The story behind the great Feast of Corpus Christi

The fruit of the Holy Ghost…The honoring of the REAL presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist…This is what a Corpus Christi procession is all about. 

Around the twelfth century a little girl was born in a small village not far from Liège, Belgium.  Her name was Juliana.  Her divine bridegroom, at the age of sixteen, was favoring her with heavenly visions but they were mysterious that she could not understand their meaning.  One of the visions she had while in contemplative prayer was a vision of a full moon; but, though it was full, there was a dark spot on it, so that it did not shine as brightly as it might have done.  When this vision kept appearing she consulted her superior, Sister Sapientia.  Sister Sapeientia sought the advice of many pious and learned persons; but they too could not explain the meaning of what she saw so they looked upon the matter as a simple dream.  Juliana humbly submitted to their judgment and really tried to forget all about it.  She began to pray and pray but God would not remove those distracting thoughts from her mind.  With wise foresight, Juliana’s superior granted her permission to devote herself more than ever to prayer and contemplation.

One day, after praying for a long time, Juliana, fell asleep.  During her sleep the Savior spoke to her soul. It was then she understood what the strange vision meant.  The Blessed Sacrament was not being honored as it should be. What did Our Lord say to her?  This is what she heard, to her great job and gratitude:

“Juliana, what disturbs you is that a feast is wanting in My Church militant, which I desire to establish.  It is the feast of the Most High and Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.  At present the celebration of this Mystery is observed only on Maundy Thursday; but on that day My sufferings and death are the principal objects of consideration; therefore I desire another day to be set apart in which it shall be celebrated by the whole of Christendom.  And I desire it for three reasons.  1)  First, that faith in this divine mystery, which is beginning to be attacked and will in future times be still further menaced, may be more confirmed and reassured. 2)  Secondly, that the faithful who believe and seek the truth may be fully taught and convinced, and enabled to draw from this well of life the strength necessary to carry them on in the way of virtue.  3)  Thirdly, that reparation may be made for the irreverence and impiety shown towards the Divine Majesty in the Blessed Sacrament, by a sincere and profound adoration of the same.  And you, Juliana, are chosen to give the opportunity for the establishment of this feast.”

Of course, Juliana made known the Savior’s wishes; and before half a century had passed, the Holy Father established the Feast of Corpus Christi all over the world, to the entire fulfillment of the prediction made by our Lord to her.  It is now one of the most lovely, touching, and glorious feasts that adorns the Holy Catholic Church.

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Roman Catholics set record in Winnipeg! Hundreds to attend Feast of Corpus Christi traditional procession. Largest in 50 years!

Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 478 McKenzie Street, Winnipeg, will be celebrating the feast of Corpus Christi with a Traditional Solemn Procession on Sunday, May 29th at 11:00 a.m., following the Traditional Latin Mass (Solemn High Mass with Celebrant, Deacon and Subdeacon), which will be offered at 9:30 a.m.

Rev. Fr. Pfluger, First Assistant to Bishop Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), will be travelling from the headquarters of the SSPX in Switzerland to lead the Corpus Christi Procession.

Hundreds of Catholics will be participating, with families and faithful travelling from different parts of Winnipeg, Manitoba and neighboring Saskatchewan and North-West Ontario.

The church invites Catholics to attend and to set a new record by making it the largest Corpus Christi solemn traditional procession in the history of the city.

The Most Blessed Sacrament will be carried under canopy by the Priest assisted by the deacon and the subdeacon, along with the Cross bearer, candle bearers, altar boys, thurifers, Catholic associations with processional banners, and faithful. The Police will escort the procession. The rosary will be prayed during the procession, interspersed with traditional hymns in English and Latin.

Last year, Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church held the largest Corpus Christi traditional procession in Winnipeg in five decades.

ROUTE The procession will proceed from Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church, 478 McKenzie Street, to East on Church Ave, along McGregor St., Mountain Ave., Arlington St., West on Church Ave. to Sinclair Park for Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament at the Altar of Repose. It will then proceed back East on Machray Ave., returning to the church for final prayers and the singing of Tantum Ergo, Oremus Pro Pontifice and Adoremus in Aeternum.

ORIGIN The feast of Corpus Christi (Latin for Body of Christ) was established in A.D.1246 by Bishop Robert de Thorete of Liège at the suggestion of St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon. It was extended to the universal Catholic Church by Pope Urban IV in A.D.1264, granting many indulgences to the faithful for the attendance at Mass and at the Office.

SIGNIFICANCE Corpus Christi is a Latin Rite liturgical solemnity of the Roman Catholic Church to commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist and the Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist.  The office was composed by the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas, at the request of the Pope. It is one of the most beautiful piece of the Divine Office of the Roman Catholic Church, and has been admired by millions of people over the centuries.   Our Lady of the Rosary Roman Catholic Church is under the priestly care of the Society of St. Pius X.

For more information, please visit: www.sspx.ca