On the Thursday following the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, the Catholic Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Body of Christ. In many countries, for pastoral reasons, the date is moved to consecutive Sundays. This 2024, it will be Thursday, May 30, and, where applicable, June 2.
The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, as this celebration is also known, has its origin in a miracle that occurred in the 13th century.
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On this day, the Church pays tribute to the Eucharist – the real presence of Christ – public and solemn worship of adoration, love and gratitude. Consequently, the procession of the Body and Blood of Christ that takes place after the main Mass of the day is the most important of all the processions of the year.
Origin and history of the celebration of Corpus Christi
In the mid-13th century, Peter of Prague, a priest who doubted the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, made a pilgrimage to the city of Rome to ask, on the tomb of Saint Peter, a special grace. Upon his return to Bolsena, while celebrating Holy Mass in the Crypt of Santa Cristina, he noticed that there was a trace of blood on the corporal (white liturgical cloth placed on the altar) whose source was the form or host. consecrated life that he had in his hands.
The news quickly reached the ears of Pope Urban IV (Pontiff between 1261-1264), who was near the Crypt, in Orvieto. Soon the Pontiff ordered that the corporal be brought to his presence. Once he had it in front of him, he gazed at it in wonder.
The Pope understood that it was an authentic miracle with a clear message: the faithful must strengthen their faith and love for the Eucharist. So, publish the bull “I will passs by Hoc Mundo”, in which the celebration of the Body of Christ for the universal Church every Thursday after Holy Trinity Sunday (60 days after Easter Sunday).
In many countries the Body of Christ It stopped being a holiday and became a Solemnity, as in the case of Spain (1989), and in many countries, where it is celebrated on the closest Sunday after the 60 days of Easter Sunday.
How the work of Saint Thomas Aquinas was associated with this Solemnity
The Pope also entrusted Saint Thomas Aquinas with the preparation of the liturgical office of the day and the composition of hymns for the Mass. Due to their beauty and depth, two of these compositions have been forever associated with the Body of Christ: The Hymns Only then and the Praise Zion the Savior.
Later, Pope Clement V, during the General Council of Vienna (1311), confirmed the importance of the celebration of the Body of Christ and published a new pontifical decree, in which the bull of Urban IV was incorporated. Then Pope John XXII (1316-1334) urged observance of the date.
Gospel of the day (Mc 14, 12-16. 22-26)
On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, his disciples asked Jesus: “Where do you want us to go and prepare the Passover meal for you?” He said to two of them: “Go to the city. They will find a man carrying a jug of water; Follow him and tell the owner of the house where he enters: ‘The Master orders to ask: Where is the room where I am going to eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a room on the second floor, arranged with couches. Prepare dinner for us there.” The disciples left, came to the city, found what Jesus had told them, and prepared the Passover meal.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, this is my body.” And taking a cup of wine in his hands, he gave thanks, gave it to them, everyone drank, and he said to them: “This is my blood, the blood of the covenant, which is poured out for all. I assure you that I will not drink the fruit of the vine again until the day I drink the new wine in the Kingdom of God.”
After singing the hymn, they left for the Mount of Olives.
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If you want to know more about the festival of Body of Christwe recommend this article from the Catholic Encyclopedia: https://ec.aciprensa.com/wiki/Fiesta_de_Corpus_Christi.
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