The feast of Corpus Christi was extended to the entire Church in 1264 by Pope Urban IV in response to a crisis of unbelief in Europe. The propers of the Mass were written by St. Thomas Aquinas and are a classic of literature and art used to spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
Subsequently, devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Mass mushroomed to new heights after the feast appeared. Some people today try to claim that Holy Thursday, which commemorates the institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist, is celebration enough. Many seem to have other motivation which includes reducing devotion to the Holy Eucharist which they reject either publicly or privately.
In 1264 Pope Urban IV requested St. Bonaventure, the Superior General of the Franciscans, and St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican, to submit drafts of an Office and Mass for the new feast. On the day of the judging, done by the Pope himself, St. Thomas read his text, and tears fell from the eyes of both the Pope and St. Bonaventure who tore his own composition into shreds. Everything was perfect and beautiful and nothing remained to say.
Subsequently, devotion to the Holy Eucharist and the Holy Mass mushroomed to new heights after the feast appeared. Some people today try to claim that Holy Thursday, which commemorates the institution of the priesthood and the Eucharist, is celebration enough. Many seem to have other motivation which includes reducing devotion to the Holy Eucharist which they reject either publicly or privately.
In 1264 Pope Urban IV requested St. Bonaventure, the Superior General of the Franciscans, and St. Thomas Aquinas, a Dominican, to submit drafts of an Office and Mass for the new feast. On the day of the judging, done by the Pope himself, St. Thomas read his text, and tears fell from the eyes of both the Pope and St. Bonaventure who tore his own composition into shreds. Everything was perfect and beautiful and nothing remained to say.