This weekend, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi. This celebration is held to honour the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. We acknowledge that Jesus Christ is truly present in the Eucharistic elements, and that each time we receive the Eucharist, we receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, which the Eucharistic elements contain.
Belief in the Real Presence is central to our Catholic Faith. That is why we profess that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith. All Christian spirituality and graces flow from the Eucharist, and all Christian activity is directed back to the Eucharist. All of the other Sacraments that we celebrate are oriented toward the Eucharist, and towards Christ, our Divine Head.
We recognize these truths each time the Mass is celebrated. On the Feast of Corpus Christi, however, we call them to mind in a special way. That is why many Churches throughout the world will hold Eucharistic Processions to mark this feast, as we are doing this weekend. These professions serve as a public witness of our belief in the Real Presence and represent an act of invoking Christ’s blessings on the world. This is symbolized by the Priest imparting the Eucharistic Benediction at various times during the procession.
We are living in a time in which faith in the Real Presence has declined. There is an increasing tendency to view the Eucharist as a mere symbol, and to ignore the words of our Lord when he tells us that his flesh is true food, and his blood is true drink. It is in times like these that we as Catholics are called to witness more boldly to the truth of our Faith, and show by our actions that we truly believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Next weekend, in conjunction with the Carousel of Nations, the 4:30 pm Mass will be held outdoors on the Erie Street plaza (weather permitting). We will have some chairs available, but if you have a chair you can bring with you, we encourage you to do so. That way, everyone can have a seat for the Mass. We thank the Erie Street BIA for inviting the Parish to be a part of the Italian village for the Carousel of Nations. After the Mass, please join us for a farewell celebration for Fr. Christian, as he prepares to move to his new assignment in Strathroy, ON.
Sincerely in Christ,
Father Steven