me one according to thy own heart; that this heavenly visit, which thou designest for my salvation, may not, by my unworthiness, be perverted to my own damnation. Never let me be guilty of thy body and blood by an unworthy communion. For the sake of this same precious blood, which thou hast shed for me, deliver me, O Jesus, from so great an evil. Implore the Prayers of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saints.

O all ye blessed angels and saints of God, who see him face to face whom I here receive under these humble veils; and thou most especially, ever-blessed Virgin, Mother of this same God and Saviour, in whose sacred womb he was conceived and borne for nine months; I most humbly beg the assistance of your prayers and intercession, that I may in such manner receive him here, in this place of banishment, as to be brought one day to enjoy him with you in our true country, there to praise him and love him for ever.

When the time comes to receive Holy Communion, join with the Clerk in saying the Confiteor, and with the Priest when he says the Domine, non sum dignus. Approach to the altar rails quietly and devoutly. At the moment you receive, say:

May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.

After Communion, always spend at least a quarter of an hour in thanksgiving,

ASPIRATIONS AFTER COMMUNION.

Behold, O Lord, I have thee now, who hast all things. I possess thee, who possessest all things, and who canst do all things: take off my heart, then, O my God and my All, from all other things but thee, for in them there is nothing but vanity and affliction of spirit. Let my heart be fixed on thee alone; let me ever repose in thee, for in thee is my treasure, in thee is the sovereign truth, true happiness, and a blessed eternity.

Let my soul, O Lord, feel the sweetness of thy presence. Let me taste how sweet thou art, O Lord! that, being allured by thy love, I may never more run after worldly pleasures; for thou art the joy of my heart, and my portion for ever.

Thou art the Physician of my soul, who healest all our infirmities by thy sacred blood. I am that sick man, whom thou camest from heaven to heal: oh, heal my soul, for I have sinned against thee.

Thou art the good Shepherd, who hast laid down thy life for thy sheep; behold, I am that sheep that was lost, and yet thou vouchsafest to feed me with thy body and blood: take me now upon thy shoulders, to carry me home. What canst thou deny me, who hast given me thyself? Guide thou me, and I

shall want nothing in the place of pasture where thou hast put me, until thou bringest me to the happy pastures of eternal life.

O true light, which enlightenest every man that cometh into this world, enlighten my eyes, that I may never sleep in death.

O'King of heaven and earth, rich in mercy, behold I am poor and needy: thou knowest what I stand most in need of; thou alone canst assist and enrich me. Help me, O God, and out of the treasures of thy bounty succour my needy soul.

Thou art the Lamb of God, the Lamb without spot, who takest away the sins of the world: oh, take away from me whatever may hurt me, and displease thee, and give me what thou knowest to be pleasing to thee, and profitable to myself.

O my God and my All, may the sweet flame of thy love consume my soul, that so I may die to the world for the love of thee, who hast vouchsafed to die upon the cross for the love of me.

ACTS OF DEVOTION, PRAISE, AND THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION.

O Lord Jesus Christ, my Creator and my Redeemer, my God and my All, whence is this to me, that my Lord, and so great a

Lord, whom heaven and earth cannot contain, should come into this poor dwelling, this house of clay of my earthly habitation. Bow down thyself, with all thy powers, O my soul, to adore the sovereign Majesty which hath vouchsafed to come to visit thee; pay him the best homage thou art able, as to thy first beginning, and thy last end; pour thyself forth in his presence in praises and thanksgiving; and invite all heaven and earth to join with thee in magnifying their Lord and thine, for his mercy and bounty to thee.

What return shall I make to thee, O Lord, for all thou hast done for me? Behold, when I had no being at all, thou didst create me; and when I was gone astray, and lost in my sins, thou didst redeem me, by dying for me. All that I have, all that I am, is thy gift; and now, after all thy other favours, thou hast given me thyself: blessed be thy name for ever! Thou art great, O Lord, and exceedingly to be praised: great are thy works, and of thy wisdom there is no end; but thy tender mercies, thy bounty and goodness to me, are above all thy works: these I desire to confess and extol for ever.

Bless, then, thy Lord, O my soul, and let all that is within thee praise and magnify his

name. Bless thy Lord, O my soul, and see thou never forget all that he hath done for thee. O all ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and glorify him for ever. O all ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and glorify his holy name. Bless the Lord, all ye saints, and let the whole Church of heaven and earth join in praising and giving him thanks for all his mercies and graces to me; and so, in some measure, supply for what is due from me. But as all

this still falls short of what I owe thee for thy infinite love, I offer to thee, O eternal Father, the same Son of thine whom thou hast given me, and his thanksgiving, which is infinite in value. Look not, then, upon my insensibility and ingratitude, but upon the face of thy Christ, and with him, and through him, receive this offering of my poor self, which I desire to make to thee.

PETITIONS AFTER COMMUNION.

O most merciful Saviour, behold I have presumed to receive thee this day into my house, relying on thy infinite goodness and mercy, and hoping, like Zaccheus, to obtain thy benediction. But, alas, with how little preparation! with how little devotion! From my heart I beg pardon for my great un