“I am the living bread that came down from heaven;” says the Lord.
Today we celebrate the solemnity of Corpus Christi. The Body and Blood of Christ. In the past - and still today in many catholic countries - this festivity is celebrated with a solemn procession, in which the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, and taken through the main streets of the city, accompanied by flowers, candles, prayers, hymns and chants of the faithful. It is probable that we have all participated or witnessed a Corpus Christi procession.
It is celebrated on Thursday, (or the closest Sunday) since this solemnity was born as an extension of Holy Thursday, and whose purpose was to pay a public and solemn worship of adoration, veneration, love and gratitude to Jesus Eucharist for the wonderful gift that he gave us that day of the Last Supper, when he wanted to stay with us in the sacrament of the altar.
The reason for this celebration is obvious: The whole Church - faithful and pastors, united in one heart - wants to solemnly honor and pay special adoration to Jesus Christ, truly present in the most holy sacrament of the Eucharist, memorial of his passion, death and resurrection of love to us, sacrificial banquet and food of eternal life.