Saint Who?
Saints Who Promoted Eucharistic Devotion
“Indeed, the Eucharist is God’s response to the deepest hunger of the human heart, the hunger for authentic life, because in the Eucharist Christ himself is truly in our midst to nourish, console, and sustain us on our journey” (Pope Francis). These words were addressed to the bishops organizing the National Eucharistic Revival in the United States that has been taking place over the past year, and whose focus for 2024 is to foster Eucharistic devotion at the parish level.
Nothing compares to the Eucharist, the sacrament of divine intimacy. Jesus himself eagerly desired to eat this Passover (Lk 22:15). From its first moments, his Bride the Church has been devoted to the celebration of the Eucharist. As Saint Irenaeus wrote in the 2nd century: “Our way of thinking is attuned to the Eucharist, and the Eucharist in turn confirms our way of thinking” (cf. CCC 1327).
This month we will consider a few of the countless saints who have promoted devotion to the Eucharist: from the 3rd-century martyr Tarcisius to the 20th-century martyr Marcel Callo; from Saint Filippo Smaldone, who served the deaf, to Saint Damien who brought the sacraments to lepers. Inspired by their example, and through the prayers of the Blessed Mother, may our parishes be set afire with love for the Blessed Sacrament.
