The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Sunday, June 19), also known as the Feast of Corpus Christi, is a celebration of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. On this day, we recall the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper.

While the Last Supper is also commemorated on Holy Thursday, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ focuses solely on the gift of the Eucharist. The mood is also more joyous than that felt on Holy Thursday, the day before Christ's passion and death.

The feast is often marked by eucharistic processions, during which the Blessed Sacrament is carried in a monstrance through the church and into the streets.

A list of parish celebrations can be found, and will be added to. 

CLICK HERE
for more info

For centuries, the month of May has been dedicated to Mary, the Mother of God. A special web section has been created on the Diocese of Portland website to provide a list of special ceremonies and prayer opportunities being offered at Maine parishes this month, including crownings, Marian pilgrimages, Rosary Rallies, concerts, Mary’s Way of the Cross gatherings, workshops, and more.
 

To access the section and resources,   CLICK HERE

On the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord, we celebrate Christ's bodily ascension into heaven, which occurred in the presence of his apostles. We hear in St. Paul's Letter to the Ephesians that Christ took his seat at the right hand of his Father, "far above every principality, authority, power, and dominion." The Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord occurs 40 days after Christ's resurrection. It is the important, final piece of the paschal mystery, which began with Christ's Passion and death. Because Christ ascended, we, as members of the body of Christ, also look forward to ascending into heaven after our bodily resurrection.

To view a listing of Masses planned for Maine churches on Wednesday, May 25, and Ascension Thursday, May 26, please CLICK HERE.

Pentecost (June 5, 2022), celebrated 50 days after Easter Sunday, commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s disciples.

“The Church takes its life from an act of God, the sending of the Holy Spirit,” said Bishop Deeley. “Mary was asked to be the mother of the son of God. The angel Gabriel told her that the Holy Spirit would come over her. The birth of Christ comes through the Holy Spirit. So, too, does the conception and birth of the Church.”

A special Pentecost section has been created on the Diocese of Portland’s website. It includes a variety of resources for your use.
 

To view the section, please CLICK HERE  

Bishop Robert Deeley will celebrate the annual Neophyte Mass on Sunday, June 19, at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland. A neophyte is a newly initiated person who is going through the final period of Christian Initiation, the post-baptismal catechesis called mystagogy. The Rite of Christian Initiation notes that during the period of mystagogy the bishop meets again after the celebration of the Easter Vigil with those whose names were called at the Rite of Election. To celebrate this, the neophytes and newly received, along with their families and friends, are invited to attend a Mass with the bishop to rejoice in their initiation.

All are welcome to gather. A eucharistic procession in honor of the Feast of Corpus Christi will be held at the end of Mass.

The liturgy will also be available via livestream.  CLICK HERE  .

For more information, CLICK HERE.