Eighteenth 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.

In the valley of Josaphat, God shall one day sit on a throne of majesty; but in the holy sacrament he is now seated on a throne of love. If to show his love for the poor, a king came to dwell among them, how great would be their ingratitude if they did not frequently visit him, particularly when they knew that he ardently desired to see them, and that he came among them to be visited by them? Ah, my Jesus, I know that through love for me thou hast come to dwell with me in the sacrament of the altar. Were it in my power, I would wish to remain in thy presence night and day If, O my Lord, the angels continually stand around thy altars, astonished at thy love for us, it is but just that I, seeing thee in this tabernacle for my sake, should endeavor to please thee by remaining in thy presence, to praise thy love and goodness towards me. "I will give praise to thee in the sight of the angels: I will worship towards thy holy temple, and I will give glory to thy name, for thy mercy and for thy truth." Ps. cxxxvii. 2.

O God, concealed in the holy sacrament; O bread of angels, O divine food, I love thee, but my love for thee does not satisfy thee or me. I love thee, but I love thee too little. O my Jesus, give me a clear knowledge of the infinite beauty and goodness which I love. Help me to banish from my heart all earthly affections, and to consecrate it entirely to thy divine love. To gain all my love, and to unite my entire being to thyself, thou dost descend every day from heaven on our altars; it is, then, but reasonable that I should think only of loving thee, and of adoring and pleasing thee. I love thee with my whole soul, and with all my affections. If thou wishest me to love thee as thou dost deserve, give me more love, more flames, which will make me always advance in thy love, and always desire more ardently to please thee.

Ejac. Jesus, my love, give me love.

The Spiritual Communion.

EIGHTEENTH VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Prayer of St. Bernard.

O sovereign queen! on thee the Almighty has bestowed the perfection of all graces. Thou art styled full of grace, because the Holy Ghost has given it to thee in its greatest plenitude. We entreat thee to impart to us a portion of the fulness which thou hast received. Remember our necessities, and hear our prayers. Make us partakers of the riches and abundance which thou possessest. All nations call thee blessed; the whole hierarchy of heaven sings thy praises, and we, who are upon earth, cry out to thee. Receive our homage, O full of grace! Mother of God, our sovereign and our queen, the Lord is with thee; make intercession for us.

Ejac. O Mary! look down upon us, and draw our hearts to God.

← Visit XVII · Contents · Visit XIX →

Also in the free Liturgical Living app's Spiritual Classics shelf, offline: Android · iPhone.