St. Francis of Assisi did more perhaps than any other saint in the history of the Church to foster devotion to the Holy Eucharist. Francis' entire spirituality was centered on the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. His earliest biographer, Thomas of Celano, writes of this devotion: "He communicated often and with such devotion that he enkindled the hearts of others. Because he revered the Most Holy Sacrament with all his heart, he offered Him the sacrifice of all his members, and whenever he received the sweet and spotless Lamb, he surrendered also to Him his spirit with that flaming ardor which ever glowed on the altar of his heart.

His ardent love for the Eucharist forced itself into so many of the external actions of Francis' life. It is evident in his desire to rebuild the broken, dilapidated churches which housed the holy presence of Christ and in his insistence that the vessels used during the Mass be of the finest quality possible and that they be kept clean. This devotion is also evident in his great love and respect for the priesthood. Despite the fact that criticism of priests for their sinful lives was rampant in Francis' time, even to the point of claiming that such priest had lost their priestly powers, the holy saint from Assisi insisted that his friars have the utmost respect and reverence for all priests. "I do not want to consider any sin in them," wrote St. Francis in his Testament, "because I discern the Son of God in them and they are my lords. I act in this way because, in this world, I see nothing corporally of the most high Son of God except His most holy Body and Blood which they receive and they alone administer to others."

St. Clare, who so greatly desired to imitate the "Poor Man of Assisi," was also imbued with his great love for the Holy Eucharist. This love was to such an extent that often when she communicated tears would stream down her eyes. There is another remarkable account in which she defended the city of Assisi from an attempted assault by Saracen mercenaries of the Emperor Frederick II, by interceding with the Eucharistic Lord. "Lord, look upon these servants of yours because I cannot protect them!" St. Clare had cried out. To which a remarkably sweet voice was heard to reply, "I will always defend you!" The Saracens were thus repelled and without any damage being done to the city.

The followers of St. Francis down through the centuries have played a large role in promoting Eucharistic devotion among the people. In his book The Ideals of St. Francis, Bishop Hilarion Felder, O.F.M.Cap. chronicles some of the more distinguished persons in the spreading of this great devotion: "Anthony of Padua was the wonder-worker, Berthold of Ratisbon the preacher of the Eucharist. Alexander of Hales, Bonaventure and Duns Scotus, the luminaries of Franciscan science, became the theologians of the Eucharist. Paschal Baylon is the patron of the eucharistic works and societies. Joseph Piantanida of Ferno was the author of the Forty Hours' Adoration, the entire Franciscan Order, the defender and promoter of the feast of Corpus Christi and of the eucharistic devotions.... That is the true Franciscan heritage, the true Franciscan spirit. As surely as Francis and his sons are called to the knighthood of Christ, so surely are they called to the cult and the apostolate of the Eucharist."

As Capuchins and followers of St. Francis, we Friars are also called to place the Eucharist at the center of our lives and at the heart of our spirituality. For that reason we are asked to spend a minimum of one hour a day in meditation before the Blessed Sacrament. In this way we hope to observe more closely our Capuchin Constitutions, which exhort us to imitate the example of St. Francis, venerating above all else Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist.

"For One in such a lofty position to stoop so low is a marvel that is staggering. What sublime humility and humble sublimeness, that the Lord of the Universe, the Divine Son of God, should stoop as to hide Himself under the appearance of bread for our salvation! Behold the humble way of God, my brothers. Therefore, do not hold yourselves to be anything of yourselves, so that you may be entirely acceptable to One Who gives Himself entirely to you."


"If angels could be jealous of men, they would be so for one reason: Holy Communion."

"When we go before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament we represent the one in the world who is in most need of God’s Mercy." We "Stand in behalf of the one in the world who does not know Christ and who is farthest away from God and we bring down upon their soul the Precious Blood of The Lamb."

"Following the example of Saint Francis, let us venerate above all else Jesus Christ present in the Eucharist."
- Capuchin Constitutions