The Eucharist

Saint Francis Xavier (+1552), great Jesuit missionary, traveled by sea from Spain to labor for the salvation of souls in far off India and Japan. He was the greatest apostle of the Catholic Church since the time of Saint Paul. He baptized three million pagans. He built over one 100 churches and raised about 25 people from the dead. And all his missionary work was accomplished in 10 short years. From whence came the saint’s unbounded strength and zeal in the long, hard days he spent toiling for souls? It was the many hours at night, praying before the Blessed Sacrament.

Saint Cyril of Alexandria (+444)
Holy Communion is a divine leaven deposited in our mortal body so that it may rise to immortal glory.

St. Peter Julian Eymard (+1868)
The Eucharist is like a divine storehouse filled with every virtue:
God has placed It in the world so that every one may draw from it.

St. Peter Damian (+1072)
The adversary is terrified when he sees the lips of a Christian
red with the Blood of Christ.

St. Ignatius of Loyola (+1556)
One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is to
preserve souls from falling, and to help those who fall from
weakness to rise again.

St. Francis de Sales (+1622)
In no other action can our Savior be considered more tender
or more loving than in this, in which He, as it were, annihilates
Himself and reduces Himself to food, that He may
penetrate our souls, and unite Himself to the hearts of His
faithful.

St. John Chrysostom (+407)
Out of respect for the Holy Eucharist, the angels form an
honor guard near the bodies of the elect who repose in the
heart of the earth.

St. Cyril of Alexandria (+444)
As two pieces of wax fused together make one, so he who receives
Holy Communion is so united with Christ, that Christ
is in him, and he is in Christ.

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