Five FRANCIS’ EUCHARISTIC LIFE

This pure faith filled the whole of our holy Father's entire life and found expression in 3
particular ways.
1. In his fervent devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
According to the Protestant historian Sabatier, the Eucharist was "the heart of his spiritual
life." He regarded it, not, as one devotion among many, but as the centre around which all
the rest turned. Brother Leo, his faithful companion spoke of his deep veneration for and
devotion to the Body of Christ and Celano writes that,

"Francis burned with a love that came from his whole being for the sacrament of the Lord’s
body, and he was carried away with wonder at the loving condescension and the most
condescending love shown there. [2 Celano 201]

He never tired of expressing his admiration, adoration and praise of Christ present among
us and he delighted to do so particularly in French, because he'd heard of the great respect the
French people had for the Blessed Sacrament. The following is a favourite prayer of Francis,

We adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, here and in all your churches in the who1 world, and we
bless you, because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world. [Testament]

2. In his daily participation in the Holy Sacrifice.

a). No matter what obstacles had to be overcome he would attend Mass every day. If illness
prevented him going to the Church he would ask a priest to say Mass for him in the
infirmary. When such an arrangement was not possible he would attend mass spiritually by
having the Gospel of the day read to him’

b). His participation in Mass was complete. Francis was not merely satisfied to be present
but rather he entered into it in an active manner, He frequently received Holy Communion,
and he did so with such devotion that he made others devout. Showing towards that
sacrament deserving of a11 reverence all the reverence he could, he offered a sacrifice of all
his members; and receiving the Lamb that was offered, he immolated his own spirit with fire
that burned always upon the altar of his heart. [2 Celano 201]

St. Bonaventure tells us that "His soul was as it were overflowing with intoxication, and he
was often rapt in ecstasy"

[Leg.Maj. .9,2]

It is in the Blessed Sacrament that we must find the secret of his burning love for Christ, his
life of poverty and

In the respect he showed everything related to this mystery. Churches, sacred vessels, altar
linens - everything that had anything to do with Christ’s Body in any way, Francis insisted,
must be kept immaculate out of so great a mystery. Any neglected church he came upon in
his travels he would clean it up. He took great pleasure in decorating altars and he enlisted
the aid of St. Clare and her daughters to supply altar linens for poor churches. As has been
said before Francis had the greatest respect for priests because it was through them that he
could receive the Lord
THE EUCHARIST IN THE LIFE OF THE TERTIARY
Like Francis, the Secular Franciscan must have a real and vital faith in the real and active
presence of Christ in the Eucharist

2. This faith must be put into action by our participation in Eucharistic worship, the
Mass. In partaking of Christ's Body we hope to imitate our Saviour arid become so
transformed as to become other Christs, just like our father Francis. Christ’s total gift
of himself should encourage us to greater generosity; it should help us not to live for
ourselves any longer, but for the sake of Christ's great work, the salvation of the
world. By participating in the Eucharistic Liturgy we are actually taking part in the
sacrifice of Christ, who died and rose again for every one of us.