PRAYER BEFORE VISIT
Jesus, I love You with all my heart. I'm sorry for the times I've let You down. With Your help, I won't do it again. I give You everything I have and all I am. Please do with me whatever You want. All I ask for is Your love, to always do what You want, and to be with You forever.
THE FOUNTAIN OF PARADISE
(Luke 17).
The general interpretation of the Saints is that this body represents Jesus Christ and the eagles are souls detached from earthly things. Like eagles they rise high above the earth. They fly up to Heaven to which their thoughts and their love always aspire and there they find their everlasting rest.
But even while still on earth these eagles find their Heaven wherever they find Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. This is so true that they seem to be unable to tear themselves away from His presence.
Thus St. Jerome comments: If eagles on getting the scent of a body set out from a distance to find it, so all the more should we be drawn to run and to fly to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; for He is the Food that best satisfies the hunger of our hearts.
Even as the thirsty stag runs with speed to the water springs; so the Saints in this valley of tears have thirsted for this fountain of Paradise.
In no matter what work Father Baltasar of the Society of Jesus was engaged, he often turned his gaze towards the place where he knew the Blessed Sacrament was kept; he made visits to it frequently, and sometimes he remained there the whole night long. He was saddened to see the palaces of the great full of people courting a man from whom they hoped for some contemptible favour, while the churches were left empty―the churches where the Supreme Ruler of the World dwells with us on earth; in which seated on a throne of love He is rich in favours and blessings that are tremendous and everlasting.
He considered the lot of Religious an extremely happy one because in their own homes they could visit their Divine Master both night and day; and people in the world could not do this.
Most loving Master, in your great kindness you invite me to come close to your side, even though I am of so little worth and so ungrateful to your love; therefore, I will not be discouraged because of my miseries. Look down upon me, for I am coming close beside you. Change me and expel from my heart all love that is not for you―take from me every thought that does not please you, and every wish that does not aspire to you. You alone, I wish to please, Jesus my Love, my Treasure; alone, you are deserving of all my love; alone, with all my heart I want to love you. Detach me from everything else, my loving Master, and bind me to you alone―but I want you to bind me in such a way that never again, in this life or the next, will I be able to separate myself from you any more.
Aspiration - My sweetest Jesus, never let me be separated from you.
SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
Jesus, I believe you are in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you; I want you to come to me. Come into my heart; I embrace you; O never depart from me.
A VISIT TO MARY
OUR ADVOCATE
"The advocate of all the wicked who seek her help"―This is what the Blessed Virgin Mary was called by Dionisius, the Carthusian.
O great Mother of God, it is your office to defend the cause of those who are most guilty, if they appeal for your help. Look down on me, prostrate at your feet. To you I appeal. I address you in the words of St. Thomas of Villanova, "You are our advocate; then do your appointed work." Fulfil your office by undertaking my defense. I am guilty, it is true: I have offended my God deeply; and after He has been so good in bestowing His favours and graces on me. But it will be enough if you tell Him that you are my protector. Then will I be forgiven and I will be saved. The wrong has been already done by me; but you can save me still.
Aspiration - My dear Mother, you must save me.
PRAYER AFTER VISIT
Most holy and immaculate Virgin―My Mother Mary―to thee, the Mother of my God, the Queen of the world, the advocate, the hope, and the refuge of sinners―I have recourse to-day, I, who am the most miserable of all.
I render thee my humble homage, O great Queen, and I thank thee for all the graces which thou hast bestowed upon me until now, particularly for having delivered me from hell, which I have so often deserved.
I love thee, O most amiable Sovereign, and for the love I bear thee, I promise to serve thee always, and to do all in my power to make others love thee also. I place in thee, after God, all my hopes. I confide my salvation to thy care.
Accept me for thy servant, and take me under thy protection, O Mother of Mercy. And since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or rather obtain for me the strength to triumph over them until death.
Obtain for me, I beseech thee, a perfect love for Jesus Christ. To thee I look for grace to die a good death. O my Mother, by the love thou bearest to God, I beseech thee to help me at all times, and particularly at the decisive moment of death. Do not leave me until thou seest me safe in heaven, occupied in blessing thee, and singing thy mercies throughout eternity. Amen.
"And with this, we end our daily visit. May the words we’ve shared be a beacon for those who seek comfort and guidance. Let our hearts be cradled by the grace of the Lord, and may the tender embrace of the Blessed Virgin Mary enfold us. As day gives way to night, let the promise of the dawn renew our spirits for the morrow. Until we meet again, let us walk in the light of faith and love."
With love and devotion,
Kathy
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