Desmond Francis Xavier Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé (b. 1971)
SELECTED POEMS
Sonnet to Adoration of the Holy Eucharist: List Poem
“Very truly, I tell you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”—John 6:47–51
I. As Jesus said, For my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink
II. Saint Paul’s reminder and exhortation in I Corinthians II:17-34
III. Saint Comgall’s chrismal to the rescue—Lord as refuge and Redeemer
IV. Pope Gregory VII against Berengarius’ error, signed profession of faith
V. Pope Urban IV and the Feast of Corpus Christi, Christ with us all days
VI. Saint Thomas Aquinas, his three hymns after the Miracle of Bolsena
VII. Pope Martin V against the Calixtines on species, entire Body and Blood
VIII. Pope Clement VIII, his Quarantore, our forty hours of pure devotion
IX. Saint Peter Julian Eymard’s cause, Perpetual Adoration among us laity
X. Pope John Paul II, the duty of Eucharistic Congresses since 1881
XI. Pope Leo XIII, Nocturnal Adoration, his joy and the bearing of fruit
XII. Pope Pius X, the bounty of nourishment for the Church’s intimate life
XIII. Blessed Virgin Mary, our devotion at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
XIV. So help us, God, may we always adore, entreat the Real Presence of Christ
Author’s Note: The elements within “Sonnet to Adoration of the Holy Eucharist: List Poem” are elaborated on in the document, “The History of Eucharistic Adoration: Development of Doctrine in the Catholic Church” by John A. Hardon, SJ.
by Desmond Francis Xavier Kon Zhicheng-Mingdé
from Heart Fiat: New Catholic Poems (2024)
