Q. 1. What is the purpose of the processional banner?

A. 1. First it is necessary to understand the meaning of a procession. In summary, a procession is an organized body of people walking in a formal or ceremonial manner. A cross is carried at the head of the procession, and banners embroidered with sacred pictures in places... that it should have a definite purpose, such as to commemorate some notable event, or to honour the Blessed Sacrament".

So if it is a procession commemorating a Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the procession would have processional banners with images that echoe that specific Feast of Mary.

Processions are found in almost every form of religious worship, such as Holy Week processions. Some biblical examples were the processions with the Ark of Covenant and the procession of Jesus on a donkey into Jerusalem.

According to https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procession,

In "the Roman Catholic Church, the rules [concerning processions] governing them are laid down in the Rituale Romanum (Tit. ix.), and they are classified in the following way:"

• "Processiones generales, in which the whole body of the clergy takes part."

• "Processiones ordinariae, on yearly festivals, such as the feast of the Purification of the Virgin (Candlemas), the procession on Palm Sunday or Holy Week, the Litaniae Majores and Minores, the Feast of Corpus Christi, Forty Hours' Devotion and on other days, according to the custom of the churches."

• "Processiones extraordinariae, or processions ordered on special occasions, e.g. to pray for rain or fine weather; in time of storm, famine, plague, war, or, in quacumque tribulatione; processions of thanksgiving; translation of relics; or the dedication of a church or a cemetery."

"There are also processions of honor, for instance to meet a royal personage, or the bishop on his first entry into his diocese (Pontif. Tom. iii.)."

"Those taking part in processions are to walk bare-headed (weather permitting), two and two, in decent costume, and with reverent mien; clergy and laity, men and women, are to walk separately. The cross is carried at the head of the procession, and banners embroidered with sacred pictures in places where this is customary; these banners must not be of military or triangular shape. Violet is the prescribed colour for processions, except on Corpus Christi, or on a day when some other colour is mandated. The officiating priest wears a cope, or at least a surplice with a violet stole, while other priests and clergy wear surplices."

"Where the Host is carried in procession (often encased in a monstrance), it is covered always by a canopy, and accompanied by lights. At the litaniae majores and minores and other penitential processions, joyful hymns are not allowed, but the litanies are sung, and, if the length of the procession requires, the penitential and gradual psalms. As to the discipline regarding processions the bishop, according to the Council of Trent (Sess. 25 de reg. cap. 6), appoints and regulates processions and public prayers outside the churches."

"The observance or variation of the discipline belongs to the Congregation of Rites; in pontifical processions, which are regulated by the masters of the ceremonies (magistri ceremoniarum pontificalium), these points are decided by the chief cardinal deacon. As to processions within the churches, some difference of opinion having arisen as to the regulating authority, the Congregation of Rites has decided that the bishop must ask, though not necessarily follow, the advice of the chapter in their regulation."

As can be perceived from the above, the processional banner promotes the event that is taking place, either in an indoor or outdoor processional. For example, on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the outdoor procession through part of the parish, each group of the parish would have a banner of Our Lady of Guadalupe and the name of their group such as the "Legion of Mary," the "Knights of Columbus," the "Parish Band," the school associated with this particular parish, etc... One of the things that make these processions so beautiful is the banners that draws the attention of the bystanders. The banners echo the many groups activities that are involved in a particular Parish.