In the wake of Eastertide, the Church celebrates a major Eucharistic feast: the feast of Christ who gives himself as food for the joy of his brethren. Since the 13th century, the Feast of Corpus Christi has been celebrated on the Thursday that follows Trinity Sunday. In Jerusalem, the Latin Patriarch officiates the solemnity, which takes place over two days.
On Wednesday the 18th of June, Mgr. Fouad Twal, accompanied by many priests and brothers from the various communities of the diocese, made his solemn entry to the Holy Sepulchre. First Vespers were sung, followed by the procession and Compline. Later that night the Custos of the Holy Land came to the Empty Tomb for a prayer vigil. The gospel according to Saint Luke resounded in the nighttime stillness of the basilica: “He took the bread, broke it and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” The vigil closes with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament around the aedicule.
Lauds preceded Mass on Thursday morning, and the large assistance sang, “I am the bread of life. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, alleluia”. The patriarch preached on the message that Christ left us through the Eucharist. Just a few weeks after the Holy Father’s visit and his appeal for more peace and unity, he continued the pope’s initiative and said, “It is the Eucharist that helps us eliminate the distance between us and to move towards the other.” His Beatitude added, “The Eucharist is an incomprehensible gift that completely bypasses our limits. It redeems us and brings us together.” Incense and hymns further proclaimed the grandeur of the Blessed Sacrament during the final, majestic procession of this gift from God to mankind so that we may live as brothers.
On Wednesday the 18th of June, Mgr. Fouad Twal, accompanied by many priests and brothers from the various communities of the diocese, made his solemn entry to the Holy Sepulchre. First Vespers were sung, followed by the procession and Compline. Later that night the Custos of the Holy Land came to the Empty Tomb for a prayer vigil. The gospel according to Saint Luke resounded in the nighttime stillness of the basilica: “He took the bread, broke it and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” The vigil closes with a procession with the Blessed Sacrament around the aedicule.
Lauds preceded Mass on Thursday morning, and the large assistance sang, “I am the bread of life. Whoever eats this bread will live forever, alleluia”. The patriarch preached on the message that Christ left us through the Eucharist. Just a few weeks after the Holy Father’s visit and his appeal for more peace and unity, he continued the pope’s initiative and said, “It is the Eucharist that helps us eliminate the distance between us and to move towards the other.” His Beatitude added, “The Eucharist is an incomprehensible gift that completely bypasses our limits. It redeems us and brings us together.” Incense and hymns further proclaimed the grandeur of the Blessed Sacrament during the final, majestic procession of this gift from God to mankind so that we may live as brothers.