The Church celebrates the Solemnity of Corpus Christi Sunday on June 11th this year.
The feast dates back to the 13th century when Pope Urban IV instituted it in 1264. It commemorates and emphasizes the belief in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
The term "Corpus Christi" is Latin for "Body of Christ."
Holy devotion to Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is a common thread in the lives of the saints. We can look to their example and grow in our own relationship with Christ through the Body and Blood of our Lord.
Here are nine quotes from the saints on the Holy Eucharist:
“A thousand years of enjoying human glory is not worth even an hour spent sweetly communing with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.” -St. Padre Pio
"How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment." - St. John Chrysostom
"God dwells in our midst, in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar." - St. Maximilian Kolbe
“Jesus has made Himself the Bread of Life to give us life. Night and day, He is there. If you really want to grow in love, come back to the Eucharist, come back to that Adoration.” -St. Teresa of Calcutta
“ The courage and strength that are in me are not of me, but of Him who lives in me – it is the Eucharist.” -St. Faustina
“One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is to preserve the soul from sin, and to help those who fall through weakness to rise again. It is much more profitable, then, to approach this divine Sacrament with love, respect, and confidence, than to remain away through an excess of fear and scrupulosity.” - St. Ignatius of Loyola
"If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion." - St. Maximilian Kolbe
"Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you - for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart...don't listen to the demon, laugh at him, and go without fear to receive the Jesus of peace and love…” -St. Therese of Lisieux
“Always remain close to the Catholic Church, because it alone can give you true peace, since it alone possesses Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the true Prince of Peace.” - St. Padre Pio
Prayer of St. Faustina before the Eucharist:
O Christ, let me glorify Your goodness and mercy to the last moment of my life, with every drop of my blood and every beat of my heart. Would that I be transformed into a hymn of adoration of You. When I find myself on my deathbed, may the last beat of my heart be a loving hymn glorifying Your unfathomable mercy. Amen.