Help Your Children Love the Eucharist

Patrice MacArthur reviews Eucharistic Saints: 20 Stories of Devotion to Jesus by Meredith Hinds, a book that will foster devotion to the Eucharist in children and adults.

Eucharistic Saints: Twenty Stories of Devotion to Jesus

by Meredith Hinds
TAN Books

Saints are saints because they love Jesus and live to serve God. The Eucharist, as the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus, is the source and summit of our Catholic faith. We believe that Jesus is truly present in the form of bread and wine. However, that can be a hard concept for children (and even adults) to wrap their minds around. The lives of the saints can help demonstrate the truth of the Eucharist and help foster devotion in both children and adults. 

Saints Show Their Love for the Eucharist 

In Eucharistic Saints: Twenty Stories of Devotion to Jesus, Meredith Hinds provides vignettes from the lives of twenty saints that illustrate how much they valued the Eucharist. Several of these stories are about another person witnessing the saint’s devotion.  

For example, in the Dominican Friary in Naples, Italy in 1273, Brother Leo is struggling with his belief in the Eucharist. He turns to the writings of his fellow Dominican, Thomas Aquinas, to try to increase his belief. One day, he witnesses Thomas rising into the air and hears the voice of Christ in the Eucharist speak to him, asking Thomas what he would like for a reward for his work writing of Jesus. Saint Thomas replies, “Nothing but you, Lord.” The story concludes with the words of St. Thomas’ hymn, "Tantum Ergo," in both Latin and English.  

Another story is set in 1870 Quincy, Illinois, when Venerable Augustine Tolton was sixteen years old. He just made his First Communion. He feels called to the priesthood and discusses that vocation with his parish priest, but the odds seem insurmountable. He’s poor and Black, meaning no seminary in the United States would welcome him. Yet, he overcomes the odds and becomes a priest at the age of thirty-two. 

A tender story shows the young Saint Thérèse of Lisieux eager to watch the Corpus Christi procession in 1879 France. Her older sister Pauline and their father accompany her as she makes her way to see Jesus, where she eagerly throws rose petals at the monstrance.  

Some of the other saints featured include Saint Jacinta Marto, Saint Clare of Assisi, Saint Pius X, Saint Teresa of Kolkata (Mother Teresa), and Saint John Paul II.  

This book is unique in that it drops you in one scene from these saints’ lives. While each story has a one-paragraph introduction to the saint and their importance, this book could serve as a good jumping-off point to learn more about these holy people. The back of the book features “More About the Stories” and a bibliography, both of which provide suggestions for further reading.  

Great for First Communicants 

Eucharistic Saints: Twenty Stories of Devotion to Jesus is a lovely book to share as part of a family read-aloud or in a religion class. It is ideal for those who are preparing for First Communion and would also make a lovely First Communion gift. It is inspiring for both the children and the adults who read the stories to them.  

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Copyright 2024 Patrice Fagnant-MacArthur
Images: Canva
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