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.

"The sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself, where she may lay her young. Thy altars O Lord of hosts, my King and my God." Ps. lxxxiii. 3.

The sparrow, says David, has found herself a house, and the turtle a nest; but thou, O my King and my God, hast taken up thy dwelling with us on the altar. It must be said, that thy love for man is excessive; thou couldst not to do more to gain his love. O most amiable Jesus, grant that we may love thee intensely. It is not just that we should love with coldness a God that loves us with so much tenderness. Draw us to thyself with the sweet attractions of thy love. Make us understand the strong claims which thou hast to all the affections of our hearts.

O infinite Majesty and infinite goodness, how has it happened that though thou lovest men so ardently, and hast done so much to be loved by them, so few of them love thee? I will be no longer among the unhappy number of those who have been ungrateful to thee. I am resolved, to the utmost of my ability, to love thee, and to love thee only. Thou dost deserve my love; thou dost command and press me to love thee: I desire to obey thee. O God of my soul, make me please thee in all things. I ask and hope for this grace, through the merits of thy passion. Give the goods of the earth to those who wish for them; I only desire and seek the great treasure of thy love. I love thee, my Jesus; I love thee, infinite goodness. Thou art my riches, my happiness, and my love.

Ejac. My Jesus, thou hast given thyself entirely to me; I give my whole being to thee.

The Spiritual Communion.

FIFTH VISIT TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.

We look up to thee, O Queen of the world! for protection. After a life of so much sin and ingratitude, we have to appear before our Judge, and who shall appease his wrath? No one is so well qualified to do it as thyself, who lovedst him so tenderly, and wast so tenderly loved by him. O Mother of Mercy, open then thy ears to our sighs and prayers. Thou dost not look with disdain on the sinner, however enormous his crimes may have been; if with sincere repentance he cries out to thee and entreats thy intercession, thou despisest him not. Thou animatest and consolest him, and dost not abandon him, until thou hast reconciled him with his Judge.

We fly, therefore, to thy protection, entreating thee to appease the indignation of thy Son, and to restore us to his grace.

Ejac. O Mary! show thyself a mother to us.

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