St. Francis and the Eucharist – A BOOK THAT CAN HELP RESTORE EUCHARISTIC DEVOTION IN THE CHURCH!
Though only 40-pages, Fr. Nimeth skillfully describes how the life and work of St. Francis of Assisi was inspired by a profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament as witnessed in this extract from his opening chapter:
“When we study the lives of men who moved the world, we discover that few saints had the tremendous impact on Christianity that St. Francis had. But how many people understand that the movement initiated by St. Francis was essentially a Eucharistic movement?
The reform St. Francis began was essentially a Eucharistic one. The source of inspiration for the activity of St. Francis was the Blessed Sacrament. To the heart of Francis the mere remembrance of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament became a relentless force driving him ever onward even to the heights of heroism.
The Blessed Sacrament was the focal point of his entire life. With him it was not just another devotion among many. It was the devotion on which he centered his entire being and all his forces.
The personal holiness of St. Francis seems to be dominated by his sublime concept of poverty. He is often referred to as the Poor Man of Assisi. But his ideal of poverty dawned on him in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. It was there that he entered upon the complete emptying of self that became characteristic of him. He found his vocation before the Divine Presence, where the God-Man lives shorn of the splendor of His divinity, deprived of the outward sign of His humanity, hidden under the appearances of bread and wine.”
The author also describes the St. Francis’ devotion to Mass, his care of churches, and respect for priests. The contents of this inspiring booklet have been expanded to include pictures, explanatory footnotes and texts, and a list of cited authors.
Want to encourage greater devotion to the Blessed Sacrament?
