closely united to me is thy beloved Son, in whom thou hast always been well pleased, regard me too, I humbly beseech thee, with the eyes of thy mercy. His is the guardianship and protection, his the merits under whose shadow I appear before thee, that, regarding him chiefly, thou mayest mercifully and graciously look upon me also, as his slave and servant for ever.
Permit not, I implore thee, that soul to perish which has so often received into itself thy Son, who was sent by thee, and came into the world, to seek and to save that which was lost. Grant me this of thy infinite mercy. Amen.
CHAPTER VI.
CONTAINING OTHER EXERCISES FOR COMMUNICANTS.
A Shorter Exercise
FOR MAKING A GOOD COMMUNION, SUITED BOTH FOR PRIESTS AND LAICS,
Both before and after Mass and Communion.
I. Direct thy Intention.
O most high and mighty God, I, an unworthy sinner, desire to reflect upon (or to receive) the mysteries of the most holy Body and Blood of thy Son, for the praise and glory of thy supreme majesty; in memory of the most holy life, passion, and death of Jesus Christ my Saviour; in thanksgiving for all thy gifts and blessings bestowed upon me, an unworthy sinner, and on thy whole Church; for the propitiation of my numberless sins; for the salvation of myself and my relations, N.; and for the repose of the departed N., &c. Truly, O Lord, in thee alone is all that can satisfy my heart’s desire. For beside thee what have I in heaven, or what do I desire upon earth? Wilt thou not thyself be our reward exceeding great?
2. Exercise Contrition.
But I also humbly offer thee, O Lord, the sacrifice of a contrite spirit, in union with the Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Body and Blood of thy Son my Saviour. For I am sorry from the bottom of my heart, my God, my sovereign Good, who art so kind
