The invention relates to a process for coating ceramic honeycomb bodies with a coating suspension containing, in a carrier liquid, catalyst components as solids and/or in dissolved form. The honeycomb bodies have parallel flow channels running through them. The walls of the flow channels generally have an open pore structure. To coat the channel walls and in particular also the interior surfaces of the pores with the coating suspension, it is proposed that the flow channels be temporarily alternately closed and the coating suspension be forced through the open pore structure of the channel walls. The coating is subsequently dried and calcined. To close the flow channels, it is possible to use thermally or chemically decomposable or soluble compositions which are decomposed or dissolved either during calcination or by means of a subsequent chemical treatment. The coated honeycomb bodies are preferably used for the purification of exhaust gases from automobiles.