First Visit.

A few marks of punctuation are illegible in our source scan (page 27, where the page edge is cut off); the words themselves are complete.

From St. Alphonsus Liguori, Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament (New York: Catholic Publication Society, 1870). Wording reflects its time. Public domain; the text is given word for word as printed.

Behold Jesus in the holy sacrament, the source of every good, inviting all to visit him. "Let him that thirsts come to me." St. John vii. Oh! what waters of grace have the saints continually drawn from this fountain, where, according to the prediction of Isaias, Jesus dispenses all the merits of his passion! "You shall draw waters in joy from the fountains of your Saviour." Isaias xii. From her long and frequent visits to Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist, the Countess of Feria, that illustrious disciple of the venerable Father M. Avila, was called the Spouse of the Sacrament. Being asked how she was employed during the hours which she spent at the foot of the altar, she replied, "I would remain there for all eternity; for the holy sacrament contains the essence of God, who will be the food of the blessed. Good God! I am asked what I do in the presence of my Saviour. Why am I not rather asked, what do I not do? I love him, I praise him, I thank him for his favors, I supplicate his mercy; I do what a beggar does in the presence of a rich man, what a sick man does in the presence of his physician, what a person parched with thirst does before a clear fountain, or what a man fainting from hunger does before a splendid table."

O my most amiable, sweet, and beloved Jesus! my life, my hope, my treasure, and the only love of my soul, how dearly has it cost thee to remain with us in this sacrament! To dwell on our altars, and to assist us by thy presence, thou hadst first to die on a cross, and afterwards to submit to numberless injuries in the holy sacrament. Thy love, and thy desire to be loved by us, have conquered all difficulties.

Come, then, O Lord, come and take possession of my heart. Lock the door of it for ever, that no creature may ever enter, to share in that love which is due to thee, and which I desire to give entirely to thee. O my dear Redeemer, mayest thou alone reign over me mayest thou alone possess my whole being and, should I ever be wanting in perfect obedience to thee, chastise me with severity, that, for the future, I may be more careful to please thee in all things. Grant that I may never more desire or seek any other pleasure than that of pleasing thee, of visiting thee on the altar, of remaining with thee, and of receiving thee in the holy sacrament. Let others seek earthly goods, I love and desire only the treasure of thy love. This gift only do I ask of thee at the foot of thy altar. Grant that I may forget myself to remember only thy goodness. Ye blessed seraphim, I do not envy your glory but your love for your and my God. Teach me what I must do to love and please him.

Ejaculatory Prayer. My Jesus, I wish to love thee only; thee only do I desire to please.

At the end of each Visit you will make the Spiritual Communion. You will then make a visit to some image of our Mother, Mary.

FIRST VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Prayer of St. Ephrem.

Most pure and immaculate Virgin! divine Mary, Mother of God! thou art elevated in dignity above all the saints; thou art the hope of our fathers and the joy of the elect. Through thee, as the Mother of Jesus, we have been reconciled with God. O great queen! have compassion on us, and grant us an asylum in the arms of thy mercy. We dedicate and consecrate ourselves to thy service; suffer not the devil to draw us with him into eternal flames.

Ejac. Cause of our joy, pray for us.

A Prayer to Most Holy Mary, which ought to be repeated every day at the end of the Visit, in order to obtain her most powerful patronage.

Most holy and immaculate Virgin, to thee my Mother Mary, who art the mother of my Lord, the queen of the universe, the advocate, the hope, the refuge of sinners, to thee, I who am the most miserable of all, have recourse. I salute thee, O great queen; I thank thee for all the favors thou hast hitherto bestowed upon me, particularly for having delivered me from hell, which I have so often deserved. I love thee, O most amiable lady, and, through the love which I bear thee, I promise always to serve thee, and to do all that I can to induce others to love thee. In thee, after Jesus, I place all my hopes, all my salvation. Accept me for thy servant, O Mother of Mercy, and take me under thy protection; and, since thou art so powerful before God, deliver me from all temptations, or rather obtain for me strength to conquer them till death. From thee I ask the true love of Jesus Christ; through thy intercession, I hope to die a good death. O my Mother, through the love which thou dost bear to God, I implore of thee to assist me always, but particularly at the last moment of my life. Do not leave me till thou seest me safe in heaven, to bless thee and to sing thy mercies for all eternity. Amen: such my fervent hope, such my ardent wish.

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