St Catherine of Siena
St. Catherine of Siena held a profound devotion to the Eucharist, which she regarded as the central source of spiritual strength and nourishment for her life and mission. She experienced numerous mystical graces during Communion, including visions and ecstasies that lasted for hours, often leaving her physically exhausted. Her spiritual director, Raymond of Capua, attested to these experiences, noting that she received the Eucharist with such intensity that she would sometimes levitate above the ground.
Catherine’s understanding of the Eucharist was deeply rooted in the belief in the Real Presence of Christ—Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity—in the consecrated Host. She described the Eucharist using powerful metaphors, such as a flame that does not diminish when used to light many candles, symbolizing how Christ’s presence remains whole and undiminished even as it is shared among countless faithful. She emphasized that even if the Sacred Host were divided into countless particles, each particle would contain the whole Christ—both God and Man—just as a mirror’s image remains whole even when shattered.
Her theology of the Eucharist was Trinitarian in nature: God the Father is the table offering the food, Jesus Christ is the Lamb and the food itself, and the Holy Spirit acts as the "waiter" who serves the Eucharist, enlightens the mind, and inspires love for neighbor. This Trinitarian vision underscores the Eucharist as a dynamic encounter of divine love and grace that sustains the believer on their journey through life.
Catherine encouraged the faithful to approach the Eucharist with four essential dispositions: faith, love, desire, and ongoing conversion. She taught that while all receive the same sacrament, the spiritual fruitfulness depends on the depth of one’s faith, love, and desire for God. She believed that the Eucharist strengthens the soul to grow in virtue and to live out one’s vocation in love.
For seven years before her death, Catherine lived on the Eucharist alone, consuming no other food, which reflects her belief that Christ is the true nourishment of the soul. Her life was marked by an intense spiritual union with Christ, and she often expressed her longing for the Eucharist through prayer and sacrifice. Even in her final days, she remained deeply committed to the Eucharist, which she saw as the heart of the Church’s life and mission.
Her legacy continues to inspire devotion, including Eucharistic Adoration practices in parishes named after her, such as St. Catherine of Siena Church, which holds weekly Adoration in connection with the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Novena. Her life and teachings remain a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Eucharist in the life of a Christian.