Corpus Christi in Australia

Many Christians in Australia, especially those of Roman Catholic faith, observe Corpus Christi to honor the Holy Eucharist. It is also known as the Feast of the Most Holy Body of Christ, as well as the Day of Wreaths.

Communion wafers are usually offered at a church service during Corpus Christi.

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What do people do?

Corpus Christi is mainly celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church but a few Anglican churches in Australia also observe this event. Many church choirs perform music dedicated to Corpus Christi during this time of the year. Some schools, particularly Catholic schools, and Sunday schools run by churches provide lessons for students to learn about the history and meaning of Corpus Christi.

Many Christians, especially those who belong to the Catholic denomination, receive Communion on this day. Some people, particularly children, receive their first Communion during Corpus Christi. This practice, also known as the Eucharist, involves people accepting consecrated bread and wine (or grape juice), which according to Christian faith are Jesus Christ’s body and blood.

Some churches have Corpus Christi processions and social gatherings after a church service. Thousands of people have participated in some of these processions in cities such as Sydney in recent times. Special guests are often invited to attend these processions, which usually feature music from choirs and bands. Corpus Christi usually falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday although some churches may celebrate it on the Sunday after Trinity Sunday.

Public life

Corpus Christi is not a public holiday in Australia so most aspects of public life do not differ to any other day.

Background

Corpus Christi is a festival that has been celebrated by many Christians, particularly the Catholic Church, in honor of the Eucharist since 1246. The name “Corpus Christi” is a Latin phrase that refers to the body of Christ. This event commemorates the Last Supper on the day before Jesus’ crucifixion, as described in the Bible. Corpus Christi is primarily celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church but it is also included in the calendar of some Anglican churches.

Symbols

Symbols that portray the event may include: an image of a host (consecrated bread) and chalice to depict the Holy Eucharist; an altar; and a ciborium, which is a chalice-like container used to store consecrated hosts of the sacrament of Eucharist, or the Holy Communion.

About Corpus Christi in other countries

Corpus Christi Observances

Other holidays in May 2013 in Australia

• Orthodox Good Friday ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• Orthodox Holy Saturday ―Saturday, May 4, 2013
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• May Day ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• Ascension Day ―Thursday, May 9, 2013
• Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Shavuot ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• Pentecost ―Sunday, May 19, 2013
• Whit Monday ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• Trinity Sunday ―Sunday, May 26, 2013
• National Sorry Day ―Sunday, May 26, 2013