Corpus Christi with subsequent brunch by MM Schörfling

The Feast of Corpus Christi is a major feast in the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church, celebrating the bodily presence of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist.

The term Corpus Christi is derived from the Middle High German "vrône lîcham," meaning "the body of the Lord" (with "vrôn" referring to "that which concerns the Lord"; see also "Fron-" and "lîcham" meaning "the body"). In the liturgy, the feast is referred to as the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, and regionally it is also called Prangertag or Blutstag. The Latin designation of the feast, Corpus Christi, has been adopted into English and other languages.

Corpus Christi is celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday (the 60th day after Easter Sunday), thus falling between May 21 and June 24. The choice of Thursday as the feast day is closely linked to Maundy Thursday and the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus Christ himself at the Last Supper. Due to the solemn nature of Holy Week, Maundy Thursday does not allow for a lavish celebration. For this reason, the Feast of Corpus Christi was established to be celebrated on the Thursday of the second week after Pentecost. In countries where Corpus Christi is not a public holiday, the feast may also be celebrated on the following Sunday.