Eucharistic Saints

Thérèse of Lisieux

by Gary Penkala

As we continue with the National Eucharistic Revival, it would be profitable to recall those saints who had a special devotion to the Blessed Eucharist. Over the next few articles we'll study these saints, their lives, their devotion to the Blessed Eucharist, and music connected to them.

Life

The story of this simple soul, told in her journal called Story of a Soul, is inspiring on many levels. She was a cloistered Carmelite nun for only about ten years, until her untimely death at age 24. Called the "Little Flower," she is one of the patron saints of missions, and she prayed ceaselessly for the spread of the Catholic faith. "Upon my death I will let fall a shower of roses; I wish to spend my heaven in doing good upon the earth."

In a very unusual circumstance, both her parents, Louis Martin and Marie-Azélie (Zélie) Martin, were canonized together by Pope Franics in 2015.

In her short life, Thérèse suffered from mental and health issues — scrupulosity and tuberculosis.

She herself was canonized in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, only 28 years after her death. Because of the profundity of her thinking and the clarity of her writing, she was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Saint John Paul II in 1997.

Devotion to the Eucharist

Thérèse was devoted to Eucharistic adoration and on February 26, 1895, shortly before she died wrote from memory and without a rough draft her poetic masterpiece To Live by Love which she had composed during Eucharistic adoration. During her life, the poem was sent to various religious communities and was included in a notebook of her poems.

Near your divine Heart, I forget all passing things.
I no longer dread the fears of the night.
Ah ! Jesus, give me a place in your Heart,
Just for today.

Living Bread, Bread of Heaven, divine Eucharist,
O sacred Mystery ! that Love has brought forth.
Come live in my heart, Jesus, my white Host,
Just for today.

Deign to unite me to you, Holy and sacred Vine,
And my weak branch will give you its fruit,
And I'll be able to offer you a cluster of golden grapes,
Lord, from today on.

Related Music

1. Ego sum vitis vera (Anthony Corvaia, Jr.) —
   With the renewed emphasis on singing the Propers at Mass, Anthony Corvaia's setting of Ego sum vitis vera is particularly appropriate. The text is the Communion Antiphon for the Fifth Sunday of Easter [Jn 15:5]:

   Ego sum vitis vera et vos palmites
   qui manet in me, et ego in eo,
   hic fert fructum multum, alleluia, alleluia.

   and is translated:

   I am the true vine and you, the branches;
   whoever remains in me and I in him,
   this one bears much fruit, alleluia, alleluia.

   The motet is written for SAB voices and is mostly homophonic, with greater use of polyphony in the Alleluia section which ends the work. Comfortable ranges make this motet very useful in parish settings.

   Most appropriate for the Fifth Sunday of Easter, this would also make for a suitable choral offering throughout Eastertide.

2. O sacrum convivium (Michael Lawrence) —
   Here's an earnest testimonial from one of the foremost chant and polyphony directors in the country:

   I wanted to tell you about a little piece we sang yesterday at a Church Music Association of America meeting. It is O sacrum convivium by Michael Lawrence. It was an instant smash hit. We brought it home and passed it out to our schola, who just adored it. We worked on it and it got better and better. Yesterday we sang it in liturgy, the first modern composition we've done in our four year history. It was stunning in every way: rich and complex and comfortable to sing. We had so many comments about it. I don't know if he is a genius or if his piece is inspired or what, but I somehow feel like this piece needs to heard. It lasts only a few minutes so it is perfect for communion before a hymn, or after communion. It is magnificently crafted and sublime in the most simple way.

   The motet, originally written in B-flat Major for ATTB choir, is presented here in an SATB format in D Major. The text is the traditional Magnificat antiphon for Second Vespers of Corpus Christi.

3. Taste and See: Psalm 34 (Gary Penkala) —
   This setting of the Eucharistic Psalm 34 is for cantor (or youth choir), congregation, organ and flute.

   Responsorial in format, the text is taken from the Votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist. The refrain, descant and flute part are bright and youthful, making this an ideal selection for use at First Holy Communion Masses. The flute part is easy enough for a young player, and the descant and verses can be sung by a youth choir.

Article written 19 August 2023