The Feast of Corpus Christi (Body and Blood of Christ) is traditionally celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday or in some dioceses on the following Sunday. This day is set aside to commemorate the institution of the Holy Eucharist. For centuries after the celebration was extended to the universal Church, the feast was also celebrated with a Eucharistic procession, in which the Blessed Sacrament was carried throughout the town, accompanied by hymns and litanies. The faithful would venerate the Body of Christ as the procession passed by. Although this practice has almost disappeared, some parishes still hold a brief procession around the outside of the parish church.

Although everyone expected it, we were hoping it would not be that bad. This year's blizzard hit Peoria on the first day of February and we have not seen that much snow in a long time (if ever). But some of our Sisters actually had fun shoveling the mountains of snow.

click here to see pictures of the storm...

Epiphany is a customary time to bless homes and families. On January 6, 2011, the Franciscan Friars from Sacred Heart Church in Peoria celebrated a Holy Mass for us and then we continued with the blessing. Each room of the convent was sprinkled with holy water and the initials of the Magi, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar (20 + C + M + B + 11) were inscribed upon the doors with the blessed chalk. The initials also refer to the Latin phrase "Christus Mansionem Benedicat" which means "May Christ bless this house".