On 8 June, priests of Sandhurst joined Bishop Emeritus Leslie Tomlinson, seminarians and staff, and priests from across Victoria at Corpus Christi College, Carlton for the College’s Patronal Feast Day celebrations.
The day included Mass and a Feast Day Dinner, with seminarians helping with the Corpus Christi Procession from St Patrick’s Cathedral to Federation Square in the afternoon.
At the Mass, participants gave thanks for the Seminary’s formation of future priests, and listening to Rector Rev. Dr Cameron Forbes’ homily, reflected on the central place of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.
In his homily, Fr Forbes noted that the universal Church has celebrated the Feast of Corpus Christi since 1264 and spoke of the Eucharist as the source of priestly identity and service.
"Of all our daily activities, it is the Eucharist that most shapes us into men of Christ serving the Body of Christ," he said.
Drawing on the teaching of Pope Leo XIV and Pope Benedict XVI, Fr Forbes emphasised that the Eucharist is both a personal encounter with Christ and the sacrament that unites believers as one body.
Thinking about the language Catholics use, he said it is more meaningful to speak of "receiving communion" rather than "taking communion" because it highlights that Communion is a gift from Christ.
Quoting Pope Benedict XVI, Fr Forbes said: "The words 'to receive communion', are beautiful and very eloquent. In fact, when we do this act, we enter into communion with the very life of Jesus."
He also highlighted the sacred and communal nature of the Eucharist, noting Pope Benedict's words that "the Eucharist is not a meal among friends. It is a mystery of covenant."
Fr Forbes linked this Eucharistic understanding to the vocation of priesthood, saying the call to priestly ministry is rooted in self-giving service.
"It is this call to radical service which has drawn us to the priesthood," he said. "And so we train at Corpus Christi College, to be priests to serve God's people, giving of ourselves, both as members of the Body of Christ, and to serve the Body of Christ in sacrifice and love."
The Mass concluded with prayers for the continued flourishing of the seminary, and for future priests who will serve the Church and nourish God's people through their ministry.
Please pray for the seminarians at Corpus Christi College, Carlton, including Sandhurst seminarians, Jhunel Mendez, Aaron Baulch and Mason Crosier.
Photograph above, courtesy of Fr Novelito Lim.
