City University of New York (CUNY) CUNY Academic Works Publications and Research New York City College of Technology 2017 Ritualization of Ethno-nationalism: A Textual Analysis of a Hungarian Corpus Christi Procession Lisa Pope Fischer CUNY New York City College of Technology How does access to this work benefit ou?y Let us know! More information about this work at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu/ny_pubs/726 Discover additional works at: https://academicworks.cuny.edu This work is made publicly available by the City University of New York (CUNY). Contact:
[email protected] Ritualization of Ethno-nationalism: A Textual Analysis of a Hungarian Corpus Christi Procession Lisa Pope Fischer New York City College of Technology Abstract: Observing a Corpus Christi procession in post-socialist Hungary, this article uses a textual analysis to explore how the ritual mirrors post-socialist trends that affirm Hungarian identity. This article serves to both document an interesting ritual procession but also view it in light of growing ethno-nationalism that both unites a community yet also shows exclusion of others. It is like a mirror at a microcosmic level that reflects a kind of ritualization of ethno-nationalism. [Key words: Ritual Procession, Textual Analysis, Identity, Catholicism, Post-Socialist Hungary] Today is "Úrnapja" the day of the Corpus Christi procession, the Sunday two weeks after "Pünkösd" (Pentecost/Whitsuntide). On regular Sundays one might find a paltry group of elderly women in church attendance, today, however, the church overflows with young and old, neighbors and outsiders attracted to this beautiful celebration. After the mass in the church, they will all walk on the petal path to each of the four altars to honor the holy Eucharist, representing Christ’s last supper when he offered bread as his body, and wine as his blood.