The Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ,
2023, on Mt. Schoenstatt, Germany
On Mt. Schoenstatt, the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi), was celebrated in a traditional way on the Sunday after Corpus Christi.* The day before, many volunteers arrived to help decorate with flower petals along the route.
The Church Today
On Sunday morning, the bells of the Adoration Church invited the congregation to a festive Eucharist. At the beginning of his homily, Dr. Bernd Biberger, the main celebrant, took up the situation of the Catholic Church in Germany. The loss of trust and the processing of the abuse cases have shaken the Catholic Church. Questions arise about who we are as a Church today and how can we regain the trust of the people. It is in this situation that the Feast of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ was being celebrated, and it reminded us that Christ is our salvation. In no other way than in a living relationship with Christ can we be a Church. Jesus calls to us:
“Remain in My Love!”
Unless we are united to him, we cannot pass on his love to others. If we love people with the love with which Jesus loves us, the Church can win back the trust of the people.
Worldwide Prayer
After Holy Mass and under a radiant sky, the procession on Mt. Schoenstatt took place. As has been the tradition for many years, it was accompanied with music by the Niederwerth Music Association, 1922.
We focused on a special intention at the altar of each station.
– At the first altar, in front of the Schulungsheim, a married couple prayed for families.
– At the second altar, young people prayed for the youth of the world. These petitions and several flower carpets raised our awareness of the upcoming World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal.
– On the way to the third altar, the internationality of our praying community was especially evident. Not only the national flags that were in the Church and then carried the entire way of the procession, but also the “Hail Mary,” that was prayed in various languages, made the unity with all Christians in the world tangible.
Rose Petals for Jesus
The children spoke at the third altar. They presented three role models who remained in the love of Jesus: St. Pope John Paul II, Blessed Carlo Acutis, and St. Josefine Bakhita. While the priest blessed the people with Our Lord present in the monstrance, the children strewed rose petals for him.
Heartfelt Words of Gratitude
– After the blessing at the fourth and final altar near the Adoration Church, the solemn “Holy God, We Praise Thy Name” resounded.
In the sacristy, after the celebration, a priest filled with joy said, “It was very beautiful! This is the first time I participated in the Corpus Christi procession here in Schoenstatt. Everything was very beautiful and well prepared. Thank you very much!“
A Variety of Things to Do
In the afternoon there was a variety of things one could do. In addition to meditation in the shrine and hymns of adoration in the Adoration Church, Café Plus offered coffee, cake, and sausages with rolls providing for the physical well-being of all present.
The candidates of the Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary organized a waffle sale in view of the upcoming World Youth Day. A little boy who enjoyed one of the waffles was so excited that he started advertising: “Very yummy!”
There was something for everyone and the many visitors who came to admire the flower carpets were happy to take advantage of them.