From the Desk of Father Nathan

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people who are all close to my heart

Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.

The National Eucharistic Revival Continues

Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Sunday, June 11, 2023

This year, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated Sunday, June 11. Historically known by its Latin name, “Corpus Christi,” this feast day highlights the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, — Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

The word “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” It comes from the Greek “eucharistein” and “eulogein,” which

“recall the Jewish blessings that proclaim — especially during a meal — God’s works: creation, redemption and sanctification.”

This year, the Church celebrates the year of the Eucharist. As we all know, the Church lives by the Eucharist. For a better understanding of the importance of the Eucharist, on June 10th, 2023, immediately following the 4:00 p.m. Mass we will have an Eucharistic procession following Benediction.

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Also, on that weekend of June 10th and 11th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is also known as the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, which translates from Latin to “Body of Christ”. This Feast originated in France in the mid-thirteenth century and was extended to the whole Church by Pope Urban IV in 1264. This Feast is celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday or, as in the USA, on Sunday following that Feast.

This Feast calls us to focus on two manifestations of the Body of Christ: the Holy Eucharist and the Church. The primary purpose of this Feast is to focus our attention on the Eucharist. The opening pray at Mass calls our attention to Jesus’ suffering and death and our worship of Him, especially in the Eucharist. At every Mass, our attention is called to the Eucharist and the real presence of Christ in it.

The second focus of this Feast is upon the Body of Christ as it is present in the Church. The Church is called the Body of Christ because of the intimate communion which Jesus shares with His disciples. He expressed this in the Gospels by using the metaphor of a body in which He is the Head. This image helps keep in focus both the unity and the diversity of the Church.

The Feast of Corpus Christi is commonly used as an opportunity for public Eucharistic processions, which serve as a sign of common faith and adoration. Our worship of Jesus is His Body and Blood calls us to offer to God, our Father, a pledge of undivided love and an offering of ourselves to the service of others.

God bless you all.

With lots of love and blessings,

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan