Thanksgiving After Holy Communion
Returning to your seat, reflect on the Sacred Mysteries you have just received, giving free expression to your devotion in your own words. The following prayers will be found useful as aids to your sentiments of worship, thanksgiving, petition, etc.
Talking with God
Thou hast come to me, my Lord and my God. Thou, Whom the angels desire to behold, hast come to strengthen my weaknesses. My Jesus, in this moment of rapture, let my soul be refreshed from Thy fountain of grace. I have earnestly sought Thee, and having found Thee let me enjoy in full the realization of Thy coming. I burden Thee with my requests, but to whom, Lord, can I appeal but to Thee, my Lord and my God. May I be ever Thine.
Prayer Before a Crucifix
To be said kneeling after Communion
Look down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, while before Thy face I humbly kneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart lively sentiments of faith, hope and charity, true contrition for my sins, and a firm purpose of amendment. Meanwhile, I contemplate with great love and tender mercy Thy five most precious wounds, pondering over them within me, and calling to mind the words which David in prophecy made Thee say concerning Thyself, my Jesus: “They have pierced My hands and feet; they have numbered all My bones.”
(Plen. Ind. Conditions: Conf., Comm., Prayers for intention of Holy Father.—Pius IX. July 31, 1858.)
Prayer to the Blessed Virgin
O most Holy, noble and glorious Virgin Mary, who wast found worthy to bear in thy sacred womb the Creator of all, and at thy virginal breast to nourish Him Whose true, real, and most holy Body and Blood I, an unworthy sinner, have just now been privileged to receive; I humbly beseech thee, to intercede with Him for me a sinner; that whatsoever, by ignorance or neglect, by accident or irreverence, I have left undone, or have done amiss, in receiving this holy Sacrament, may be pardoned through thy prayers to our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son, Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest forever and ever.
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, be my sanctification;
Body of Christ, be my salvation;
Blood of Christ, fill all my veins;
Water from Christ’s side, wash out my stains;
Passion of Christ, my comfort be,
O good Jesus, listen to me.
In Thy wounds I fain would hide,
Ne’er to be parted from Thy side.
Guard me when the foe assails me;
Guide me when my feet shall fail me;
Bid me come to Thee above,
With Thy saints to sing Thy love, forever and ever.
