Other Commemorations

Throughout the history of the church, other observances have developed that focus on various dimensions of Christian piety. Not all Christians recognize these commemorations, the practice of which has tended to ebb and flow during Christianity's two thousand years. This article presents descriptions of liturgical resources for some of these days. Corpus Christi Sunday This feast, which is celebrated on the Thursday or the Sunday after Trinity Sunday, is a memorial of the Eucharist, particularly the blood of Christ. Also called the Feast of the Precious Blood, it was established in Rome in the thirteenth century and became universal in the fourteenth century after Thomas Aquinas wrote a special liturgy for the feast. It was the custom on this day to elevate the host and hold a procession around the church. Consequently, all the people were able to see the host for their personal devotion. The extravagances related to this festival prevented it from being used in the Protestant world.…