“To celebrate and rejoice in the GIFT of the Eucharist; which is the very Body and Blood of Jesus. “Adoration of Christ in this sacrament of love must also find expression in various forms of eucharistic devotion: personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, Hours of Adoration, periods of exposition—short, prolonged and annual-eucharistic benediction and eucharistic processions. A particular mention should be made at this point of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ as an act of public worship rendered to Christ present in the Eucharist.”
-Blessed Pope John Paul II, February 1980
Here are some key terms next week’s processions:
Corpus Christi- The Latin translation of “Body of Christ.”
Blessed Sacrament-At the moment of consecration the elements of bread and wine are transformed (literally tran-substantiated) into the actual Body and Blood of Christ. Catholic doctrine holds that the elements of bread and wine are not only spiritually transformed, but rather actually (substantially) transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. The elements retain the appearance or "accidents" of bread and wine, but are indeed the actual Body and Blood of Christ. This is what is meant by Real Presence; the actual presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Because of this belief, the consecrated elements are given the same adoration and devotion that is accorded to Christ. Because we believe that Christ is truly and substantially present in the Eucharist, the Blessed Sacrament serves as a focal point of devotion. During Eucharistic adoration, the sacrament is displayed in a monstrance, typically on an altar. When not being displayed, the Blessed Sacrament is locked in a Tabernacle.
Monstrance-the vessel used to display the consecrated Eucharistic Host, the most Blessed Sacrament, during Eucharistic Adoration. The word monstrance comes from the Latin word “monstrare,” meaning "to show", and is found in the English word demonstrate, meaning "to show clearly".
Canopy- in general, is an ornamental covering of cloth under which the Blessed Sacrament is borne in procession. The canopy makes reference to the Tent of Meeting in the Old Testament, which contained the presence of God.
Corporal- The Corporal, from the Latin corpus, "body," is a square white linen cloth, upon which the chalice, paten and ciborium containing the smaller hosts for the communion of the laity, are placed during the celebration of Holy Mass. Its functional purpose is to catch any fragments of the Blessed Sacrament that may fall upon the altar. Symbolically it makes reference to the Shroud that Christ’s body was wrapped within after His death. The corporal is also required for Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament; it is to be placed under the monstrance.
Benediction- The Holy Eucharist is held in the hands of the priest and is used to offer a blessing to the people; thus the blessing given with the Blessed Sacrament is a blessing from God Himself.