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Corpus Christi Celebration Brings Faithful to the Streets of Rome

Benedict XVI Leads Traditional Procession of the Blessed Sacrament

By Junno Arocho

ROME, JUNE 7, 2012 (Zenit.org).- Hundreds filled the streets surrounding the Basilica of Saint John Lateran where Benedict XVI celebrated the feast of Corpus Christi, which celebrates the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Following tradition, the Holy Father also led the procession with the Blessed Sacrament from St. John Lateran to the Basilica of St. Mary Major, concluding with Benediction.

Throughout the day, many lined up to take their seats at the outdoor Mass, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Pontiff. People both young and old were filled with excitement as they waited for the gates to open.

One of those waiting was Steven Bridge, chair of the Theology Department at St. Joseph’s College. Bridge is in Rome after a generous research grant allowed him to follow the footsteps of St. Paul. Within the Basilica of Saint John Lateran are two silver busts that were thought to have once contained the heads of Sts. Peter and Paul.

Dr. Bridge saw the Corpus Christi Mass as "a great opportunity to worship with the community, the catholic community at large."

"I certainly hope to bring back a deeper appreciation for both Paul and Peter; a better understanding of the early Church -- also the sacrifices they and early Christian martyrs made," he told ZENIT.

When asked about the current situation regarding religious freedom back in the U.S., Dr. Bridge said, "The Church has been in rough spots before and has survived. I think there is an innate hope that goes along with Christianity, even during the darkest times. And the examples of the martyrs is very inspirational to draw from."

Papal reflection

Pope Benedict, having returned Sunday from the 7th World Meeting of Families in Milan, focused his homily on two important aspects: devotion to the Eucharist and its sacredness. Regarding the first theme, he pointed out the need to keep a healthy balance between a focus on the Eucharist in the celebration of the Mass, and worship of the Eucharist. He said there is no competition between these two aspects, and instead, "the worship of the Most Blessed Sacrament is as the spiritual 'environment' in which the community can celebrate the Eucharist well and in truth."

"The encounter with Jesus in the Holy Mass is truly and fully acted when the community is able to recognize that, in the Sacrament, He dwells in his house, waits for us, invites us to His table, then, after the assembly is dismissed, stays with us, with His discreet and silent presence, and accompanies us with His intercession, continuing to gather our spiritual sacrifices and offering them to the Father," the Pontiff added.

The Pope also underlined the importance of the sacred in the Eucharistic Mystery. "It is true," he clarified, "and it remains always valid, that the center of worship is now no longer in rites and ancient sacrifices, but in Christ himself, in his person, in his life, in his paschal mystery. And yet, from this fundamental novelty it must not be concluded that the sacred no longer exists."

"The sacred has an educational function, and its disappearance inevitably impoverishes the culture, in particular, the formation of the new generations," the Holy Father warned.

He suggested that if, for example, "in the name of a secularized faith, no longer in need of sacred signs, this citizens' processions of the Corpus Domini were abolished, the spiritual profile of Rome would be 'leveled,' and our personal and community conscience would be weakened."

"At the height of this mission, in the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Sacrament of his Body and his Blood, the Memorial of his Paschal Sacrifice," Benedict XVI concluded. "By so doing, he put himself in the place of the ancient sacrifices, but he did so within a rite, which he commanded the Apostles to perpetuate, as the supreme sign of the true sacred, which is Himself. With this faith, dear brothers and sisters, we celebrate today and every day the Eucharistic Mystery and we adore it as the center of our life and heart of the world."

Arlington Catholic Herald

GOSPEL COMMENTARY MK 14:12-16, 22-26

Satisfying Experiences

By Fr. Jerry Pokorsky

Imagine a finely produced one-hour movie about Christ, and imagine watching that movie as a requirement of worship, every Sunday morning, instead of the ritual of the Mass. It is fair to suggest that it would not take long for that movie to become unbearable to watch. However noble film depictions of religious subjects are, there is something ultimately unsatisfying and unreal about them.

But to thoughtful Catholics, the same cannot be said of the Mass. There is something far more real and satisfying about entering into the Mass week after week, and for many, day after day.

For the most part, when we see a good movie there is little desire to see it again soon, much less on a weekly basis. Hence, the creative moviemaking business feeds a continuing need to produce new movies, usually with improved special effects. The box-office success of every generation of action movies, for example, depends upon whether the filmmaking thrills can supersede those of the previous generations. The special effects of “Star Wars” by today’s standards look amateurish. Nevertheless, even the finest of movies leave one with the sense that the experience is “not real.” In the end, depictions of reality in film remain mere depictions.

Movies about Christ may be noble in many ways, but are also unable to satisfy as a “real” encounter with Christ. An important part of the reason, it seems, is the difficulty in portraying Christ, the second person of the Blessed Trinity as “real.” How could an actor convincingly repeat the words of Christ who dared to say, “Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away” (Mt 24:35)? In this and in every other quotation of Christ it is impossible to invoke an actor’s personality impressively enough to be persuasive, and it is impossible for a film to really re-present the drama.

Attempts at realism in other genres of art have the same shortcomings. In the renditions of the great painters and sculptors, it may often seem that Christ looks too much like the artist, or is too chubby, or distracts by wearing the clothes of contemporaries. In movies, the personalities of the actors or the prejudices of the directors also intrude upon the personality of Christ. Even the individual personal adjectives in a writer’s attempt to describe the personal qualities of Christ fall short of the reality. Of course Christ is “intelligent” and “witty” but an actor’s depiction of the intelligence of Christ necessarily is woefully inadequate of the reality we have come to know from reading and hearing the Gospels.

Our expectations upon hearing the Gospel provide us with a clue as to truly experiencing the “real” Christ.

Christ was born into the world in the fullness of time (cf. Gal 4:4-5). It was a time without video cameras, audio recording devices, television and movies. The depiction of the personality of Christ depends upon the memories and writings of the followers of Christ and the evangelists. Scribes and scrolls would document His words and mighty deeds and the ancient ritual of the Mass would represent both. Hence the primary means of entering into the life and person of Christ is not by dramatic representations (although the Mass might rightfully be referred to as “a drama”), but by word and ritual that is obedient to the command of Christ, Who instructed the first priests to “Do this in memory of me” (Lk 22:19).

Even before we consider the mystery of the sacraments, there is something about ritual that is more “real” in repetition than other forms of representations. The objective reality of the ritual with its familiar prayers and Gospel quotations allows us to enter into it day after day or week after week with new personal insights on the person of Christ. In hearing the word in the context of the ritual of the Mass, we ourselves are changed and are increasingly disposed to answer the question Christ poses to each of us. It is the most important question of our existence: “Who do men say that I am?” (Mt 16:13-17). “Who do you say that I am?” In answering the question, within the context of the ritual of the Mass, we are not to be distracted by a filmmaker’s prejudices or an individual actor’s narrow representation. Even the personality of the priest-celebrant is subsumed in ritual by vestments that symbolically echo the maxim of John the Baptist: “He must increase, I must decrease” (Jn 3:30).

The full power of the personality of Christ can only resonate in the hearts of men, by God’s design, in response to the proclaimed and received word of God. It is fitting that the most satisfying encounter with Christ is not the result of movie representations or the depictions of the great artists, as worthy as they may be. The great mystery of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist begins in word, continues in the ritual of the Mass and concludes with a sacrament, a true if mysterious Communion that alone satisfies a hungry heart.

The Mass is no mere depiction; the Mass is real and delivers to us the real presence of Christ, Who is always ancient, always new.

Fr. Pokorsky is pastor of St. Michael Parish in Annandale.