Corpus Christie Blessing

Corpus Christie Blessing

Submitted by Thomas Stidl

               I have received many blessings in my life from various priests, bishops, archbishops, cardinals, and the Pope. Last Saturday I attended the evening Mass for Corpus Christie Sunday. All the readings were magnificent. The reception of the Holy Eucharist was extremely comforting especially in these troubled times in the Mideast and Europe just to name a few. After the post communion prayer, our Pastor placed the consecrated Host in the Monstrance and made an announcement that he wished to give us a special blessing.

                While Father was performing said blessing, the choir leader and organist sang Tantum Ergo which brought back many great memories of childhood. Yes, I am old enough to remember the Latin Mass. What impressed me so deeply was the blessing that I received. The blessing was not from a priest, bishop, archbishop, cardinal or Pope. The blessing that I received was from the living true presence of Jesus Christ on earth. Yes, the pastor had to perform the blessing, and for that I am extremely grateful.

               With feelings of the deepest sense of humility, I was asking myself the following questions. Who am I that I should receive such a blessing? Who am I that Jesus died for me and rose from the tomb for me? I am a mere speck in the grandeur of the cosmos that God created. By that blessing peace, the love of God, tranquility, and joy flooded my soul.

               While receiving this blessing, another memory flooded my soul. When I was a young boy, we received Holy Communion kneeling at the altar rail. Before I received Our Lord, the priest would pray the following prayer in Latin while blessing the communicant with the Host, “May the Body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve your soul to life everlasting. Amen.” This is one activity that is missing from today’s reception of Holy Communion. In the “good old days” a Catholic did not need to wait for a special occasion or feast day to receive a blessing from the True Presence. That blessing helps to reinforce the fact that we are always living in God’s presence.

               I wish that we could bring back that practice even if it is done in a group or general manner. Thinking about my reception of Holy Communion, I wear plastic gloves on my hands so that I do not drop the Host from stiff fingers and other physical problems. Before I place the Host in my mouth, I pray with great reverence the following, “My Lord and my God, My Jesus mercy.” More people should adopt this practice also.

               Until next time, Deo Gratias. Laus Tibi Christe. Laus Deo. Gloria Tibi Domini. See you in paradise.