Dear Parishioners:

Today, we celebrate the Feast of CORPUS CHRISTI, the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Eucharist is one of the central tenets of the Catholic faith; when we receive Holy communion, we receive the Body and Blood of Christ! Pope Urban IV instituted Corpus Christi in 1264 by the papal bull Transiturus de hoc mundo after it was first introduced in Liège, France, by Bishop Robert Torote. I thought you might enjoy some quotes on the Eucharist from some of our saints.

Holy Communion is the shortest, surest and safest way to heaven. – Pope Pius X

How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment. – St. John Chrysostom

“If I can give you any advice, I beg you to get closer to the Eucharist and to Jesus… We must pray to Jesus to give us that tenderness of the Eucharist.” – St. Teresa of Calcutta

“If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion.” – St. Maximilian Kolbe

“The proper effect of the Eucharist is the transformation of man into God.” – St. Thomas Aquinas

With all the strength of my soul I urge you young people to approach the Communion table as often as you can. Feed on this bread of angels whence you will draw all the energy you need to fight inner battles. Because true happiness, dear friends, does not consist in the pleasures of the world or in earthly things, but in peace of conscience, which we have only if we are pure in heart and mind.” – Blessed Pier Giorgio

Frassati

“How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him. He gives Himself to you, not only that you may see Him, but also to be your food and nourishment.” – St. John Chrysostom

“Do you realize that Jesus is there in the tabernacle expressly for you – for you alone? He burns with the desire to come into your heart. – St. Therese of Lisieux

“One of the most admirable effects of Holy Communion is to preserve the soul from sin and to help those who fall through weakness to rise again. It is much more profitable, then, to approach this divine Sacrament with love, respect, and confidence.” St. Ignatius of Loyola

“The Eucharist, although it is the fullness of sacramental life, is not a prize for the perfect, but a powerful medicine and nourishment for the weak.” – Pope Francis

“How many of you say: I should like to see His face, His garments, His shoes. You do see Him, you touch Him, you eat Him.” – St. John Chrysostom

Remember: Together, we can something beautiful for God.

In Christ,
Fr. Brian