Nineteenth 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.

To enjoy the society of a dear friend is agreeable to all; and will it not be sweet to us in this valley of tears to remain in the company of our best friend, who can bestow upon us every blessing we stand in need of, who loves us to excess, and who, through love, dwells continually with us? Behold, in the holy sacrament, we can converse with Jesus whenever we please; we can open to him our hearts, lay before him all our wants, and ask his graces. In a word, we can, in this sacrament, address the King of heaven with unbounded confidence and without restraint. Happy, indeed, was the lot of Joseph, when God, by his grace, descended into the prison to console him. "She went down with him into the pit, and in bonds she left him not." Wis. x. 13. But far more happy are we in having always with us, in this land of misery, our God made man, who, by his real presence, assists us all the days of our life, with so much tenderness and compassion. What a consolation to a poor captive to have an affectionate friend, who converses with him, who consoles him. inspires him with hope, assists him, and endeavors to deliver him from his chains! Behold our good friend Jesus, who, in this sacrament, consoles us by the assurance that he is with us all days. Behold me, he says, entirely yours; behold me come from heaven to console, to assist and deliver you. Receive me, remain with me always, unite yourselves to me; and thus you shall not feel your miseries here, and hereafter you shall come with me to my kingdom, where you shall enjoy complete happiness.

O God! O incomprehensible love! since, to be near to us, thou dost deign to descend on our altars, I purpose to visit thee frequently, I wish to enjoy as much as possible thy most sweet presence, which renders the saints in paradise happy. Oh that I could always remain before thee to adore and to love thee! Awaken! I, entreat thee, my soul, when, through tepidity or attention to worldly affairs, I neglect to visit thee. Enkindle in my soul a strong desire to remain always near thee in this sacrament. Ah, my loving Jesus, that I had always loved thee! It is a consolation to me that I have still time to love thee, not only in the next, but even in this life. I wish to love thee, O my sovereign good, my love, my treasure, my all. I wish to love thee with all my strength.

Ejac. My God, help me to love thee.

The Spiritual Communion.

NINETEENTH VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Prayer of the Abbot of Celles.

Draw me after thee, O Virgin Mary! that I may run in the odor of thy perfumes. Draw me because I am impeded by the weight of my sins, and by the malice of my enemies. As no one can go to thy divine Son who is not conducted by his heavenly Father, so I presume also to say, that no one can approach this same Jesus but through thy intercession. Thou art the teacher of true wisdom: through thee sinners obtain grace because thou art their advocate; thou promisest to obtain help for those who honor thee, because thou art the treasure of God and the depository of all his graces.

Ejac. O thou, who art the salvation of those who invoke thee, save me.

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