Thoughts on Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi

22 June 2025

                                                                                                                                

The Feast of Corpus Christi was established in the Universal Church in 1263 by Pope Urban IV.



• St. Thomas Aquinas composed the Mass for Corpus Christi; the Collect is still used today for this Mass and Benediction.
• This Feast is devoted entirely to the Holy Eucharist (unlike Holy Thursday that also includes the institution of the priesthood and the sorrow of the Passion).
• One of the important reasons for establishing the feast was to combat heresies that denied the true doctrine of the Holy Eucharist.

Our English word Eucharist comes from the Greek εύχαριστία [eucharistia], which means “thanksgiving.” The Sacrament is called Eucharist because at the Last Supper Jesus “gave thanks” to the Father. The Holy Eucharist is

• Both the “source” and “summit” of Christian life. Our Christian life comes from the Eucharist and reaches its highest point in the Eucharist.
• Called the center of Catholicism.
• Our Lord Jesus Christ really and truly present here on earth, under the appearance of bread and wine.
• Truly the Body and Blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ.

 

The Church distinguishes between “worthy reception” and “fruitful reception” of Holy Communion.

A person must fulfill a few minimum requirements to receive the Holy Eucharist “worthily.”

       h  Must be a baptized Catholic

·        Must have reached the “age of reason” (usually considered 7 years old)

·        Must have received the Sacrament of Penance (Confession) before making First Holy Communion

·        Must have kept the “Eucharist fast”: fast from all food and drink (except water or necessary medicine) for one hour before the time of actually receiving

·        Must not be in a “state of mortal sin” (conscious of serious sin)

Worthy vs. Fruitful Reception of Communion

Even though one receives the Eucharist “worthily,” one receives greater graces (receives more benefits) depending on how “fruitfully” one receives. A person receives the Eucharist more fruitfully, the better the person has prepared to receive. Some of the ways of preparing to receive the Eucharist include:

·        Making a thorough examination of conscience

·        Going to Confession even for venial (more minor) sins

·        Being recollected at Mass (not distracted, with wandering mind; rather, thinking about and praying about the readings and other prayers)

·        Praying to God and asking for His help to make a fruitful Communion

·        Behaving reverently at Mass; realizing that one is in God’s presence

·        Making a thanksgiving after receiving Communion (thanking God for His many blessings, particularly the gift of the Holy Eucharist)

When we have received Holy Communion worthily and fruitfully, the benefits are miraculous, as the Catechism summarizes:

“Having passed from this world to the Father, Christ gives us in the Eucharist the pledge of glory with Him. Participation in the Holy Sacrifice identifies us with His Heart, sustains our strength along the pilgrimage of this life, makes us long for eternal life, and unites us even now to the Church in heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the saints.”

May we accept Our Lord’s wonderful invitation to receive His precious Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity by preparing ourselves properly, receiving Communion devoutly, and thanking Our Lord sincerely.

Fr. Don Saunders, SJ