Homily – Corpus Christi

The Solemnity of Corpus Christi traces its origins back to the Middle Ages. Unknown to many, the church owes this special liturgical day to a woman named St Juliana of Liege. Born in 1192, St Juliana had a great devotion to the Eucharist and at 16 years old experienced visions that the church was missing a yearly feast in honour of Christ’s body and blood. Juliana kept this private revelation a secret for 20 years but with the help of her fervent companions and with the theological suggestions of archdeacon Jacques Pantaleon (who later became Pope Urban IV), a proposal was provided to their local bishop, Robert Torote. After some hesitation, the first celebration of Corpus Christi as a feast day occurred locally in Leige in 1246.

However, public celebrations of the feast of Corpus Christi stalled afterwards due to the death of bishop Robert Torote in the same year and with St Juliana’s death in 1258. Soon after in Italy, the Eucharistic miracle of Bolsena-Orvieto occurred in 1263. Tradition says, that a German priest named Fr Peter of Prague doubted the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.  While he was on pilgrimage to Rome, Fr Peter stopped at the Basilica of Bolsena to celebrate Mass and at the moment of consecration, blood started to flow from the host trickling over his hands and onto the altar. Word had spread about the Eucharistic miracle and the people formed a procession to bring the host and corporal to Pope Urban IV in the nearby city of Orvieto for investigation. A year later in 1264 following his involvement with the visions of St Juliana and the Eucharistic miracle at Bolsena, Pope Urban IV instituted the solemnity of Corpus Christi in certain regions in Europe and after his papacy it was instituted for the wider universal church.

Today, we are reminded that the Eucharist is more than a symbol or representation of Jesus. It is Christ himself truly present among the appearances of bread and wine. Our liturgical texts and songs of today’s celebration capture this theological point. Today’s special Mass and every other Eucharistic celebration is a remarkable occasion to encounter the Lord in his real presence, especially at communion where we are united to Him more intimately.

Although the focus for Corpus Christi is the real presence of Christ, there is a tendency to emphasise the more private and individual acts of Eucharistic devotion and worship. Yet, St Paul’s writings remind us that the “bread we break is a communion with the body of Christ” and although we are many, “we form a single body.” The Eucharist should never lead us to be so private and individualistic that we focus primarily on ourselves. There is always a communal dimension of the Eucharist, where our faith does remain hidden within our personal walls or the walls of the church but also carried out into the world in the many dimensions of daily life.

On this solemnity of Corpus Christi may we encounter the Lord more deeply, renew our faith and vigour for the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist and also become another “body of Christ” for others. God bless you all.

By Fr Ian Vergel