Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)
“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever.” – John 6:51
This Sunday, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally known as Corpus Christi. This feast draws our hearts to the mystery at the center of our Catholic faith: the Real Presence of Jesus Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—in the Holy Eucharist.
Instituted in the 13th century and promoted especially through the efforts of St. Thomas Aquinas, Corpus Christi is not only a celebration of the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper (commemorated on Holy Thursday), but a public and joyful profession of our faith in the mystery that Christ Himself becomes truly present at every Mass. It is a feast that renews our reverence for the altar, our attention during the Sacred Liturgy, and our love for the Lord who remains with us under the humble appearance of bread and wine.
A Feast that Nourishes and Unites
The Eucharist is not a symbol or metaphor—it is a sacrament that makes present the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ on Calvary. Each time we receive Holy Communion, we are united not only to Christ, but to the whole Church. It is the Eucharist that builds up the Church, nourishes her holiness, and unites her members in one Body.
St. Paul reminds us: “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” (1 Cor. 10:16). When we approach the altar, we are invited into this divine mystery with faith, humility, and gratitude.
A Time for Renewal
The Church in the United States is currently undergoing a National Eucharistic Revival, an invitation for all Catholics to rediscover the power, beauty, and centrality of the Eucharist. Corpus Christi is the perfect time to renew our devotion—by attending Mass with deeper attention, making time for Eucharistic Adoration, and examining how we prepare ourselves to receive Communion.
If it has been a while since you’ve gone to confession, this is a moment to return. If you’ve never spent time in quiet prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, this is a time to begin. The Lord waits for you in the Eucharist with love and mercy. Confessions at GA are Tuesdays from 6-7pm, Saturday’s at 3:30pm, and by appointment. Adoration at GA is Tuesdays from 6-7pm and Wednesday’s from 9am to noon.
Processions and Witness
In many places, Corpus Christi is marked by a Eucharistic procession—a public witness of our faith and reverence for the Real Presence. As we carry the Blessed Sacrament through our neighborhoods or around our parish grounds, we proclaim with our actions what we believe in our hearts: Jesus Christ is truly present among us.
Let this feast be an invitation to draw closer to Him, to adore Him, and to let our lives be transformed by the Bread of Life.
O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine,
All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment Thine.
In Christ,
Fr. Joe Connelly