This solemnity continues the Church’s multi-week reflection which occurs through important feasts and solemnities on consecutive Sundays. Following the Easter Sunday, the Church reflects on the Ascension of the Lord, the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the Most Holy Trinity, and this weekend– the Body and Blood of Christ.  

Corpus Christi Sunday specifically focuses on two elements or manifestations of the Body of Christ– both the Holy Eucharist and the Catholic Church.

The Eucharist

At every Mass celebrated around the world, attention is drawn to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Once transubstantiation occurs in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus becomes present upon the altar. Though hidden under the appearance, (or the term “accidents” in theology), of bread and wine, the substance is truly and fully Jesus’ Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

Each time the word “Amen” is spoken before receiving Holy Communion, it is an acknowledgement and affirmation that it is no longer bread and wine but has truly and substantially become Christ.

The Church as the Body of Christ

The Church is also referred to as the Body of Christ because of the connection and communion shared between Jesus and his followers. In St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians and Letter to the Ephesians, this metaphor is used to explain the people’s connection to Jesus.

“As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so also Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body…God placed the parts, each one of them, in the body as he intended…Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” (1 Corinthians 12-13, 18, 27)

“And he put all things beneath [Jesus’] feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of the one who fills all things in every way.” (Ephesians 1:22-23)

Remembering this connection helps focus on unity as a universal Church with Christ as her head, as well as the diversity of individual members. Each person has a specific role and unique faith journey, but together they make up the Body of Christ.

Eucharistic Processions

Many parishes offer a Eucharistic procession on Corpus Christi Sunday. This is a time in which the Eucharist, placed in what is called a monstrance, is taken outside the walls of the church building and followed by the congregation, publicly witnessing and proclaiming belief in the True Presence. These processions may include hymns, specific prayers, and blessings along the way.

The Three-Year National Eucharistic Revival also coincides with Corpus Christi. The Revival began on Corpus Christi Sunday in 2022 and concludes with the final stop of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Los Angeles, California on Corpus Christi Sunday this year. Despite the formal end of the Revival, all can continue to grow and share their belief in the True Presence.

Check with your parish to see if it is offering a Eucharistic procession on Corpus Christi Sunday.