The Traditional Feast of Corpus Christi is Thursday! Always falling on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, this amazing feast day is set aside for us to celebrate the Body of Christ! Keep reading for some simple ways to celebrate this traditional feast.
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A Brief History of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi is a Traditional Catholic Feast Day falling on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. It came about after The Miracle of Bolsena and after a vision seen by St. Julian of Mont Cornillon.
The Miracle of Bolsena
In 1263 Peter of Prague was on a pilgrimage in Rome when he began to have doubts about the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Traditional Catholic teaching based on Scripture tells us that Jesus is the Bread of Life, and that the Sacred Host, the Eucharist, is His Body. Even the slightest crumb of the Eucharist contains the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, of Our Lord Jesus Christ. As Peter of Prague said Mass, the Eucharist began to bleed, reigniting the faith of the doubting priest, and the people!
A Belgian Nun and aVision
St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon lived from 1193-1258 AD. She saw a vision that was to inspire the faithful to honor the Eucharist. In her vision the moon was so full and beautiful and bright, but a dark spot sat upon it. The moon was the Church Calendar and the dark spot was the lack of celebration for the Eucharist!
The Feast of Corpus Christi
With these two as a main source of inspiration for his decision, Pope Urban the 4th adds the Feast of Corpus Christi to the calendar.
Why We Celebrate This Feast!
As stated above, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords, the King of Kings is really truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. He is there, waiting for us, longing to be intimately united to us in our bodies and souls. The Gospel of John 6:35, in the The Bread of Life Discord, we read
“[35] And Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall not hunger: and he that believeth in me shall never thirst.”
Further more we read
This is so powerful. Jesus tells us that like in the Old Testament the people were sustained physically on the manna from Heaven, now we will be sustained not just in body but in soul as well on Himself. The people walked away. They clarified saying “How can this man give us His flesh to eat?” They asked the Lord directly the question many still ask today!
Jesus did not change His teaching. His Word filled with the power of the Holy Ghost declared in no uncertain terms “Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.” God Himself gives us the Eucharist, He gives us Himself in every way! He declared it again in John 6: 56 saying His Flesh is meat indeed, and His Blood is drink indeed. Remember, Bethlehem means House of Bread!
“[51] I am the living bread which came down from heaven. [52] If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever; and the bread that I will give, is my flesh, for the life of the world. [53] The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? [54] Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you. [55] He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.”
Scripture tells us many people murmured and left The Lord because this teaching was to hard. They walked with Him no more. How horribly sad. Jesus is so patient in teaching us. He shows us The Way. He wants us to follow Him. Yet, Jesus let them leave. He loves us so much He gives us free will. There can be no true love without free will!
How to Celebrate Corpus Christi
- The Traditional Church holds processions where we literally follow Our Lord, present in the Eucharist. Attend one!
- Traditional Eucharistic Hymns and Prayers! Sing and pray them! Our coloring sheet features St. Thomas Aqunias’ Tantum Ergo Sacramentum.
- Pray a Corpus Christi Novena!
- Attend a Traditional Latin Mass.
- Pray to the Holy Face Prayers.
- Make a Monstrance Craft!
- Color with our Catholic Coloring and Handwriting Sheets.
Download Your Free Coloring Sheets!
These coloring sheets are free to use in your home or homeschool and I hope they help your little ones to draw closer to Jesus!
Your child can trace the titles of this Eucharistic Hymn by St. Thomas Aquinas in English or Latin! The boarders are stained glass and the pictures are procession themed!
How will your family celebrate the great feast of Corpus Christi? Let us know in the comments below!
Stella Maris, Ora Pro Nobis
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