Corpus Christi: the Mystery of the Eucharist
On the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Church proclaims the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, which is often pictured in church art.
The Passover (Exodus 12:1-36)
In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites marked their doors with lamb's blood to save their firstborn sons from a plague. This led to an annual ritual meal known as the Passover.
Moses sends out Twelve Spies (Numbers 13:1-14:38)
Moses sent out twelve spies to explore the Promised Land - and told them to bring back examples of its fruit.
I am the Bread of Life (John 6:22-71)
The first of Christ’s great ‘I am’ sayings, included in St John’s gospel, was when he declared himself to be “the bread of life” (John 6:35).
Malachi foretells the Mass (Malachi 1:10-11)
The Prophet Malachi spoke of a pure sacrifice that would be offered across the world. This was later understood to refer to the Sacrifice of the Mass.
+ Fifth Luminous Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist
The Fifth Luminous Mystery of the Rosary is the Institution of the Eucharist. It's a meditation on Christ's introduction of the Eucharist while at table with the apostles, at the Last Supper.
The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35)
The story of how the Risen Christ talked anonymously with two of his mourning disciples on the Road to Emmaus is found in St Luke’s gospel.
The Last Supper (Luke 22:7-38)
On the night he was betrayed, Christ gathered his twelve apostles together for an evening meal that we know as the ‘Last Supper’. He broke bread and shared wine and declared them to be he his body and blood.