CORPUS CHRISTI: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

By Ivy Chai

KUCHING — The Solemnity of Corpus Christi on 2 June 2024 was also the parish feast day of Blessed Sacrament Church, BDC.

The Saturday Sunset Mass on 1 June was presided by Archbishop Simon Poh with parish rector, Fr Leonard Yap concelebrating. Both the Chinese and English Masses on Sunday morning were celebrated by Fr Leonard.

Archbishop Simon welcomed the congregation with “Selamat Hari Gawai” as the feast day Mass coincided with the first day of the native Harvest festival. The Mass was a thanksgiving celebration for the parish and Gawai.

The Archbishop in his homily, said animal sacrifices were offered to God in the old days, as sins needed to be forgiven. Today, Jesus is the “sacrificial lamb” for the forgiveness of sins. At the Altar, Jesus offers us his love and mercy in his “body and blood” through bread and wine. “Ask God for healing. We receive him at Holy Communion,” he said.

Corpus Christi

“Corpus Christi” is Latin for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ. “Jesus is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. We are the ‘body of Christ’. God wants us to use our hands and feet after Mass to go and proclaim his love for us,” said Archbishop Simon. We are to bear witness that “Jesus is alive.” 

The Sunset Mass concluded with eucharistic adoration and a short procession inside the Church as Archbishop Simon carried the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance to the congregation.

After a final blessing with the Blessed Sacrament from the sanctuary, Archbishop Simon wished the parishioners “a very blessed feast day of Corpus Christi in the body of Christ with his love and mercy.” 

Two similar Masses, one Chinese and another English, were celebrated by Fr Leonard Yap on 2 June, where he expounded on the Most Holy Body of Christ as the “source and summit of Christian life.” We receive the “body of Christ” at Holy Communion. Hence, we should show reverence when we receive Christ. “Jesus is already in you after Holy Communion,” he said. 

The Masses ended with Fr Leonard going down to bless the congregation with the Blessed Sacrament.