Feast of Corpus Christi

Today we celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi, also called the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ. This feast day exists for one purpose: to honor the real presence of the body (corpus) of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The Eucharist, as we know is the Source and Summit of our faith. Our Holy Mother Church exists for one reason and that is the Holy Eucharist.

The Church celebrates this wonderful feast in a myriad of different ways – this is a beautiful example of the universality of the Church. Here are some examples of ways in which this feast is celebrated around the world:

In order to better understand what or WHO the Holy Eucharist is, here is some valuable lessons through Scripture:

1. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me (John 6:54-57).

2. For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

3. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles (Acts 2:42-43).

4. Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf (1 Corinthians 10:17).

5. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died; this is the bread that comes down from heaven so that one may eat it and not die (John 6:48-50).

And, of course, we have a rich resource in the Catechism and not to mention the countless writings from our friends the saints. We have so much valuable information on the Holy Eucharist that will lead us closer to Jesus – gives a new meaning to the Bible verse that says, “those who seek Me will find Me,” right?

My prayer for all who read this is that you will have a Eucharistic Encounter today. My prayer is that Jesus Christ will reveal Himself more deeply to you so that you can develop and foster a love and passion for the Holy Eucharist. Ask Him today for this encounter… Ask and we shall receive, right?

In the Eucharistic love of Jesus,

Fr. Claude, MC