Twenty-fourth 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.

"Verily, thou art a hidden God." Isa. xlv. 15.

In no work of divine love are these words so clearly verified as in the adorable mystery of the Eucharist, in which our God is altogether hidden. In taking flesh, the eternal Word concealed his divinity, and appeared on earth in the form of man; but in this sacrament he hides his humanity, and as St. Bernard says, "to show the tenderness of his love for us, he takes the appearance of bread." "The divinity is hidden, the humanity is hidden, the bowels of charity only appear." O my beloved Redeemer, at the sight of such an excess of love for man I am struck with astonishment, and know not what to say. In this sacrament thou concealest thy majesty, thou debasest thy glories, thou dost even destroy and annihilate thy divine life, for the love of man. And whilst thou remainest on the altar thy sole occupation seems to consist in loving us, and in manifesting thy love for us. But what return do we make to thee, O great Son of God?

O Jesus, thy love for men is ardent to an excess; for thou dost prefer their welfare to thy own honor. And didst thou not foresee the insults to which the institution of this sacrament of love should expose thee. I know and thou also dost well know, that the greater part of men neither adore thee nor acknowledge thy presence in this sacrament. I know that these very men have gone so far as to trample on the consecrated hosts, to cast them contemptuously on the ground, and to throw them into the fire: and I see that even the greater part of those who believe in the holy Eucharist, instead of repairing such outrages by their homage and love, come to the church to offend thee by their irreverence, or abandon thee altogether, and even sometimes leave thee without a lamp and without the ornaments necessary for the decent decoration of thy altar.

O my most sweet Saviour, that I could wash with my tears, and even with my blood, those unhappy places in which thy loving heart has been so grossly outraged in this sacrament! But if I am not allowed to do this, I desire at least, O Lord, and purpose, frequently to visit and adore thee, in compensation for the insults which thou dost receive from men in this most divine mystery. Accept, O eternal Father, this poor homage which I, the most miserable of men, offer to thee this day, in reparation of the injuries committed against thy Son in the holy sacrament. Accept it in union with that infinite honor which Jesus Christ rendered to thee on the cross, and which he renders to thee every day on the altar. O my Jesus, that I could enamor all men of this holy sacrament!

Ejac. O my amiable Jesus, make all men know and love thee.

The Spiritual Communion.

TWENTY-FOURTH VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

Prayer taken from several of the Fathers.

Let us go, says St. Paul, to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy in the time of need. Thou, divine Mary, art this throne of grace, from which God dispenses all his blessings. Most amiable queen, thy delight is to assist those who are in the wretched state of sin: behold, then, at thy feet a grievous sinner, imploring the aid of thy prayers. Help me to the utmost of thy power, and without delay: the wonders of thy mercy will be enhanced by saving one that has deserved a thousand hells. Thy Son cannot withstand thy intercession. I entreat thee, therefore, by the love which thou entertainest for Jesus, to procure pardon for me for the past, and grace to lead a holy life for the future. O Mary, thou art my strength, and the ground of my hope.

Ejac. O Mary, cast a look of compassion on me.

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