Feast of the Body of Christ
Description:
It is considered a public holiday in Germany, but a non-working day is declared only in six federal states (Baden-Württenberg, Bavaria, Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland), Bautzen and Westlausitz counties rest in Saxony and in the federal state of Thuringia - communities with a predominantly Catholic population.
This is a relatively new Catholic holiday, officially established in memory of the establishment of the sacrament of communion (eucharist) by Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church regards the Eucharist as a sacred gift left by Christ to its church. The custom first appeared in 1247 in the diocese of Liège (Belgium). In 1264, Pope Urban IV made it a church-wide holiday, giving indulgence to all who took part in the festive mass. The ritual of the feast of the Body of Christ was composed by Thomas Aquinas, and the text of this service is considered one of the most beautiful in the Roman Breviary.
This holiday gained special love thanks to the ornate processions that pass on this day through the streets of cities, which can be seen in today's Germany.