The Visitation and Corpus Christi

By Ivonne Hernandez

“Corpus Christi is the most lovable of feast days. We were not present at all the mysteries of our Savior's life and death which we celebrate in the course of the year. We find joy in them because they are sources of grace. But on the feast of Corpus Christi we participate in the mystery itself, which takes place under our eyes. This mystery is for us. There is a relation of life between Jesus living in the Sacrament and ourselves living in the midst of the world: a relation of body to body. For that reason this feast is not called simply the feast of our Lord, but the Feast of the Body of our Lord: Corpus Christi.” [1] – St. Peter Julian Eymard
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MEDITATION:

When I hear the words “Corpus Christi” the image that comes to mind is a public Eucharistic procession, where the Eucharist is placed in a Monstrance and processed out into the streets under a canopy. This is a beautiful tradition, which thankfully some parishes keep alive today. It is an opportunity to bring Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament out to the world. But when I read the words above from St. Peter Julian Eymard, the image that came to mind was Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth.

I think that Mary’s journey to visit her cousin was the first public Eucharistic procession. I wonder what miracles happened during that journey. I wonder how many encountered Mary and Jesus on the way and had “eyes to see”. And I wonder how many walked right past them without the slightest idea that there was something greater there -- that what may have looked as a young girl running in haste, who knows why, was indeed a beautiful Monstrance hiding the beating heart of Jesus. I wonder how many angels followed on their knees, as pilgrims full of hope do on their way to a holy site. The moment Mary received Jesus, she brought Him out into the world.

“There is a relation of life between Jesus living in the Sacrament and ourselves living in the midst of the world: a relation of body to body.” Those of us, who by no merit of our own, gratuitously receive the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Eucharist are sent out to bring Him to the world immediately after every Mass. He lives; He lives in us. It is in this relation of life that we find our meaning and our purpose — for not only we bring Him when we encounter others, but He comes to us in that encounter too. “This mystery is for us.”


[1] Eymard, St Peter Julian. The Real Presence (p.262). Veritatis Splendor Publications. Kindle Edition.