Springtime Devotion to the Holy Eucharist

From First Holy Communions to Corpus Christi Processions, many lay faithful in the Institute apostolates honored Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist in edifying celebrations across the country. Here below is a florilegium of Eucharistic quotes by our patron, St. Francis de Sales.

“The heavenly food of the Eucharist is a spiritual food that diffuses and communicates itself to all parts of the soul and the body in such a way that we have Jesus Christ in our mind, our hearts, our breasts, our eyes, on our tongues, in our ears, hands, feet… and the sweet Savior redresses, purifies and enlivens all our being. He lives in our heart, understands in our mind, strengthens us in our breasts, helps us to see with our eyes, speaks with our tongue, and so for all the rest. In summary, He does everything in our whole being. And so it is no longer we who live, but Jesus Christ lives in us.” (Letters 430; O. XIII, p. 358)

“The reason why we never receive the grace of sanctification (one single Holy Communion would be enough to make us saints) is that we do not allow the Lord to reign in us as He, in His goodness, desires. The Divine Savior comes into our heart and finds it full of desires, affections and vain aspirations. This is not what He wants; He wants to find our heart empty so He can become its one and only Master. Therefore He says to the holy lover that she should put a seal on her heart [cf. Sg 8:6], so that no one can enter without permission.” (Spiritual Treatises XVIII)

“The mortal flesh with which the Divine Redeemer invested us is nothing but dust and ashes, but through the union of the divinity in Him it has become so excellent, pure and holy that the skies and the sun are but mud in comparison with it. In a similar fashion, the Host in Holy Communion has the appearance of bread so that we can take and eat it. My God! What joy to think that our heart, while waiting to be united with God in Heaven, can be united with him in such a marvelous manner in the heavenly mystery! (Letters 743)