Wisdom of the Saints about The Eucharist (part 11)

“Before the consecration, it has another name; after, It is called Blood.  And you say: ‘Amen,’ that is, ‘It is true.’  Let the heart within confess what the mouth utters; let the soul feel what the voice speaks.” St. Cyril of Jerusalem (4^th century, Doctor of the Church)

“Before, the priest gave praise to God, and prayed for the people, for kings and for others.  But when he comes to consecrate the adorable Sacrament, the priest no longer uses his own words, but the words of Christ.  Before the words of the Sacrament, it is bread in common use; after consecration It becomes from bread Christ's flesh.” St. Ambrose of Milan (4^th century, Doctor of the Church)

“O Sacrament of piety!  O sign of unity!  O bond of love!  He who wants to live has a place and the means to live.  Let him come close, believe, be united to Christ’s Body and so truly live.” St. Augustine of Hippo (4th-5th centuries, Doctor of the Church)

“The bread and wine are changed into the flesh and blood by that word of power by which the Word became flesh and dwelled among us; by which He spoke and they were made; by which the woman was converted into a statue [of salt]; by which the rod was changed into a serpent; by which the springs became blood and water changed into wine.  For if the word of Elias could bring down fire from heaven, will the word of Christ be unable to change bread into flesh?” St. Peter Damian (11^th century, Doctor of the Church)

“When the words of consecration are said, Christ truly descends into the Host and the whole substance of the bread is converted into the true flesh of Christ.  He is as truly in the Host when the words of consecration have been completed as He was in the womb of the Virgin Mary when she had spoken those words, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord:  be it done unto me according to thy word.”  St. Vincent Ferrer (14th-15th centuries)

“The Father gave His Word veiled under the appearance of flesh, as man’s Bread, by which they might be spiritually nourished by faith.   Then Christ gave this same incarnate Word, that is, Himself, covered by the appearance of bread, on which the apostles might feed, not only by faith, but in reality.” St. John Fisher (15th-16th centuries)

“When you have received the Lord, and are in His very presence, try to shut the bodily eyes and to open the eyes of the soul.” St. Teresa of Avila (16^th century, Doctor of the Church)

"Grant, O Lord that Your sacred Body in Holy Communion may be my last refreshment.  And Your sweet Name, Jesus, the last word on my lips." Bl. Sebastian Valfre (17th-18th centuries)

“This prayer recalls to our mind that this precious Body and Blood are given to us as a pledge of eternal life, and as a viaticum in order to pass from this exile to our heavenly country.  Hence, when we receive Communion, we ought to be so disposed as if we had to leave the earth at once, to enter eternity.” St. Alphonsus Liguori (18^th century, Doctor of the Church)

“The longer you stay away from Communion, the more your soul will become weak, and in the end you will become dangerously indifferent.” St. John Bosco (19^th century)

“God being goodness itself – and goodness, in the language of Scripture, is the same as perfection – the Christian who is united to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist finds in the efficacy of this Sacrament all manner of perfection and holiness.  From it he draws strength to rise above himself, to seek after eternal joys, and to despise the deceitful goods of this world because they are unable to satisfy his desires.” Pope St. Pius X (19th-20th centuries)

“He makes it ever clearer to me that He wants me to burn with love for Him in devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.  Every time I receive Him I must feel renewed that longing which stirs within me to live for Jesus only and to obtain the grace of preservation from so many sins which I should certainly commit if He did not come to my help.  How can I remain deaf to His invitation?” Pope St. John XXIII (19th-20th centuries)

“It is only in eternity that we shall know the great mystery effected in us by Holy Communion.” St. Faustina Kowalska (20^th century)