The History of Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi is a great feast honoring Eucharist. Eucharist is also known as the Last Supper, the Holy Communion or the Sacrament of the Alter. Corpus Christi is held on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, which is the celebration of the christian doctrine of the Trinity (Walters 4). The Trinity of God being the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.According to Oxford Reference Online, Corpus Christi was established in England in 1318, until the Reformation this was the day on which the guilds of the major cities performed their mystery plays, telling the Biblical story from the Creation to the Day of Judgment (Corpus Christi).

The origin of the feast was due to the petitions of the nun, Juliana of Leige (Walters 12). She petitioned the Church to have a great feast in honor of the Blessed Sacrament. After the death of Juliana, the celebration became widespread.

This Feast is primarily celebrated by the Catholic Church, but is also celebrated by some Anglican Churches as well.

Work Cited:

"Corpus Christi"  The Oxford Dictionary of Local and Family History. David Hey. Oxford University Press, 1997. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press.   Central Washington University.  8 December 2010  <http://www.oxfordreference.com/views/ENTRY.html?subview=Main&entry=t45.e364>

Walters, Barbara R. The Feast of Corpus Christi, Published by Penn State Press, 2007 ISBN 0271029242