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Particular Days of Eucharistic Devotion

1. 1. Corpus Christi: Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ
    
    Celebrated either on the Thursday or Sunday following the solemnity of the Most Blessed Trinity. This feast is both a doctrinal and cultic response to heretical teaching on the mystery of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and the apogee of an ardent devotional movement concentrated on the Sacrament of the Altar. It was extended to the entire Latin Church by Urban IV in 1264.
    
    Popular piety encouraged the process that led to the institution of the feast of Corpus Christi, which reciprocally inspired the development of new forms of Eucharistic piety among the people of God.
    
    Common Practices for this solemnity:
    
    Parish or diocesan Eucharistic Procession
    
    Extended Periods of Eucharistic exposition and adoration
    
    Eucharistic Benediction
  2. Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
    
    Established as a feast by Pope Pius XI in 1925, the Solemnity of Christ the King is a fitting conclusion to the Church’s liturgical year as it reminds us of Christ’s promise to his Church to protect her until the end of time. In our world many institutions, states, and individuals try to claim this kingship and usurp the power of God; but Christ alone is the King who will come to judge the living and the dead and renew all creation in himself.
    
    In many places around the world, especially those in the Southern hemisphere, the liturgical celebration of Christ the King is accompanied by a Eucharistic Procession to emphasize that our King still resides with his people.
  3. December 31: A Fit Conclusion to the Year
    
    Popular piety has given rise to many pious exercises connected with 31 December. In many parts of the Western world the end of the civil year is celebrated on this day. This anniversary affords an opportunity for the faithful to reflect on "the mystery of time", which passes quickly and inexorably. Such should give rise to a dual feeling: of penance and sorrow for the sins committed during the year and for the lost occasions of grace; and of thanks to God for the graces and blessings He has given during the past year.
    
    These sentiments have given rise to two pious exercises: prolonged exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, which afford an opportunity for the faithful and many religious communities for silent prayer; and the singing of the Te Deum as an act of community praise and thanksgiving to God for the graces received from Him as the year draws to a close.