Photo Copyright: © Marco Gavasso/CTS
Basilica of the Holy sepulcher
June 2, 2021
00:30 AM - 1:15 AM
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Basilica of the Holy Sepulcher
Lauds, Solemn Mass and Procession of the Blessed Sacrament
June 3, 2021
9:00 am to 11:00 am
CORPUS CHRISTI
Corpus Christi – Corpus Domini – Dies Sanctissimi Corporis et Sanguinis Domini Iesu Christi – “The Day of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Jesus Christ the Lord” – these are the many names associated with this solemnity in the Roman Catholic, Anglican and Western Orthodox Churches. This Feast celebrates the Real Presence of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ. This same mystery is celebrated during Holy Week on Holy Thursday, when Christ gives his body and blood at the Last Supper, washes the feet of his disciples and institutes the priesthood. Corpus Christi is more festive in its liturgy – celebrating with joy in Christ’s continued presence that was celebrated in a more somber atmosphere on Holy Thursday.
The process of the simple bread and wine being transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ is called Transubstantiation. The substance is changed – bread is no longer bread and wine is no longer wine – but the appearance remains.
St. Thomas Aquinas proposed the celebration of this feast and the joy of the Eucharistic presence of Christ. The Solemn Feast was established by Pope Urban IV in 1264. It is usually celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, but in many diocese, has been moved to the following Sunday so that more of the faithful might participate in this celebration.
Celebrations include the celebration of Mass and a procession of the Blessed Sacrament and Benediction – the faithful are blessed with the Blessed Sacrament.
The Church is called the Body of Christ because of the intimate communion which Jesus shares with his disciples. He expresses this in the gospels by using the metaphor of a body in which He is the head. This image helps keep in focus both the unity and the diversity of the Church.