Plus dare non potuit

The image depicts Saint Francesco Caracciolo (1563-1608) in prayer before the Most Blessed Sacrament. Saint Francesco Caracciolo is also the patron saint of Italian cooks; our kitchen is placed under his protection.

A phrase attributed to Saint Augustine says, concerning the Most Holy Eucharist: Deus cum esset omnipotens plus dare non potuit —
God being all-powerful could give no more than this.

Jesus wishes to conquer the heart of every priest.
He comes to His priest laden with all His gifts,
with all that can draw His priests and win their friendship.
Jesus is the first to give His Heart,
so as to be able to ask for the heart of His priest in return.

The nature of love requires that all goods be held in common,
that life be shared, day by day, hour by hour, and minute by minute,
that every movement of the heart may find a response in the heart of the other.

A priest held fast in the embrace of Eucharistic Love
will tend, with all his might,
to a communion of life with Jesus,
and so, he will pray:
Thou art here for me, Lord Jesus;
and I am here for Thee.
Thou hast made Thyself all mine,
and I would make myself all Thine.
Thou art all attentive to me,
and I would be all attentive to Thee.
Thou hast turned Thy Face toward me,
and I would hold my face turned toward Thee.
Love of me has pierced Thy Heart;
would that love of Thee would pierce my heart.
Thou humblest Thyself even to seek my company;
how can I not seek Thy company
Who hast done all in Thy power to be present to me?