Today we celebrate Corpus Christi Sunday. This feast officially named The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is to be held by the Universal Church on the Thursday following Holy Trinity Sunday. Observing this feast we confess the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist. In some countries, like in Canada, this feast is transferred to the nearest Sunday. There is a beautiful story behind this feast. The beginning of this feast dates back to the Middle Ages and is connected with a visionary nun and a Eucharistic miracle. A German priest was traveling to Rome and he stopped in Bolsena to celebrate Mass. While saying the consecration prayer he doubted Christ being actually present in the consecrated bread and wine. At the moment of his disbelief, blood began seeping from the consecrated host onto the altar and corporal. The priest immediately reported this miracle to the pope. Urban IV sent his delegates to investigate the miraculous event and ordered to bring the host and the bloodstained corporal to Orvieto, where he was at the moment. The relics remain there today. That Eucharistic miracle confirmed the vision that St. Juliana of Mont Cornillon in Belgium, a nun and mystic, had. Finally, in the 13th century the pope instituted the Corpus Christi Feast and soon it was observed by the Universal Church.

This Monday, June 24th, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist who is a Special Patron of French Canadians. There will be a Mass at 9 am in our church.
On Tuesday, June 25th, there will be a closing school Mass, in which the students and teachers of St. Lawrence School along with the school staff will thank the Lord for all the graces they have received during this school year. There will be also a good opportunity to thank Mr. Di Martino, the Principal, for his years of service at school and good cooperation with the parish, as he will be transferred soon to lead St. Michael School in Upper Hamilton. We wish Mr. Di Martino an abundance of God’s graces in his future endeavours.

This Friday, June 28th, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus with a Mass at 9 am. This is also a World Day of Prayer for Priests established by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002. This beautiful devotion to the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus reminds us of the true love that our Saviour has towards us and encourages us to do reparation for all offences done to the Lord.

On Saturday, June 29th, we observe the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles. There will be a Mass at 10 am to mark this feast and to pray for the Holy Father as St. Peter’s successor.
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus – have mercy on us!

God bless,
Fr. Peter