PHOTO: Corpus Christi procession with the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Medjugorje
On the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – Corpus Christi, on Thursday, June 4, the Apostolic Visitor with a special role for the parish of Medjugorje, Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, presided over the Eucharistic celebration at the White Dome of the Church of St. James in Medjugorje, which was followed by a Corpus Christi procession with the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Medjugorje.
Many priests concelebrated at the Holy Mass, and at the beginning of his homily, Monsignor Cavalli said that for centuries we have celebrated the solemnity of Corpus Christi on Thursdays in order to witness with faith and strong vitality and remember Holy Thursday when Jesus celebrated the first Eucharist.
''The definition of the Eucharist goes back to the very beginnings and is exactly the same as the definition that is still applicable today in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Eucharist is the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. True presence. Real presence. Substantial presence. In body, blood, soul and divinity. Under the species of bread and wine", said Msgr. Cavalli and continued that bread and wine by the action of the Holy Spirit and by the words of Jesus spoken at the Last Supper are no longer things, but become the real and true presence of Jesus Christ under the species of bread and wine.
"I always repeat because it is so significant that the parish priest of Ars writes in his diary that no one comes to church, but one evening a peasant enters the church. The man is illiterate and dirty with dirt. He sat down at the bottom of the church and looked at the tabernacle. An hour, hours, two hours, his gaze was fixed on the tabernacle", said Archbishop Cavalli, and the parish priest asked the peasant what he was doing, and he replied: "I look at Him and He looks at me".
Archbishop Cavalli said that he always has this in mind when he talks about the Youth Festival, when 40-50 thousand young people come to Medjugorje in August, who participate in the evening Holy Mass and adoration
"In complete silence, 50 thousand people. He looks at me, I look at Him. He speaks to me, I speak to Him," concluded Monsignor Cavalli's sermon, and after the communion, a Corpus Christi procession followed through the streets of Medjugorje, which returned to the White Dome where the faithful remained in silence and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, and at the end, the blessing with the Blessed Sacrament was given by the parish assistant priest of Medjugorje, Fr. Josip Stanić.