The Feast of Corpus Christi

Trinitytide, 2022

Parish Family-

If in seeing the words Corpus Christi you have conjured for yourself images of a sunny beach and a cold drink in your hand, stop right there! While this south Texas city is known for its gulf-side attractions (and for its pride position as the home of the first Whataburger), Corpus Christi ought to be known for the meaning of its own name. Corpus Christi is Latin for “The Body of Christ”, and the town was given this title by the Spanish explorer Alonso Álvarez de Pineda in 1519, since he discovered the area on the feast day with the same name.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is one of my favorite celebrations during the summer months, and it always falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday (or is observed on the Sunday following). This year we will observe it on Sunday, June 19. Corpus Christi is a joyful celebration of the Real Presence of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Although we celebrate the institution of the Eucharist “on the night that He was betrayed”, the observances of Maundy Thursday are colored with the darkness and solemnity of Holy Week. Thus, it seems fitting to have a different day set aside specifically to celebrate with joy and awe how Christ gives Himself to us in Holy Communion. It is a particularly appropriate time to recall the most famous eucharistic passage in the whole of scripture. At the climax of the Gospel of John, chapter 6, Jesus says these incredible statements, foreshadowing the institution of the Sacrament of His Body and Blood:

“I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you have no life in you; he who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats me will live because of me. This is the bread which came down from heaven, not such as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live for ever.”

Traditionally, the Feast of Corpus Christi is observed with a Solemn High Mass, followed by extravagant processions with the Blessed Sacrament through the surrounding city and countryside. Sometimes these processions are accompanied by members of the various lay guilds and organizations, groups of young men and women, members of religious orders (monks and nuns), and sometimes even bands that play as the Body of Christ is adored in the streets. Incense, flowers, banners, processional crosses, streamers, and hymns give proper dignity to the celebration. Historically, this event also became a very important way for communities to celebrate their local traditions and unique expression of the faith. Still in many parts of the world, Corpus Christi is a national celebration of the Most Blessed Sacrament, marked with these same processions and cultural festivities.

It had long been my dream to establish this ancient practice in our own diocese, and I am delighted that this year we will again process with the Blessed Sacrament through our neighborhood at the beginning of the 10:30am Solemn High Mass on June 19th. We often speak of “bringing Jesus out into the world.” Well, in a very concrete and wonderful way, we will do precisely that on Corpus Christi Sunday. It will be a joyful celebration and liturgy, but it will also be an opportunity for us to pray for our community, to be a visible presence in our neighborhood, and to publicly express our love for the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church.

During the month of June let us be reminded of the great gift we have in the Holy Eucharist, and give thanks to God who gives Himself to us under the forms of bread and wine.

“O Lord Jesus Christ, who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left unto us a memorial of thy passion: Grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within ourselves the fruit of thy redemption; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (BCP pg. 834)

In the love of our Lord,
Fr Joseph Francis SSC
Rector