Guardian addresses you in these words: - Behold the Spouse cometh , go forth now, and meet him; rise as early as you can to receive the great guest who deigns to honor you with this visit. Keep a profound silence until you return from Mass, and let it appear by your modesty, that you are deeply penetrated with the sanctity of this action.
Sixthly. In short, whenever you go to your communion, have always in your mind some particular intention; such as the acquiring of a virtue; the overcoming of 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. Nothing is -more capable of exciting fervor than some particular end, to which all is referred.
On the day that you communicate, you are required by the Church to be lasting from the midnight previous, in honor of the heavenly food that you are to receive.
On the morning of your communion, go to church with modesty, and wholly occupied with the great action which you are to perform. If you are in church a good while before the Mass, at which you are to receive the holy communion, entertain yourself with some pious consideration relative to this sacred mystery. You might, for example, reflect on these three questions: Who is coming? To whom? And for what purpose? In the first, you may consider your Saviour under the various titles, which he has assumed for the love of mankind, viz., as the Father, Teacher, Physician, Shepherd, Redeemer, Friend and Spouse of your soul: and see how perfectly he has fulfilled these titles, and fulfils them still, in the Blessed Eucharist. In the second, consider the corresponding titles in yourself; viz., of his Child, his Disciple, his Patient, his Sheep, his rescued Captive, his Friend and Spouse, and see how you comply with the duties annexed to these glorious names. In the third, consider the intentions of mercy and love, which bring him down from heaven, and detain him in this Sacrament, and the inexhaustible treasures of graces there opened to mankind; which, to be lavished on them requires not any merit on their side, but only, that they would put no obstacle to his divine profusions.
During the Mass at which you communicate, make the following acts, observing to recite them slowly and piously: endeavoring to appropriate to yourself the sentiments expressed therein, and deeply to impress your heart with
