Corpus Christi

Fifty years ago last Thursday, I was ordained a priest in St Bede’s Church, Clapham Park by Bishop Cyril Cowderoy. This weekend we celebrate the feast of Corpus Christi and I reflect on how the Mass has been a vital part of my life as a priest.

I can say that celebrating Mass over these many years has never become routine or boring for me. It has always been a great privilege and a blessing. Over the years I have celebrated Mass for small groups in a family setting, I have joined 300 priests concelebrating Mass with the late Pope Francis during the Year of Mercy in St Peter’s Square and I have also celebrated Mass secretly in Saudi Arabia for groups of ex-patriots working far from home. It has been a privilege to enable others to encounter and receive Jesus under the appearance of bread and wine. Jesus has called me, and every priest, to celebrate with his people his death and resurrection. At my ordination, the Bishop asked me: Are you resolved to celebrate the mysteries of Christ faithfully and religiously as the Church has handed them down to us, for the glory of God and the sanctification of Christ’s people?

The Mass is the source and summit of the Christian life. Just as Jesus longed to share the meal before he died with his friends, he longs always that we accept his invitation to share his very self with each one of us. The prayers for this feast of Corpus Christi were composed by Thomas Aquinas, at a time when many had lost any appreciation and understanding of the Eucharist.

What a wonderful and intimate moment celebrating Mass can be for any Catholic. Why does the church have to say that we must come and celebrate Mass every Sunday? Who wouldn’t want to miss this intimacy that Jesus is offering us!

Here are two prayers that we can pray on this feast of Corpus Christi and whenever we prepare to join our brothers and sisters at the Eucharist.

Jesus, Body and Blood, we are grateful for
the gift of your life and the way it
strengthens us to live ours. Teach us to
draw on the gift of your Body and Blood for
energy, renewal, strength and grace. May
we never take the gift of your presence for granted.

Grant, O Lord, we pray,
that we may delight for all eternity
in that share in your divine life,
which is foreshadowed in the present age
by our reception of your precious Body and Blood.
Who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.