Saint Who?
Saints Who Promoted Eucharistic Devotion
Saint Paul
Apostle († c. 65) Feast: June 29
For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor 11:23-24).
Though Saint Paul was not present at the Last Supper, he fervently proclaimed the reality of the Eucharist, and urged the faithful to approach it with reverence. In his first letter to the Corinthians he denounced their inappropriate conduct at Mass (cf. 1 Cor 11:18-22). Two interpretations of the verses are given by Saint Thomas Aquinas: either there was a sort of potluck preceding the Mass, which had devolved into a gluttonous meal, or those who had brought bread and wine for the Lord’s Supper itself demanded a share at Holy Communion proportionate to their offering.
Either way, Paul condemned such behavior. He warned that to receive the Eucharist without due reverence is to become like those who crucified Christ. Whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will have to answer for the body and blood of the Lord (1 Cor 11:27).
Lord Jesus, through the prayers and teachings of
Saint Paul, bless your Bride with true reverence
for your Body and Blood.
