Liturgical Information
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ [Corpus Christi] (A)

Themes & Motives: Eucharist, love

Introit:
The Lord fed his people with the finest wheat and honey; their hunger was satisfied. (Psalm 81:17)

Opening Prayer:
Lord Jesus Christ,
you gave us the eucharist
as the memorial of your suffering and death.
May our worship of this sacrament of your body and blood
help us to experience the salvation you won for us
and the peace of the kingdom
where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

• Deuteronomy 8:2-3,14b-16a [He fed you with manna which you did not know /v.3]
• Psalm 147:12-13 / 14-15 / 19-20 [R. Praise the Lord, Jerusalem. /v.12]
• I Corinthians 10:16-17 [Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body. /v.17]
• Sequence: [optional] Lauda Sion
• Gospel Verse: Jn 6:51 [I am the living bread that came down form heaven, says the Lord; whoever eats this bread will live for ever.]
• John 5:51-58 [My flesh is true food, and My blood is true drink. /v.55]
  See CNP's Book of Sung Gospels - 3rd Edition CNP Catalog #3012-3

Offertory Antiphon: **
The Lord opened the doors of heaven. He rained down manna upon them for food and gave them heavenly bread. The bread of angels was eaten by men, alleluia. [Psalm 78:23-25a]
- or -
Moses consecrated the altar of the Lord, offering upon it sacrifices and peace offerings. He offered the evening sacrifice to the Lord God in the odor of holiness, in the presence of the children of Israel. [See Exodus 24:4-5]
- or -
You nourished your people with the food of angels, and gave them the bread of heaven, alleluia.

     Verses of  Psalm 84  can also be sung between repetitions of the antiphon.

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
may the bread and cup we offer
bring your Church the unity and peace they signify.
We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Preface of the Holy Eucharist II: [The effects of the Holy Eucharist]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

At the last supper
as he sat at table with his apostles,
he offered himself to you as the spotless lamb,
the acceptable gift that gives you perfect praise.
Christ has given us this memorial of his passion
to bring us its saving power until the end of time.

In this great sacrament you feed your people
and strengthen them in holiness,
so that the family of mankind
may come to walk in the light of one faith,
in one communion of love.
We come then to this wonderful sacrament
to be fed at your table
and grow into the likeness of the risen Christ.

Earth unites with heaven
to sing the song of creation
as we adore and praise you for ever:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood will live in me and I in him, says the Lord. (John 6:57)

Prayer after Communion:
Lord Jesus Christ,
you give us your body and blood in the eucharist
as a sign that even now we share your life.
May we come to share it completely in the kingdom
where you live for ever and ever. Amen.

** An official, approved English translation of the Offertory Antiphon has never been published. The offertory antiphons used here are cited in Latin, (Portas cæli aperuit Dominus and Sanctificavit Moyses altare Domino) in the Graduale Romanum and (Angelorum esca) in the Graduale simplex.
The English is from the New American Bible, a Scripture translation approved for liturgical use in the United States.

The English translation of the Introit, Opening Prayer, Psalm Refrain, Gospel Verse, Prayer over the Gifts, Preface, Communion Antiphon, Prayer after Communion, and Solemn Blessing from The Roman Missal, Copyright 1973, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.

Excerpts from the First Reading, Second Reading and Gospel are taken from the New American Standard Bible ® © Copyright 1973 The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.