This year, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of Body of Christ on Thursday, May 30, but in many places the celebration is moved to Sunday, June 2. On this holiday, a public and solemn service of adoration, gratitude and love is offered to the Eucharist, the living presence of Christ.
The one of Body of Christ (Body of Christ) is one of the most important liturgical festivals, as it reminds the world that Jesus Christ is present in a living and real way in the Eucharist. To demonstrate their love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, every year crowds of faithful gather to worship the Blessed Sacrament in churches and in massive processions.
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With the aim of celebrating the Solemnity of Body of Christwe share with you 10 things you should know about this great miracle of God’s love.
1. Jesus instituted the Eucharist
Jesus, gathered with his Apostles at the Last Supper, instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist: “Take and eat; This is my body…” (Mt 26,26-28). In this way, he made the Apostles share in his priesthood and commanded them to do the same in memory of him.
2. Eucharist means “thanksgiving”
The word Eucharist, derived from Greek Eucharist (eucharist), means “thanksgiving” and is applied to this sacrament because our Lord gave thanks to his Father when he instituted it. Furthermore, because the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the best means of giving thanks to God for his benefits.
3. Christ is found entirely in the sacrament of the Altar
The Council of Trent (16th century) clearly defines: “In the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with his Soul and Divinity, are truly, really and substantially contained. In reality, Christ in his entirety.”
4. The successors of the Apostles convert the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ
In the Holy Mass, bishops and priests actually convert the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ during the consecration, in a process called transubstantiation. The Solemnity of Body of Christ It is one of the five occasions in the year when a bishop cannot be outside his diocese, except for an urgent and serious reason.
5. The Eucharist must be received at least once a year
Communion is receiving Jesus Christ sacramented in the Eucharist. The Catholic Church mandates communion at least once a year, in a state of grace, and recommends frequent Communion. It is very important to receive First Communion when you reach the age of reason, with due preparation.
6. To receive communion you need to fast the Eucharist and confess
The Eucharistic fast consists of abstaining from taking any food or drink, at least one hour before Communion, with the exception of water and medicines. The sick and their assistants can take communion even if they have taken something in the hour immediately before.
He who takes communion in mortal sin commits a serious sin called sacrilege. He who wishes to take communion and is in mortal sin cannot receive Communion without having first attended the Sacrament of Penance, since the act of contrition is not enough.
7. It is the commandment of the Church to attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation
Frequenting Holy Mass is an act of love for God that should flow naturally from every Christian. It is also obligatory to attend on Sundays and religious holidays of obligation, unless prevented for a serious reason.
8. The Eucharist is spiritual food for the sick and dying
The Eucharist in the tabernacle is a sign by which Our Lord is constantly present among his people and is spiritual food for the sick and dying. Gratitude, adoration and devotion are owed to the real presence of Christ reserved in the Blessed Sacrament.
9. The party of Body of Christ It is celebrated on the Thursday after Holy Trinity Sunday
The celebration of Body of Christ It began in 1246 with the decision of the then Bishop of Liège (Belgium), Mons. Robert de Thorete, and at the suggestion of Saint Juliana of Mont Cornillon. After the Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena, in the mid-13th century, Pope Urban IV expanded this celebration to the entire Universal Church in 1264, with the bull “He is going to pass”, setting it for the Thursday after Holy Trinity Sunday.
The Pontiff commissioned Saint Thomas Aquinas to compose his own liturgical office and hymns that are sung to this day.
10. It is also possible to celebrate it on the Sunday after the Holy Trinity
In the Vatican, the Body of Christ It is celebrated on the Thursday after the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity. While in several dioceses it is moved to the following Sunday for a pastoral issue. Pope Saint John Paul II was the one who led the annual procession of the Body of Christ from St. Peter’s Square to the streets of Rome.
Originally published June 14, 2022. It has been updated for republication.
Cynthia Pérez has been an editor at ACI Prensa since January 2020. She resides in Lima (Peru). She has a bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Arts with a mention in Communication for Development from the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru (PUCP). Throughout her career she has dedicated herself to the creation of multimedia content and the design and management of communication in organizations and social impact projects. She is passionate about creating narratives and interactive experiences that build a more humane and sustainable society.