Corpus Christi
Body and Blood of Jesus
Taste and See the Goodness of God
Corpus Christi is a feast day that celebrates the belief and the tradition of the transubstantiation of Christ’s body and blood to bread and wine in the Eucharist Sacrament. This solemnity is celebrated in many different countries around the world. In the USA it is celebrated on the second Sunday after Pentecost.
Background
Corpus Christi is a festival that has been celebrated by many Christians, particularly the Catholic Church, in honor of the Eucharist since 1246. The name “Corpus Christi” is a Latin phrase that refers to the body of Christ. This event commemorates the Last Supper on the day before Jesus’ crucifixion, as described in the Bible. Corpus Christi is primarily celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church but it is also included in the calendar of some Anglican churches.
Symbols
Symbols that portray the event may include: an image of a host (consecrated bread) and chalice to depict the Holy Eucharist; an altar; and a ciborium, which is a chalice-like container used to store consecrated hosts of the sacrament of Eucharist, or the Holy Communion.
About the feast of Corpus Christi in other countries
In Portugal the feast is known as Dia de Corpo de Deus and has been one of the major religious observances both on the mainland and in the Azores since medieval times.
In the city of Ponta Delgada, in the Azores, the people make a flower- petal carpet almost three quarters of a mile in length.
A procession of high-ranking clergy and red-robed priests who are followed by a group of first communicants (those who will receive communion for the first time), pass over this carpet. The climax of the ceremony comes when the bishop raises the silver monstrance and exposes the Blessed Sacrament, “the body of Christ’.
THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
In the Eucharist, the Father nourishes his people with his beloved Son.
Let us pray to our loving Father for all the needs of the world.
For the priests of our Church, that they may continue to offer the gifts of the people faithfully, like Melchizedech of old, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: God of love, hear our prayer.
For all who share in the celebration of the Eucharist, that they may appreciate more deeply the real presence of Jesus Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: God of love, hear our prayer.
For those oppressed by starvation in soul or body, that the eucharistic Church may help to meet their needs, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: God of love, hear our prayer.
For the community gathered by God at this Mass, that in our lives we may always hunger for Christ, the living bread from heaven, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: God of love, hear our prayer.
For the faithful departed, that through the eucharistic sacrifice they may come to eternal life with Christ, let us pray to the Lord.
Response: God of love, hear our prayer.
Most generous Father, you provide for all our needs with the sublime gift of your Son in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Receive our prayers through him, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
Amen.
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