Corpus Christi, also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is a significant feast in the Catholic Church that celebrates the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The name Corpus Christi is Latin for "Body of Christ".

Table of Contents

1. When is Corpus Christi?
2. The History of Corpus Christi?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. The Miracle of Bolsena

When is Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, which is 60 days after Easter Sunday. In many countries, the observance is transferred to the following Sunday for practical reasons.

The following is the list of Corpus Christi from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi has a rich history that highlights the Catholic Church's devotion to the Eucharist as the Real Presence of Jesus Christ. Its origins stem from private revelations, theological developments, and papal decrees in the Middle Ages, solidifying its place as a universal feast.

In the early 13th century, St. Juliana of Liège, a Norbertine canoness from Belgium, received visions urging the establishment of a feast dedicated to the Eucharist. St. Juliana saw a vision of the moon with a dark spot, symbolizing the absence of a feast honoring the Body of Christ.

With the support of Robert de Thorete, the Bishop of Liège, and Jacques Pantaléon, Archdeacon of Liège (later Pope Urban IV), the first observance of Corpus Christi was held in 1246 in Liège.

In 1264, Pope Urban IV instituted Corpus Christi as a universal feast for the Catholic Church, to be celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. He commissioned St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the liturgical texts and hymns for the feast.

Corpus Christi's universal observance was delayed due to Pope Urban IV's death shortly after issuing the bull. Pope Clement V reaffirmed and promoted the feast during the Council of Vienne (1311-1312).

By the 14th and 15th centuries, Eucharistic processions became a central feature of Corpus Christi celebrations. The Blessed Sacrament, displayed in a monstrance, was carried through streets, symbolizing Christ's presence among His people.

Corpus Christi emphasizes the Catholic doctrine of Transubstantiation, where the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. It is a celebration of Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist and a public act of worship.

The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) emphasized the Eucharist's central role in Christian life and the Church. Corpus Christi remains a solemnity, with Eucharistic processions and adoration encouraged. In many countries, Corpus Christi is now observed on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday to allow greater participation by the faithful.

What Do People Do on This Day?

Corpus Christi is celebrated with a combination of religious observances, processions and cultural activities. The day provides an opportunity for Catholics to publicly express their faith in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and to give thanks for this central sacrament.

The Eucharist is celebrated with special prayers, hymns and readings that emphasize the significance of the Body and Blood of Christ. Priests often deliver homilies focused on the theology of the Eucharist and its role in Christian life. After the procession, many parishes hold Eucharistic adoration, allowing the faithful to spend time in prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament.

In some countries, streets are decorated with intricate flower carpets depicting religious symbols and scenes. These paths are prepared for the Eucharistic procession, creating a beautiful and sacred atmosphere. Participants in processions may wear traditional or regional attire, adding a cultural dimension to the religious celebration.

Many families spend time in prayer and thanksgiving for the gift of the Eucharist. Reading Scripture passages about the Eucharist is a common devotional activity. Inspired by the Eucharist as a sacrament of unity and love, some use the day to perform acts of kindness or help those in need.

The Miracle of Bolsena

The Miracle of Bolsena is a famous Eucharistic miracle that occurred in Bolsena, Italy, in the year 1263. This extraordinary event is closely associated with the establishment of the Feast of Corpus Christi and served as a significant confirmation of the Catholic doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

A German priest named Peter of Prague struggled with doubts about the Catholic teaching of Transubstantiation – the belief that the bread and wine consecrated during Mass truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. While traveling to Rome to strengthen his faith, Father Peter stopped in Bolsena, a small town near Orvieto, Italy, and experienced a miraculous event during the celebration of Mass.

At the moment of consecration, as Father Peter held the host, blood began to seep from the consecrated host onto the corporal. This event was seen as divine confirmation of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Father Peter reported the miracle to Pope Urban IV, who was residing in nearby Orvieto. The Pope sent envoys to investigate the event and confirmed its authenticity. The blood-stained corporal was brought to Orvieto, where it is still preserved today in the Cathedral of Orvieto.

The Miracle of Bolsena deeply moved Pope Urban IV and reinforced his decision to establish the Feast of Corpus Christi as a universal feast for the Catholic Church. In 1264, the Pope issued the papal bull Transiturus de hoc mundo, officially instituting the feast.