Corpus Christi—Taking the Lord into the World

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi has been celebrated in the Church since the 13th century. This feast proclaims a central truth of the Catholic Faith that the Holy Eucharist is truly the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ. The Holy Eucharist is His Real Presence. The Holy Eucharist is not a thing; the Holy Eucharist is a Person—Jesus Christ Himself, the Savior of Humanity.
           
This beloved feast day was proposed by St. Thomas Aquinas to Pope Urban IV. Another prominent force in the establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi was a Norbertine Canoness (nun) St. Juliana of Liége, who advocated for it. She was a mystic and an Apostle of Eucharistic Devotion. The Pope Urban established the feast after having approved the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena in 1264. Every year since then, the Catholic Church has celebrated this marvelous feast in her parishes, religious communities and institutions.
           
In most places, after the Mass is celebrated on Corpus Christi, a procession with Our Eucharistic Lord exposed in a monstrance proceeds from the church into the streets of the cities, villages, and countryside to carry the Lord of Heaven into the world.
           
The procession with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament on the Feast of Corpus Christi is done for two reasons. First, our devotion and care for the execution of the procession is a witness to our deep and cherished belief in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament. Second, the procession with the Eucharistic Jesus is a means of asking for His blessing on a world that often falls into darkness and even rejects Him and belief in His Real Presence. The procession is a reminder to all of the words of Our Lord at the end of St. Matthew’s Gospel:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, to the close of the age” (Mt 28:18-20)

The Lord clearly tells us that He is always with us. His substantial Presence is the Holy Eucharist.  He clearly sends us forth into the world to make disciples of all nations. The procession with Him in the Holy Eucharist is a beautiful and powerful way of heeding His command to go forth and make disciples. With Him we can do all things!
           
We are blessed to have the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage coming through our diocese from June 12-19. Let us all participate in the Masses, Holy Hours, and Eucharistic Processions during this time. Let us witness to Jesus’ Real Presence in our midst. Let us accompany Him through the churches, streets and roads of the Diocese of Pittsburgh asking for His powerful protection and blessing!

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh