Jerusalem, June 19, 2025 — In an atmosphere filled with reverence and deep faith, His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over Matins and the solemn Eucharistic celebration of the Solemnity of Corpus Christi at the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre. A number of bishops and priests concelebrated, with a limited group of faithful in attendance, given the challenging circumstances currently affecting the city and region.
The Eucharist: Source and Summit of Christian Life
In his homily, Cardinal Pizzaballa reflected on the profound mystery of the Eucharist, calling it the heart of Christian life and the soul of the Church. “The Eucharist,” he said, “is the center of the community, but also that the Eucharist forms the community. Without the Eucharist, there is no community. The Eucharist creates supportive communities in which we support one another".
He invited the faithful to make a gift of themselves, following the example of Jesus in the Eucharist, to nourish the life of the Church, especially in these times. “And despite everything,” he said, “always believe that Jesus, and only He, can transform the little we have, even our little faith, into a fullness of life for all.”
He emphasized that the Eucharist is not simply a memorial of the Lord’s Supper but a living communion with Christ, who gives Himself daily for the salvation of the world.
Prayer for Gaza and for Peace in the Holy Land
Cardinal Pizzaballa did not forget to mention the suffering of Gaza and its people. With moving words of spiritual solidarity, he addressed the Christian community there:
“We would never have thought that even today, here among us, we are forced to talk about hunger as something real that touches the lives of our people. I am thinking of Gaza, of course, but not only Gaza. I am thinking of the many situations of poverty that the conflict has created, making life extremely hard for too many families.”
Eucharistic Procession Around the Holy Tomb
Following Holy Communion, the traditional Eucharistic procession took place around the Holy Sepulchre. Under an ornate canopy, Cardinal Pizzaballa carried the Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by priests, altar servers, and the faithful. Latin hymns rose in solemn praise of Christ truly present in the Sacrament of the Altar.
At the conclusion of the procession, the Cardinal raised the Blessed Sacrament in benediction, imparting the apostolic blessing to all present. The liturgy concluded in an atmosphere of deep prayer and devotion, lifting hearts in supplication for peace in Jerusalem and throughout the Holy Land.
A Light Shining in the Darkness
In a time marked by war and unrest, the Feast of Corpus Christi stands as a vivid reminder of the Lord’s abiding presence among His people, and of the Church’s enduring mission to be a leaven of peace in a fractured world.
From the very heart of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the place of the Resurrection, a voice of hope resounds anew: “Come, Lord Jesus, Bread of Life, remain with us.”
