Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/538

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A Prayer for a Visit to the Blessed Sacrament

(Including all the Acts Recommended)

MY Lord and my God, I firmly believe that Thou art really present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. I adore Thee beneath the eucharistic veil which Thou hast mercifully chosen in order to approach us. Permit me, O dearest Jesus, to render Thee my homage together with the angels who surround Thy altar-throne. I believe that Thou dwellest on our altars, not only to receive our humble adoration, but also to be the food of our souls, our sacrifice, our light in darkness, our counsel in doubt, our consolation in affliction, our strength in temptation, our friend in every need, our teacher in the school of perfection, our model in the way of sanctity and salvation.

I am, indeed, a poor sinner, but I hope in that boundless mercy which detains Thee a prisoner of love in the tabernacle. I come to Thee with a contrite heart, and I beg Thy pardon and mercy. Thou art truly called the " Lover of souls," for Thou hast sacrificed Thy life for our salvation; Thou hast said: " My delights are to be with the children of men "; and Thy death-bed gift to us was the Holy Eucharist. I behold the tabernacle surmounted by a cross, and this reminds me, dear Lord and Saviour, that the Blessed Sacrament is a memorial of Thy Passion and Death. I love that infinite goodness which induced Thee to institute this Holy Sacrament of the Altar, the grandest memorial of all Thy works, wherein Thou dost communicate Thyself so wonderfully to Thy creatures. I thank Thee for this sublime proof of Thy love, and ardently wish that I could worthily acknowledge all the blessings that I have ever received from this fountain of grace and mercy. I sincerely regret that this precious pledge of Thy love is received by so many Christians with coldness and indifference. I wish to make amends for my own ingratitude, and heartfelt atonement for all those sinful acts of my Hfe, by which I have wounded Thy sacred Heart. I offer Thee my profound adoration, my sorrow, and my love, to appease and to