Corpus Christi

This is a reminder that Thursday 30th May is the Feast of Corpus Christi, and until 2006 this was a Holiday of Obligation.  In that year, the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales decided to transfer the feast to the following Sunday, a practice that had already been established many European countries.  In my view, this is a great pity, and has resulted in this very important feast being downgraded in the eyes of most people to be the same status as an ordinary Sunday.

With the very few priests that we have in the Middlesbrough Diocese able to celebrate Mass in the forma extraordinaria, it is difficult for us to make any special arrangements for the keeping of this feast on its traditional date.  However, there is an opportunity to celebrate Corpus Christi, albeit on the following Sunday, in a rather special way at New Brighton on the Wirrel.  Here are the details:

Sunday 2nd June

11.30     Sung Mass

12.45     Outdoor Procession

13.30     Benediction  (using the great monstrance)

Followed by social event   -   bring food to share

The great monstrance has to be seen to be believed.  It is six feet tall, and is winched into its position in a throne above the altar.