Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin MaryVisit 4

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

Her conversation hath no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness.. Friends on earth find such pleasure in being together, that they lose entire days in each other’s company: with Jesus in the Most Holy Sacrament, those who love him not, get weary. After her death, St. Teresa, who was already in heaven, said to a nun: “Those who are in heaven and those who are on earth should be one and the same in purity and in love; we enjoying, and you suffering; and that which we do in heaven with the divine Essence, you should do on earth with the Most Blessed Sacrament.” * Behold, then, our paradise on earth ;—the Most Blessed Sacrament.

O immaculate Lamb, sacrificed for us upon the cross, remember that I am one of those souls that Thou hast redeemed by so many sufferings, and by Thy death. Grant that Thou mayest be mine, and that I may never lose Thee, since Thou hast given Thyself to me, and givest Thyself every day, sacrificing Thyself for my love on the altar; and grant that I may be all Thine. I give myself to Thee without reserve, that Thou mayest dispose of me as Thou pleasest. I give Thee my will; chain it with the sweet bonds of Thy love, that it may forever be the slave of Thy most holy will. I wish no longer to live for the satisfaction of my desires, but only to please! Thy goodness. Destroy in me all that does not please Thee; grant me the grace never to have any other thought than to please Thee, any other desire than that which Thou desirest. I love Thee, O my dear Saviour, with my whole heart; I love Thee because Thou desirest that I should love Thee; I love Thee because Thou art indeed worthy of my love. I grieve that I love Thee not as much as Thou deservest. I desire, Lord, to die for Thy love; accept my desire and give me thy love. Amen.

Ejaculatory Prayer. O good pleasure of my God, I sacrifice myself all to Thee!

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

Mary says: I am the Mother of fair love;* that is to say, she is the Mother of that love which beautifies souls. St. Mary Magdalene of Pazzi saw the Most Blessed Virgin Mary going about dispensing a sweet liquid, which was divine love. This gift is dispensed only by Mary; from Mary let us seek it.

Ejaculatory Prayer. My Mother, my hope, make me belong wholly to Jesus.

[From the Naples Edition.]
Prayer of St. Germanus of Constantinople.

O sovereign Queen! thou art our defence and our joy. Make me worthy to share with thee the happiness which thou enjoy-

é est in heaven. Yes, my refuge, my defence, my strength, my hope, obtain for me, by thy powerful intercession, a place with thee in paradise. Being the mother of God, thou canst obtain it if thou pleasest. O Mary! thou art all-powerful in saving sinners, and, being the Mother of mercy, thou canst want no inducement to save them by thy intercession.”

Ejaculatory Prayer. O my Mother and my hope! obtain for me the grace to be devoted entirely to Jesus.

The usual prayer, page 125.