When is it celebrated?
- The Thursday after the solemnity of the Holy Trinity, which is celebrated on the Sunday after Pentecost.
- It takes place 60 days after Easter Sunday.
- It is a moving date on the calendar, because it depends on when Holy Thursday happens.
What is commemorated?
The feast of Corpus Christi commemorates the mystery of the Body and Blood of Christ.
Origin
- In the Middle Ages, in 1208 the religious Juliana de Cornillon promoted the idea of celebrating a feast in honor of the Body and Blood of Christ present in the Holy Eucharist.
- It was celebrated for the first time in 1246 in the diocese of Belgium (Liège)
The miracle of Bolsena, 1263
- According to tradition, during a Mass celebrated in this Italian town, the priest departed the consecrated Host and blood flowed from it.
- This fact was widespread and celebrated, promoting this liturgical date.
Institution of the festivity, 1264
- By Pope Urban IV through the bull Transiturus de hoc mundo.
- Saint Thomas Aquinas was in charge of preparing the texts for the office.
Council of Vienne, 1311
Pope Clement V gives guidelines for the procession in the temples and the place of the authorities who would like to be added to the parade.
Pope Nicholas V allows the procession of the Holy Host through the streets.
Did you know…
- In many places it is a festival of great relevance.
- In Spain since 1989 the festivity moved from Thursday to Sunday, although some localities keep the procession and the festivity on Thursday.
- There is a saying popular in Spain: “There are three Thursdays in the year that shine more than the sun: Holy Thursday, Corpus Christi and the day of the Assumption.”
- In the province of Cadiz there are villages where this feast is a holiday of national tourist interest… ¡ Coming soon on my blog!
