The Feast of Christ’s Body

This Sunday, the Second after Pentecost, is the Feast of Corpus Christi, a celebration of the "Body of Christ," also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. On this day, the Church acclaims the real and saving presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

The Church has celebrated the Holy Eucharist in all places and across the ages, by faith with thanksgiving for the mysteries of Christ's Body and Blood, in which we are forgiven, united with Christ and one another, and given a foretaste of the heavenly banquet.

In offering the Bread and Wine, we unite ourselves to God in heaven and find our place in Christ's self-offering. The death and resurrection of Christ is made present in the moment of our celebration, and the hope of the future fulfillment of God's reign is made present. Time and eternity meet. 

We should never receive the Eucharist without preparing our hearts. Here are a few prayers to help with participation and reflection as members of the community and our growth in Christ as his disciples. 

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"Let your Holy Spirit, O Lord, sent to lead us into all truth, enlighten our minds and awaken our hearts, that we may know you as you are revealed in the Word and in the breaking of the Bread. Amen."

"As you call me to yourself, O Lord, give me confidence to come and trust that your grace will make me more fit to receive what you long to give. Amen."

"Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a dwelling prepared for himself. Amen."