LEWISTON — Parishioners will head outdoors at many Catholic churches around Maine on Sunday, June 2, in honor of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi is used as an opportunity for public, outdoor Eucharistic processions.

In Lewiston, the procession will follow the 10 a.m. Mass at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul at 122 Ash St.

Others include Portland, following the 10 a.m. Mass at St. Louis Church at 279 Danforth St., Hampden, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass at St. Matthew Church at 70 Western Ave. (processing 1.5 miles through center of town); Waterville, following the 10:30 a.m. Mass at Notre Dame Church at 116 Silver St.

Contact individual parishes for detailed information about specific plans at other churches in the Maine diocese.

According to a news release from the diocese, Pope Francis on Sunday will preside over a special time of Eucharistic Adoration, calling the world to unite in prayer. In Maine, the Holy Hour falls at 11 a.m. In addition to inclusion during Masses, many churches will incorporate Pope Francis’ special time of adoration into their processions.

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi (the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ) is a celebration of the Holy Eucharist. It celebrates the institution of the Sacrament of Holy Communion at the Last Supper and serves as a sign of common faith, adoration and acknowledgement that the worship of Jesus calls us to offer a pledge of undivided love and offering of ourselves to the service of others.

It originated in the Diocese of Liège in Belgium in 1246 but became so popular that Pope Urban IV established it as a feast for the Universal Church on Sept. 8, 1264. The processions symbolize journeying with Christ and bringing Him out into the world, according to the news release.