Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/216

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198
PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION

ransom, and daily for the food of our souls! What can I, a wretched creature, return to thee for this infinite charity! Verily, nothing else but this same beloved Son of thine, whom thou hast given to me; and surely thou couldst give me nothing greater, or more worthy of thyself. Him then I offer to thee, O Heavenly Father, with whom thou art always well pleased; him whom thou hast lovingly delivered up to death for me, and given me in this most holy Sacrament, which we frequent for the everlasting memorial of his death. He is our high priest and victim, he is the propitiation for the sins of the whole world; he is our advocate and intercessor. Look down then upon him, and for his sake look down upon me, and upon us all. Remember all his sufferings, which he endured here in this mortal life, his bitter anguish, his mortal agony and bloody sweat; all the injuries and affronts, all the blows and stripes, all the bruises and wounds that he received for us. Remember his death, which thou wast pleased should be the fountain of our life; and for the sake of his sacred passion have mercy on us. Receive, O holy Father, Almighty and everlasting God, this holy and unspotted victim, which I here offer thee in union with that love with which he offered himself to thee upon the altar of the cross; receive him for the praise and glory of thy name: in thanksgiving for all the benefits bestowed on me, and on all mankind; in satisfaction also for all my sins, and the benefit of thy whole Church, and the peace and comfort of all thy faithful, living and dead; through the same Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son.

And turning myself to thee; O my dear Lord and Saviour, who hast here given me thyself, I would gladly make some suitable return to thee for this infinite love;