\u2018Christ the Lord is the bread of life: come, let us adore him.\u2019 (Invitatory antiphon)<\/p>\n
Parades, processions, pilgrimages, and marches have always been part of our cultural, secular and faith tradition since ancient times. During this time of Covid-19, restrictions were placed on such events. These assemblies bring people together for a common purpose. While people recognise the power of one person to influence a situation, it is a fact that \u2018together we can do more.\u2019 Once again, the words of the political figures and medical authorities ring in our ears as we hear during the pandemic, \u2018we are all in this together.\u2019\u00a0 Worldwide protests supporting \u2018Black Lives Matter\u2019 speak for voices that are not heard.<\/p>\n
ABOUT THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY BODY AND BLOOD OF CHRIST<\/p>\n
An annual tradition in the Catholic and Anglican Church is the Corpus Christi procession, though not as popular in Ireland today as in former times. The Feast of Corpus Christi, ‘Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ’ celebrates the \u2018Real Presence of the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ in the elements of the Eucharist\u2019.<\/p>\n
Two months ago on the feast of Holy Thursday, Jesus shared the Last Supper with his apostles, which was the eve of his death on the cross. On Holy Thursday we also recall Jesus washing the disciples\u2019 feet, the institution of priesthood and the agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.<\/p>\n
This Solemnity of \u2018The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ\u2019 focuses particularly on the Eucharist and is celebrated in the liturgical calendar on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.<\/p>\n
A procession might take place through the streets of a town or in a parish where people pray and sing in honour of the Blessed Sacrament. During the procession, the consecrated host is displayed in a monstrance held at a height by the priest. At the conclusion of the procession, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament takes place.<\/p>\n
It is customary for the Pope to hold a \u2018Corpus Christi\u2019 procession each year in Rome.\u00a0 It begins at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran and passes to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where it concludes with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.<\/p>\n
The readings and the Gospel (Jn 6:51-58) proclaimed at Mass today, may be heard via the webcam or read in the Old and the New Testament.<\/p>\n
The first reading today from the Book of Deuteronomy (Deut 8:2-3, 14-16) reminds God\u2019s people of the journey through the desert for 40 years in which God led the people under the leadership of Moses. On the way, God gave them manna to eat, making them understand that God\u2019s people \u2018live not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.\u2019 God\u2019s people remember God\u2019s saving love so to lead them to eternal life, having been tested, tried and humbled by God.<\/p>\n
In St John\u2019s Gospel, we hear the words of Jesus proclaimed as he reveals himself, \u2018I am the living bread which has come down from heaven.\u2019 Jesus told the Jews that \u2018anyone who eats this bread will live forever.\u2019 This is our hope, the promise of eternal life, to be with God for everlasting life. God\u2019s people can receive the Body of Christ when they attend Mass. Even during this time of pandemic, the faithful make a spiritual communion which keeps them in Jesus\u2019 presence.<\/p>\n
SEEK GOD\u2019S LOVE IN THE GROW IN LOVE RELIGIOUS EDUCATION PROGRAMME<\/p>\n
So what can children learn today from their life experience and the Grow in Love programme that enables them to have a deeper understanding of the \u2018Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ\u2019?<\/p>\n
Children through their prayer and reflection on life experience, and Scripture are inspired by the Holy Spirit to grow in relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. God is Creator and has created each person in a unique way with individual gifts and talents. God desires a personal relationship him\/her. Children grow in God\u2019s love and friendship as they experience the love and friendship of their family and friends. They are also invited to grow in faith as they pray, discuss their faith, read Scripture, show kindness, attend Mass and receive the Body of Christ so they are nourished to love God and one another.<\/p>\n
In preparation to receive Holy Communion, the Body of Christ for the first time, children receive the sacrament of Reconciliation at which God forgives their sins.<\/p>\n
On listening to the reading from the Book of Deuteronomy; the children recall the story of Moses and how God called Moses to lead the people from slavery into the Promised Land. This journey took a long time. The people travelled with Moses. They celebrated the Passover meal before they began the journey out of slavery. Along the way, the people complained to Moses.\u00a0 They had no food and God provided them with manna. Children recognise the difficulties crossing through the desert- the story of slavery, the snakes, scorpions, arid land, with no water or food. But God provided. He desired their freedom.<\/p>\n
In the New Testament, the children recall what happened at the Last Supper. This was the last Passover celebration for Jesus. Every year, Jesus as a Jewish boy and his family celebrated the Passover festival in honour of God leading the Jewish people from slavery.<\/p>\n
At the Last Supper, Jesus blessed the bread and wine, gave it to the apostles and said \u2018This is my Body. This is my Blood.\u2019\u00a0 He said, \u2018Do this in memory of me\u2019.\u00a0 Each time Mass is celebrated the assembly of people remember what happened at the Last Supper. With Jesus they offer themselves in love as sacrifice with the gifts of bread and wine.<\/p>\n
Children identify the parts of the Mass. They are taught that Mass is a sacrifice and a celebration. They explore the Liturgy of Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They recognise that Jesus is present at Mass in the priest, in the assembly of people gathered, in the Word and in the appearance of bread and wine. They are taught that at the Consecration of the Mass, by the action of the Holy Spirit that the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ.<\/p>\n
The people receive the Body of Christ in Holy Communion, which nourishes them to share the Good News and act in a loving way. It also nourishes their faith in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
Children also learn that the Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist take Holy Communion to people who are sick and housebound.<\/p>\n
They also are taught that Jesus is reserved as the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle in sacramental form. The sanctuary lamp on the altar is lighting to show that Jesus is present in the tabernacle.<\/p>\n
When there is a prayer of Adoration or benediction, the Blessed Sacrament, the consecrated host is taken out of the tabernacle and placed in the monstrance on the altar. People gather in the Church to pray silently to Jesus, in adoration and thanksgiving.<\/p>\n
Children might also pray the prayers before and after Holy Communion accessible in the Grow in Love e-books on the back pages from First Class\/P3 to Sixth Class. Personally, children address Jesus and pray such words as, \u2018Jesus I love and adore you\u2019, \u2018Make me strong to show your love\u2019, \u2018Lord Jesus friend of children, come to me\u2019, \u2018You are my Lord and my God.\u2019<\/p>\n
Resources are available on the VERITAS website to support the understanding of this Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. From Junior Infants\/P1, the children are taught about the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist throughout each theme. There are specific resources accessible on The Mass.<\/p>\n
Logon: www.veritas.ie<\/p>\n
Email: trial@growinlove.ie<\/p>\n
Password: growinlove<\/p>\n
INVITATION TO:<\/p>\n
READ from Grow in Love\/ I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9:<\/p>\n
\u2018God is Love\u2019 (1 Jn 4:7-8), \u2018The New Commandment\u2019 (Jn 13:34-5), \u2018Parable of the Real Vine\u2019 (John 15:1, 4-5, 7-10, 16-17), 1 Corinthians 11:23-5, \u2018The Walk to Emmaus\u2019 (Lk 24: 13-35).<\/p>\n
SING from Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9:<\/p>\n
\u2018C\u00e9ad M\u00edle F\u00e1ilte Romhat\u2019, \u2018Parish Anthem\u2019, \u2018 The Great Commandment\u2019, \u2018Eat This Bread\u2019, \u2018Ithig\u00ed an t-Ar\u00e1n Seo\u2019, \u2018We Come To Your Feast\u2019, \u2018The Welcome Table\u2019, \u2018The Servant Song\u2019, \u2018O Sacrament Most Holy\u2019, \u2018Go Tell Everyone\u2019, \u2018Whatsoever You Do\u2019, ‘I Watch the Sunrise’, \u2018Mass Setting-Bernard Sexton\u2019.<\/p>\n
PRAY from Grow in Love\/I nGr\u00e1 D\u00e9:<\/p>\n
COMMUNION RITE<\/p>\n
INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION<\/p>\n
Celebrant: Behold the Lamb of God,<\/p>\n
behold him who takes away the sins of the world.<\/p>\n
Blessed are those who are called to the supper<\/p>\n
of the Lamb.<\/p>\n
People: Lord, I am not worthy<\/p>\n
that you should enter under my roof,<\/p>\n
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.<\/p>\n
DEASGN\u00c1TH NA COMAOINEACH<\/p>\n
CUIREADH CHUIG COMAOINEACH NAOFA<\/p>\n
Sagart: Seo \u00e9 Uan D\u00e9, seo \u00e9 an t\u00e9<\/p>\n
a th\u00f3gann peaca\u00ed an domhain. Is<\/p>\n
m\u00e9anar d\u00f3ibh si\u00fad a fuair cuireadh<\/p>\n
chun s\u00e9ire an Uain.<\/p>\n
Pobal: A Thiarna, n\u00ed fi\u00fa m\u00e9 go dtiocf\u00e1<\/p>\n
faoi mo dhian,<\/p>\n
ach abairse an focal<\/p>\n
agus leigheasfar m\u2019anam.<\/p>\n
WHEN RECEIVING HOLY COMMUNION<\/p>\n
Celebrant: The Body of Christ.<\/p>\n
People. Amen.<\/p>\n
AG GLACADH COMAOINEACH<\/p>\n
Sagart: Corp Chr\u00edost.<\/p>\n
Pobal: \u00c1im\u00e9an.<\/p>\n
ACT OF SPIRITUAL COMMUNION (during the pandemic)<\/p>\n
My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament.<\/p>\n
I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul.<\/p>\n
Since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.<\/p>\n
As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You;<\/p>\n
never permit me to be separated from You.<\/p>\n
Amen.<\/p>\n
\u2018I am the living bread which came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever, alleluia.\u2019(Benedictus antiphon)<\/p>\n
\u2018O praise the Lord, Jerusalem! alleuia.\u2019(Psalm 147:12)<\/p>\n
\u2018O sacred feast in which we partake of Christ: his sufferings are remembered, our minds are filled with his grace and we receive a pledge of the glory that is to be ours, alleluia.\u2019 (Magnificat antiphon)<\/p>\n
\u2018It is in the Eucharist that all that has been created finds its greatest exaltation. Grace, which tends to manifest itself tangibly, found unsurpassable expression when God himself became man and gave himself as food for his creatures\u2026 In the Eucharist fulness is already achieved; it is the living centre of the universe, the overflowing core of love and of inexhaustible life. Joined to the incarnate Son, present in the Eucharist, the whole cosmos give thanks to God.\u2019 (Laudato Si\u2019, no. 236)<\/p>\n
Sr Anne Neylon<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u2018Christ the Lord is the bread of life: come, let us adore him.\u2019 (Invitatory antiphon) Parades, processions, pilgrimages, and marches have always been part of our cultural, secular and faith tradition since ancient times. During this time of Covid-19, restrictions were placed on such events. These assemblies bring people together for a common purpose. While […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5244","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5244","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5244"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5244\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.growinlove.ie\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}