“The Church draws her life from the Eucharist.” These are the opening words of St. John Paul II’s encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, and they reflect the centrality of the Eucharist in our faith. This weekend the universal Church celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ, which truly unites us and connects us to Christ in the sacrifice of the Mass.

Although the Eucharist has always been at heart of the Church, the origins of this feast originated with St. Juliana of Liege (1193-1258). She had a deep devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and also had a mystical experience in which a desire for deeper Eucharistic devotion was revealed to her. The official addition of this Eucharistic feast to the Church calendar came in the year 1264 when Pope Urban IV established this commemoration. St. Thomas Aquinas even wrote hymns for this occasion which we know as Pange Lingua and Adoro te Devote.

As Catholics, we believe in transubstantiation, namely that the bread and the wine truly become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the sacrifice of the Mass. The Eucharist is Jesus’ greatest gift to the Church. It is a reminder of his constant presence with us, and his desire that we share in his love. It is essential that we always approach the Eucharist with great reverence and with hearts and souls that are prepared to receive Christ. To commemorate this day, we will have a Eucharistic procession following the 11:30 a.m. Mass at St. Thomas More Church. Please consider coming to adore and honor Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament. Our procession will conclude with benediction, and will be followed by a cookout that all are most welcome to attend.

Eucharistic Miracles Display: This weekend Resurrection Parish is proud to have a Eucharistic miracles display, graciously made available by Bishop William Waltersheid. The display emphasizes Christ’s presence among us, and the many times Jesus has revealed his Real Presence to us. The display will be at both churches through this Monday. Bishop Waltersheid will celebrate a special Mass to conclude our Corpus Christi celebration Monday evening at 7:00 p.m. at St. Thomas More Church. All are welcome to attend.