Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin MaryVisit 28

To the Blessed Sacrament.
My Lord Jesus Christ, etc., page 123.

God, having given us his own Son, says St. Paul, what good thing is there that we can fear he might deny us! How hath He not also with Him given us all things? We know, indeed, that all that the Eternal Father has he has given to Jesus Christ. Zhe Father has given Him all things into His hands.’ Let us, then, ever thank the goodness, the mercy, the liberality of our most loving God, who has been pleased to make us rich in all good things, and in every grace, by giving us Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar: In all things you are made rich in Him, .. . so that nothing is wanting to you in any grace."

Therefore, O Saviour of the world, O Incarnate Word, if I desire to have Thee, I can really think that Thou art mine, and all mine. But can I at the same time say that I am all Thine, as Thou desirest? Ah, my Lord, prevent it; and never let the world witness such disorder and such ingratitude, as that I should not be Thine when Thou desirest me! Ah, no; let it never be! If it has been so hitherto, let it never be so again. I now, with the utmost determination, consecrate myself entirely to Thee; for time and eternity I consecrate my life, my will, my thoughts, my actions, my sufferings, to Thee. Behold me Thine; as a victim consecrated to Thee, I bid farewell to all creatures, and offer my whole self to Thee. Consume me with the flames of Thy divine love. No, I am determined that creatures shall no longer share my heart. The proofs which Thou hast given me of the love which Thou bearest me, even at a time when I did not love Thee, make me hope that Thou certainly acceptest me now that I love Thee, and out of love give myself to Thee.

Eternal Father, I now offer Thee all the virtues, the actions, the affections, of the Heart of Thy dear Jesus. Accept them, and by his merits, which are all mine,—for he has given them to me,—grant me the graces which Jesus asks Thee for me. With these merits I thank Thee for the many mercies which Thou hast shown me; with these I satisfy for what I owe Thee for my sins; through these I hope for every grace from Thee,—pardon, perseverance, Paradise, and above all, the crowning gift of Thy pure love. I well see that to all these gifts I myself place impediments; but do Thou also remedy this. I ask it of Thee in the name of Jesus Christ, who has promised: Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in My name, that will [ do... Then Thou canst not refuse me. Lord, my only desire is to love Thee, to give myself to Thee without reserve, and no longer to be ungrateful to Thee, as I have hitherto been. Behold me, and graciously hear me; grant that this may be the day of my entire conversion to Thee, so that I may never more cease to love Thee. I love Thee, my God! I love Thee, Infinite Goodness! I love Thee, my love, my paradise, my good, my life, my all!

Fyacul tory prayer. My Jesus, who art all mine, Thou desirest me, and I desire Thee!

Spiritual Communion, page 124.
Visit to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

What relief do I feel in my miseries, and what consolation in my tribulations, what strength do I not find in the midst of temptations, when I remember and call thee to my aid, O my most sweet and most holy Mother Mary! Yes, indeed, you were right, O ye saints, in calling my Lady “the haven of those who are in tribulation,”’ with St. Ephrem; “the repairer of our calamities,”” and “the solace of the miserable,” * with St. Bonaventure; and “the rest from our mournings,’² with St. Germanus. My own Mary, do thou console me. I see myself loaded with sins, and surrounded by enemies; without virtue, and cold in my love towards God. Comfort me, comfort me; and let my consolation be to make me begin a new life—a life which will be really pleasing to thy Son and to thee.

Ejaculatory prayer. Change me, O Mary my Mother: change me; thou canst do it.

[From the Naples Edition.]

O Mary, how lovely is the name given to thee by thy faithful servants: most amiable Mother.’ Yes, thou art truly amiable: thy beauty and thy goodness have won the heart of the King of kings, even of God himself. He has said to thee, How beautiful thou art, my beloved; and again, Thou art all beautiful, and there is no spot in thee.” If, then, thou art so dear to God, how can I, a miserable sinner, and indebted to thee for so many benefits, refuse to love thee? I love thee, therefore, my most amiable Queen, and I desire to be of the number of thy most devoted lovers. Accept my desire, and obtain for me from God the love which I ask, since nothing is more pleasing to him than to love thee.⁷

Ejaculatory prayer. O my amiable Mother, grant that I may love thee with the greatest ardor.

The usual prayer, page 125.