Corpus Christi Procession Prayer
In his June 2006 homily for the Solemnity of the Sacred Body and Blood of Christ Pope Benedict XVI concluded with this thought and prayer:
On the feast of Corpus Christi, we especially look at the sign of bread. It reminds us of the pilgrimage of Israel during the 40 years in the desert. The Host is our manna whereby the Lord nourishes us - it is truly the bread of heaven, through which he gives himself.
In the procession, we follow this sign and in this way, we follow Christ himself. And we ask of him: Guide us on the paths of our history! Show the Church and her Pastors, again and again, the right path! Look at suffering humanity, cautiously seeking a way through so much doubt; look upon the physical and mental hunger that torments it! Give men and women bread for body and soul! Give them work! Give them light! Give them yourself! Purify and sanctify all of us! Make us understand that only through participation in your Passion, through "yes" to the cross, to self-denial, to the purifications that you impose upon us, our lives can mature and arrive at true fulfilment. Gather us together from all corners of the earth. Unite your Church, unite wounded humanity! Give us your salvation! Amen.
On the feast of Corpus Christi, we especially look at the sign of bread. It reminds us of the pilgrimage of Israel during the 40 years in the desert. The Host is our manna whereby the Lord nourishes us - it is truly the bread of heaven, through which he gives himself.
In the procession, we follow this sign and in this way, we follow Christ himself. And we ask of him: Guide us on the paths of our history! Show the Church and her Pastors, again and again, the right path! Look at suffering humanity, cautiously seeking a way through so much doubt; look upon the physical and mental hunger that torments it! Give men and women bread for body and soul! Give them work! Give them light! Give them yourself! Purify and sanctify all of us! Make us understand that only through participation in your Passion, through "yes" to the cross, to self-denial, to the purifications that you impose upon us, our lives can mature and arrive at true fulfilment. Gather us together from all corners of the earth. Unite your Church, unite wounded humanity! Give us your salvation! Amen.
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| Corpus Christi Procession with Pope Gregory XVI in the Vatican (Ferdinando Cavalleri) |