On Sunday, June 11, the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord, formerly called Corpus Christi, the second phase of the National Eucharistic Revival, “My Flesh For The Life of the World,” began. The yearlong focus of this phase will be on the parish. Pope Francis has reminded us “the parish is the presence of the church in a given territory, an environment for hearing the Word of God, for growth in the Christian life, for dialogue, proclamation, charitable outreach, worship and celebration.” (#28 Evangelii Gaudium)
On Corpus Christi, many parishes conducted an outdoor Procession with the Blessed Sacrament following the traditional practice of pausing at three Altars for Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This is a beautiful expression of the faith of the Church in the real presence (Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity) of the Lord in the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. With deep devotion, prayers and hymns, the faithful accompanied the Lord who walks among His people. A Eucharistic Procession brings Christ outside the church to others. This is what we, His disciples, are called to do by the manner and example of our lives. We are to bring Christ to all, even those outside the church.
The reception of Holy Communion, His Body and Blood, strengthens us to do this, to give witness to Him to others. When we receive His Body and Blood in Holy Communion, we acknowledge, “Lord, I am not worthy.” However, despite our unworthiness of this gift, the Lord Himself instructed His followers to “take and eat; take and drink.”
When the priest repeats the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper by which He instituted the Holy Eucharist, “This is My Body; This Is My Blood,” the bread and wine are changed (trans) in their substance (substantia). This is called transubstantiation, which means the change or conversion of the elements of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ.
It is hoped that during this second year of the National Eucharistic Revival, Catholics will develop a deeper understanding of the Holy Eucharist. The whole Christ is really, truly and substantially present in this Sacrament. This is the teaching and belief of the Catholic Church. It is majestically expressed in a 13th century Eucharistic hymn written by Saint Thomas Aquinas, “Pange Lingua.” Its first verse reads: “Sing my tongue, of the mystery of the glorious Body and of the Precious Blood, which the King of the nations, the fruit of the generous womb, has poured out as the price of the world.”
Corpus Christi processions honor the Holy Eucharist. To carry the Blessed Sacrament in Procession reminds us that the Lord is present in the Eucharist. He comes to us and draws us into Himself. It is neither a symbol nor a representation of the Lord. It is the Lord! He is received in Holy Communion; He is honored in a Eucharistic Procession; He is adored in the tabernacles in every church throughout the world, and He is the center of every parish.
O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine. All praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.
Most Reverend Dennis J. Sullivan, D.D.
Bishop of Camden