“It is especially on this day, the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, that we are called once more to accept with faith the truth of Christ’s real presence in the Most Holy Sacrament. It is a day to open our hearts anew to Him—without fear or prejudice. And it is a day to recognize once again in the Eucharist the living heart of Jesus,” said the Primate of Poland, Archbishop Wojciech Polak, during his homily at the celebration of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ in Gniezno Cathedral.
The Primate added that in the rush of today’s world—as Pope Francis noted in his encyclical—“in our obsession with free time, consumption, entertainment, mobile phones, and social media, we forget to nourish our lives with the power of the Eucharist.”
Referring to the Gospel read on Thursday, the Primate also cited the words of Pope Leo XIV, who observed that “artificial intelligence, biotechnologies, data-driven economies, and social media are reshaping our perception and experience of life—so much so that, like the Twelve, we too often say to Jesus: send them away. We do not know what to do with all of this. It is beyond us. Everything is too difficult and too complicated. (…) We have lost the faith that in every circumstance—yesterday, today, and always—He is truly with us. He is present. He is really and truly here.”
“And though today—as Pope Leo further noted—there is no shortage of contexts in which Jesus, even if respected as a man, is reduced merely to the role of a charismatic leader or a superhuman figure. And this occurs not only among non-believers but also among many of the baptized who, as the Pope bluntly states, end up living in a state of practical atheism. All the more reason, then, for us to raise our voices this Corpus Christi, to look with faith upon the Blessed Sacrament and to boldly and clearly proclaim: look to Christ. Draw near to Him. Receive His Word, which enlightens and consoles,” the Primate continued.
He emphasized that as we leave the church and walk in procession through the streets of our cities, we bring with us who we are and what we have, offering it to others.
“It seems that today, given the current situation of the Church, more than ever before we may feel that what we have—as individuals and as the Church—is very little to offer the world: only five loaves and two fish. It is plain to see that human needs are far greater. It is also evident that people often no longer seek answers from the Church—because we have hurt some, disappointed others, and failed to show understanding and compassion to still others,” he said.
The Archbishop acknowledged that “the challenges are indeed numerous and deeply complex.” “But the Lord Jesus does not expect us, His disciples, to take on yet another desperate attempt by ourselves. He does not suggest that we simply make a small adjustment and all will be well. He does not ask us to solve everything alone. So if we still say, repeat, or believe that we have little and cannot manage it all—today, on the feast of Corpus Christi, before we set out into the streets—Jesus wants to tell us: you are not alone. You are never alone. You have the Eucharist, the Bread for the journey, the Bread of Jesus. I am with you,” the Primate stressed.
He reminded the faithful that it is the Eucharist that gives us the strength to offer ourselves to others. “May it guide us through the paths of this world, so that we may be people of hope and bring hope to others. The Church lives because of the Eucharist—not because of itself, not because of the bishop, priests, religious, or the faithful. The Church lives through the Eucharist. In it is contained the entire spiritual wealth of the Church—Christ Himself, our Passover and the living Bread who gives life to the world,” the Archbishop of Gniezno emphasized.
Following the Eucharistic celebration, a solemn procession set out from Gniezno Cathedral and passed through the streets of the city.