16th Century Saints

Quotes On The Importance Of Eucharistic Adoration

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King Philip II of Spain (1527 to 1598)
King of Spain from 1556 to 1598
King Philip II founded the Vigil of the Blessed Sacrament, religious in successive pairs remaining constantly, night and day, before the Blessed Sacrament .
(Source:The Eucharist - Jesus iw With us blog - https://eucharistjesuswithus.blogspot.com)


St. Peter Canisius (1521 to 1597)
Doctor Of The Church and Confessor
St. Canisius who was 'on fire' for the love of the Eucharist and would spend hours in Eucharistic Adoration. His love for the Blessed Sacrament is reflected in his writings: "Why do we speak of someone being 'on fire with love?' The answer is simple. Fire not only strives for union with what it embraces, but seeks to transform whatever it embraces into itself. Love does likewise. As it happens to a coal, to be changed and totally converted into fire, so by a worthy reception of the Eucharist, we become changed in a wonderful manner into Christ, are made partakers of His divine nature, and grow somehow to be the very blood-brother (blood-sister) of Him (Jesus Who is), Our Head." St. Canisius was the instigator in having the Council Of Trent pass a little known decree urging the daily reception of Holy Communion.
(Source of quote: St. Canisius's 1558 "The Triple Catechism", Large Catechism section, "Sacrament of the Eucharist" paragraph )



St. Philip Neri (1515 to 1595)
Founder of the Congregation Of The Oratory, and a Italian Priest
"Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to the Blessed Virgin are not simply the best way, but in fact are the only way to conserve purity.... Chastity is not possible without the Eucharist."
(Source: Missionaries of the Blessed Sacrament website - Click Here)

"Can you feel the fragrance of Paradise which diffuses Itself from the Tabernacle?"
(Source: AnastPaul blog - https://anastpaul.com)




St. Paschal Baylon (1540 to 1592)
Spanish Friar and called greatest Saint of the Eucharist
"Kneel Down! Kneel Down! Do you not see on high the golden Chalice and the bright rays darting from the Host? It is the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. The Angels are adoring It. Come let us join our adoration to theirs."
(Source: 365 Rosaries blog - http://365rosaries.blogspot.com/)

"There is no more effacious means than this (Eucharistic Adoration) for nourishing and increasing the piety of the people toward this admirable pledge of love which is a bond of peace and of unity."
(Source: AnastPaul blog - https://anastpaul.com)




St. John of the Cross (1542 to 1591)
Doctor of the Church and Priest
"The eternal spring is hidden in this living bread for our life's sake, although it is night.  It is here calling out to creatures; and they satisfy their thirst, although in darkness, because it is night.  This living spring that I long for, I see in this bread of life, although it is night."
(Source: Eucharistic Adoration blog - https://eucharisticadorationnewsletter.blogspot.com)




St. Aloysius Gonzaga (1568 to 1591)
Jesuit and Seminarian
St. Aloysius spent a lot of time in prayer especially before the Blessed Sacrament. So much so that when it came time to make a painting of him it was decided to make it of him kneeling in adoration before of our Lord Jesus.  His love for the Blessed Sacrament was so great and his visits to our beloved Lord so frequent that at one point in his life his Doctor and his Superiors were worried about his health and ordered him to lessen his hours of adoration.
(Source: Truth Himself blog - http://truthhimself.blogspot.com/)




St. Polydore Plasden (1563 to 1591)
Martyr and English Priest
St. Plasden, one of the Forty Martyrs of England, had such great faith in the Presence of Christ in the Eucharist that he accepted death, by hanging, rather than to renounce the Blessed Sacrament.




St. Bartholomew of the Martyrs (1514 to 1590)
Archbishop of Braga, Portugal
"Visit the Blessed Sacrament frequently and spend some time in devout conversation with your Lord and Master. There you will find the source of grace and strength, the remedy of your defects and weaknesses, the light of your doubts and difficulties, the comfort of your troubles and afflictions, the food of your soul and the joy of your heart."
(Source: "Stimulus Pastorum: A Charge to Pastors" bk. by St. Bartholomew of the Martyrs O.P., translated by Donald S. Prudlo, 2022, p. 91, pub. Catholic University of America Press (According to Bing AI) )




Ven. Louis of Granada (1504 to 1588)
Spanish Dominican Friar and theologian
"When you go to visit the Blessed Sacrament, do not go as if you were going to a mere visit, but as if you were going to see your Lord and Savior. Go with a humble and contrite heart, and with a firm faith in his real presence. Go to adore him, to thank him for his mercies, to ask for his forgiveness, and to offer him yourself entirely."
(Source: "Prayer and Meditation" by Louis of Granada, 1971, page 41, pub. Scoler Press)




St. Felix Of Cantalice (1515 to 1587)
O.F.M., Cap.
He was in the habit of rising at night when the Fathers slept, and, taking his place before the Blessed Sacrament, he watched and prayed until dawn, when he rang the Angelus; he then served the first Mass, which was said at that hour, and, with tears of pious devotion, received holy communion. After this he made his thanksgiving until it was time for him to go forth on his daily task.
(Source: Visits To Jesus In The Tabernacle book, by  Fr. F.X. Lasance)




St. Charles Borromeo (1538 to 1584)
Cardinal and Archbishop of Milan Italy
"If we wish to make any progress in the service of God we must begin every day of our life with new eagerness. We must keep ourselves in the presence of God, as much as possible and have no other view or end, in all our actions but the divine honour."
(Source: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Facebook page)




St. Teresa Of Avila (1515 to 1582)
Doctor Of The Church and Mystic
"I am quite sure that if we could but once approach the Most Holy Sacrament with great faith and love, it would suffice to make us rich. How much more so if we approach it often."
(Source: St. Teresa's 1578 book "Meditations on the Song of Songs", Chapter 3)

"You are mine ... You came into the world for me; for me You underwent severe trials; For me You suffered many lashes; for me You remain in the most Blessed Sacrament."
(Source: St. Teresa's 1578 book "Meditations on the Song of Songs", Chapter 4)

"In this world it is impossible for all subjects to speak with their king. But everyone who wishes can find Jesus, the King of Heaven, in the Blessed Sacrament, and may speak with Him without restraint."
(Source: St. Teresa's 1566 book "Way of Perfection", Chapter 7)

"The most important thing is to be with Him, to be close to Him, to be in His presence, and to love Him."
(Source: St. Teresa's 1566 book "Way of Perfection", Chapter 28)

"In the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament we ought to be like the Blessed in heaven before the Divine Essence."
(Source: St. Teresa's 1566 book "Way of Perfection", Chapter 34)

"To converse with You, O King of glory, no third person is needed. You are always ready in the Sacrament of the Altar to give audience to all. All who desire You always find You there, and converse with You face to face."
(Source: St. Teresa's 1566 book "Way of Perfection", Chapter 34)

"Christians, this is the hour to defend your King and to keep Him company in the profound isolation in which He finds Himself. How few, O Lord, are the servants who remain faithful to You!"
(Source: St. Teresa's 1566 book "Way of Perfection", Chapter 35)

St. Francis Borgia (1510 to 1572)
Jesuit Priest and Superior General Of The Society Of Jesus
Most Saints thought Eucharist Adoration so important that they would go out of their way to adore our beloved Lord several times a day. St. Francis would make seven visits to the Blessed Sacrament everyday.

St. Stanislaus Kostka (1550 to 1568)
Polish novice of the Society Of Jesus
The angelic youth, St. Stanislaus Kostka, took advantage of every free moment to hurry off to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. When he simply could not make it, he would turn to his Guardian Angel and tell him quietly, "My dear Angel, go there for me." And what a truly angelic assignment! Why can we not make such a request? Our Guardian Angel would be quite glad to comply. In fact, we could not ask him to do us a nobler and more agreeable favour.
(Source: Catholic Tradition website - http://www.catholictradition.org/)

St. Peter Of Alcantara (1499 to 1562)
Founder of the Alcantarines & St. Teresa of Avila spiritual director
"Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament has His hands full of graces and He is ready to bestow them on anyone who asks for them."
(Source: Enders Island Facebook page - Click Here)

St. Ignatius Of Loyola (1491 to 1556)
Founder of the Society Of Jesus (Jesuits)
"To withdraw from creatures and repose with Jesus in the Tabernacle is my delight; there I can hide myself and seek rest. There I find a life which I cannot describe, a joy which I cannot make others comprehend, a peace such as is found only under the hospitable roof of our best Friend."
(Source: Inspiring Quotes website - https://www.inspiringquotes.us/)

"Jesus in the Tabernacle protects me against all my enemies, evil sprits, the world, my own wicked passions and evil inclinations. He is my support in weakness, my comfort in suffering, my weapon in combat, my refreshment in heat, food for my hungry soul, my stimulus when I am exhausted. He is my Heaven on earth."
(Source: Take Up & Read blog - https://www.takeupandread.org/)

St. Thomas of Villanova, O.S.A. (1488 to 1555)
Archbishop of Grenada, Spanish friar of the Order of Saint Augustine, noted preacher, ascetic and religious writer
"Give thanks to your Redeemer Who has come down from heaven to call you to Himself."
(Source: St. Thomas of Villanova sermon "The Solemnity of the Birth of our Lord Jesus Christ" quoting St. Augustine)

St. Francis Xavier (1506 to 1552)
Missionary and cofounder of the Society Of Jesus
St. Francis Xavier after preaching and baptizing all day would often spend the night in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

St. John Of God (1495 to 1550)
Founder of Brothers Hospitallers Of St. John God
"Love our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist above all things in the world."
(Source: Portrait of Our Lord Twitter page - https://twitter.com/PortraitOurLord)

Pope Paul III (1468 to 1549)
Pope from 1534 to 1549
He was the first Pope to grant an indulgence to the Forty Hours devotion (40 hours of continuous Eucharistic exposition and adoration).  In 1540 he replied to the Archbishop of Milan who was asking for an indulgence for this devotion: "Since our beloved son the Vicar General of the Archbishop of Milan, at the prayer of the inhabitants of the said city,..., has established a round of prayers and supplications to be offered by day and night by all the faithful of Christ, before our Lord’s Most Sacred Body, in all the churches of the said city, in such a manner that these prayers and supplication are made by the faithful themselves relieving each other in relays for forty hours continuously in each church in succession, according to the order determined by the Vicar… We approving in our Lord so pious an institution, grant and remit."

St. Cajetan (1480 to 1547)
Italian Priest and cofounder of the Theatines
"May all praise and thanks be continually given to the most holy and the most august Sacrament."
(Source: Ana StPaul Pinterest page - https://www.pinterest.ca/Anastpaul/)

St. Peter Faber (1506 to 1546)
Jesuit Priest, theologian and co-founder of the Society Of Jesus
"Let us go often to visit our Lord in the most holy sacrament, where he waits for us with infinite love. Let us offer him our prayers, our praises, our thanksgivings, our sorrows, our needs, our desires, our hopes, our fears, our joys, our crosses, our whole selves. He will receive us with open arms and fill us with his blessings. He will make us partakers of his divine life, and we will experience the sweetness of his presence and the foretaste of his glory. He will inflame our hearts with his love, and we will burn with zeal for his glory and the salvation of souls."
(Source: "Spiritual Writings of Pierre Favre" edited and transl. by Edmond C. Murphy, S.J., 1996, p. 223, pub. Jesuit Sources (According to Bing AI) )

Bl. Lucy of Narni (1476 to 1544)
Laywoman, Mystic and Stigmatist
"I urge you all to make frequent visits to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. You will find Him always ready to receive you with open arms. He will fill you with His grace and His peace. He will speak to your hearts and reveal to you His secrets. He will make you partakers of His divine mysteries."
(Source: "The Letters of Blessed Lucy of Narni" by Pietro Leonardi, 2009, p, 87, pub. Edizioni San Paolo (According to Bing AI) )

St. Anthony Zaccaria (1502 to 1539)
Priest and Main Founder of Barnabites Counter-Reformer Soldier
A renowned preacher and promoter of Eucharistic adoration, he founded the order of priests, known as the Barnabites, who emphasized love for the Eucharist and Christ crucified.  In 1537, at the Cathedral of Milan Italy, he promoted  solemn Forty Hours Adoration Of The Most Blessed Sacrament and, in shifts, at the four gates of the city.
Sources: Wikipedia website - Click Here and Catholic Fire blog - Click Here)

St. Thomas More (1477 to 1535)
Martyr and Lord Chancellor of England
"Give me the grace to long for Your holy sacraments, and especially to rejoice in the presence of Your body, sweet Savior Christ, in the holy sacrament of the altar."
(Source: The Eucharist - Jesus is With us blog  - Click Here)

St. John Fisher (1469 to 1535)
Martyr, Cardinal, and Bishop of Rochester England
Thru his fervent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament St. John Fisher was prepared for martyrdom. He spent many hours in Eucharistic Adoration and once chided a nonbeliever (Bishop of Winchester, England) who denied the doctrine of the Real Presence saying: "Had you but tasted one drop of the sweetness which inebriates the souls of those who are religious in their worship of the Sacrament, you would never have written as you have."
(Source: Quote Fancy website - https://quotefancy.com/)

St. Camilla Battista da Varano (1458 to 1524)
Italian Princess, Poor Clare Nun and Abbess
"As I was adoring the Blessed Sacrament one day, I saw a great light that surrounded it and filled the whole chapel. In the midst of that light, I saw Jesus Christ as He was during His Passion. He had wounds all over His body and blood was flowing from them. He said to me: ‘My daughter, look at Me and see how much I have suffered for you and for all sinners. See how much I love you and how much I desire your love. Do not be afraid to come to Me, for I am meek and humble of heart. I will heal your wounds and refresh your spirit. I will give you peace and joy that the world cannot give.’ "
(Source: "The Mystical Life and Doctrine of Blessed Camilla Battista da Varano" by Father Dominic of Jesus Mary, O.F.M. Cap., translated by Father Paschal Robinson, O.F.M. Cap., 1916, page 175, pub. Benziger Brothers (According to Bing AI))

Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros (1436 to 1517)
Archbishop of Toledo, Spain and Cardinal-Priest of Santa Balbina, Rome, Italy
"And we admonish you to visit frequently the most holy sacrament in the churches where it is reserved, and to adore it with humble and fervent affection, remembering the words of the Lord: 'This is my body which is given for you; this is my blood which is shed for you'."
(Source: "Historia crítica de la literatura española" bk. by José Amador de los Río, 1969, p. 403 of vol. 4, pub. Editorial Gredos in Madrid, Spain (Transl. by Bing AI 2023) )

St. Catherine Of Genoa (1447 to 1510)
Widow and 15th/16th Century Mystic
"Any time spent before the Eucharistic presence, be it long or short, is the best-spent time of our lives."
(Source:  Quote Fancy website - https://quotefancy.com/)