St. Francis' love for Christ expressed itself in a special way in the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the Fonti Francescane (Writings of St Francis) one reads such moving expressions as: "Let everyone be struck with fear, let the whole world tremble, and let the heavens exult, when Christ, the Son of the living God, is present on the altar in the hands of a priest. Oh stupendous dignity! O humble sublimity, that the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles himself that for our salvation he hides himself under an ordinary piece of bread" (Francis of Assisi, Scritti, Editrici Francescane, Padova 2002, 401). -
Pope Benedict XVI
This was the very teaching the good friar who conducted our Transitus told us yesterday in his homily. Not environmentalism, not animals, not even his beloved Lady Poverty - the Eucharist was first, foremost and central to St. Francis's life and service to God. God bless all Franciscans this holy feast day! Susan, OFS
ReplyDelete'...so humbles himself...under an ordinary piece of bread.' St Francis would agree with this Jesuit, Francois Varrilon, 'There is no one more humble than God.'
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