THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

THE EUCHARIST AND ST. FRANCIS

I. St Francis lived his thanksgiving. His life was a "eucharist."
Everywhere and always St. Francis thanked God for all his goodness; and invited all living creatures, even those not endowed with reason, to show their gratitude toward Him.

"Almighty God, most Sovereign and Most High! Holy and just Father! We thank You because You are God; for by Your holy will, by Your only Son, and in Your Holy Spirit You have created both spiritual and corporal creatures."

The exquisite soul of Francis, sensitively aware of God's goodness, felt crushed. . . . How could he, "poor sinner," and with him his fellow man and all creatures, his brothers and sisters, ever offer truly pleasing praise to God? How? Through Jesus Christ our Lord!

"Because, miserable sinners that we all are, we are unworthy even to name You, we beseech You that our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Beloved Son, in whom You and the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete, take pleasure, may give You thanks in a way pleasing to You and to them--for Christ suffices for all things."

[From 'Your Mass and Your Life,' to be continued . . .]