June: The Month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

               This Week's Letter From Father

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ               

June 7, 2026
 
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
 
Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, also known as Corpus Christi (Body of Christ).
 
In 1208, Juliana of the nunnery of Mont-Cornillon had a vision of Christ who encouraged her to promote the establishment of a feast dedicated solely to the Eucharist. The Dominicans advocated on her behalf for several decades and, in 1264 Pope Urban IV issued the bull “Transiturus de Hoc Mundo,” which established the feast of Corpus Christi to be celebrated throughout Christendom. Although it started slowly, the feast eventually became one of the most important celebrations by the 14th century.
 
The term “Eucharist” derives from the Greek word “Eucharistia”, meaning “to give thanks.” It refers to the entire Mass, not just the consecrated elements. The Eucharist is a gift from God, not a reward for good behavior. In this way, it can also be seen as medicinal. St. John Bosco wisely said, “We do not go to Holy Communion because we are good; we go to become good.”
 
The Eucharist is not a symbol. We believe that after consecration, the bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Cyril of Jerusalem (c.315-387) described the Eucharist as a sacred, awe-inspiring, reverent sacrifice- a bloodless service. He stated, “What seems bread is not bread, though bread by taste, but the Body of Christ; and that what seems wine is not wine, though the taste will have it so, but the Blood of Christ.”
 
In the “Sequence” read before today’s Gospel reading, we are reminded, “Remember, there is as much in a fragment as in an unbroken host.” Whether it is the whole consecrated host or just a crumb, it is the same Jesus.
 
St. John Chrysostom (c.350-407) said, “Jesus permits himself to be broken in pieces that all may be filled to satiety.”
 
According to Clement of Alexandria, each time we receive the Eucharist, we are “enshrining the Savior in our souls.” We are Christ-bearers.
 
For St. Thomas Aquinas, “The Eucharist is the sacrament of love. It signifies love, it produces love.” In his hymn “Panis Angelicus” (Bread of Angels), Aquinas highlights that the Lord Jesus offers Himself to us as food: “What a wonderful miracle. The poor man, the servant, and the most insignificant people can receive the Lord.”
 
Jesus welcomes everyone, regardless of societal or economic status, offering Himself as our source of nourishment. He enriches and sustains us on our spiritual journeys and in our daily lives, assuring us of the joyful promise of eternal life with God and our loved ones.
 
He is the living bread that comes down from heaven, the bread that leads to eternal life. “I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh, for the life of the world … Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day” (John 6:51.54).
 
St. Albert Chmielowski (1845-1916) centered his spirituality on the selfless and generous love of the Eucharistic Christ. He said, “I look at Jesus in His Eucharist. Could His love provide anything more beautiful? If He is bread, let us become bread … let us give ourselves.”
 
When we leave Mass, we should continue to be the Body of Christ for our families, co-workers, classmates, and everyone we encounter. We should ask ourselves what Fr. Godfrey Diekmann, OSB, asks: “What difference does it make if the bread and wine turn into the Body and Blood of Christ and we don't?”
                                                                               …..

“The Chosen” Watch Party and Ecumenical Discussion Group series led by David Olsen, begins next Wednesday. Members from other Faith Denominations will be joining our Parish Family for fellowship, discussion and food. You are welcome to attend.
 
Help save lives. Sign up for our American Red Cross Blood Drive which will be held on June 17th in the Parish Hall.
 
Fr Ryszard

Welcome Message

Greetings in Christ Jesus!

Whether you are just visiting for a short while, have moved here and are joining our parish, or are returning to your Catholic Faith, on behalf of our parish community, we welcome you to St. Egbert Catholic Church and the beautiful Crystal Coast of North Carolina.

When Jesus was asked which of all the commandments was the greatest, he replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the great, and first commandment. And a second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.” These two Commandments form the foundation of our mission to Love God, Love Neighbor, and to Share the Good News.