Solemnity of the Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Latin: Corpus Christi) has its origin in the Eucharistic devotion of Juliana de Cornillan and her community in 12th century Liège, Bel-gium. It attracted attention from local Church leaders, such that Pope Urban IV instituted the Solemnity for the whole Latin Church in 1264, the first such act in history. It was intended to counter heretical challenges to the real presence emerging from the 11th century. While the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper was venerated on Holy Thursday, Church leaders feared that its proximity to the pivotal events of his passion, death and resurrection reduced focus on the Eucharist. The Solemnity addressed the issue by its focus on gift of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist. Public rituals like processions sharpened this focus. The Solemnity is an expression of gratitude to God for the precious gift of Jesus in the Eucharist and recogni-tion that as the “Body of Christ”, the Church’s mission is to proclaim and witness to this truth in the world.