Fete Dieu

(Feast of God, the French name for Corpus Christi), a solemn festival observed in the Romish Church on the Thursday after the octave of Whitsuntide, for the performing of a peculiar kind of worship to our Saviour in the eucharist. The festival is said to have originated with pope Urban IV in 1264; but in consequence of the political commotions of the time, the bull appointing it was not universally obeyed. It was confirmed, however, by the Council of Vienne, in 1311, and further solemnized by pope John XXII, in 1316.