Corpus Christi: Holy Hour

HOLY HOUR  
Sunday, June 11: Feast of Corpus Christi • 3:30 - 4:30 pm at St. Mary Church 

Fr. Colletti has a habit of making off-handed statements during his homilies that stick with me. I recall one homily when he said, “if Catholics really believed in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, they’d be lined up around the block every Sunday.” And he’s right. The Eucharist is a gift from God to the Church; the True Presence of Christ, shared with us every Sunday. Why aren’t Catholics lined up around the block?
 
A couple weeks ago, I was doing some reading about Corpus Christi celebrations around the world and I read about processions of the Eucharist displayed in a monstrance, sometimes miles long, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Wow, that sounds amazing! I was excited by the idea, but didn’t think we could do it justice with the short time we have for planning it. Still, I wanted to find a way to celebrate Corpus Christi and I thought of how moving my recent experiences have been in Eucharistic Adoration, so I suggested to Fr. Brian that we hold a Holy Hour.  Fr. Fernando, who told me he misses the Corpus Christi processions in his home country of El Salvador, graciously agreed to be the celebrant.
 
I’d like to invite all of you to join Fr. Fernando and I at a Holy Hour on the Feast of Corpus Christi; the day the Church sets aside to celebrate the True Presence of Christ. Fr. Fernando will lead us in prayer, I will be there to sing songs with you, and together we can all celebrate the Eucharist as a community.  You can bring your Bible and your Rosary in case inspiration strikes, or just bring yourself to spend an hour in the True Presence of Christ.  I hope you’ll join us. 

 
                 - Mike Stack, St. Mary Music Director