Twenty-fifth 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.

St. Paul extols the obedience of Jesus Christ, saying, that he was obedient to his eternal Father, even unto death. "He humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death." Phil. ii. 8. But in this sacrament he has gone farther; for here he has become obedient not only to his eternal Father, but even to men; and not only till death, but even to "the consummation of the world." In obedience to man, the King of glory descends from heaven, and remains on our altars. "And I do not resist." Isa. i. 5. He remains there motionless: he allows himself to be exposed in the remonstrances, or to be shut up in our tabernacles; to be carried to the houses of the faithful, or through the streets; to be given in the holy communion to sinners, as well as to the just. St. Luke tells us, that during life he was subject to Mary and Joseph: but in the holy sacrament he is obedient to as many creatures as there are priests on earth. "And I do not resist." Allow me to speak to thee this day, O most loving heart of Jesus, from which have proceeded all the sacraments, but particularly this sacrament of love. I would wish to render to thee as much honor and glory as thou givest in the holy sacrament to thy eternal Father. I know that on this altar thou lovest me with the same tenderness with which thou didst love me, when, amidst the sorrows of the cross, thou didst offer for me thy divine life. Enlighten, O divine heart, with the knowledge of thy love, all who do not know thee. Through thy merits, deliver, or at least relieve those afflicted souls in purgatory, who are thy eternal spouses. With all the souls who, at this moment, love thee in heaven and on earth, I unite in adoring, in thanking, and in loving thee. O most pure heart, purify my heart from all attachment to creatures, and fill it with thy holy love. O most sweet heart, take possession of my whole heart, that it may be entirely thine, and that it may be always able to say: "Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Rom. viii. 35. O most holy heart, inscribe on my heart the bitter sorrows which thou didst suffer for so many years on earth for the love of me, that at the sight of them, I may henceforth, for the love of thee, rejoice in all the pains of this life, or that I may at least bear them with patience. Most humble heart of Jesus, grant me a portion of thy humility. Most meek heart, impart to me thy sweetness. Take from my heart whatever is not pleasing to thee; convert it entirely to thyself, that it may wish and desire only what thou dost wish. In a word, make me live only to obey thee, to love thee, and to please thee. I know that I owe thee a great deal, and that I am bound by many obligations to thee. It would be very little, were my whole being destroyed and consumed for the love of thee.

Ejac. O heart of Jesus, thou art the only Lord of my heart.

The Spiritual Communion.

TWENTY-FIFTH VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

O my sovereign Queen! thou art the treasure of God, and in thy hands are deposited those stores of mercy, which he wishes to bestow upon us. Thou hast said, by the mouth of the prophet, that thou holdest in thy hands the treasures of heaven, to enrich those who love thee. Prov. viii.

My loving Mother, I am an unfortunate sinner, and in the greatest need of help. Remember that I love thee with all my heart; yes, next to God, there is no object that I love so much as thee. because I know that this is due to thy unrivalled perfections. Have pity on me, and forsake me not; help me during life, and help me at the hour of death, that I may one day arrive at the enjoyment of thy happy society in the kingdom of heaven.

Ejac. O Mary! all my hopes are directed towards thee.

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