Bonfires of Saint John and Corpus Christi

This year, the Catholic observances of Saint John's Day and Corpus Christi nearly overlapped, and festivals and solemn gatherings took place all over the world. The feast of Corpus Christi celebrates the physical body of Jesus Christ, and the Bonfires of Saint John (San Juan) celebrate John the Baptist. The festivals are observed in varying ways from country to country, reflecting older native traditions that have been combined with newer Catholic observances. From a firehose baptism in the Philippines to devils dancing in Panama to a carpet of flowers in Italy, here are some of the ways people observed these two festivals this year.

Read more
Hints: View this page full screen. Skip to the next and previous photo by typing j/k or ←/→.

Most Recent

  • Scott Dudelson / Getty

    Photos of the Week: Nesting Herons, Giant Egg, Duckling Watch

    A Pride parade in Bangkok, platform diving in Boston Harbor, a deadly train collision in India, flooding after a dam breach in Ukraine, smoky skies over New York City, and much more

  • Gary Hershorn / Getty

    Photos: Smoke From Canada’s Wildfires Drifts South

    Images of the fires in Canada and the surreal skies caused by the drifting smoke

  • Al Bello / Getty

    The Savannah Bananas Take Banana Ball on Tour

    Images of the Savannah Bananas baseball team, at home and on tour

  • Arun Thakur / AFP / Getty

    Photos of the Week: Bull Vault, Buddha Wash, Bass Guitar

    A diving championship in England, Darth Vader on trial in Chile, Manhattanhenge in New York City, a graduation ceremony at West Point, ongoing floods in northern Italy, and much more