PRAYERS AT MASS BEFORE COMMUNION
AN OFFERING OF THE DIVINE SACRIFICE AND COMMUNION.
O HEAVENLY Father! I offer thee the communion I am about to make, in union with the superabundant merits of Jesus Christ thy beloved Son, and the infinite love of his adorable heart; in union with the merits of the Blessed Virgin, and the ardent love of her sacred heart; in union with the merits and love of those happy souls, who enjoy thy glorious vision in heaven, and of the just who still live upon earth.
O my God! I earnestly desire to approach thee in this adorable sacrament, with that lively faith, that profound humility, that tender confidence, that pure conscience and ardent love, with which so many holy souls are inflamed, in partaking of this sacred banquet; accept at least my desire, and supply by thy mercy all my deficiencies. I offer my Communion, and the adorable Sacrifice at which I am going to assist, to render thee the honor and glory which are due to thy infinite majesty; to satisfy thy justice, which I have irritated by my sins; to thank thee for the innumerable benefits which I have received from thy liberality; and to obtain from thy infinite mercy the graces which are necessary for me, particularly the grace to subdue my predominant passion, and to acquire the virtue in which I am most deficient, but especially the grace of a happy death. I likewise offer my Communion, O merciful Father! in memory of the passion and death of thy dear Son, my divine Redeemer, to enter into his views and designs; to accomplish his most holy will; to love him with more ardor and perfection; to participate in the merits of his labors and sufferings; to acquire his spirit; to imitate his virtues; to model my life on his, and to make
