Dear Friends:
Next Sunday, June 11, is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, an annual liturgical celebration of the Eucharist which is referred to commonly as Corpus Christi. The bishops of the United States are, rightly so, concerned that true faith in the mystery of the Eucharist, which is central to our faith, needs to be bolstered and encouraged among all Catholics. That is why, in part, that we have had a petition in the Prayer of the Faithful every weekend for months now, asking the Lord to increase our reverence of his presence among us, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity under the forms of bread and wine.
Archbishop Blair has asked that every parish make some effort to celebrate with more solemnity the feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. In particular, he has encouraged that every parish hold a procession with the Blessed Sacrament. As we are one of only a very few parishes in the Archdiocese dedicated to the Eucharist, it seems only right that we hold some special celebration of this most important feast.
I have asked Fr. Lijo to organize this. The celebration will take place on the grounds of St. Agnes after the 10:30 Sunday Mass. After the closing prayer, the Blessed Sacrament will be placed in the monstrance and a procession will take place with it around the outside of St. Agnes Church. The procession being completed, the Blessed Sacrament will be placed in the monstrance on the altar and there will be various prayers and devotions. The Rosary will be recited at 12:30 PM, followed by silent prayer and adoration until 1:25, at which time there will be a brief reading and short reflection by one of the priests. The Divine Mercy devotion will follow and then, at approximately 1:45, there will be solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The ceremonies will conclude at approximately 2:00 PM.
I encourage as many as possible to join in some or all of these devotions to the Blessed Sacrament on the principal day in the Church year devoted to this most sacred and marvelous mystery of our faith. You may come for all or just part of the devotions, but remember that any time spent with our Eucharistic Lord is time well-spent. If you have family or other obligations, you can still be at them if but a bit later.
Have a good week.