The Feast of Corpus Christi also known as the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, is a Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Western Orthodox liturgical solemnity celebrating the Real Presence of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Eucharist. The feast was proposed by St. Thomas, Doctor of the Church, to Pope Urban IV, in order to create a feast focused solely on the Holy Eucharist. Having recognized the authenticity of the Eucharistic Miracle of Bolsena on input of Aquinas, in 1264, the Pontiff, then living in Orvieto, established the feast of Corpus Christi as a Solemnity and extended it to the whole Roman Catholic Church. The feast is liturgically celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday or, “where the Solemnity of The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is not a holy day of obligation, it is assigned to the Sunday after the Most Holy Trinity as its proper day”. BETTY AMUKPO seeks the understanding of children in relation to the Feast of Corpus Christi and devotion to the Sacred Heart. Excerpts.
‘The Corpus Christi is the body and blood of Jesus Christ’
The Corpus Christi is the body and blood of Jesus Christ. The history of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and its devotion began with Jesus’ mother and Saint John the Evangelist. Both heard the Heart breath and were at the foot of the cross were the heart, full of unfathomable love was pierced with a sword. The promises are Grace, Blessing, Peace, Eternal life, Refuge, Console, Mercy, Abundant blessing, Tepid souls shall become fervent, Fervent soul shall rise speedily to great perfection, Give Priests the power of touching the hardest Heart, Powerful unconditional love.
‘The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the mystical-physical Heart of Jesus, as an object of worship’
The Sacred Heart of Jesus is the mystical-physical Heart of Jesus, as an object of worship. The image of the Sacred Heart is depicted with a wounded heart, encircled by a crown of thorns, and a radiating light. In the early seventh century, devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus was given great impetus by the preaching and writings of St. John Eudes, whom the Roman Breviary calls the founder of the liturgical cult of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Mary. St. Margaret Mary, a most humble virgin, was chosen by God as an instrument, to establish fully and entirely the worship of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus and to spread it through the whole world. Numerous apparitions of the Sacred Heart took place in the visitation chapel, at Paray-le-Monial. The four principal apparitions occurred on December 27, 1673, two in 1674, and one in June 16, 1675, when Christ requested the Feast of the Sacred Heart. St. Margaret Mary died in 1960 and was canonized in 1920. Some of the twelve promises of the Sacred Heart include Graces necessary for our state of lives; Establishment of peace in our families; Blessings on every house in which the image of the Sacred Heart is exposed and honoured and Console us in all our difficulties. Corpus Christi or the Solemnity of the Most Holy body of Jesus Christ is in honour of presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist .In 1264 the Catholic Church worldwide was ordered to observe and celebrate it by carrying the blessed Eucharist in a monstrance, going round the streets singing and praising God.
‘Jesus through St. Margaret Mary
Alacoque made 12 promises to those who will honour his Heart’ Corpus Christi means the body and Blood of Jesus Christ and also called Solemnity of Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. Sacred Heart also called Sacred Heart of Jesus in Roman Catholicism. Jesus through St. Margaret Mary Alacoque and promised those who will honour his Heart saying “I will bestow abundant blessings upon all their undertakings; Sinners will find in My Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy; I will bless every place in which an image of My Heart is Exposed and Honoured; Those who shall promote this devotion shall have their names written in My Heart; I promise you in the excessive mercy of My Heart that My all powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Fridays in nine consecutive months the Grace of final perseverance; they shall not die in My disgrace, nor without receiving their sacraments. My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in their last moment.”
‘Corpus Christi is in honour of the real presence of the body (corpus) of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist’
Corpus Christi is the festival of the Roman Catholic Church in honour of the real presence of the body (corpus) of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. Sacred Heart of Jesus is the act wherein the Heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of “God’s boundless and passionate love for mankind” In 1672 a young girl from France, known as Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, was visited by Our Lord in such a special and profound way that would transform the world. Some of the 12 promises are: – I will give peace in their families and will unite families that are divided. – I will be their refuge during life and above all in death. – Sinners shall find in my Heart the source and infinite ocean of mercy. – Tepid souls shall become fervent. – Fervent souls shall rise quickly to great perfection. – I will bless those places wherein the image of My Heart shall be exposed and honoured and will imprint My love on the Hearts of those who would wear this image on their person. – I will give to Priests the gift of touching the most hardened Hearts.
‘The popularization of the Sacred Heart devotion is derived from a Roman Catholic nun, St. Margaret Mary Alacoque’
Feast of Corpus Christi, also called Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, festival of the Roman Catholic Church in honour of the real presence of the body (corpus) of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. The devotion to the Sacred Heart is one of the most widely practised and well-known Catholic devotions, wherein the Heart of Jesus is viewed as a symbol of “God’s boundless and passionate love for mankind”. The popularization of this devotion in its modern form is derived from a Roman Catholic nun from France, Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, who said she learned the devotion from Jesus during a series of apparitions to her between 1673 and 1675, and later, in the 19th century, from the mystical revelations of another. The promises of Sacred Heart of Jesus are binding on all devotees of Sacred Heart of Jesus. “My divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment,” Jesus said amid His promises.
‘Devotion to the Sacred Heart is an outgrowth of devotion to Christ’s Sacred Humanity’
Corpus Christi means the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. Historically, the Devotion to the Sacred Heart is an outgrowth of devotion to what is believed to be Christ’s Sacred Humanity. It developed out of the devotion to the Holy wounds, particularly the Sacred wounds in the sides of Jesus. The Promises are Christ will give all the graces necessary for their state of life; He will establish peace in our families; He will console us in our troubles and host of others.
