CHAPTER XXIV. A Prayer To Be Said When Thou Goest To Receive Our Lord's Holy Body
O Thou living fruit, Thou sweet blossom, Thou
delicious paradise apple of the blooming fatherly heart, Thou sweet vine of
Cyprus in the vineyard of Engaddi, who will give me to receive Thee so worthily
this day that Thou shalt desire to come to me, to dwell with me, and never to
separate from me! O unfathomable good, that fillest heaven and earth, incline
Thyself graciously this day, and despise not Thy poor creature. Lord, if I am
not worthy of Thee, yet do I stand in need of Thee. Ah, gentle Lord, art Thou
not He who with one word created heaven and earth? Lord, with one word canst
Thou restore health to my sick soul. O Lord, do unto me according to Thy grace,
according to Thy infinite mercy, and not according to my deserts. Yes, Thou art
the innocent Paschal Lamb, which at this day is still offered up for the sins
of all mankind. Ah, Thou sweet-tasting bread of heaven, which contains all
sweet tastes according to the desire of everyone's heart, make the hungry mouth
of my soul to rejoice in Thee this day; give me to eat and to drink;
strengthen, adorn, and unite me interiorly to Thee. Ah, Eternal Wisdom, come
down so powerfully this day into my soul, that all my enemies may be driven out
of her, all my crimes be melted away, and all my sins be forgiven. Enlighten my
understanding with the light of true faith. Inflame my will with Thy sweet
love. Cheer up my mind with Thy glad presence, and give virtue and perfection
to all my powers. Watch over me at my death, that I may enjoy Thy beatific
vision in eternal bliss. Amen.