Panem Caeléstem

Bread of Heaven

We were treated tonight, at the Birmingham Oratory, to splendid divine liturgy for the traditional feast of Corpus Christi. I did not take photos this year, but include this photo from last year. It was a Solemn High Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, and thus it re-awakened in me a sense of the beauty and majesty which has been handed down to us by the eternal Church. It is such a blessing to be presented with a mystery whose depths can be explored for a whole lifetime with ever new insights of grace and blessing.

This High Mass was concluded, like last year, with a beautiful procession around church and Solemn Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. Fr Paul Chavasse preached about the wonderful gift of God upon the altar, which can act as a particular consolation at this time in England, after this devastating week in Parliament which is such a setback for the pro-life cause in our country. We must continue the good fight, and like the martyrs of Mexico who we commemorated yesterday, proclaim "long live Christ the King" for evermore.

Ecce Panis Angelorum, factus cibus viatorum:
vere panis filiorum, non mittendus canibus.
In figuris praesignatur, cum Isaac immolatur,
agnus Paschae deputatur, datur manna patribus.

Hail! Bread of the Angels, broken, for us pilgrims food, and token
of the promise by Christ spoken, children's meat, to dogs denied!
Shown in Isaac's dedication, in the Manna's preparation,
in the Paschal immolation, in old types pre-signified.

St Thomas Aquinas has given the church such depth of spiritual wisdom in our Church's doctrines, particularly evident on this great feast day, which was spread throughout the church in 1264.

From today's Lesson in the Breviary (None):

O banquet most precious! O banquet most admirable! O banquet overflowing with every spiritual delicacy! Can anything be more excellent than this repast, in whihc not the flesh of goats and heifers, as of old, but Christ the true God is given us for nourishment? What more wondrous than this holy sacrament! In it bread and wine are changed substantially, and under the appearance of a little bread and wine is had Christ Jesus, God and perfect Man. In this sacrament sins are purged away, virtues are increased, the soul is satiated with an abundance of every spiritual gift; no other sacrament is so beneficial. Since it was instituted unto the salvation of all, it is offered by Holy Church for the living and the dead, that all may share in its treasures.

- St Thomas Aquinas

In gazing upon the Blessed Sacrament, we must be preparing ourselves for partaking in this glorious banquet, by receiving Christ in Holy Communion and thereby abiding in Him, and Him in us; sharing in the very life of the Trinity. So although these photos are beautiful - it is not actually Christ you are looking at - but a computer screen! So go to a Catholic Church.... NOW! Christ is right there, waiting for YOU!!