cleansing of all my faults, the putting to flight of evil thoughts, the quickening and renewal of all good feelings, the healthful energy of all good works, the most assured protection of my body and soul from all the snares of my enemies. Amen.
PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS.
O ALMIGHTY everlasting God, behold I draw near to the Sacrament of thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ; I draw near, as one sick to the Physician of life, as one defiled to the Fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of eternal splendour, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Wherefore, I implore the fulness of thine infinite bounty, that thou wouldst vouchsafe to heal all my sickness, to wash away my defilements, to give light to ray blindness, to enrich my poverty and to clothe my nakedness, so that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords, with such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, such purpose and intention, as may avail to the welfare and salvation of my soul. Grant me, I beseech thee, to receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of my Lord, but also the very Reality and Substance of the Sacrament. O most gracious God, grant me so to receive the Body of thine only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, that very Body which he took of the Virgin Mary, that I may be truly incorporated into his mystical Body, and so numbered amongst its members. O most loving Father, grant me at last to behold unveiled, and for evermore, the same thy beloved Son whom I purpose to receive now in my pilgrimage, beneath the veils of the Sacrament; who liveth and reigneth, God through everlasting ages. Amen.
