Twenty Fifth Visit

    

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 SCHOOL OF OBEDIENCE

St. Paul praises the obedience of Jesus to His Father, "He became obedient even to death." (Phil. 2). In this Sacrament Jesus goes further: not only to His Father is He obedient, but He becomes obedient to man; obedient not only to death, but obedient to the end of the world.

In obedience to the voice of man the King of Heaven comes from Heaven to the altar. He remains upon the altar to continue to practise obedience to men. Isaias puts the words on His lips: "Ego autem non contradico, "Whatever is asked of me, I never refuse to obey." (Is. 10). He remains motionless: He may be exposed in the Monstrance, or He may be shut up in the tiny Pyx; He may be carried to our homes, and through the streets; He may be given in Communion to those who are holy, or to the sinner.

St. Luke tells us Jesus obeyed Mary and Joseph while He was on earth; in the Blessed Sacrament He is obedient to every priest―"I never refuse to obey."

Now, Most Loving Heart of Jesus, let me speak to you―It is from you that all the Sacraments have come, but especially this Sacrament of Love. I want to give you as much honor and glory as you have given to your Eternal Father in every church in which you dwell―I know that, while you are on this altar, you love me with the same burning love with which you loved me when your life went out in bitter grief on the Cross. O Heart of Jesus, give light to those who do not know you that they may learn to know how beautiful you are. Through your merits set free from Purgatory, or at least give some relief to the souls that suffer there; for they love you and will love you in eternity.

For myself―united in this hour with all souls that love you on earth and in Heaven―I adore you, I love you, I thank you. O Heart that is without stain, purify my heart from all unruly clinging to creatures, and fill it with your holy love; O Most Sweet Heart, take possession of all my heart so that from today forward it may be all your own; so that forever I may say "Who shall separate me from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3). O heart Most Holy, on my heart engrave the bitter sorrows that you bore for so many years, and with such great love, for me. So that, at the sight of them, I may from this day forward have a deep longing to bear all the pains of this life for love of you―or at the very least I may suffer them in patience. O Heart of Jesus most humble, give me a share in our own humility; O heart most gentle, give me a share in your own meekness. Take from my heart everything that does not please you; turn it all to yourself: so that I will not want or wish for anything at all but what you yourself want. To sum up everything―Let me live only to obey you, only to love you, only to give you joy. I know well that I owe everything to you: that my debts to you are very great. Little indeed it will be if I can wear myself out and use up my life for you.

ASPIRATION - O Heart of Jesus, you are the God of my heart and you alone.

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
THE HEAVENLY ARK

The Ark in which Noe escaped the universal Deluge is a figure of Mary. St. Bernardine calls her "The Ark in which we escape shipwreck." She is the heavenly ark in which we find shelter while on earth and so escape the shipwreck of everlasting loss. But Esecius says that Mary gives shelter which is superior to that of the Ark of Noe because it is more universal, has greater strength, and is more kindly. With Noe only a few men and beasts found shelter: Mary receives all who seek protection under her mantle and she saves them all. How unhappy our lot would be if we had not Mary! And yet, with all this many still are lost. Why is this? O Mother, it is because they do not go to you: nobody could be lost ever if he asked your help.

ASPIRATION - Most Holy Mary, may we all have recourse to you, and always!

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

Twenty Fourth Visit

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 MYSTERY OF FAITH

"Truly you are a hidden God." (Is. 15).

The truth of these words is shown forth in the adorable mystery of the Most Holy Sacrament more than in any other work of Divine Love. For here our God is hidden indeed. The Eternal Word hid His Divinity when He took flesh and became Man on this earth. But He hid His Humanity also when He dwelt with us in this Sacrament. St. Bernard tells us that He comes under the form of bread to show how tenderly He loves us: "The Divinity lies hidden. The Humanity lies hidden: we can see nothing but the expression of His deepest love."

My loving Redeemer, in the presence of your exceeding great love for men I am overwhelmed, and I do not know what to say to you. It has come to this, that you have hidden your Majesty, and you have veiled your Glory; your Divine Life itself seems to have been brought to nothing; and while you dwell on the altar you have no other object in view than to love men and to try to make known to them your exceeding great love for them.

Great Son of God, what kind of recognition do they offer you in return? O Jesus, O Great Lover, let me say it―your love for men is altogether excessive. For you seem to put their welfare even before your own glory; and you knew all the time the contempt to which your loving efforts would expose you. It is clear―and well you knew it beforehand―that the majority of men do not adore you. They do not recognise you in this Sacrament for what you are.

O I know too well that these very same men, whom you love, many times have even trampled on the Consecrated Host; they have cast it to the ground, thrown it into the water, and into the fire. But what is more extraordinary still is this―the manner of acting of the majority of those who believe in you: where we would expect them to make reparation by their loving reverence for such great insults; when they come into the Church they offend you still more by their want of reverence, or they leave you forsaken on the altar―sometimes even without the sanctuary lamp or the ornaments that should be there.

My most sweet Saviour, how I wish that I could wash with my tears and even with my blood those unhappy places where the burning love of your heart in this Sacrament has been so dishonoured. If this is not given to me, at the very least I now make up my mind to visit you frequently, O my God, so that I may adore you as I adore you today. In this way I shall pay you back at least something to make reparation for the contempt which you receive from men in this Most Divine Mystery.

Eternal Father, please accept from me this poor reverence offered to you today by me―the least of men. It is offered in reparation for the injuries done to your Son in this Sacrament. Please accept it in union with the infinite honour that Jesus pays you, nailed to the Cross―the honour that He still continues to pay you every day in this Sacrament. O Jesus, O Holy Sacrament! If only all men would burn with love for you in this the most holy of all the Sacraments!

ASPIRATION - O loving Jesus, make me know you, make me love 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
THE SEA OF GRACE

My most gentle Lady, in the midst of the fears I sometimes experience about my eternal salvation, I feel a great sense of confidence when I appeal to you and when I think of you. On the one hand, my Mother, you have a wealth of graces at your disposal―"A sea of graces" is what St. John Damascene calls you. St. Ephram tells me you are 'The spring from which grace and consolation flow'."

On the other hand, St. Bonaventure tells me that your eagerness to help me is so great that I cause you pain when I do not ask you for what I need. My Mother and my Queen, you are rich, you are wise, you are gentle; I understand that you know my soul's wants better than I know them myself; you love me better than I love myself. This is the grace I ask today―the grace you know my soul needs most. I will be happy if you ask this grace from God for me.

ASPIRATION - My God, give me the graces which Mary asks of you for 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

Twenty Third Visit

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.

JESUS HIMSELF IS HERE!

Great are the fatigues, many are the dangers that multitudes of Christians have faced to visit the places in the Holy Land―those places where Our Most Loving Saviour was born, where He suffered, and where He died.

For us there is no need to make a long voyage―no need to face great dangers: this same Lord of Glory is our neighbor. He dwells in the church which is only a few steps away from our own house. St. Paulinus tells us that pilgrims who brought away a little dust from the Crib, or from the Holy Sepulchre in which Jesus was buried, thought that this was a very wonderful thing. With what burning love then should we visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament when we can do this without any fatigue and without any danger. There this same Jesus awaits us in person.

A nun to whom God gave a special love of the Blessed Sacrament wrote a letter and among other thoughts expressed in it are the following: "I have come to see that all the good things that are mine have come to me from the Most Holy Sacrament; to Jesus in this Sacrament I have given and consecrated myself completely. I see numberless graces that were never given because this Divine Sacrament was not approached; I see that Our Savior in this Sacrament has an intense desire to distribute His graces. O Holy Mystery! O Sacred Victim! Where else does God give us such a deep knowledge of His power if it is not in this Host? Surely this Host contains in itself everything that God has ever done for us. There is no need for us to envy the Blessed who are in Heaven: on earth we have the very same Lord; but here the marvels of His love are greater. Do what you can to persuade others to devote themselves completely to the Most Holy Sacrament. I am overwhelmed at the thought of what this Sacrament means and that is why I speak in this way: of the Most Holy Sacrament I can never cease to speak―its claims on our love are so great. For the sake of Jesus in this Sacrament I know not what I can do." It is thus the letter ends.

O Seraphim, you who burn with such sweet flames of love before that God who is both yours and mine―though it is not for your love but for mine that this King of Glory lingers here―O Angels of Love, let me burn too. Inflame me with your fiery darts so that, in His presence, the flames of your love and of mine may ascend together.

O my Jesus, give me to understand what a tremendous thing is your love for men; so that in the presence of this great love, my longing to love you more and to give joy to you will always grow more ardent. O God of Boundless Love, I want to love you always; I want to please you only.

ASPIRATION - My Jesus, I believe in you, I hope in you, I love you; I love you and I give myself to 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
THE MOTHER OF ORPHANS

O Virgin most loving, you are named by St. Bonaventure "The Mother of Orphans." St. Ephram proclaims you "The Receiver of Orphans," that is, the one who welcomes the orphan. Who are these unhappy orphans? They are non others than poor sinners who have lost God, their Father. Most holy Mother, I have lost my Father; you are my Mother. I come to you and you will welcome me. In my great misfortune I call on you for help and you will aid me.

Will you leave me in my grief? No; for this is what Innocent III says to me about you, "Who has ever called on her and did not receive her kindly help?" And indeed who ever prayed to you without being both heard and helped? Was anybody ever lost after pleading with you? The only one that is lost is the one that does not go to you. My Queen, if you wish to save me, then help me to invoke you and to confide in you always.

ASPIRATION - O most holy Mary, give me confidence in you.

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

Twenty Second Visit

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 LOVELIEST OF SANCTUARIES

The Spouse in the Canticles went forth looking everywhere for him whom she loved, and when she could not find him she kept on asking, "Have you seen him who is the beloved of my soul?" (Cant. 3).

Jesus was not on earth at that time. But if a soul that loves Jesus now goes forth looking for Him she can find Him always in the Most Holy Sacrament.

Of all the holy places that can most attract our love, the Venerable Fr. Master Avila tells us that he knew of none, and he wished for none, more lovely than a church where Jesus dwells in the Most Holy Sacrament.

O love of my God, love that is boundless, love worthy to be returned by a boundless love! My Jesus, how has it come to this! You stoop so low, you humble yourself, you hide yourself under the form of bread, to live among men and have a union of hearts between them and yourself.

Eternal Word made Flesh, you have come to the deepest depths of humiliation, because you act from the deepest depths of love. How can I not love you with my whole heart, when I know all that you have done to take all my love captive? I love you with an exceeding great love; and therefore, whatever gives you joy is far more important than any interest of mine, and than any comfort of mine. My joy is to give you joy, my God, my Love, my All. Stir up within me a consuming desire―a longing to be with you always in this Holy Sacrament; to recieve you, and to enjoy your company. I would be very ungrateful indeed, if I were to refuse such an invitation coming from you: an invitation so full of grace and consolation. Dear Master, put an end to any unruly love of created things that still lingers in my heart. You are my Creator, and you have made me so that all my longings, all my love, should find their rest in you. Boundless Goodness of my God that surpasses everything in its loveliness, I love you. From you I ask for nothing but yourself. I do not want any selfish joys; your happiness is enough for me. Set me on fire with a nightly longing to love only you; aid me with your powerful grace, so that I, once the unhappy slave of sin, may from this day forward be the happy servant of your love.

ASPIRATION - Jesus, my Good above all good, I love 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
THE AGENT OF
RECONCILIATION

My Mother Mary, most sweet Lady, I have been an unhappy rebel for I have sinned against your great Son. But now in repentance I seek your gentle mercy that you may obtain me pardon. You cannot tell me that you are powerless to help me; I hear St. Bernard calling you "God's agent of reconciliation," and St. Ephrem "The support of those who are in peril." My Lady, who is in greater peril than I? This is certain―I have lost God and I have been condemned to lose Him for ever. But I am uncertain as to whether He has yet pardoned me; and if He has I am quite capable of losing Him again. You can obtain everything from Him: so from you I hope for every good―pardon, perseverance and paradise. This is my hope, dear Mary―that I will be one of those in the Kingdom of the Blessed who will praise your mercy most, for you will save me by your intercession.

ASPIRATION - I will sing the mercies of Mary forever; I will sing them forever. Amen.

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

Twenty First Visit

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

"Where the body is, there the eagles gather,"
(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

Twentieth Visit

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 MERCY

"In that day," says the Prophet Zacharias, "for the house of David and to the dwellers in Jerusalem there will be an open fountain where the sinner may be cleansed." (Chap. 13). This fountain foretold by the Prophet is the Blessed Sacrament. We can go to it as often as we wish to do so. There we can wash the stains of our daily faults from our souls. After committing a fault the best remedy we have is―to go at once to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

My Jesus, I will always do this. I know that the waters from this Fountain of yours will make me clean; but more than this―they give me light, they give me strength not to fall again, they impart to me that joy which is my support in the midst of trials, and above all they inflame me with your love.

For these reasons, I know you expect me to come to you when I have fallen; and you reward such visits, made by those who love you, with wonderful graces.

My Jesus, come to me now and wash me from all the faults that I have committed this day. I repent of them because they have displeased you. Give me strength not to fall again; set my heart on fire with the intense longing to love you with a great love.

It would be well for us if we could imitate the faithful servant of Jesus, Mary Diaz, in her love for the Most Holy Sacrament. She was a contemporary of St. Teresa, and the Bishop of Avila gave her permission to live in a small apartment attached to the church; she referred to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament as her neighbor, and her time was spent almost always with Him; the only occasions that she left this place were when she wanted to go to Confession and Holy Communion.

It is related of the Venerable Brother Francis of the Child Jesus, a Discalced Carmelite, that as often as he passed by a church he could not resist entering it to visit Our Lord, if he knew the Blessed Sacrament was reserved there; he said that it was not becoming to pass by the door of a friend without entering, at least to greet him and exchange a few words. But he was not satisfied with a few words: he always remained in the presence of his loved Master as long as he could.

Jesus, I understand that you have instituted this Sacrament to remain on the altar to be loved by me―and you are my only Good, my Good that knows no limit and no end. The heart that you have given me is a heart that is capable of an exceeding great love. How then can it be that I have not loved you, or that I love you so little. How can I be so ungrateful? It is not right that Goodness, all―lovely as you are, should be loved so little. Besides, the great love that you have lavished on me deserves a very different love from that which I have hitherto given you: you are the Infinite God, and I am only a poor creature of no account. If I died for you, if I wore myself out in your service, it would be but a little thing: for you have died for me; and every day, for my love, you make a complete sacrifice of yourself on the altar.

You deserve to be loved with an exceeding great love and I wish to love you exceedingly. Help me to love you, my Jesus: help me to do that which you so long for me to do and that which gives you so much pleasure.

ASPIRATION - My Beloved to me and I to Him.

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
ACCEPT ME AS YOUR SERVANT

My Queen, most sweet, most kind, most lovely, when I go to you for protection how beautiful is the confidence St. Bernard gives me! For he tells me that you make no enquiry into the merits of those who appeal to your love, but you offer to help everybody that prays to you: "Mary does not concern herself with our merits, but she helps everyone that appeals to her." Always gentle and kind, you help me if I pray. Then listen to what I am going to ask you for: I am a poor sinner that has deserved to be lost a thousand times over; but I want to change my life―I want to love that God whom I have offended so grievously. I consecrate myself to you as your servant; poor and unworthy as I am I give myself to you. And now I can plead with you―save what is your own. My Lady, you understand me; I am confident that you do understand, and that you have kindly granted my request.

ASPIRATION - O Mary, I am yours, 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

Nineteenth Visit

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 FAITHFUL FRIEND

The company of a dear friend is sweet indeed. In this valley of tears is there anything sweeter to us than the company of Jesus, the best friend we have. He wants to do us good in every way, and for this He dwells with us always. It is in this place that we can speak with Jesus at our pleasure; here we can open our hearts to Him; we can lay bare our wants; we can ask Him for His grace―in a word, it is here that we speak face to face with the King of Heaven: all barriers fall away and we speak to Him with confidence.

Joseph was a happy man indeed, greatly favored by God, when God came down into his prison to bring him consolation. We are told in the Holy Scriptures: "He came down into the prison cell with him, and he did not forsake him in his bonds." (Sap. 10). But our good fortune is greater than Joseph's; because we have Jesus, God made Man, with us in this land of exile. Not a day of our lives passes, but He is with us to give us His help―always loving and full of pity. It is a great comfort to a poor man in prison when a dear friend comes to visit him―to talk to him; to raise his hopes, to assist him: these kind attentions help to lighten his afflictions.

Jesus, our best of friends, is here in this Sacrament and His presence gives us courage. He says to us "Here I am with you all days"―I am here expressly for your sake, I have come from Heaven into your prison, to console you, to help you, to set you free. Give me a welcome. Make me welcome always. Embrace me and you will not feel your unhappy state; later on you will come with me to my Kingdom, and then I shall make you happy and your joy will be full.

O Jesus, your love passes all understanding: you have stooped so low to show us your kindness; you have come down in abject humility on our altars to be close to us. Here and now I resolve to visit you often; I will make every effort I can so that I may have the full benefit of the surpassing joy of your sweet presence―your presence is the joy of the Saints in Heaven. I would that I could be with you always―adoring you and telling you how I love you. I beg of you to stir me from my apathy when I neglect to visit you because I have grown cold, or have become too much engrossed with the things of this world. Stir up within me an intense longing to keep close to you always in this Sacrament.

Ah! My Jesus, how deep is my regret that I have not always loved you; how deep is my regret that I have not always been pleasing to you. But this consolation remains to me―I still have time and I can love you now; I can love you not only in the next life but in this life too. My highest Good, my Love, my Treasure, my All―I want to do this. I want to love you in very deed; with all my power I want to love you.

ASPIRATION - My God, help me to love 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

To Know You is God's Gift
Thus speaks the devoted Bernardine de Bustis, "Do not be discouraged, poor sinner, for if you go to this Lady with trust you will find her; and in her hands you will find the fullness of mercy and bounty." Poor sinner, do not lose courage, whoever you are. Go to this Lady with the certainty that you will be helped: you will find her, and her hands will be filled with mercy and with favors. Be quite certain that the longing of this gentle Queen to do you good is much greater than the wish you have to be helped by her. "She wishes more to do you good than you wish to receive her gifts."

To know you, my Lady―this itself is God's gift to me and I am very grateful to Him for it. If I did not know you or if I forgot you, what a calamity it would be for me! Then the chance of my salvation would be poor indeed. But I do know you, my dear Mother. I bless you, I love you and I have full confidence in you. In your hands I place my whole life.

ASPIRATION - Blessed is he who knows you, O Mary, and who trusts in you.

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