June 22, 2014 - Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament
have left us a memorial of your Passion,
grant us, we pray,
so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood
that we may always experience in ourselves
the fruits of your redemption.
Who live and reign with God the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
Today’s Scripture Readings and reflection:
ymlp232.net/archive_gbmbuqgjgu.php
www.catholicculture.org/culture/liturgicalyear/calendar/day.cfm?date=2014-06-22
"The mode of Christ’s presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises the Eucharist above all the sacraments as ‘the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to which all the sacraments tend.’ In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist ‘the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore,
the whole Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained.’ ‘This presence is called ‘real’ - by which is not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be ‘real’ too, but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a
substantial presence by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present.’ (CCC 1374)
June 22 - Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop (Optional Memorial):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who made the Bishop Saint Paulinus of Nola
outstanding for love of poverty and for pastoral care,
graciously grant that, as we celebrate his merits,
we may imitate the example of his charity.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
“Born of a patrician Roman family in Bordeaux, St. Paulinus (355-431) was successively prefect, senator, and consul. A pagan when he married, he converted and became a monk and later was consecrated Bishop of Nola. He gave his people not only an example of virtue but also wise guidance during the Gothic invasion.” (MTF.)
June 22 - Saints John fisher, Bishop, and Thomas More, Martyrs (Optional Memorial):
Collect (Opening Prayer):
“O God, who in martyrdom
have brought true faith to its highest expression,
graciously grant that, strengthened through the intercession
of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More,
we may confirm by the witness of our life
the faith we profess with our lips.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.”
"Sts. John Fisher and Thomas More gave up their lives in testimony to the unity of the Church and to the indissolubility of marriage.
St. John (1469-1535) studied theology in Cambridge, England, and was consecrated Bishop of Rochester. His friend St. Thomas More wrote of him, ‘I reckon in this realm no one man, in wisdom, learning, and long-approved virtue together, meet to be matched and compared with him.’
St. Thomas (1477-1535) was born in London and was Chancellor of King Henry VIII. As a family man, public servant, and writer, he displayed a rare combination of human warmth, Christian wisdom, and a sense of humor." (Daily Roman Missal, MTF.)
For more on
St. Paulinus of Nola, Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, see links:
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/P/stpaulinusofnola.asp
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/J/stjohnfisher.asp
www.ewtn.com/saintsHoly/saints/T/stthomasmore.asp