By Josh McDermid
With this being the 100th anniversary of the founding of Corpus Christi College, Rector, Fr Cameron Forbes, set out with characteristic determination to celebrate the Feast of Corpus Christi in style. Together with a team of committed seminarians, they set out to plan a celebration that would witness to both our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament and the power of the Eucharist to transform lives and help us grow in the Christian life. Hence, the Feast of Corpus Christi was celebrated in several ways over the weekend.
Visits to Retired Priests
On Saturday morning, two groups of students set off, one to George Maher House and one to Justin Villa. Each had Mass with the priests residing in these aged care residences before spending time talking with them over morning tea, hearing many stories from decades past.
Outreach to the Homeless
Another group set off in pairs into the streets. They sought out people who appeared to be homeless and spent some time with them in conversation, providing a listening presence.
Neighbourhood BBQ
Leaflets were hand-delivered in the adjacent streets as our neighbours were invited to join us for a free BBQ at midday on Saturday. When the neighbours arrived and had eaten, seminarians took them on tours of the College Chapel and of the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto.
Vocations Prayer Vigil
Fr Dishan Candappa, Directors of Vocations for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, offered a votive Mass of Our Lady, and then 24 hours of Eucharistic adoration begun. It was a team effort with faithful associated with the Vocations Office adoring during the daytime hours and the seminarians continuing the adoration overnight.
Solemn Mass and Procession
The Solemn Mass was the climax of our weekend. The principal celebrant was Fr Cameron Forbes, who was joined on the sanctuary by Vice-Rector, Fr Brian Nichols, and newly-ordained alumnus Fr Dean Taberdo, along with a number of other concelebrating priests. An invigorating homily was given by the English Benedictine, Right Reverend Abbot Paul Gunter OSB, who, as a former professor of liturgy and the current secretary of the Department of Christian Life and Worship to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, provided us with some fantastic insights into the Eucharist. The Mass was followed by a Eucharistic procession through the surrounding streets and then Evening Prayer followed by Benediction back in Sacred Heart Church, which was full to overflowing with approximately 500 people in attendance.
Priests’ Dinner
Each year the priests of the Trustees diocese are invited to come together for dinner on the Feast of Corpus Christi. It was a marvelous evening of fraternity as priests of different ages and from different dioceses came together.
It was an incredible weekend, and we thank everyone who helped to make this such a joyous and faith-filled celebration.