WHY IS EUCHARISTIC ADORATION A RITE? (Part – 3)

12th – 20th CENTURIES: Then things changed as some said Christ was only symbolically present, as a mere memorial, not as a way of participating in His Sacrifice. This ‘forced’ the Church to define more clearly and honor with communal rites – Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. And as an over-emphasis on human sinfulness became more prevalent, fewer actually received the Sacrament. In 1215, the Easter Duty was promulgated, which requires all Catholics of age to receive Holy Communion at least once a year! For centuries, the focal point was then the Elevation of the Host and Chalice, which were added to the holy Mass. New rites, which help us honor and adore the Blessed Sacrament: Benediction, Eucharistic Processions, Forty Hours, etc., became more popular. The feast of Corpus Christi, now called the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ was created; we still use some of the orations and hymns written by Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) for that feast. God Bless! Father Maria Joseph Kodiganti