FOREWORD
In his encyclical letter, Mysterium Fidei ( September 3, 1965), Pope Paul VI describes the graces and blessings which await those who manage to find time to visit our Divine Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament:
“Christ is truly Emmanuel, that is, ‘God with us’. Day and night He is in our midst; He dwells with us full of grace and truth. He restores morality, nourishes virtue, consoles the afflicted, strengtens the weak. He proposes His own example to those who come to Him that they may learn to be like Himself, meek and humble of heart, and to seek not heir own interest, but the things of God. Anyone, therefore, who approaches this august sacrament with special devotion and endeavors to return generous love for Christ’s infinite love, experiences and fully understands, not without great spiritual joy and profit, how precious is the life hidden with Christ in God, and how great is the value of converse with Christ, for there is nothing more consoling on earth, nothing more efficacious for advancing along the road to holiness.”
Many willing souls have a desire to dwell in prayer with our Eucharist Lord, but not infrequently they are at a loss as to how to spend their time.
This booklet attempts to supply thoughts as well as prayers which may prove helpful during a visit with Jesus in the most Blessed Sacrament. For over thirty years, I have gathered notes in preparation fot the publication of these reflections before the tabernacle, but these remained in manuscript andwere never completed.
In the hope, however, that priests, religious and laity may be helped by them, they are now submitted in this present form. The years of delay had a purpose, for now more than ever, there is a need to encourage and help souls to spend some tine with our Eucharistic Lord in prayer and reflection.
It is with a spirit of admiration and gratitude that I prayerfully dedicate these pages to the Legion of a Thousand Men which flourishes in the Archdiocese of St. Louis Started by Joseph Cardinal Ritter, of blessed memory and my beloved predecessor, it has continued in strength over the years.
The men of the Legion make asimple pledge, namely to visit once a week one of the three monasteries where the most Blessed Sacrament is exposed daily. There is no specified time of day for the visit, nor length of time to remain. Each man signs a card with his name and parish after the visit, so that an estimate can be made weekly of how many visits have been made. Since there are three monasteries with a Legion of a Thousand Men attached to each, the actual number of weekly visits is more than four thousand and sometimes reaches five.
It has been an inspiration for me, as well as for many others, to see the constant stream of men of all classes coming and going to commune with our dear Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament. Only God knows the graces which come to them personally and to their families and to the Archdiocese from their dedication and devotion to our Eucharistic Lord.
Humbly I ask our Lady of the most Blessed Sacrament to less this effort of mine, and through it to bring many to understand the strength, peace, courage, light and understanding, grace, and renewal, which can be experienced through silent prayer in the presence of Jeus, who is Emmanuel, that is, “God with us.”
PREFACE
Several years have passed since this booklet was first printed in July of 1971. Over these years experience has pointed out several ways in which it might be restudied to widen its appeal. Finally, after prayer and consultation, I believe that the time has come to gather the various ideas and to present them in the present form with the hope that they will be beneficial for bringing souls more closely and more personally to our dear Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament.
It will be noted, at once, that the format has been changed to that of a pocket-size bboklet so that it can be carried easily and be more available whenever one visits our dear Lord, or even wishes to use the prayers for other occasions, such as at home, or as a means of thanksgiving after Holy Communion.
A new section on visits to our Blessed Lady has been introduced. It is hoped that mary, our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, will be a source of inspiration, comfort and consolation to those who use this booklet. The prayer “All through the heart of mary in honor of the most Blessed Sacrament” summerizes the intimate union which there is between the love of Christ, our Eucharist King, and His loving Mother Mary.
At the conclusion of each of the main divisions of the booklet, namely adoration, sorrow, thanksgiving and petitions, several verses from Sacred Scripture have been added as a source of meditation. The context from which the verse has been taken is given so that one might read the entire passage from the Word of God, should it be so desired. Very often a simple passage of the Sacred Dscripture is sufficient for prayerful reflection, which in the course of time reveals its depth and beauty more and more.
There has been a rearrangement of the prayers in the booklet, and likewise and additional number of prayers have been added for the selection of the user.
In a spirit of humility I placed this revised edition in the hands of our loving Mother Mary and ask her to awaken and deepen in the hearts of all of us a desire to know, love and serve her Divine Son, Jesus. He is for all the beginning and nd of all things; He is for us the God-Man; He is for us the Way, Truth and Life.
+ John Joseph Cardinal Carberry
Retired Archbishop of Saint Louis
December 8, 1977
Feast of the Immaculate Conception of our Lady
WAYS TO USE THIS BOOKLET
A brief word about this booklet may be of help fot its use. It has three main divisions. In the first part are thoughts which may assist one in communing with our dear Lord in the most Blessed Sacrament, either exposed for adoration or in the tabernacle. These thoughts are chiefly centered around the themes of prayer – namely, adoration, there are to be found reflections for the beginning and the concluion of a visit.
It is important to note that the ideas set forth in this first part are intended to offer material which one may develop for personal prayer and reflection. They are to be read slowly, and followed with occasional pauses for meditation and application. Actually, they are intended to help one to pray rather than to be prayers in themselves.
The second part is devoted to prayers to our dear Blessed Lady, Mother of the Savior who lives in the Eucharist and the channel through whom we receive God’s graces. The recitation of the rosary is a great help for a visit to the Blessed Sacrament. As one recites the Hail mary the mind can always go to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament about whom one in thinking as one says the prayer and dwells upon the mysteries of His life.
Another help to prayer and reflection will be found in the suggested readings from the New Testament, the inspired Word of God. These readings will be found at the ed of each secton in Part I and Part II. The Jesus about whom we read, whose words are echoing in our mind, that same Jesus us before us and we are in His divine presence – this is the mystery of our faith. There are actions and words of our Blessed Lord which can stir up in us prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, sorrow and petition as we read and meditate upon the Sacred Scriptures in His adorable presence.
This booklet is merely an instrument to be used as one may wish, beginningat the end, or in the center, or at the beginning. In the visit to the Blessed Sacrament it is not necessary to kneel all the time; rather one is free to stand, or to be seated as desired. A sense of relaxation is of the greatest importance – a sense of being at home with a Changeless Friend, our Lord and our God. There is no question of a particular amount of time that is to be given to the visit. This will depend upon circumstances. With frequent use of the booklet, it may succeed in opening new visitas of prayer and reflection. When we leave all in the loving hands of the dear Lord, He gives us the grace of understanding and communing with Him.
One final word: it does not really matter how we may feel during our visit with our Savior. Feelings of joy, peace, comfort, strength and consolation are helpful, and they often come as a gift to us. What matters is that we, by our visit to Him, express in word and deed our faith, our hope and our love. We never leave Him without His special blessing upon us and a particular grace or favor.
PART I
Reflections for Visits
Opening Thoughts
Coming from home or business or other concerns, my first thoughts for my visit to the most Blessed Sacrament should help me to cross the “bridge,” as it were, between the outside world and this sacred sanctuary where my Lord and God is awaiting me and in whose presence I now kneel. Therefore, to helpme cross this bridge and place myself in His divine presence, the following may be useful.
WHY AM I HERE?
Jesus gives me the answer: “Come to me all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will refresh you and give you peace of soul” (Mt. 11:28-29).
I have come, my Lord and King, to be with You, to recall to mind the great mystery of faith: Your presence, body and blood, soul and divinity in the consecrated bread of life. Let me recall more carefully how I can realize my visit in response to Your invitation – “Come to me…”
I have come to adore You, Jesus, by acts of faith, hope and love; to express sorrow for my sins; to make reparation for the sins of the world; to thank You for Your blessings, so many of which I take for granted; and to present to You my needs, spiritual and temporal, as well as the needs of all who are near and dear to me and who have requested my prayers.
I have come to You with loving confidence recalling Your words: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knock, it shall be opened” (Mt. 7:7-9).
Help me, most loving Moher Mary, to spend this time of quiet prayer profitably – in Jesus’ presence.
INTENTIONS FOR MY VISIT
During this time of prayer I shall try to remember especially N. N. ……………………………………………. To make sure that my visit is profitable, I shall pray to the Holy Spirit of light and truth, of consolation and comfort:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your Faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Your divine love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created and You shall renew the face of the earth.
LET US PRAY:
O God, who has aught the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant that by that same Holy Spirit we may become truly wise and evermore rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Also, I ask our Blessed Mother, our Lady of the most Blessed Sacrament, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, to be with me as I visit her divine Son. I shall ask her to be my companion and help supply for my deficiencies:
O, my dear Mother, behold me, your child blessed with th grace of spending this time in prayer before your most loving and divine Son.
I turn to you with earnest prayer for help and assistance. In your life upon earth and now in heaven, your joy has ever been to spend this time well in loving and prayerful devotion, to avoid distractions and worry and to leave with my soul inflamed by the love of Jesus.
Accept my feeble thoughts and weak words of adoration and love and sorrow. Transform them into your sentiments so that they will be acceptable in the sight of your divine Son. O Mary, my Mother, my Queen of the most Blessed Sacrament, help me.
I am all Yours , O most loving Jesus, and all I have I offer You through Mary, Your holy Mother.
Reveal your divine Son to me, O Mary. Make me love him as you did and inspire me to live for him.
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
A. Prayer of Adoration
In the prayer of adoration, I seek to realize the greatness of God, my Creator and my last end. When I enter into the depths of my soul and ponder who God is and who I am, almost instinctively I kneel and express sentiments of my faith in God, hope and trust in God, and above all, my love for God.
When Christ appeared to His apostles on the Sea of Galilee after His resurrection, St. John recognized Him and said: “It is the Lord” (Jn. 21:7). I will ask, dear Jesus, for the grace to appreciate Your presence, saying: “It is the Lord,” and in the words of St. Peter add: “Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt. 16:17).
IN WHOSE PRESENSE AM I?
I am not in an audience with our Holy Father, nor am I in the presence of a saint from heaven, nor with some distinguished personality. Before m, dear Jesus, You are present under the frail appearance of the host. With the eyes of faith I believe that You are present as my God, my Lord, my Redeemer, the Creator of heaven and earth, my all. I believe, dear Jesus, that You are truly present, body and blood, soul and divinity, in the most Blessed Sacrament.
MY RESPONSE
With Your grace I wish to pour forth sentiments from the depth of my heart of faith, hope and love for You, Jesus, my Eucharistic Lord. At times I may not be able to find the words to express the sentiments of my heart. At times I will be distracted and perhaps feel a weariness and a dryness. If such happens, I will kneel in silence before You knowing that you know the innermost thoughts of my mind ad the earnest desires of my heart. The thoughts and prayers of toehrs may be of great help to me in findin the words which will help me to express my great love for you.
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
ACT OF ADORATION
Jesus, my God, I adore You, here present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar, where You wait day and night to be our comfort while we await Your unveiled presence in heaven. Jesus, my God, I adore You in all places where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and where sins are committed against this Sacrament of Love. Jesus, my God, I adore You for all time, past, present and future, for every soul that ever was, is or shall be created. Jesus, my God, who for us has endured hunger and cold, labor and fatigue, I adore You. Jesus, my God, who for my sake has deigned to subject Yourself to the humiliation of temptation, to the perfidy and defection of friends, to the scorn of Your enemies, I adore You. Jesus, my God, who for us has endured the buffeting of Your passion, the scourging, the crowning with thorns, the heavyw weight of the cross, I adore You. Jesus, my God, wo, for my salvation and that of all mankind, was cruelly nalied to the cross and hung there for three long hours in bitter agony. I adore You. Jesus, my God, who for love of us did institute this Blessed Sacrament and offer Yourself daily for the sins of men, I adore You. Jesus, my God, who in Holy Communion became the food of my soul, I adore you.
Jesus, for You I live. Jesus, for You I die. Jesus, I am Yours in life and death.
ACT OF FAITH
O Christ Jesus! True God and man, of one substance, majesty and power with the Father, with firm faith I believe and confess that You are truly and really present in the sacrament. For you who are the Truth itself, have said, “This is my body.”
ACT OF HOPE
O God, my hope! My heart rejoices when I receive You in the Blessed Sacrament, because I clearly trust that there is nothing which You who have given us Yourself will not give us. In You, O Lord, do I trust; let me not be confounded in my hope.
ACT OF LOVE
I love You, O Christ, because You, in Your exceeding love for me, have come in the flesh, and have loved me even to death; and in the Blessed Sacrament have given me Yourself for a pledge of this love. I love You more than myself and than all things, at least, I most earnestly desire so to love You, and always to adhere to You alone. Oh, that by the force of this sacrament there may be cemented between You and me a union of love so great, that nothing may be able to separate me from the love of Christ my Savior.
A SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
My Jesus, I believe that You are present in the most Holy Sacrament. I love You above all things, and I desire to receive You into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace You as if You were already there and unite myself wholly to You; never permit me to be separated from You.
PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS MORE
Give me the grace to long for Your holy sacraments, and especially to rejoice in the presence of Your body, sweet Savior Christ, in the holy sacrament of the altar. Amen.
Suggested Readings from the New Testament
Readings from St. Matthew:
2:1-12: “…We have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him…. And behold, the star they had seen in the East went before them, until it ame and stood over the place where the Child was”.
17:1-8: “Jesus… was transfuigured before them. And his face shone as the sun, and his garments became white as snow … Behold, a briht cloud overshadowed them and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear him’.”
Readings from St. Luke:
2:8-20: “ … And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men of good will’.”
Readings from St. John:
20:24-29: “…and Jesus said to Thomas, ‘Bring here your finger and see my hands; and bring here your hand and out it into my side; and be not unbelieving but believing.’ Thomas answered and said to him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”
B. Prayer of Sorrow
“A contrite and humble heart has always pleased God” (Ps. 50:19). These words express the meaning of prayer and sorrow. By means of it, I look at myself: I see my failings, my sins, my weaknesses. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1Pt. 5:5-7). In addition, I glance at the world around me – with its sins and forgetfulness of God. In the prayer of sorrow, I try to express my sorrow for my personal sins and to offer reparation for the sins of the world.
JESUS, MY REDEEMER
Beloved Jesus, may I ever be conscious of the fact that I am in Your adorable presence – I am in the presence of You who by Your life, death and ressurection, paid the price of my sins and the sins of the world. May I always be open to receive this gift by a life of continual faith and love.
SORROW FOR MY SINS
Through sorrow for sin expssed in the sacrament of Penance, You forgive my sins, my Eucharistic Lord. However, I am anxious always to be conscious of that sorrow and to renew it as often as possible without any torture to my soul. How often St. Peter and St. Mary Magdalene must have thought of their sins and expressed their grief to You. As I glance at my life since my last confession and seek to examine my conscience, how many failings there are which I seem to forget to overlook. How often I fall into the same sins! And yet, there is no end to Your merciful forgiveness. With all my heart and soul I express to You, my beloved Savior, my sorrow for my sins and my desire ever to seek purity of heart:
Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Lamb of God;
You take away the sins of the world.
Through the grace of the Holy Spirit
Restore me to friendship with Your father,
Cleanse me from every stain of sin
In the blood You shed for me,
And raise me to new life for the glory of Your name.
REPARATION FOR THE SINS OF THE WORLD
Everywhere thre is evidence of sin, sin and more sin. I see crime, horrible persecution, forgetfulness of God, denial of God and rebellion against the law of God. These present such a sad sight. I shall renew my personal love for You, Jesus, and rededicate my life to You. I will endeavor to accept the crosses which come into my life – sickness, ingratitude, neglect, trials of all kinds, misunderstanding and uncertainties in life, and temptations against faith. I will endeavor to carry all that I may have to suffer patiently, with a Christian joy, my Eucharistic Jesus, that the following Act of Reparation to You will express the sentiments of my soul:
Eternal Father, we offer You the Holy Face of Jesus covered with blood, sweat , dust and spittle in reparation for the crimes of communists, blasphemers, profaners of the Holy Name of Jesus and of the holy day of Sunday.
May the most holy, most sacred, most adorable, most mysterious and unutterable name of God be always praised, blessed, loved, adored and glorified in heaven, on earth and under the earth, by all the creatures of God, and by the Sacred Heart of our Lord Jesus Christ in the most holy sacrament of the altar. Amen.
Suggested Readings from Sacred Scripture
Readings from St. Matthew:
26:69-75 (Peter) “…began to curse and to swear that he did not know the man. And at that moment a cock crowed. And Peter remembered the word that Jesus had said… and he went out and wept bitterly.”
Readings from St. Luke:
5:27-32: “And the Pharisees… were grumbling, saying to his disciples, ‘Why do you eat and drink with publicans and sinners?’ And Jesus answered… ’It is not the healthy who need a physician, but they who are sick. I have not come to call the just, but sinners to repentance’.”
13:1-5: (Jesus said)… “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they have suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same manner.”
15:7: “I say to you that, even so, there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine just who have no need of repentance.”
Readings from the letter of St. James:
4:6-10: “Be subject therefore to God, but resist the devil and he will flee from you … Be sorrowful and mourn and weep… Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
C. Prayer of Thanksgiving
One of the main purposes of prayer is to thank You, God, for Your goodness, Your blessings and Your gifts to me. This is often forgotten. In Your divine presence I will try to recall how much I owe You and ask our Lady to help me to express my gratitude to You. As I kneel in quiet prayer let me review with appreciation some o my many reasons for gratitude.
GOD’S NATURAL BLESSINGS
I thank You:
For the gift of life, and every moment I live!
For my health, even though at times I may have been ill, or suffered serious reverses and sufferings. So often these and other crosses are blessings in disguise.
For the world arround me, such as, the glories of nature, the moon, the stars, the flowers of the fields, the fruits of the earth, the very air I beathe. The refreshing rains, the glorious sunchine, the seasons of the year.
For my parents, my relatives, my treasured and trusted friends.
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
GOD’S SUPERNATURAL BLESSINGS
I thank You:
For the gift of my faith.
For the gift of Yourself in the Incarnation in which You became man, lived for me, taught me by Your word and example.
For the gift of redemption, which You accomplished by Your sufferings, death and ressurection – all these for my salvation.
For the sacraments:
My Baptism
My Confrmation
The consolation of Penance
The privilege of Holy Orders
(if I am a priest)
My vocation to the religious life
(if such is mine)
The graces of Matrimony
(If I am married)
The graces of the single state
(If I am not married)
The comfort of a last Anointing
(when I am in need of it)
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
ACT OF THANKSGIVING
I will recall the incident of the ten lepers: When only one returned to thank You, Lord, You id: “Were not ten made clean? Where are te nine?” Am I not often among those who receive gifs of God, rejoice in them, but forget my benefactors? To help me acquire the habit of saying, “Thanks be to God for His graces and blessings, “I will say the following prayer:
O my God, I thank You for all the favors You have bewtowed upon me. I give You thanks from the bottom of my heart for having created me, and for all the joys of life, and its sorrows, too, for the home You gave me, for the loved ones with which You have surrounded me, for the friends I have made through life.
My Lord, I thank You for guarding me always and keeping me safe; I thank You for giving me so often in the sacrament of Penance forgiveness for my sins; for offering Yourself in Holy Mass with all Your infinite merits to the Father for me; for coming to me in Holy Communion, in spite of the coldness of my welcome; for the patient waiting in the adorable sacrament of the altar.
My Jesus, I thank You for having lived, suffered and died for me. I thank you for Your love. I thank you, Lord, for preparinga place for me in heaven where I hope to be happy with You, and to thank Youfor all eternity. Amen.
Suggested Readings from Sacred Scripture
Readings from St. Matthew:
15:29-31: “…the crowds marveled to see the dumb speak, the lame walk, and the blind see. And they glorified the God of Israel.”
Readings from St. Mark:
14:22-25: “… and jesus took bread, and blessing it, he broke and gave it to them and said, “Take; this is my body. ‘And taking a cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them and they all drank of it; and he said to them, ‘This is my blood of the new covenant which is being shed for many.’ “
Readings from St. Luke:
2:25-32: “Simeon received the child into his arms and blessed God saying, ‘Now you dismiss your servant, O Lord, according to your word, in peace.’”
17:11-19: “…One of the lepers seeing that he was made clean, returned, with a loud voice glorifying God, and he fell on his face at this feet, giving thanks.”
D. Prayer of Petition
This form of prayer is readily understood. In fact, many often think of it as the only way to pray! Yet it is only a part of prayer, coming after the other forms of adoration, thanksgiving and sorrow. My prayer of petition must be based on a firm faith, and guided by a spirit of resignation. Christ said: “Ask and you shall receive.” There are no limitations. God is waiting. This is my opportunity to present to God my needs – whether spiritual or temporal, for body or for soul. There are so many things I need for myself, for others and for the world about me.
GENERAL INTENTIONS
Peace:
In my own heart, in my home, in the Church and in the world.
The reign of Christ in the hearts of men:
That men everywhere will come to know, love and serve You, my dear Jesus, and realize that You are our Lord and God.
Conversion of sinners:
That men touched by God’s grace will respond and repent and come to know the joy of a heart at peace with God.
Christian unity:
“That all may be one,” in fulfillment of Your prayer, dear Jesus, at the Last Supper.
Social justice:
That all of us in Your spirit will be brothers in You so that racial discrimination will disappear.
The Church universal:
That God may bless, guide and strengthen the Pope in his labors.
That our bishops, priests and religious as well as our laity everywhere will give their lives for You, dear Jesus, totally, prayerfully, unreservedly and with a spirit of sacrifice.
Vocations:
That many youth may heed Your invitation: “Come follow me.”
That those already in the priestly and religious life will persevere in their vocation and will ever seek to grow in holiness.
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
PARTICULAR INTENTIONS
I pray, dear Jesus, for:
My loved ones, parents, relatives, friends.
Those who pray for me and ask for my prayers.
The people with whom I work.
The afflicted, sorrowful, sad, lonesome people in life – whether known or unknown to me.
Those who misunderstand my motives.
Those who in all sinceriuty oppose me.
The souls of the faithful departed.
My loved ones in purgatory so easily forgotten.
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
MY PERSONAL NEEDS
Dear Jesus, most humbly I ask for:
A deep faith, a firm hope and an ardent love for You. I ask this through our loving Mother Mary.
The grace of perseverance until death and the grace of a blessed death in the dearest Lord. The conviction that death is a great step, the most important moment of my life, the beginning of a new life, not the ending of life.
The spirit of prayer, an awareness of God in my life. A sense of sorrow for sin, and a determination to avoid serious sin – even venial sin – so as to keep my soul ever pure in the sight of God.
The grace of peace of soul, arising from trust in God, and from living but one day at a time.
The prudence to leave my life in the hands of God, doing all that I can, but remembering that He is the way and the truth and the life.
The grace of a devotion to the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Consoler and the Advocate, the Source of strength, who comes to me in Baptism – with faith, hope and love – and in Confirmation, with His gifts of wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, piety, fortitude and fear of the Lord. The grace of love for, and deep devotion to, our Lady, the Mother of the Eucharist Lord and our spiritual Mother.
The courage to imitate her and depend upon her.
The grace to concentrate myself and my family, my work and my problems to Mary, our Lady of the most Blessed Sacrament.
Suggested Readings from Sacred Scripture
Readings from St. Matthew:
6:5-15: “When you pray, go into your room, and closing the door pray to your Father in secret: and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
18:19-20: “…if two of you shall agree on earth about anything at all for which they ask, it shall be done for them by my Father in heaven.”
Readings from St. Mark:
10:46-52: “…Jesus addressed him saying, ‘What would you have me do for you?’ And the blind man said to him, ‘Rabboni, that I may see. ‘And Jesus said to him, ‘Go your way, your faith has saved you.’ And at once he received his sight…”
Readings from St. Luke:
11:1-13: “I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.”
Closing Thoughts
I will ever remember the time which I have spent with You, dearest Lord, “God with us.” It has been a time of grace, of strength, of comfort and understanding. Before leaving let me tell You, dear Jesus, of my desire to return again so that I may be strengthened in my faith, deepened in my hope, and inflamed with love for Your divine presence.
I will recall Benediction of the most Blessed Sacrament as I recite reverently the well-known “O Salutaris” and “Tantum Ergo.”
O Saving Victim opening wide,
The gate of heaven to man below;
Our foes press on from every side
Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.
To Thy great name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead, one in three.
O grant us endless length of days,
In our true native land with Thee.
(Pause)
Bowing low, then offer homage
To a sacrament so great!
Here is a new and perfect worship
All the old must terminate.
Senses cannot grasp this marvel –
Faith must serve to compensate.
Glory, honor, adoration
Let us sing with one accord!
Praised be God, almighty Father;
Praised be Christ, His Son our Lord;
Praised be God, the Holy Spirit;
Triune Godhead be adored! Amen.
(Paused)
You have given them Bread from heaven.
Containing in Itself all delight.
O God, who, under a wonderful sacrament, have left us a memorial of Your passion; grant us, we bessech You, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Your body and blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Your redemption. Who live and reign world without end. Amen.
As at Benediction, Lord, please impart Your special blessings which I will receive in prayerful humillity, for myself and my loved ones.
Humbly I recite Your divine praises for the neglect and irreverence shown to You in the most Blessed Sacrament:
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His holy name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be the name of Jesus
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His most precious blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most holy sacrament of the altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be St. Joseph, her most chaste spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints.
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
Closing Prayer to the Blessed Sacrament
As this visit of adoration closes, O Jesus, I renew my faith and trust in You. I am refreshed after these moments with You, and I count myself among a privileged number, even as Your disciples were, who shared Your actual presence.
Realizing that my visit to You is of little avail unless I try to live a better life and set a better example, I am resolved to go forth again to my duties and my concerns with a renewed spirit of perseverance and good will. In my daily life I will try to be a true disciple, indeed. Help me, O Jesus, in this my resolution.
Bless me, dear Lord, before I go. And bless not me alone, O Lord, but all as well who are here present, and all who could not come, especially the sick and the dying. Bless our homes and all the children there. Bless all our life and the hour of our death.
Grant rest to the souls of the faithfuk departed and bring them into the light of Your divine glory. So may we, who have worshiped You and been blessed by You here on earth, come to behold the radiant glory of Your unveiled countenance in heaven for ever and ever. Amen.
FINAL PRAYER
My Jesus I must leave You now, but I will yearn to return. May I love You ever present in the Eucharist – ever treasure the holy sacrifice of the Mass, receive You devoutly in Holy Communion and adore You present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
My final words are addressed to Your Eucharistic Heart:
O divine Jesus! lonely tonighjt in so many tabernacles, without visitor or worship, I offer You my loving heart and may its every pulsation be a prayer of love for You. You are ever watching under the sacrament veil; in Your love You never sleep and You are never weary of Your vigil for sinners.
O lovely Jesus! O lonely Jesus! May my heart be a lamp the light of which shall burn and beam for You. Amen.
Eucharistic heart of Jesus, furnace of divine charity, give peace to the world.
PART II
Visits with Our Lady
Opening Thoughts
”Behold your son… Behold your mother” (Jn. 19:27). These were the last words that Jesus Christ addressed to any creature before His death; they are His last will. By them He entrusted all His disciples to His own beloved Mother as her spiritual children, and gave her to all His disciples as their spiritual Mother. “Mary has by grace been exalted above all angels and men to a place second only to her Son, as the most holy Mother of God who was involved in the mysteries of Christ: she is rightly honored by a special cult in the Church” (Lumen Gentium by Vatican Council II).
A. TO JESUS THROUGH MARY
I TURN TO MARY, MY MOTHER
Having visited with your divine Son, O Mary, my Mother, I turn now to you with a heart filled to overflowing with thanksgiving, filial love andf tender devotion. You who are Mother of my God, please accept my humble prayers of love, reparation and supplication addressed to your Immaculate Heart, that heart ever united to the Sacred Heart of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
O most beautiful Mother, fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Singular Vessel of the Holy Spirit, hear my prayer as I kneel before you. O Mary, empress of Heaven, from the bottom of my heart I beg of you to hear my prayers and grant me the graces and favors I ask during this visit.
If what I ask is not for the glory of God or the salvation of my soul, give me peace of mind and what is most conducive to both.
TO OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT
As I kneel here in the presence of your Son, Jesus, my thoughts turn to you, His Mother, under the title of Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and I address to you my prayer of strong faith and fervent petition:
Virgin Immaculate, Mother of Jesus and my Mother, I invoke you under the title of our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, because you are the Mother of the Savior who lives in the Eucharist. It was from you that He took the flesh and blood which He feeds me in the sacred host. I aldo invoke you under that title because the grace of the Eucharist comes to me through you since you are the mediatricx, the channel through which God’s graces reach me. And, finally, I call you our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament because you were the first to live the Eucharistic life. Teach me to pray the Mass as you did, to receive Holy Communion worthily and frequently, and to visit devoutly with your Son, Jesus, in the Blessed Sacrament.
PAUSE – REFLECT – PRAY
B. ACT OF REPARATION
TO THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY
O most holy Virgin, and our beloved Mother, I listen with grief to the complaints of your Immaculate Heart, surrounded with the thorns which ungrateful men place therein at every moment by their blasphemies and ingratitude. Moved by the ardent desire of loving you as our Mother and promoting a true devotion to your Immaculate Heart, I prostrate myself at your feet to prove trhe sorrow I feel for the grief that men cause you and to atone by means of my prayers and sacrifices for the offenses with which men return your tender love.
Obtain for me and for all men the pardon of so many sins. A word from you will obtaion grace and forgiveness for us all.
Hasten, O Lady, the conversion of sinners that they may love Jesus and cease to offend God while on earth and thus enjoy Him forever in heaven. Amen.
C. ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN
‘Through the rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary we have, indeed, before our eyes the mysteries of the Mother of God; we think of her with devout affection, love her, implore her protection with the loving insistence of our prayers; we meditate with ease and imitate fully the example of our Mother’s life. Let the holy rosary be held again in very high honor among you for it is a synthesis of the whole Gospel; meditaitonm on the mysteries of the Lord, an evening sacrifice, a garland of roses, a hymn of praise, a family prayer, a compendium of Christian life, a sure pledge of heavenly favors, a defense while we await our expected salvation…” (Pope Pius XII).
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
First Mystery – The Annunciation
Second Mystery – The Visitation
Third Mystery - The Nativity
Fourth Mystery – The Presentation
Fifth Mystery - The Finding in the Temple
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES
First Mystery – The Agony in the Garden
Second Mystery – The Scourging at the Pillar
Third Mystery – The Crowning with Thorns
Fourth Mystery – The Carrying of the Cross
Fifth Mystery – The Crucifixion
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES
First Mystery – The Ressurection
Second Mystery – The Ascension
Third Mystery – The Descent of the Holy Spirit
Fourth Mystery – The Assumption of our Lady into heaven
Fifth Mystery – The Coronation of our Lady
Queen of the most holy rosary, pray for me.
Closing Thoughts
O Mary, my Mother, I must leave now, but I implore you to stay with me as you are ever with your divine Son, Jesus. He has given you all power over His heart. Do take me, your child, and place me in that divine heart, so that my soul may be purified from all that is displeasing to Him, so that henceforth my heart may be like yours in the love of God and of my neighbor.
O Mary, Mother of my Savior, I love you!
O Mary, delight of the Holy Spirit, I hope in you!
O Mary, eternal choice of God the Father, be queen of my heart!
FINAL PRAYER
O Lady, Queen of heaven, my Mother Mary, by your love for Jesus and for me, I beg one more grace of you: never to let pass an opportunity of serving you, and to persevere in fervor till death. Amen.
PART III
A. Prayers of Devotion
1. TO OUR LADY OF THE MOST BLESSED SACRAMENT
Virgin Mary, Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament,
Glory of the Christian people, joy the universal Church,
Salvation of the world – Pray for us,
And enkindle in the hearts of all the faithful
Devotion to the most holy Eucharist,
That they may be worthy
To receive Jesus daily.
Our Lady of the most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
2. MAGNIFICAT
My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Savior.
Because He has regarded the humility of His handmaid; for behold from henceforth,
all generations shall call me blessed.
For he who is mighty has done great things for me; and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation to them that fear Him.
He has shown might in His arms; He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their hearts.
He has put down the mighty from their seats and has exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has received Israel, His servant; being mindful of His mercy;
As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever.
3. TO OUR LADY QUEEN OF ANGELS
August Queen of Heaven! Sovereign Mistress of the Angels! You who from the beginning have received from God the power and mission to crush the head of satan; we humbly beseech you to send your holy legions that under your command and by your power, they may pursue the evil spirits; encounter them on every side; resist their bold attacks and drive them far away from mus into the abyss of everlasting woe.
4. THE MEMORARE
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was oit known that anyone who implored your help or sought your grace was left unaided. Inspired with this conficence, I hasten to you, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother. To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in your mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
5. TO ST. JOSEPH
O guardian and father of virgins, to whose faithful custody were entrusted innocence itself, Jesus the Christ and Mary the Virgin of virgins, I pray and beseech you through Jesus and Mary, that being preserved from all uncleanness, I may with spotless mind, pure heart and chaste body ever serve them most chastely all the days of my life.
6. TO MY GUARDIAN ANGEL
Angel of God, my guardian dear,
To whom God’s love commits me here,
Ever this day be at my side
to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.
7. MORNING PRAYER
O Divine Master, You are ,my shield and protection. You are my Good Shepherd, my guide and my strength. I stand before You in need of Your protection. Teach me to hold myself in silence before You and adore You in the depths of my being. Help me to listen to You always and never do anything displeasing to You. I do not know what will happen to me without Your knowledge. I accept all that in union with You, my Lord. I beg of You only one thing; the grace to wait upon You always and never ask anything of You but the fulfillment of Your will. Teach me to let You act in me. May I do nothing for my self-esteem or praise, but only for the glory of You, my Master. Amen.
B. Prayers for Special Intentions
1. FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED
Remember, O Lord, all the faithful who have departed from this life. Grant them rest in the bosom of our fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob; feed them in green pastures, by the waters of comfort, in the paradise of joy. Give them release from broken hearts, sorrows and sighs. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2. FOR GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
O plenteous source of every good and perfect gift, enrich our hearts with the consoling light of Your sevenfold grace. Yes, Spirit of love and gentleness, most humbly do we implore Your assistance! You know our faults, our failings, our necessities, the dullness of our understanding, the waywardness of our affactions and perverseness of our will. Therefore, when we neglect to practice what we know, do visit us, we beseech You, with Your grace. Enlighten our minds, O God; purify our desires; correct our wanderings and pardon our omissions, so that by Your guidance, we may live in good conscience and eventually reach the heaven of eternal peace. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3. FOR OUR HOLY FATHER
O God, Shepherd and Ruler of all the faithful, look with favor upon Your servant Pope… whom You have appointed pastor of Your Church. Grant that by word and example he may assist those whom he serves, so that the shepherd and the flock entrusted to his care may together attain everlasting life. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
4. FOR PEACE
O God, who authors all holy desires, right counsels and just works, give to Your servants that peace which the world cannot give; dispose our hearts to obey Your commandments, and shelter us so that, once the fear of enemies has been removed, our times may be peaceful. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
5. FOR PRIESTS
Almighty God, look upon the face of Him who is the eternal High Priest, and have compassion on Your priests in today’s world. Remember that they are but weak and frail human beings. Stir up in them the grace of their vocation. Keep them close to You lest the enemy prevail against them, so that they may never do anything in the slightest degree unworthy of their sublime vocation.
O Jesus, I pray for Your faithful and fervent priests; for the unfaithful and tepid ones; for those laboring at home and abroad in distant mission fields; for those who are tempted; for those who are lonely and desolate; for those who are young; for those who are dying; and for those who are in purgatory.
But, above all, I recommend to You the priests dearest to me; the priest who baptized me; the priests who absolved my from my sins; the priests at whose Masses I have assisted and who gave me Your body and blood in Holy Communion; the priests who instructed me or helped me by their encouragement. I pray devoutly for all the priests to whom I am indebted in any other way, in particular for …. them abundantly in time and in eternity. Amen.
O Mary, Queen of the Clergy, pray for us; obtain for us many and holy priests.
6. FOR SPECIAL BLESSINGS
Bless my memory, that it may ever recollect You.
Bless my understanding, that it may ever think of You.
Bless my will, that it may never seek or desire that which despleases You.
Bless my body and all its actions.
Bless my heart with all its affections.
Bless me now and at the hour of my death.
Dear Savior, in the days of Your mortal life, You showed Your love and preference for the ppor and the lowly, the suffering and the sick. Give solace to those who nare in poverty and want; console and strengthen the sick, and bring consolation to those who mourn the loss of dear ones.
Bless in particular, dear Jesus, those who have strayed from the true fold, and lead them back to the haven of peace.
Bless and comfort the missioner, far from home and his loved ones.
Bless the priests laboring in this portion of the vineyard.
Bless us all and grant that as now we are gathered about Your throne in heaven.
7. FOR STRENGTH
To you, O blessed Joseph, do we hasten in our trouble; and having implored the help of your holy spouse, we confidently invoke your patronage also. By that affection that united you to the Immaculate Virgin, Mother of God, and by that fatherly love wherewith you embraced the Child Jesus, we humbly bessech you to look with favor upon the heritage which Jesus Christ has won for us by His blood. By your power and aid strengthen us in our need.
O most wise guardian of the Holy Family, protect the chosen people of Jesus Christ. O most loving father, keep us from all blight of sin and corruption. O most mighty deliverer, from your place in heaven mercifully helpo us in this struggle with the powers of darkness. And even as of old you saved the Child Jesus from the danger of death, so now defend God’s holy Church from the wiles of the enemy and from all adversity.
Keep each and all of us under your perpetual patronage so that, sustained by your example and your help, we may be able to live in holiness, die in sanctity, and attain to everlasting happiness in heaven.
C. Prayerful Aspirations
May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be loved in every place.
Sweet Heart of Jesus, grant that I may ever love You more.
Heart of Jesus, burning with love for us, inflame our hearts with love for You.
Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in You.
Jesus, meek and humble of heart, make my heart like unto Yours.
All for You, most sweet Heart of Jesus.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in your love for me.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, protect our families.
O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to You.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us.
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.
Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us.
O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine. All praise and all thanksgiving, be every moment Thine.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, be my salvation; sweet Heart of Mary, be my love.
D. Additional Readings from Sacred Scripture
Adoration
I. St. Matthew:
2:1-12 We have seen his star in the East
3:16-17 Baptism of Jesus
4:1-11 Temptation in the desert
14:22-23 Jesus walks on lake
16:13-20 Peter’s confession
17:1-8 Transfiguration
25:31-46 Last Judgement
27:51-54 Veil rent at Jesus’ death
28:1-10 Resurrection
II. St. Mark:
4:35-41 Jesus calms storm
13:33-37 Need for vigilance
1:1-8 John Baptist’s witness
16:14-20 Conclusion of Gospel
III. St. Luke:
2:8-20 Adoration of shepheds
12:16-48 Three parables on vigilance and trust in God
19:36-40 Palm Sunday
22:66-71 Christ before Caiaphas
IV. St. John:
1:1-18 The Word of God
1:29-34 The Lamb of God
4:21-26 True worshipers
8:54-58 Abraham’s son
20:24-29 Thomas’ act of faith
Sorrow
I. St. Matthew:
18:8-14 Avoiding scandal
18:21-35 Forgiving others
26:69-75 Peter’s denial
II. St. Mark:
2:3-12 Jesus cures paralytic and forgives sins
III. St. Luke:
3:1-18 John the Baptist: repent!
5:27-32 Jesus eats with sinners
6:27-45 Love your enemies
7:36-50 Woman who was a sinner
13:1-5 Examples inviting repentance
15: - Three parables of God’s mercy
17:1-4 Avoiding scandal, fraternal correction
18:9-14 The pharisee and the publican
23:39-43 The good thief
IV. St. John:
8:1-12 The adulteress
8:31-36 Slaves of sin
V. St. James:
4:6-10 Sorrow for sin
Thanksgiving
I. St. Matthew:
11:25-25 Jesus rejoices
12:16-21 Jesus fulfills prophecies
14:15-21 Miracle of loaves and fishes
II. St. Mark:
10:28-31 Apostles leave all for Christ
3:31-35 The true brothers and sisters of Jesus
14:22-25 The Eucharist
III. St. Luke:
1:39-79 Visitation, our Lady’s Magnificat
2:25-32 Simeon
4:16-22 In the synagogue in Nazareth
10:17-24 The disciples return rejoicing
17:11-19 The ten lepers cured
IV. St. John:
6:32-40 Jesus’ gift of the Eucharist and eternal life
Petition
I. St. Matthew:
6:5-15 Pray in secret; Our Father
8:1-13 Leper and centurio
9:27-30 Two blind men
17:14-21 Faith like mustard seed
18:19-20 If two or three ask anything
II. St. Mark:
5:21-42 Daughter of Jairus, woman with hemorrhage
7:24-30 Faith of Canaanite woman
9:14-29 Cure of epileptic
10:46-52 Blind man at Jericho
11:20-25 Parable of fig tree
III. St. Luke:
7:1-10 Centurion’s servant
11:1-13 Our Father, ask, knock, seek
18:1-8 Judge and importunate widow
IV. St. John:
14:12-14 Ask in Jesus’ name
15:7-16 Abide in God; then ask what you wll
16:20-24 Ask in Jesus’ name