From the Pastor's Desk: Archives

June 2, 2013

Corpus Christi

Today is the great Feast of Corpus Christi, when the Church with joy celebrates the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

In 1247, the Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated in France for the first time. It gained widespread acceptance throughout the Church after 1300. The Feast is generally considered to reflect the Holy Thursday Mass, but without its sorrowful connection to the Passion.

An outdoor procession has been an integral part of Corpus Christi since its beginning, and may have originated from the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of Repose that is conducted on Holy Thursday. After first appearing in 1279 in Cologne, Germany, the concept spread rapidly with the acceptance of the Feast.

The procession quickly took on the character of the triumphant Christ the King. The Blessed Sacrament is held aloft for all to see in the monstrance. Benedictions are celebrated at four separate stations, symbolizing the four corners of the Earth.

Today, on this great Feast of Corpus Christi, St. Catherine of Siena is again praying and adoring Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament. We invite all parishioners to join with us as we accompany Jesus Christ in the monstrance around the Parish Center parking lot after the 11:00am Mass on June 2nd.

This is one expression of our Faith; but it's a very important one. As we process today with Jesus in the monstrance, let us pray for those who do not know this Gift -- for those who think that the Eucharist is only a symbol of Jesus' presence. May they know the joy of having the real Presence in every tabernacle of
every Catholic Church throughout the world.

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