The Arrival of Summer and Corpus Christi - Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time Collect

This week, the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ.

In much of the world, the celebration is on next Sunday, but in some lands it remains on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday, that is on Thursday of this week.

In Rome, for example, the Holy Father will accompany the Blessed Sacrament in a procession on Thursday evening from St. John Lateran to St. Mary Major. 

In Montreal, though the feast is celebrated on Sunday, for several years there has been restored a Thursday procession from Mary Queen of the World Cathedral to St. Patrick's Basilica.  This year matters are a bit more complex because the Solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist occurs on Friday, June 24 and the secular festivities of "la fete nationale" begin on the evening of the 23rd.  So the procession has been advanced this year to Wednesday evening, June 22.

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Tomorrow is officially the first day of summer and in the Church's vision Christ is the radiant sun who shines on all of our lives.

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Collect for the

Twelfth Week of Ordinary Time

Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy Name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Through our Lord Jesus Christ.