Devotions for Holy Communion

I. Some days before Communion perform all your actions and prayers, in order to obtain the graces necessary for so important a duty. Offer them up in the morning with this intention, and do some good works, such as an alms, an act of mortification, or a fast, with the same design.

II. Visit our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, morning and evening on those days, to beg that He would Himself, by His grace, dispose your heart to receive Him worthily.

III. Read every day a chapter out of the 4th Book of the Imitation of Christ, or some other approved book that treats on the Eucharist.

IV. On the eve of your communion be more recollected than usual; think often upon the happiness you are to enjoy the ensuing day in receiving your God. As this should be your last thought at composing yourself to rest, so it should also be your first at awaking.

V. Represent to yourself mentally that your Angel Guardian addresses you in these words: "Behold, the Spouse cometh; go forth now and meet Him." Arise as early as possible to receive the great Guest who deigns to honor you with His visit. Keep a profound silence till you return from Mass; and let it appear by your modesty and recollection that you are deeply penetrated with consciousness of the sanctity of an action of the most ineffable dignity and excellence.

VI. Whenever you go to Communion, have always in your mind some particular intention—such as the acquiring of some virtue; overcoming such a temptation; the knowledge of God's will with regard to yourself; the relief of the souls of the faithful departed; the conversion of infidels, heretics, and sinners in general; for nothing is more capable of exciting fervor in devotion than some particular end to which it is referred.

XV. ACTS BEFORE COMMUNION.

Act of Faith.

My Lord Jesus Christ, I firmly believe that I am about to receive in communion Thy body, Thy blood, Thy soul and Thy divinity; I believe it, because Thou hast said it: I am ready to give my life in support of this truth.

Act of Humility.

My Lord Jesus Christ, how can I approach Thee, after having so often offended Thee? No, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst come into my heart, but speak one word only and my soul shall be healed.

Act of Contrition.

My God, I deeply grieve that I have offended Thee, because Thou art infinitely good, infinitely amiable, and because sin displeases Thee; I make a firm resolution with the help of Thy grace, never more to offend Thee, and to do penance.

Act of Love.

O my divine Jesus! who hast loved me so much as to die to redeem me, and so much as to feed me with Thy adorable flesh, I love Thee with all my heart, and above all things: I wish to live and die in Thy love.

Act of Desire.

Come, O my divine Jesus! come to take possession of my heart: I ardently desire to be united to Thee.

XVI. ACTS AFTER COMMUNION.

Act of Adoration.

O my Lord and my God! Thou hast come down even to me, who am but dust and ashes; I acknowledge Thine infinite greatness, I adore Thee, and humiliate myself deeply before Thee.

Act of Thanksgiving.

My Lord Jesus Christ, I thank Thee, with all the earnestness of which my heart is capable, for the favors which Thou hast bestowed upon me, and particularly for the infinite kindness with which Thou hast given Thyself to me in the communion which I have just made. What shall I render to Thee, O my divine Saviour! for all the benefits which I have received from Thee?

Act of Oblation.

O my divine Saviour! I offer Thee my actions, my thoughts, my desires, my affections, in a word, all that I am and all that I possess. Thou comest to give Thyself entirely to me; is it not right that I should give myself entirely to Thee forever?

Act of Petition.

After the favor which Thou hast just granted me, O my divine Jesus! Thou wilt not refuse me the happiness of persevering in Thy holy love. I ask of Thee the grace to fulfil well the duties of my condition in life, to correct my bad habits, and never again to be so unhappy as to commit a mortal sin. Receive the prayer which I make to Thee, for my relations, my superiors, my friends and my enemies. Deign to remember also, my God! the suffering souls in Purgatory. Amen.