This last Sunday on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), we walked in an outdoor procession with the Blessed Sacrament after Mass at the St. Cecelia Church. The celebration in the Catholic Church dates back 800 years to the mystical experiences of St. Juliana of Liege when Christ asked for a  festival dedicated to His Real Presence. The feast day recalls Holy Thursday, when Jesus Christ as both priest and sacrifice instituted the Holy Eucharist, changing bread and wine into His Body and Blood.

Eucharistic processions are public witnesses that God lives and that He is with us. What (and who) we receive at the Mass goes with us out the doors of the church. The Christian faith is meant to change our everyday lives and our communities. It’s not merely a private matter, and this day reminds us of that.

The world is deeply wounded by division, suspicion, scandal, and disbelief. What a difference it makes knowing that our Savior and Lord is so near us under the humble appearance of bread and wine at a Catholic Mass! Sadly, most Catholics don’t seem to believe in the Real Presence of Christ or know what the Church teaches on what happens to the bread and wine at Mass.

The day also marked the beginning of the National Eucharistic Revival. The US bishops launched this three-year plan aimed at reviving belief and devotion in the Holy Eucharist. Last fall, the bishops published a document on the mystery of the Eucharist in anticipation of the revival. You can read the full document on the USCCB website and see other resources on the Eucharist.

I pray that everyone who participated in the Mass and procession receives the graces they seek. And a big thank you to everyone who helped make the procession a great success. It takes many hands and voices!