By Br. Tyler Harris, OFM

St. Francis had a deep love and reverence for the Eucharist. In a letter to a General Chapter, he wrote: "O sublime humility! O humble sublimity! That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God, should humble himself like this and hide under the form of a little bread, for our salvation.”  

Devotion to the Eucharist runs deep in the Franciscan tradition: 

— St. Francis spoke often of the Body and Blood of Christ and, unusual for his time, encouraged frequent reception of the Eucharist. 

— St. Clare courageously turned to the Eucharist to protect Assisi from invaders. 

— St. Anthony famously convinced a mule of Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. 

— The scholars St. Bonaventure and Duns Scotus were deeply concerned about clarifying the nature of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist and the sacrament’s deep connections to all of creation. 

— St. Bernardine of Siena preached spiritual renewal centered on the Eucharist. And St. Paschal Baylón is the patron saint of Eucharistic Congresses. 

For all these Franciscans, God’s poverty, compassion, and enduring closeness to us was on full display in the Eucharist. Passion for the Eucharist energized their identity as Lesser Brothers. 

Experiencing the Eucharistic Congress with the Franciscans 

The friars were among the thousands of people who gathered in Indianapolis from July 17 to 21 for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress to deepen their relationship with Christ and renew their devotion to the Eucharist. It was an inspiring week! Check out the highlights below:

 

The Eucharist 'is the living center of the universe… The Eucharist joins heaven and earth; it embraces and penetrates all creation.' Laudato Si' 236

Day 1: Connected through Christ 

Seeing this Congress converge from across the country reminds us that the Eucharist truly is the living center of the universe, a gravitational force that draws us all closer to one another and reminds us of our deep interconnectedness through Christ.  Adoring and contemplating Christ’s presence amongst us powerfully reveals to us the truth of who we are and our human capacity to love as Christ loves. 

This experience only underscores the expansive sense of fraternity we friars are called to live into as “lesser brothers.” Truly, we are all brothers and sisters journeying together with Christ toward more expansive love, more authentic life and deeper union with one another.  

Consider, O human being, in what great excellence the Lord God has placed you, for He created and formed you to the image of His beloved Son. (St. Francis, Admonition #5)

Day 2: The greatest love story ever told 

Today the Eucharistic Congress focused on the greatest love story ever told with Jesus, our Eucharistic Lord, at the center. 

Although king of the universe, Christ humbly accepted a lowly uncomfortable manger. He chooses “an ordinary piece of bread” to remain present to us. This unimaginable humility reveals our God Who cannot resist embracing even the lowliest states of life. 

Christ’s humility in the manger, on the cross, and in ordinary bread also reveals how God sees us: welling up with an original goodness that no imperfection can truly overshadow. Francis exclaims such good news: “Consider, O human being, the wondrous state in which the Lord God has placed you, for He created you and formed you to the image of his beloved Son!” 

Christ draws close to us in the Eucharist — especially in our moments of greatest need — reminding us of that beautiful Image uniquely imprinted on each of us. That “ordinary piece of bread” illuminates who we always are: a radiant Image of Christ destined for glorious union with our loving God. 

'Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!'' (St. Francis, Letter to the Entire Order)

Day 3: Christ holds nothing back

The third day of the Eucharistic Congress focused on Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane to reflect on our need for healing. In that garden, Christ holds nothing back, pours forth all his emotions before God and then releases his entire will out of complete undying love for the Father's Will and for us. 

Christ’s Passion in Gethsemane greatly inspired St. Francis, who connected ongoing conversion with receiving the Eucharist in a self-emptying spirit. For Francis, the Eucharist is the sacrament of hope, reconciliation, and newness of life. 

Through the Eucharistic meal, we present our whole selves to allow the One who is victorious over all shadows of life to enter the very depths of our being. 

The Eucharist invites us to open the entirety of our lives to God’s love to be healed and, in turn, be a face of compassion for others. In the words of Francis: “Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves, that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!” 

“Inwardly cleansed, interiorly enlightened and inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, may we be able to follow in the footprints of Your beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.” – St Francis, Letter to the Entire Order.

Day 4: Following the footprints of Christ 

Both Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi spoke passionately about following the footprints of our Lord Jesus Christ. And that is exactly what we did while processing through the streets of Indianapolis behind Christ in the Eucharist. 

So today we ask: What does it mean to follow the footprints of the Eucharist? 

In his writings, Francis always speaks of the “Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,” emphasizing the personal, human, living presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The footprints of the Body and Blood lead us to seek out and serve the living Image of Christ in all our neighbors—especially the poor and marginalized, just as we seek out and adore His Real Presence in church. Francis and Clare knew so well that in following Christ and loving our neighbors with our whole selves, we find our truest identity and the keys to greater newness of life.   

A graphic containing a quote from St. Francis below an image of the stage at the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis in front of a large crowd.

Day 5: Let us begin again 

In celebrating the Eucharist, what we are doing is connected to who we are and who we are becoming. So, while the Eucharistic Congress concluded today, the Eucharistic Revival is only beginning.  

As we journey home, we are reminded of Francis’ tireless pursuit of Christ. There was always more work and new depths to the gifted relationship with Christ to discover and share with others.  

In the Eucharist, Francis saw the Word of God continue to become flesh and Christ continue to feed and be present to us in ever-new ways. In the same way, the task of carrying Christ in our hearts and giving birth to Christ through our actions and examples before others will be equally dynamic.  

This Eucharistic Revival urges us to embrace that holy newness and discover authentic personal ways to embody our Eucharistic Lord so that our very lives may be gifts for others.