The Guardian Angel: Eucharistic Miracle, LIÈGE, BELGIUM, 1374, Establishment of Corpus Christi
The Eucharistic Miracle of Liege, Belgium in 1374 follows this information on Corpus Christi, which was established as a result. I add this to this miracle so that someone might see if they could start a Eucharistic Procession on the Feast of Corpus Christi, if their parish is not already dooing so. We are definitely in Crisis from top to bottom in our Church, but right now, we can go to Mass daily somewhere close to most of us, we can go to Confession at least weekly, but we must continue to pray, as that is not the case all over the world, and we cannot be naieve to think that this will always be the case because we are living in America, as the attacks on the Catholic Church are growing stronger. Listen to the prophetic words of Pope Pius XII, "I am worried by the Blessed Virgin's messages to Lucy of Fatima. "This persistance of Mary about the dangers which menace the Church is a divine warning against the suicide of altering the Faith, in Her litergy". "A day will come when the civilized world will deny its God, when the Church will doubt as Peter doubted. She will be tempted to believe that man has become God. In our churches, Christians will search in vain for the red lamp where God awaits them, like Mary Magdalen weeping before the empty tomb, they will ask, 'Where have they taken Him?'"
I believe by the Grace of God that through Mary's intercession, God's Chastisement has been mitigated for a time to bring more souls to HIM. We (you and I) are called to reach out to everyone that has been put into our path, to be used to bring souls to HIM, others are counting on you. Love and prayers in Christ, To Jesus through Mary, GregoryMary
A Eucharistic Procession - Corpus Christi
The public procession of the Eucharist should be promoted everywhere, especially in the light of the example of Pope John Paul II, who took the annual Corpus Christi procession from St. Peter's Square to the streets of Rome. However, such a procession must be carefully planned. If it passes "through the streets", i.e., outside church property, it may be authorized by the diocesan Bishop, who should establish appropriate regulations to ensure respect for the Eucharist, a dignified celebration and full participation on the part of the people. What is described below for the solemnity of the Body and Blood of the Lord (Corpus Christi) may be used on other major occasions when this act of homage to Our Lord may also be celebrated, for example, "after a lengthy period of adoration." Such as the annual solemn exposition or Forty Hours devotion.
In the sacristy, a second thurible is prepared during Communion. The two thurifers should be assisted by a boat bearer during the procession. A noble canopy (baldachin) attached to four or six staffs may be prepared outside the sanctuary, preferably near the seats of the people trained to carry it. Torch bearers should assist as for the solemn Mass. Glasses to protect the torches or lanterns mounted on staffs may be used according to custom. Only eucharistic banners should be carried in the procession, never images of Our Lady or the saints. Banners of sodalities and Catholic movements may be carried by their representatives.
A eucharistic banner may replace the processional cross. Hand candles are usually carried by those walking in the procession. If it is customary for children, such as first communicants, to strew flowers before the Eucharist, they should be trained to act in an orderly and reverent way, without impeding the procession. Members of the armed forces, the police, scouts or other bodies may escort the procession through the streets. Music may be provided by a choir and/or band, according to custom.
The route of the procession must be carefully defined. Well-placed loudspeakers and printed programs promote the full participation of the people—and help those watching the procession to be drawn into the celebration. In some countries, it is customary to decorate the houses and other buildings along the route. If the procession is long, the celebrant may stop at altars set up at convenient places where Benediction is given. The procession terminates with solemn Benediction, given either in or outside the church here it began, at another church or at some suitable place where the people can gather conveniently.
The Mass
The principal Mass of the solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated, according to local custom. In the homily, the theological and spiritual significance of the procession should be explained. Directions to assist the faithful to take part should be provided at the time of the homily or set out in the program with the hymns and acclamations to be sung during the procession, which should focus on the Lord.
At the fraction, the Host for the procession is either set apart on a paten or placed in the lunette (unless already consecrated in it). During Communion a server brings the empty monstrance to the altar, genuflects and places it to the left of the corporal. The missal and stand are removed. In the sacristy, the two thurifers prepare the thuribles with an ample supply of charcoal and bring them to the sanctuary, leading the torch bearers, unless they have remained in the sanctuary since the Eucharistic Prayer. The ablutions are best carried out at the credence table. Clergy who are not concelebrants may put on white copes for the procession, but not eucharistic vestments which are reserved for concelebrants. Hand candles are distributed and lit.
The deacon or, lacking him, the celebrant, goes to the altar, places the Host in the monstrance, sets the monstrance on the corporal and genuflects.
The deacon then goes to the chair, where the celebrant sings or says the Prayer after Communion. The blessing and dismissal are omitted. At the chair, the celebrant may remove the chasuble and put on a white cope. If the monstrance is heavy or the procession will be long, a sling may be put around his neck, over the stole, to take the weight of the monstrance. Directed by the M.C., the cross bearer and candle bearers take up a position in the aisle of the church, where they will lead the procession from the church. Concelebrants and other clergy follow them and line up in front of the altar, genuflect and then kneel.
The Procession
All kneel while a hymn of adoration is sung. Incense is prepared as at exposition, but in two thuribles. The Host is incensed as usual. Then the deacon or, if he is not present, a concelebrant or assistant priest goes to the altar with the celebrant. Both genuflect, and the deacon (concelebrant or assistant priest) places the monstrance in the celebrant's veiled hands. If he has no assisting clergy, the celebrant himself goes to the altar to take the monstrance in his veiled hands. If a sling is used, the deacon or the M.C. ensures that the monstrance rests securely in it, under the humeral veil.
All taking part in the procession stand. The celebrant turns or comes around to the front of the altar. His cope is held back by the deacon(s) as he slowly walks forward to an agreed point, where those bearing the canopy meet him and raise it over him and the deacon(s). The two thurifers and the boat bearer take their places in front of the canopy. As the first hymn begins, the procession proceeds in this order:
cross bearer carrying the cross or banner, flanked by the candle bearers;
religious associations, sodalities, etc., perhaps carrying their own banners;
religious in their habits; followed by First Communicants strewing flower petals;
the book bearer and corporal bearer;
the clergy, in choir dress (and copes);
the concelebrants of the Mass;
the two thurifers in front of the canopy customarily swinging the thuribles with their inside hands;
the people.
Directly under the canopy walks the celebrant, carrying the Eucharist devoutly at eye-level, with the deacon(s) beside and slightly behind him, holding back his cope, if necessary. No one else walks beneath the canopy. The torch bearers with torches or lanterns walk along each side of the canopy. According to local custom, an escort from the armed forces, the police, scouts or a Catholic youth movement, etc., may also flank the canopy, but arranged farther out from the torch bearers and carefully spaced so as not to obscure the celebrant as he carries the Eucharist.
Directed by the ushers in the church, the people who are to walk in the procession follow the canopy, taking part in hymns and acclamations. The singing is led by the choir and cantor(s) - either walking in the midst of the people or singing from a fixed point, with appropriate amplification. The procession should move at a slow and reverent pace. Identifiable marshals should control the ranks of a large procession, so that it does not become disordered. All those in the procession not already carrying something may carry hand candles. Children trained to strew flowers are arranged according to local custom, but they are not mingled with the clergy or servers. If the Bishop carries the monstrance, he is flanked by two assistant deacons in dalmatics (or lacking deacons, concelebrants), who walk beside and slightly behind him holding back his cope. There are some other variations in the order of procession. The clergy in choir dress are followed by the deacon(s) of the Mass, then the canons of the cathedral chapter and other priests, wearing copes, followed by visiting Bishops wearing copes, but bareheaded, walking immediately in front of the thurifers. Those of higher rank walk nearer the Blessed Sacrament. Other visiting Bishops wear choir dress but are bareheaded during the procession and immediately follow the canopy. Those of higher rank also walk nearer the Blessed Sacrament, in this case preceding others in the order of procession. If the Bishop does not carry the monstrance, he walks alone immediately before the canopy, bareheaded and carrying his crozier, but not blessing the people. If he celebrated the Mass, he wears vestments, otherwise a white cope. A Bishop in choir dress comes immediately after the canopy. As the procession goes through the streets or appointed area, the faithful not walking in it should kneel as the Blessed Eucharist passes by. As noted above, the procession may pause at suitably decorated "altars" for Benediction. On returning to the church, or arriving at another church chosen and prepared for the final Benediction, the ceremonial escort, torch bearers and thurifers precede the canopy if the aisle is narrow. The canopy bearers stop in front of the sanctuary as the celebrant goes up to the altar. They move off to one side and put the canopy in a suitable place. The deacon takes the monstrance from the celebrant, places it on the corporal, and both genuflect. The M.C. or a server removes the humeral veil. Servers and torch bearers line up in the sanctuary for Benediction. The celebrant and deacon(s) should wait until all the people have taken their places in the church and are kneeling. At a signal from the M.C., the hymn of adoration is sung, the Eucharist is incensed and Benediction is given as usual. Unless adoration is to continue, the Eucharist is reposed and a final hymn, acclamation or Marian antiphon may be sung. Clergy and servers proceed to the sacristy. If the final Benediction is given in the open air, from the church steps, a balcony, or other place, these arrangements are adapted accordingly. The Benediction hymn begins only once all the people have gathered, kneeling or standing in an orderly way in the designated area. After Benediction the Eucharist is taken privately to the nearest tabernacle for reposition.
Readings and Prayers for the Corpus Christi Procession
The First Station
A reading from the Gospel according to St. John (6:47-51)
Jesus said to the Jews: Truly, truly I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread which comes down from heaven, that a man may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh.
V. The Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, we ask that Your blessing be upon Your Church, so that Your people and Your ministries may serve You in this most august Sacrament of the Altar with ever deeper reverence and love, and that, united with You, Who are the Bread of life, we may live with You in heaven, You Who live and reign forever and ever. Amen.
The Second Station
The Gospel according to St. Mark (6:34;39-44)
Jesus saw a great throng, and He had compassion on them for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things. Then He commanded them all to sit down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. And taking five loaves and two fish He looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people; and He divided the two fish among them all. And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish. And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
V. The Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, we ask you to look with compassion upon Your people who are like sheep without a shepherd, especially on those who have not yet accepted the full truth of Your teaching in Your Catholic Church. Through Your blessing may they have the grace to enter into communion with Your Sacred Body and Blood, You Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
The Third Station
The Gospel according to St. Matthew (26:26-29)
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to His disciples and said, "Take and eat; this is my body." And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks He gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it all of You; for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
V. The Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, we ask that Your blessing may be upon the souls of our parishioners who have passed away, and upon the souls of all Your faithful departed, that through Your mercy they may all enter into the peace of your heavenly kingdom, where You live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
The Fourth Station
The Gospel according to St. Luke (24:28-35).
[The two disciples] constrained Him saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent." So He went in to stay with them. When He sat at table with them, He took bread and blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized Him and He vanished from their sight. They said to one another, "Did not our hearts burn within us while He talked to us on the road, while He opened to us the Scriptures?" And they arose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, who said, "The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what happened along the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
V. The Gospel of the Lord.
R. Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus Christ, we ask Your blessing upon the families of this parish, so that You grant the grace of many vocations to the priesthood and the religious life, and that there be many holy families who heroically live as witnesses to Your Sacred Presence in the Most Blessed Sacrament, You Who lives and reigns forever and ever. Amen.
Eucharistic Miracle, LIÈGE, BELGIUM, 1374, Establishment of Corpus Christi
“Even though the Eucharist is solemnly celebrated every day of the year, on one day we pay special honor to the Body of Christ. We may, of course, invoke the Lord with our minds and our spirits at any time, but we do not in this way obtain the Real Presence of Christ. With the Eucharistic commemoration, however, Jesus Christ is actually present with us in his own substance. As the risen Christ told us prior to his Ascension: ‘And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.’ (Mt.28, 20) …He would remain and be with them even by His bodily presence.” Pope Urban IV: TRANSITURUS DE HOC MUNDO
Blessed Juliana of Cornillon, who lived in 13th century Belgium, had a vision in which she saw a full moon darkened in one spot. She heard a mysterious, heavenly voice state that the moon represented the Church at that time, and the dark spot showed that a great feast in honor of Corpus Christi was missing from the liturgical calendar.
She reported this vision to the local ecclesiastical authority, the Archdeacon of Liège, Jacques Panteléon, who was later to become Pope Urban IV. In 1246, the Bishop of Liège, Roberto of Thourotte, established within his diocese a feast in honor of the Holy Sacrament, and it was celebrated for the first time on June 5, 1249.
In 1264, Pope Urban IV (the former Archdeacon of Liège, to whom Blessed Juliana reported her vision) issued a papal bull extending the celebration to the universal Church. He also commissioned St. Thomas Aquinas to compose the Office for the Mass and Liturgy of the B Hours for the feast.
