Abbey-Roads2

I must be alzheimered out, I’ve not been keeping up with my saints.  One whose feast I forgot about yesterday:

Blessed Maria Candida of the Eucharist
Also known as Maria Barba

Born to a Court Judge in Palermo, Sicily, She made her first Communion at age 10 and developed an intense devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. When she was only fifteen she realized she was called to religious life but her parents would not allow it. Finally at the age of thirty five she was accepted into the Discalced Carmelites at Ragusa, Italy in 1919 where she took the name of Maria Candida of the Eucharist. Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament was the hallmark of Mother Candida’s spirituality and she spent many long hours in adoration.  Blessed Maria Candida was prioress of her Carmel for many years while she extended the Order in Sicily, promoting a renewal in devotion to St. Teresa of Avila and the rule. She also wrote a book entitled “The Eucharist,” a description of her mystical experiences and the theology behind them. John Paul II beatified Mother Candida on the 18 December, 2000. Her feast day is June 14. - Adapted from Catholic Forum Patron Saints Index

Selections from her writings are as follows:

O my Beloved Sacrament, I see you, I believe in you! O Holy Faith. Contemplate with ever greater faith our Dear Lord in the Sacrament: live with Him who comes to us every day.

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O My Divine Eucharist, my dear Hope, all our hope is in You. Ever since I was a baby my hope in the Holy Eucharist has been strong.  My Jesus, how I love You! There is within my heart an enormous love for You, O Sacramental Love. How great is the love of God made bread for our souls, who become a prisoner for me!

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Which hymn would we not sing in obedience to this Divine Sacrament? And what is the obedience of Jesus of Nazareth compared with His obedience in this Sacrament for two thousand years?

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After having taught me obedience how much He talks to me, instructs me in Poverty, O Sacred Host! Who is more naked, poorer than You - You have nothing, You ask for nothing! O Jesus, let religious souls long for sincere detachment and poverty! 

(Reprinted from Rome-ing Catholics, my blog of origin.)