Cardinal Tobin: Let us fall in love with the Holy Eucharist

In the latest edition of his Rejoice in the Lord newsletter, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, C.Ss.R, reflects on the Holy Eucharist and writes, “Let us fall in love with this most precious sacrament. Let us allow ourselves to be fed by divine grace, so that we will have the strength to become what we receive in the Holy Eucharist and, then, to transform the world.”

The Cardinal includes a stanza from a hymn text written by St Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) for the Feast of Corpus Christi, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ entitled, “Pange Lingua Gloriosi Corporis Mysterium.”

Sing, my tongue, the Savior’s glory,
of His Flesh, the mystery sing;
of the Blood, all price exceeding,
destined, for the world’s redemption,
from a noble Womb to spring.

“We think of Thomas Aquinas as a brilliant thinker who taught philosophy and theology, and so he was,” Cardinal Tobin writes. “But St. Thomas was also a man of fervent prayer and intense devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.”

He said that St. Thomas believed so completely that this sacrament is the application of our Lord’s Passion to us that he was known to celebrate Mass with tears of joy and gratitude.

In the newsletter, Cardinal Tobin shares additional insight into St. Thomas’ understanding of the Eucharist. He also shares some related reflections from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

He quotes the Holy Father who says we cannot heal from fragilities on our own.

“What fragilities? Let’s think,” Pope Francis says. “That of feeling resentment toward those who have done us harm. It is He who heals us with his presence, with his bread, with the Eucharist.”

Also included in the latest edition of the newsletter is a selection from Returning to Grace: A Pastoral Letter on the Eucharist written by Cardinal Tobin.

Cardinal Tobin’s newsletter is available in English and Spanish here.