 6th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy. Following Mass in Cathedral Square, thousands of worshippers took part in a Eucharistic procession through the city streets, bringing together pilgrims from Lithuania and more than 50 countries around the world.
Presiding over the Mass, Gintaras Grušas, Archbishop of Vilnius, noted that it was fitting for the congress to begin on Corpus Christi because “The Eucharist is the very center of God’s Mercy.” He described the procession as a powerful public witness of faith, saying: “Today, it is not an idea, a symbol, or an ancient religious tradition that will pass through the streets of Vilnius. Today, the living Christ Himself will walk through this city. ”
For the first time, the procession extended beyond the historic Gate of Dawn and continued to Savior’s Hill in the Rasos district, the main venue for this year’s congress. Along the route, participants paused for prayer at Vilnius Cathedral, St. Johns' Church, St. Casimir's Church, and the Gate of Dawn, before concluding with a prayer service at the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Each stop along the route highlighted an important chapter in Lithuania’s religious and cultural heritage. Vilnius Cathedral, the country’s oldest cathedral, is home to the relics of St. Casimir, Lithuania’s patron Saint. St. Johns’ Church served as the city’s first parish church and has stood at the center of Vilnius’ spiritual and civic life for centuries. St. Casimir’s Church remains one of Lithuania’s most significant places of worship, while the Gate of Dawn has long been a major center of pilgrimage and devotion to Divine Mercy.
This year, the newly added stop at Savior’s Hill carried particular significance. During the Soviet era, many of the churches along the procession route suffered persecution and closure. Vilnius Cathedral was shut down, St. Casimir’s Church was converted into a Museum of Atheism, and St. Johns’ Church also lost its religious function. Today, these same sites once again proclaim the message of God’s mercy, standing as powerful symbols of faith’s endurance and spiritual renewal.
The procession also created a symbolic link between Cathedral Square – the heart of Vilnius – and Savior’s Hill, where the main events of the 6th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy are taking place.
Reflecting on this year’s congress theme, “Building a City of Mercy,” Archbishop Grušas emphasized that a true city of mercy is built not from bricks and buildings, but from people transformed by God’s love. The Corpus Christi procession was therefore more than a cherished local tradition; it became an international witness of faith, uniting pilgrims from across the globe in prayer and worship.
Following the congress, visitors will have a unique opportunity to explore the Savior’s Hill site in greater depth. Guided tours will be offered through July, with details on schedules and registration to be announced by the Church Heritage Museum.