Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin MaryVisit 25

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

St. Paul praises the obedience of Jesus Christ, saying, that he obeyed his Eternal Father even to death: becoming obedient even unto death.” But in this sacrament he has gone still farther; for here he has been pleased to become

2 St. Antoninus.—P. 4, tit. 15, c. 14. obedient, not only to his Eternal Father, but also to man; and not only to death, but as long as the world shall last; so that we can say: “He has become obedient even unto the consummation of the world.” He, the King of Heaven, comes down from heaven in obedience to man, and then seems to dwell and converse there, in order to obey men: And I do not resist." There he remains without moving himself; he allows himself to be placed where men will, be it for exposition in the remonstrance, or to be enclosed in the tabernacle. He allows himself to be carried wheresoever he is borne, be it into houses or through the streets; he allows himself to be given in Communion to whomsoever he is administered, be they just or sinners. St. Luke says that whilst he dwelt on earth he obeyed the Most Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph; but in this Sacrament he obeys as many creatures as there are priests on earth: and I do not resist.

Permit me now to address Thee, O most loving Heart of my Jesus, from which indeed all the Sacraments flowed forth, but principally this Sacrament of love. I would gladly give Thee as much glory and honor as Thou givest in the Holy Sacrament in our churches to the Eternal Father. I know that on this altar Thou still lovest me with that same love with which Thou didst love me when Thou didst close Thy divine life in the midst of so much anguish on the cross. O divine Heart, enlighten all those who know Thee not with the knowledge of Thyself! Through Thy merits deliver from purgatory, or at least relieve, the pains of the afflicted souls, who are already Thy spouses for all eternity. I adore Thee, I thank Thee, I love Thee, in union with all souls who at this moment love Thee, be they on earth or in heaven. O most pure Heart, purify my heart from all

1 <* Ego autem non contradico.”—/sa. 1. 5.

attachment to creatures, and fill it with Thy holy love! O most sweet Heart, possess my whole heart, so that henceforward it may be all Thine, and always be enabled to say: Who, then, shall separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord?’ Write, O most sacred Heart, upon my heart all the bitter sorrows, which for so many years Thou didst endure on earth with so much love for me, that, on seeing them, I may henceforward desire, or at least endure with patience, all the sorrows of this life. Most humble Heart of Jesus, give me a share of Thy humility. Most meek Heart, impart Thy sweetness to me. Take from my heart all that displeases Thee; convert it wholly to Thee, so that I may no longer will or desire other than what Thou willest. In a word, grant that I may live only to obey Thee, only to love Thee, only to give Thee pleasure. I know that I, indeed, owe Thee much; and that Thou hast indeed placed me under great obligations: it will be but little if I consume and wear myself out for Thee.

Ejaculatory prayer. O Heart of Jesus, Thou art the sole Lord of my heart!

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

St. Bernard says, that Mary is that heavenly ark, in which if we take timely refuge, we shall certainly be delivered from the shipwreck of eternal damnation: “She is the ark in which we escape shipwreck.” * The ark in which Noe escaped from the general wreck of the world was indeed a type of Mary. But Hesychius says, that Mary is a more spacious, stronger, and more compassionate ark.² Only a few men and a few beasts were received and saved by the former; but Mary, our ark, receives all who take refuge under her mantle, and with certainty saves them all. Unfortunate should we be had we not Mary! But still, my Queen, how many are lost! and why? Because they have not recourse to thee. And who would ever be lost had he recourse to thee?

Ejaculatory prayer. Grant, most holy Mary, that we may all and always have recourse to thee!

[From the Naples Edition.]

O my sovereign Queen! thou art the treasure of God,’ and in thy hands are deposited those stores of mercy which he wishes to bestow upon us. Thou hast said, by the mouth of the prophet, that thou holdest in thy hands the treasures of heaven, to enrich those who love thee. My loving Mother, I am an unfortunate sinner, and in the greatest need of help. Remember that I love thee with all my heart; yes, next to God, there is no object that I love so much as thee, because I know that this is due to thy unrivalled perfections. Have pity on me, and forsake me not; help me during life, and help me at the hour of death, that I may one day arrive at the enjoyment of thy happy society in the kingdom of heaven.⁴

Ejaculatory prayer. O Mary! all my hopes are directed to- | wards thee.

The usual prayer, page 125.