Devotions for Holy Communion
Preparation for Holy Communion
Act of Faith
My beloved Jesus, I firmly believe that Thou art really present in the most holy Sacrament, and for this my belief I am willing to lay down my life.
Act of Hope
My dear Redeemer, I hope that by Thy coming to me this day, Thou wilt inflame my soul with Thy holy love, and wilt grant me the graces which I need for my eternal salvation.
Act of Love
O my Jesus the only love of my soul, I love Thee with my whole heart above all things. I t is my most ardent desire to spend my whole life in loving Thee.
Act of Contrition
O my Jesus how can I dare to approach Thy holy altar and receive Thee into my heart? I know that I have offended Thee. I deserve the fire of hell. I am heartily sorry for all my sins, I humbly ask pardon for all my sins, and grant me, O Jesus the grace never more to offend Thee.
Act of Desire
Come, then, O Jesus! into my soul; I desire to receive Thee, O Jesus! Unite Thyself to me and never allow me to be separated from Thee.
O Lord! I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the word and my soul shall be healed. (To be said while the priest says the “ Domine non sum dignus.”)
May the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.
O holy Mother of God, O my Guardian Angle, and all ye, my blessed Patron Saints, pray for me at this moment that I may make a good communion.
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
Almighty and eternal God, I approach to the sacrament of Thy only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. As a sick man I approach the physician of life; as a man unclean, I come to the fountain of mercy ; blind, to the light of eternal brightness; poor and needy, to the Lord of heaven and earth. I beseech Thee, therefore, in Thy boundless mercy, that Thou wouldst deign to heal my sickness, to wash away my defilements, to enlighten my blindness, to enrich my poverty, and to clothe my nakedness; that I may receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, the Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and faith, such purpose and intention, as may help the salvation of my soul. Grant, I beseech Thee, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Our Lord, but also the whole grace and virtue of the Sacrament. Oh most indulgent God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thy only–begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took of the Virgin Mary, that I may be found worthy to be incorporated with His Mystical Body and numbered among His members. O most loving Father, grant that I may one day forever contemplate Him unveiled and face to face, Whom, on my pilgrimage, I receive under a veil, Thy beloved Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Thanksgiving After Holy Communion
Act of Adoration
O Jesus! I firmly believe that Thou art really present within me. I adore Thee I cast myself at Thy feet. I embrace Thee. O Jesus! may I ever be one with Thee.
Act of Thanksgiving
O Jesus! I thank Thee with all my heart, for having deigned to enter my soul. Oh! what happiness for me to have Jesus Christ within my breast! All ye Angels and Saints of heaven, help me to thank Jesus for His love and condescension.
Act of Love
Oh divine Love! Thou hast come to visit me with so much love. I give Thee my will, my liberty, my whole self. I desire to live henceforth only for Thee. May my body and my soul be employed only in serving and pleasing Thee.
Act of Petition
O my Jesus! I beseech Thee to grant me all the graces necessary for my salvation. Give me a constant sorrow for my sins; give me light to understand the vanities of the world, the deceits of the devil, and give me a firm determination to avoid them. Grant that I may always love and never again offend Thee. Grant me the grace of holy perseverance to the end of my life. Grant me a happy death and life everlasting.
I also recommend to Thee, O Jesus! my parents, relations and friends, all those that are living in mortal sin, and the souls in Purgatory.
