Visits to the Most Holy Sacrament and to the Blessed Virgin MaryVisit 5

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

The sparrow hath found herself a house, and the turtle a nest for herself, where she may lay her young ones! Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God’ The sparrow, says David, finds a dwelling in houses; turtle-doves in nests; but Thou, my king and my God, hast made Thyself a nest and found a dwelling on earth on our altars, that we might find Thee, and that Thou mightest dwell amongst us.

Lord, we cannot but say, that Thou art too much enamoured of men; Thou no longer knowest what to do to gain their love. But do Thou, my most amiable Jesus, give us the grace that we also may be passionately enamoured of Thee. It would indeed be unreasonable were we cold in our love towards a God who loves us with such affection. Draw us to Thee by the sweet attractions of Thy love; make us understand the endearing claims which Thou hast on our love.

O infinite Majesty and infinite Goodness, Thou lovest men so much, Thou hast done so much that Thou mightest be loved by men: how is it, then, that amongst men there are so few who love Thee? I will no longer be as I have hitherto been, of the unhappy number of those ungrateful creatures: Jam resolved to love Thee as much as I can, and to love no other than Thee: Thou deservest it; Thou commandest me with so much earnestness to do so, I am resolved to satisfy Thee. Grant, O God of my soul, that I may fully satisfy Thee. I entreat Thee to grant me this favor by the merits of Thy Passion, and I confidently hope for it. Bestow the goods of the earth on those who desire them; I desire and seek the great treasure of Thy love alone. I love Thee, my Jesus; I love Thee, infinite Goodness, Thou art all my riches, my whole satisfaction, my entire love.

Ejaculatory Prayer. My Jesus, Thou hast given Thy whole self to me; I give my whole self to Thee!

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

My Lady, St. Bernard calls thee “the ravisher of hearts.” He says that thou goest about stealing hearts by the charms of thy beauty and goodness. Steal also my heart and will, I beseech thee: I give them wholly to thee; offer them to God with thine own.

Ejaculatory Prayer. Mother most amiable, pray for me!”
[From the Naples Edition.]
Prayer of St. Bernard.

We look up to thee, O Queen of the world, for protection. After a life of so much sin and ingratitude, we have to appear before our Judge, and who shall appease his wrath? No one is so well qualified to do this as thyself, who didst love him so tenderly, and was so tenderly loved by him. O Mother of mercy, open then thy ears to our sighs and prayers. Thou dost not look with disdain on the sinner, however enormous his crimes may have been; if with sincere repentance he cries out to thee and entreats thy intercession, thou despisest him not. Thou animatest and consolest him, and dost not abandon him, until thou hast reconciled him with his Judge.’

We fly, therefore, to thy protection, entreating thee to ap-pease the indignation of thy Son, and to restore us to His grace.

Ejaculatory Prayer. O Mary! show thyself a mother to us.
The usual prayer, page 125.