Corpus Christi in United States

Many Christians observe the importance of the Holy Eucharist on Corpus Christi. ©iStockphoto.com/Wellford Tiller

What do people do?

In commemoration of the Last Supper on the day before Jesus’ crucifixion many people, especially those who belong to the Catholic denomination, receive Communion on this day. It is celebrated on the Sunday after Holy Trinity in many parts of the United States, although in some other countries the day falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday.

Some people, particularly children, may celebrate their first Communion on this day. This practice, also known as Eucharist, is observed throughout the life of a Christian and is a time of worship when people believe they come together as one body to remember and celebrate the life and works of Jesus Christ. It involves the acceptance of bread and wine in memory of the body and blood of Christ.

Public life

Corpus Christi is not a federal holiday in the United States 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.

The city of Corpus Christi, in Texas, was named after the day. In 1519, on the day of Corpus Christi, Spanish explorer Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda discovered a lush semi-tropical bay on what is now the southern coast of Texas. The bay, and the city that later grew in that area, took the name of the feast day. 

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 2008 in United States

• Ascension Day (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• Law Day (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• National Day of Prayer (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• Loyalty Day (Thursday, May 1, 2008)
• Yom HaShoah (Friday, May 2, 2008)
• World Press Freedom Day (Saturday, May 3, 2008)
• Rhode Island Independence Day (Sunday, May 4, 2008)
• Cinco de Mayo (Monday, May 5, 2008)
• Yom HaAtzmaut (Thursday, May 8, 2008)
• Truman Day (Thursday, May 8, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Friday, May 9, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Saturday, May 10, 2008)
• Confederate Memorial Day (Saturday, May 10, 2008)
• Pentecost (Sunday, May 11, 2008)
• Mother's Day (Sunday, May 11, 2008)
• Whit Monday (Monday, May 12, 2008)
• International Day of Families (Thursday, May 15, 2008)
• Peace Officers Memorial Day (Thursday, May 15, 2008)
• National Defense Transportation Day (Friday, May 16, 2008)
• World Information Society Day (Saturday, May 17, 2008)
• Trinity Sunday (Sunday, May 18, 2008)
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)
• National Maritime Day (Thursday, May 22, 2008)
• International Day for Biological Diversity (Thursday, May 22, 2008)
• Lag B'Omer (Friday, May 23, 2008)
• African Liberation Day (Sunday, May 25, 2008)
• Memorial Day (Monday, May 26, 2008)

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