the most holy body and blood of christ

Posted on by Cassie

In the early Church, special devotion to the Eucharist outside of Mass was practically non-existent.  However, by the fourth century, as heresies denying Christ’s divinity grew in popularity, the Church began to more strongly emphasize the divine nature of Jesus.

This emphasis on the sacred was so powerful that people often felt “unworthy” to receive Communion and (if they did choose to receive) did so with fear and awe.  By the Middle Ages, people sometimes attended Mass without receiving Communion.  Since Mass was regarded as a dramatization of Jesus’ passion, people still wanted to see and adore the  consecrated host.  Visual Communion or “adoration of the host” became a substitute  for receiving Communion.

The Feast of Corpus Christi was first proposed by Juliana of Liege, an Augustinian nun whose visions told her a Feast honoring the Blessed Sacrament was needed.  Corpus Christi was first celebrated in 1247 in the Diocese of Liege, France.  In 1264, Pope Urban IV (the former Archbishop of Liege) extended the Feast for the whole Church.

After the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965), the Feast of the Body of Christ (Corpus Christi) was combined with the Feast of the Precious Blood of Christ (formerly observed on July 1) as a reminder that Jesus is present under both forms.  The Feast is now the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Corpus Christi was assigned to be celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday and is still observed on that day in many countries.  It is also a Holy Day of Obligation in some places.  After Vatican II the United States Bishops assigned the Feast to the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell

 

the most holy trinity

Posted on by Cassie

Every time we make the Sign of the Cross, we acknowledge the central mystery of the Christian Faith:  that our God is not one but three – three divine persons in one God.  This is the one belief we hold that separates us from all the other religions in the world, and it is the foundation for everything else that we profess and believe as Catholics.

But the teaching of the Trinity really explains much more than mere metaphysical propositions.  It tells us about the inner life of God – the intimate love and Communion that is constantly flowing between the Father, Son, and Spirit.  God is far from an isolated being or uninvolved deity.  His very existence has to do with relationships.

It is God’s nature to share Himself, and if we are created in His image and likeness, it follows that we too are meant to share our lives with each other.  We were made to be in communion with one another, joining together to build the Kingdom and to proclaim the gospel throughout the world.

When we think about our mission to proclaim to the whole world, we could become intimidated.  However, the Holy Trinity is more than just a model of togetherness.  The Holy Trinity- Our God- gives us the power to accomplish our mission. If we draw from the love of God that has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit,  we really can love each other as fully as Jesus loves us.  Jesus promises us that as we deepen our relationship with one another, our lives will start to reflect the very life of the Holy Trinity.  As Christians we have been called to that Joy.

Alleluia!!!!

God Bless,

Msgr. Powell

 

pentecost sunday

Posted on by Cassie

Today we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday.  Saint Luke tells us that the Spirit came upon the Apostles with a “strong driving wind and with “tongues as of fire.”

As we read Chapter 2 of Acts, it is clear that something radical happened in the lives of the Apostles when they were filled with the Spirit.  They were filled with excitement and began speaking all about Jesus and His resurrection.  Their hearts were burning with love for the Lord and a desire to share His good news with everyone.  They were so excited that many of the people who saw them assumed that they were drunk!

Then Peter took the lead.  He told the people how Jesus was nailed to a cross, “But God raised Him up, releasing Him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for Him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24).  Peter’s words cut the people to the heart, and they asked what they should do.  Peter’s answer was simple and direct: “Repent and be Baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  Many of the people took His words to heart and were filled with the Spirit that day.  And so the Church was born!

This story reminds us that Pentecost is meant to be experienced. The Spirit wants to form the knowledge of God’s love and mercy into our hearts.  He wants to fill us with the same joy that  the apostles knew – the joy of salvation and the joy of knowing Jesus.

You and I have received the Holy Spirit.  Let us open our hearts and souls to His power, so he can fill us with the same joy.

Happy Pentecost!

Msgr. Powell