Tenth Visit.

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.

O Foolish, miserable worldings, where do you go in search of peace and content of soul? Come to Jesus, for he alone can give that happiness which you seek. "Miserable souls, whither are you going? The good which you seek is from him." My soul, do not imitate their folly: "seek the one good which contains all good." St. Augustine. If thou wish to find him immediaely, behold he is at hand; say to him whatsoever thou pleasest: he remains in this tabernacle to console thee, and to hear thy petitions. St. Teresa says, that all art not permitted to speak to their sovereign. The most they can expect is to be allowed to present their petitions to him through the medium of a third person. But to speak to thee, O King of glory, the intervention of a third person is not necessary. Thou art always ready to give audience to all in the most holy Sacrament of the Altar. He who wishes can find thee there at all times, and can converse familiarly with thee. O how difficult is it to obtain an audience of an earthly monarch! Kings give audience to their subjects only seldom in the year; but thou, O Lord, dost give audience night and day to all who approach thee.

O sacrament of love, whether thou givest thyself to us in the holy communion, or dost remain on our altars, thou knowest how to draw to thyself, by the sweet attractions of thy love, so many hearts, which, enamored of thee, and astonished at thy goodness, burn with the happy flames of thy love, and think continually of thee. Draw to thyself my miserable heart, which also desires to love thee, and to be for ever the servant of thy love.

From this day forward, I deposit in the hands of thy goodness all my interests, all my hopes, all my affections, my soul, my body. Accept me, O Lord, and dispose of me as thou pleasest. O my love, I will never more complain of thy holy arrangements. I know that they all proceed from thy loving heart, and shall, therefore, be full of love, and shall be for my welfare. It is enough for me that these arrangements come from thy will, I also wish for them all for time and for eternity. Do whatsoever thou pleasest in me, and with me; I unite myself entirely to thy will, which is all holy, all good, all perfect, all love. O will of my God, how dear art thou to me? I wish always to live and die united and chained to thee. Thy pleasure is my pleasure. I wish that thy desires may be my desires. My God, my God, bless me, and make me henceforth live only for thee, only to wish what thou wishest, and to love thy amiable will. May I die for the love of thee, since thou, who hast become my food, hast died for the love of me. I curse the days in which, by doing my own will, I have so much displeased thee. I love thee, O will of my God, as much as I love God; for thou art one thing with God. I love thee with my whole heart. I give myself entirely to thee.

Ejac. O will of God, thou art my love.

The Spiritual Communion.

TENTH VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Prayer of St. Andrew of Jerusalem.

Hail! Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with thee. Hail! source of our joy. Through thee, as the Mother of Jesus, the sentence of our condemnation has been revoked, and changed into a judgment of benediction. Hail, temple of the Deity's glory, sacred dwelling of the King of Heaven; thou art the reconciliation of God with man. Hail, Mother of our bliss; thou art truly blessed, because thou wast the only one amongst women found worthy to be the Mother of thy Creator. All nations call thee blessed. If I place my confidence in thee I shall be saved. Under thy protection I have nothing to fear, because, in being devoted to thee, I hold in my hand the most assured arms of salvation, which the Almighty grants only to those whom he wishes in a special manner to save.

Ejac. We fly to thy protection, O sacred Mother of God.

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