Corpus Christi
Introit (Ps 80:17) He fed them with the fat of wheat, alleluia; and filled them with honey out of the rock. Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. (Ps. 80:2) Rejoice in God our helper; sing aloud to the God of Jacob. ℣ Glory be to the Father … He fed them …
Collect 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 lives and reigns …
Epistle (1 Corinthians 11:23-29) Brethren: For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Gradual (Psalm 144: 15-16) The eyes of all look towards you in hope, O Lord; and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand and fill every living thing with your blessings. (John 6:56-57) Alleluia, Alleluia, My flesh is meat indeed and My blood is drink indeed: he that eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him, Alleluia.
| Praise, O Sion, Your Saviour,
praise thy Leader and thy Shepherd in hymns and canticles. As much as thou canst, so much darest thou, for He is above all praise, nor art thou able to praise Him enough. |
Sequence Lauda, Sion, Salvatorem,
Lauda ducem et pastorem
In hymnis et canticis.
Quantum poses, tantum aude:
Quia major omni laude
Nec laudare sufficis.
| Today there is given us a special theme of praise,
the Bread both living and life-giving, which, it is not to be doubted, was given to the assembly of the brethren, twelve in number, at the table of the holy Supper. |
Laudis thema specialis,
Panis vivus et vitalis Hodie proponitur;
Quem in sacrae mensa coenae
Turbae fratrum duodenae
Datum non ambigitur.
Further verses of this sequence are omitted for lack of space, but may be conveniently read in any Missal or at many web sites.
Gospel (John 6:56-58) At that time, Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven—not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.”
Offertory (Leviticus 21:6) The priests of the Lord offer incense and loaves to God, and therefore they shall be holy to their God, and shall not defile His Name. Alleluia.
Secret Graciously bestow on Your Church, we beseech You, O Lord, the gifts of unity and peace, which are mystically shown forth in the gifts now offered, through Our Lord Jesus Christ Who lives and reigns …
Preface of the Blessed Sacrament It is truly meet and just and right, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God, through Christ Our Lord. Who, moving aside the futile shadows of fleshly victims, entrusted to us the (Holy) Body and Blood as (our) sacrifice, so that in every place there may be offered to Your name that pure sacrifice that alone has pleased You. Therefore, in this mystery of unsearchable wisdom and boundless charity, that very thing which He completed once in the Cross ceases not miraculously work, Himself offering, Himself the oblation. So we, made one Host with Him, He invites to the sacred banquet, in which He as food for us is consumed, the memory of His passion is recalled, the mind is filled with grace, and the pledge of future glory is given to us. And therefore with the angels and archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts of heaven, we sing a hymn of glory to You … Sanctus
Communion (1 Cor. 11: 27, 27) For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Alleluia
Postcommunion Make us, we beseech You, O Lord, to be filled with the eternal enjoyment of Your Divinity, which is prefigured by the reception in this life of Your Precious Body and Blood. Who lives and reigns …
Procession
If a procession is held, even inside the church, the Mass concludes with Benedicamus Domino (the Final Blessing and the Last Gospel are omitted). The Pange Lingua is sung, and if time permits, others such as Sacris Solemnis. With the usual conditions applying, the faithful may obtain a plenary indulgence by reciting the hymn Tantum Ergo.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum / Veneremur cernui:
Et antiquum documentum / Novo cedat ritui:
Praestet fides supplementum / Sensuum defectui.
Genitori, Genitoque / Laus et iubilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus quoque / Sit et benedictio:
Procedenti ab utroque / Compar sit laudatio.
Down in adoration falling, / Lo! the sacred Host we hail, / Lo! oe’r ancient forms departing / Newer rites of grace prevail; / Faith for all defects supplying, / Where the feeble senses fail. /
To the everlasting Father, / And the Son Who reigns on high / With the Holy Spirit proceeding / Forth from each eternally, / Be salvation, honour blessing, / Might and endless majesty. Amen.
