Twenty-third 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 visit the places in the Holy Land in which our most beloved Saviour was born, in which he suffered and died, many Christians submit to much fatigue, and expose themselves to many dangers. For us, it is not necessary to make so long a journey, nor to encounter so many perils. The same Lord is near us; he dwells in the church, at the distance of a few paces from our houses. "Pilgrims," says St. Paulinus, "regard it as a great happiness to procure a small portion of dust from the stable in which Jesus was born, or from the sepulchre in which he was buried." With what ardor, then should we visit the most holy sacrament, in which the same Jesus is present in person, particularly when such a visit can be made without fatigue or danger! In one of her letters, a religious, to whom God granted a tender devotion to the blessed Eucharist, gave expression to the following sentiments: "I see numberless graces which art not given to Christians, because they do not go to this divine sacrament. O holy mystery! O sacred host! It is in this host that God manifests his power. This host contains all that God has ever done for us. We need not envy the blessed; for the same Lord whom they enjoy in heaven we have on earth, with greater wonders of his love. Induce all those with whom you converse to dedicate themselves entirely to the most holy sacrament. I speak thus, because this sacrament enraptures my soul. Nor can I ever cease to speak of the most holy Eucharist, in which Jesus merits so much love. I know not what to do for Jesus in the holy sacrament." Thus the letter terminates.

O ye seraphim, who sweetly burn with love before your and my Lord, it is not for your sake, but for mine, that the King of heaven is present in this sacrament. O loving angels, inflame me with your ardor, that, along with you, I also may burn with love. O my Jesus, make me comprehend the excess of thy love for men, that, at the sight of such love, the desire of loving and pleasing thee may be continually increased in my heart. I love thee, O most amiable Lord; I wish always to love thee, through the sole motive of pleasing thee.

Ejac. O Jesus, I believe in thee, I hope in thee, I love thee, I give myself to thee.

The Spiritual Communion.

TWENTY-THIRD VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Prayer taken from St. Augustin and St. Bernard.

Remember, O Mary, full of goodness! that no sinner has ever been heard of that has had recourse to thy protection and been abandoned by thee. Let us, then, seek for grace through the means of Mary, because she can obtain what she asks, and her demands never meet with a refusal. O Mother of God! thou prayest for all, vouchsafe to pray for me, who am the greatest of sinners, and, therefore, have the greatest need of thy intercession.

Ejac. I fly to thy protection. O sacred Mother of God!

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