Catholics around the world are about to celebrate Corpus Christi (the Latin word for the body of Christ). The “Corpus” is a feast of the Catholic Church destined to celebrate the Eucharist. Being a public worship to extol the institution of the Holy Eucharist. Just as Jesus did at the Last Supper, when he turned bread into his body and wine into his blood.
Corpus Christi Day 2021 takes place on Thursday, June 3.
The purpose of Corpus Christi is to proclaim and increase the faith of Catholics in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. During this day the celebrations usually include a procession where the host is exhibited in a custody.
ORIGIN OF CORPUS CHRISTI
The Corpus Christi (also called in the past Corpus Domini), has its origin in 1208, when Santa Juliana de Liège O.S.A. (also known as Santa Juliana de Cornillon), prioress of the Monastery of Monte Cornelio, in Liège, had a vision (a shadow moon, on the one hand) which would have represented the lack of solemnity in honour of the Eucharist. The party became official in 1246. But only in 1264 it was extended to the whole Church, by the will of Pope Urban IV (former archdeacon of Liège) through the Bula Transiturus de Hoc Mundo. Urban IV decided to celebrate Corpus Christi on the Thursday following the first Sunday after Pentecost, that is, 60 days after Easter.
CORPUS IN YEAR OF CORONAVIRUS
The circumstances caused by the Covid-19 require that this festival be celebrated in each parish with the Eucharist, maintaining the measures in force at that time.
In those temples where space permits, there will be a claustral procession with the Blessed Sacrament, remaining the faithful in place, and ensuring the fulfilment of the established measures. In those temples where it is not possible, there will be a time of Eucharistic adoration with blessing.
Therefore, the faithful are invited to go to their respective parishes, or to follow the celebration from their homes through the media, especially those who by their age or state of health must be especially prudent.
