Pope Francis on the feast of Sts. Peter and Paul has released an apostolic letter on the liturgy, called Desiderio desideravi, taken from Jesus’ words, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you.”
The document closes with this beautiful prayer from St. Francis:
Let everyone be struck with fear, let the whole world tremble, and let the heavens exult
when Christ, the Son of the living God, is present on the altar
in the hands of a priest!
O wonderful loftiness and stupendous dignity!
O sublime humility! O humble sublimity!
The Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God,
so humbles Himself that for our salvation
He hides Himself under an ordinary piece of bread!
Brothers, look at the humility of God,
and pour out your hearts before Him!
Humble yourselves that you may be exalted by Him!
Hold back nothing of yourselves for yourselves,
that He Who gives Himself totally to you may receive you totally!
And today we celebrate...