Corpus Christi

Eucharistic Miracle

Bolsena-Orvieto, Italy

History Of The Feast Of Corpus Christi 

Feast to honour the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist – that is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

In 1263 a German priest, Peter of Prague, stopped at Bolsena while on a pilgrimage to Rome. He is described as being a pious priest, but one who found it difficult to believe that Christ was actually present in the consecrated Host. While celebrating Holy Mass above the tomb of St. Christina (located in the church named for this martyr), he had barely spoken the words of Consecration when blood started to seep from the consecrated Host and trickle over his hands onto the altar and the corporal.

The priest was immediately confused. At first he attempted to hide the blood, but then he interrupted the Mass and asked to be taken to the neighboring city of Orvieto, the city where Pope Urban IV was then residing.

The Pope listened to the priest's account and absolved him. He then sent emissaries for an immediate investigation. When all the facts were ascertained, he ordered the Bishop of the diocese to bring to Orvieto the Host and the linen cloth bearing the stains of blood. With archbishops, cardinals and other Church dignitaries in attendance, the Pope met the procession and, amid great pomp, had the relics placed in the cathedral. The linen corporal bearing the spots of blood is still reverently enshrined and exhibited in the Cathedral of Orvieto.

It is said that Pope Urban IV was prompted by this miracle to commission St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the Proper for a Mass and an Office honouring the Holy Eucharist as the Body of Christ. One year after the miracle, in August of 1264, Pope Urban IV introduced the saint's composition, and by means of a papal bull instituted the feast of Corpus Christi.

After visiting the Cathedral of Orvieto, many pilgrims and tourists journey to St. Christina's Church in Bolsena to see for themselves the place where the miracle occurred. From the north aisle of the church one can enter the Chapel of the Miracle, where the stains on the paved floor are said to have been made by the blood from the miraculous Host. The altar of the miracle, which is surmounted by a 9th- century canopy, is now situated in the grotto of St. Christina. A reclining statue of the saint is nearby.

In August of 1964, on the 700th anniversary of the institution of the feast of Corpus Christi, Pope Paul VI celebrated Holy Mass at the altar where the holy corporal is kept in its golden shrine in the Cathedral of Orvieto. (His Holiness had journeyed to Orvieto by helicopter; he was the first pope in history to use such a means of transportation).

Twelve years later, the same pontiff visited Bolsena and spoke from there via television to the 41st International Eucharistic Congress, then concluding its activities in Philadelphia. During his address Pope Paul Vl spoke of the Eucharist as being ". . . a mystery great and inexhaustible."

therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/bolsena.html 

The full name of this feast is Corpus et Sanguis Christi or The Body and Blood of Christ. “The feast of the Blessed Sacrament was established in 1246 by Bishop Robert de Thorte of Liege at the suggestion of St. Juliana of Mont Carvillon. [It was] extended to the universal Church by Pope Urban in 1264. The office composed by St. Thomas Aquinas and customary procession was approved by Popes Martin V and Eugene IV.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi.

“As in the life of the body, after a man is born and becomes strong, he requires food so that his life may be preserved and sustained, so also in the spiritual life, after being fortified, he requires spiritual food, which is Christ’s Body: Unless you shall eat of the flesh of the Son of Man, and drink of His Blood, you shall not have life in you.” - St Thomas Aquinas

The Institution of the Feast of Corpus Christi 

The Anniversary of the Feast of Corpus Christi: Guest Article by Dr Donald Prudlo

Eucharistic Processions: a Guide - from Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass.

Eucharistic miracles are extraordinary events, where the Eucharist no longer appears under the form of bread and wine, but takes on the biological qualities of human flesh or blood or both. These miracles have no scientific explanation but can be scientifically verified, and help us go beyond the visible and perceptible to the existence of something beyond, or even supernatural.

The Amazing Science of Recent Eucharistic Miracles: A Message from Heaven? - Ascension Press

Do you doubt the Real Presence? Learn about these Eucharistic miracles - Our Sunday Visitor

5 Extraordinary Eucharistic Miracles that Left Physical Evidence (With Pictures!) - ChurchPOP

Eucharistic Processions

We bring Christ, present under the sign of bread, onto the streets of our city. We entrust these streets, these homes, our daily life, to his goodness. May our streets be streets of Jesus! May our houses be homes for him and with him! May our life of every day be penetrated by his presence.

With this gesture, let us place under his eyes the sufferings of the sick, the solitude of young people and the elderly, temptations, fears — our entire life. The procession represents an immense and public blessing for our city: Christ is, in person, the divine Blessing for the world. May the ray of his blessing extend to us all!

In the Corpus Domini procession, we walk with the Risen One on his journey to meet the entire world.

Pope Benedict, Corpus Christi 2005

Solemnity of Corpus Christi - Archbishop Michael J. Sheehan

The Feast of Corpus Christi, the body and blood of Christ, was instituted during the lifetime of St. Thomas Aquinas as a proclamation of faith in the real presence (aka transubstantiation) of Christ’s body and blood in the sacrament. Wonderful Banquet! - Thomas Aquinas - The Crossroads Initiative

In many parishes the Priests carry Our Lord in a Monstrance to give public testimony of our belief. Our Lord is usually preceded by recent First Communicants dropping flower petals paving His way. Some parishes will arrange for altars to be visited in front of homes or around the Church so that litanies can be recited or songs can be sung. Many times people drop to their knees as Our Lord passes them during the procession. At the minimum people bow their heads and make the Sign of the Cross.

We are called to receive Our Lord in Communion in the state of grace at every Mass. If we are fortunate to have Eucharistic Adoration in our parishes we are called to adore Jesus during Exposition. And if we are blessed to have a Perpetual Adoration Chapel in our area we should try to sign up for a weekly hour of adoration. You don’t have to belong to the parish where the Perpetual Adoration Chapel is located; you just have to be committed to keep Our Lord company for the hour you have promised. We are all busy; if you cannot commit to a weekly hour, just drop by and spend an hour, half an hour and just a few minutes with Our Lord. The graces you receive will be many!

If your parish has a procession, please participate! If it doesn’t, maybe YOU can come forward and work with your Pastor to arrange it.

Hymns for Corpus Christi

Pange Lingua (Tantum ergo Sacramentum)

O Salutaris Hostia  (O Saving Host)

Sacris Solemniis (Panis Angelicus)

Verbum Supernum (O Salutaris) 

Lauda Sion Salvatorem (Ecce Panis Angelorum)

Adoro Te Devote

O Sacrum Convivium

Lauda Sion Salvatorem — chant

liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Adoremus/Corpus-Hymns.pdf 

Adoremus — Resources

Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharist outside Mass

Exposition of the Holy Eucharist — a guide for celebration

Exposition of the Holy Eucharist — Music

Participating in Adoration

A series of reflections on the ways we participate in Adoration prepared by the Spirituality Committtee. Each leaflet considers a posture or attitude of prayerful participation and includes: scripture, image, prayer and reflection. They are intended for a range of uses: for individuals during a time of prayer before the Blesseed Sacrament, for group reflection or as the basis of a holy hour.

liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/Adoremus 

Exposition of the Holy Eucharist — a guide for celebration a short guide to the rite of Exposition 

Short Litanies

(It is recommended that all these and similar texts be sung wherever possible)

For your gift of the eucharist,

through which we proclaim the Lord's death until he comes again:

God our Father, we bless you.

For your gift of the eucharist,

through which you give us strength and satisfy our hunger:

God our Father, we bless you.

For your gift of the eucharist, through which all your children are brought

together in brotherly love:

God our Father, we bless you.

You are the Bread of life:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the Bread of salvation:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the Blood that redeemed us:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the source of our joy:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the Bread that feeds us:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the Blood that quenches our thirst:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the Bread that comforts us:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the Bread that gives us strength:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

You are the Bread that heals us in body and mind:

Praise to you! [or Alleluia!]

The Divine Praises

Blessed be God.

Blessed be his holy Name.

Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the name of Jesus.

Blessed be his most Sacred Heart.

Blessed be his most Precious Blood.

Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar.

Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.

Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.

Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.

Blessed be her glorious Assumption.

Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.

Blessed be St Joseph, her spouse most chaste.

Blessed be God in his Angels and in his Saints.

Acclamations

(It is recommended that all these and similar texts be sung wherever possible)

This is the Lamb of God, the Body of Christ!

Sing praise to God for this bread that renews our lives!

Thanks be to God for his gift of life!

We praise you, we bless you, we give you thanks and glory!

As Catholics, we believe in transubstantiation, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. The Catechism of the Catholic Church has this to say about the importance of the Eucharist: 

1324 The Eucharist is "the source and summit of the Christian life."134 "The other sacraments, and indeed all ecclesiastical ministries and works of the apostolate, are bound up with the Eucharist and are oriented toward it. For in the blessed Eucharist is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church, namely Christ himself, our Pasch."135

1325 "The Eucharist is the efficacious sign and sublime cause of that communion in the divine life and that unity of the People of God by which the Church is kept in being. It is the culmination both of God's action sanctifying the world in Christ and of the worship men offer to Christ and through him to the Father in the Holy Spirit."136

1326 Finally, by the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all.137

1327 In brief, the Eucharist is the sum and summary of our faith: "Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking."138

1374 The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend."199 In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained."200 "This presence is called 'real' - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present."201

1375 It is by the conversion of the bread and wine into Christ's body and blood that Christ becomes present in this sacrament. the Church Fathers strongly affirmed the faith of the Church in the efficacy of the Word of Christ and of the action of the Holy Spirit to bring about this conversion. Thus St. John Chrysostom declares:

It is not man that causes the things offered to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but he who was crucified for us, Christ himself. the priest, in the role of Christ, pronounces these words, but their power and grace are God's. This is my body, he says. This word transforms the things offered.202

and St. Ambrose says about this conversion:

Be convinced that this is not what nature has formed, but what the blessing has consecrated. the power of the blessing prevails over that of nature, because by the blessing nature itself is changed.... Could not Christ's word, which can make from nothing what did not exist, change existing things into what they were not before? It is no less a feat to give things their original nature than to change their nature.203

1376 The Council of Trent summarizes the Catholic faith by declaring: "Because Christ our Redeemer said that it was truly his body that he was offering under the species of bread, it has always been the conviction of the Church of God, and this holy Council now declares again, that by the consecration of the bread and wine there takes place a change of the whole substance of the bread into the substance of the body of Christ our Lord and of the whole substance of the wine into the substance of his blood. This change the holy Catholic Church has fittingly and properly called transubstantiation."204

1377 The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ.205

1378 Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord. "The Catholic Church has always offered and still offers to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it, reserving the consecrated hosts with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession."206

1379 The tabernacle was first intended for the reservation of the Eucharist in a worthy place so that it could be brought to the sick and those absent outside of Mass. As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

1380 It is highly fitting that Christ should have wanted to remain present to his Church in this unique way. Since Christ was about to take his departure from his own in his visible form, he wanted to give us his sacramental presence; since he was about to offer himself on the cross to save us, he wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which he loved us "to the end,"207 even to the giving of his life. In his Eucharistic presence he remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave himself up for us,208 and he remains under signs that express and communicate this love:

The Church and the world have a great need for Eucharistic worship. Jesus awaits us in this sacrament of love. Let us not refuse the time to go to meet him in adoration, in contemplation full of faith, and open to making amends for the serious offenses and crimes of the world. Let our adoration never cease.209

1381 "That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that 'cannot be apprehended by the senses,' says St. Thomas, 'but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.' For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 ('This is my body which is given for you.'), St. Cyril says: 'Do not doubt whether this is true, but rather receive the words of the Savior in faith, for since he is the truth, he cannot lie.'"210

Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore

Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more,

See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart

Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art.

Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived;

How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed;

What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do;

Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.211

I. The Eucharist - Source and Summit of Ecclesial Life

V. The Sacramental Sacrifice Thanksgiving, Memorial, Presence

The Feast of Corpus Christi