Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

Ave Maria!  Joyful greetings to one and all on this glorious solemnity of what used to be called "Corpus Christi."  Some of us are old enough to remember the Eucharistic processions that the Church would hold on this feast to honor our Lord Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament, and some churches throughout the world today still keep this lovely tradition.  Children would scatter flowers as they walked ahead of the priest who carried Our Lord's Sacred Body in the monstrance, just as the little girl in this image is delightedly doing.  With what gleeful abandon she throws high her offering, as if to say, "For You, my Lord -- all for You!"  She reminds me of the poet's verse:

"Gladly do I give my life to thee,

not solemnly, not grudgingly,

But I would take my life

and fling it at thy feet --

and sing and sing --

Happy to bring thee this small thing."

What a perfect response to our Beloved Jesus who, over and over again, gives us the wondrous gift of Himself, body and blood, soul and divinity, in the Holy Eucharist!  "Sweet Sacrament, we Thee adore.  O make us love Thee more and more!  O make us love Thee more and more!"