How we ought to be employed when visiting the Blessed Sacrament

Many people, to excuse themselves from paying homage to the adorable Sacrament of the altar, pretend, that they know not how to employ themselves, nor what they should say, when they visit Jesus Christ. Ah! you who have so much to say at other times, have you nothing to say to your divine Saviour? Lay open to him the miseries of your heart, the sins and wounds of your soul; say to him with confidence and simplicity: «Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.» Matt. VIII. 2.—Expose your vicious habits, your temptations and dangers, your affection for worldly vanities and pleasures, which prove the ruin of many souls, and say from the bottom of your heart: O Jesus, thou seest my frailties, and the corruption of my heart; support me, I beseech thee, in thy holy fear; without thy assistance I am lost.—Make him a sacrifice of your misfortunes and adversities, of your pains and infirmities. Thou, my Saviour! art the God of all consolation: it is thy blessed will, that I should suffer; I bow submissively to thy divine appointments: may thy adorable will be done, not mine!—Fail not to beg often of Jesus Christ the virtues suitable to your state; charity, humility, meekness, chastity, grace never to offend God mortally, especially the grace of following your vocation. This last point is of the greatest importance.

In the visits which you make to the Blessed Sacrament, you must also pray for others.—If you have enemies, that have wronged, injured, or spoken ill of you, consider them as members of Jesus, and as still beloved by him. Pray for them, pardon them readily for his sake; and entreat him also to pardon your own offences.—Should you unfortunately have been the occasion of scandal to any of your family, your neighbours, or others, intreat the divine Saviour not to condemn them on account of your offences, but to pardon them the sins you have caused them to commit.—During the happy moments which you pass at the feet of Jesus Christ, pour forth your prayers for the holy Catholic Church, the Pope, the Bishops, for all who labour to promote the salvation of souls, for your pastor, and your parents. Pray also for the Sovereign, for peace among Christian princes, for your master and servants.—Pray especially for the conversion of such sinners as live in blindness and sin, and forget not the souls of the faithful departed.

At Corpus Christi, and during the octave, endeavour by fervent adoration and by a true spirit of humility and love for Jesus Christ, to repair the many outrages that have been offered him in this sacrament of love. Above all fail not to adore the sacred Heart of Jesus during this holy time: unite yourself often during the festival, to that sacred Heart, ever burning with love for you, while your’s is cold and insensible to him.

Before you conclude your visit, implore your divine Saviour’s benediction in the words of the Patriarch Jacob: I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. Gen. XXXII. 26.