Living or Dead

I beseech thee also, O Lord, by the most holy mystery of thy body and blood, by which, in thy church, we are daily fed, and cleansed, and sanctified, and made partakers of thy great Divinity — I beseech thee to fill me with such virtuous dispositions that I may approach with a good conscience to thine altar, and find safety and life in this heavenly sacrament. For thou hast said, “ The bread which I will give is my flesh for the life of the world ; ” “I am the living bread which came down from heaven ; ” “ If any one eateth of this bread, he shall live for ever.” O blessed bread, heal the affections of my heart, that I may feel the sweetness of thy love!

O bread from heaven, containing all delights, strengthen my heart that it may never fall away from thee, but may ever feel the effects of tny presence ! Thou art the bread of an- gels, and the bread of poor pilgrims, whom thou refreshest with so excellent a viaticum. lest they faint by the way.

O holy bread, O living bread, O pure bread, which came down from heaven and givest life to the world, come into my heart, and purify me from every evil inclination of body and soul. Come into my heart, and strengthen me and purify me, internally and externally. Be my shield and the salvation of my soul and body. Drive ftom me every wily foe ; let them fly from r lIT^nCfv0f ^ Power; so that, being fortified by thee both within and without,! .oogle DEVOTIONS BEFORE MA8S. may advance, by a straight path, to thy hea- venly kingdom, where I may no longer see thee beneath veils and mysteries, but where my thirst may be for ever satisfied, and where I may for ever enjoy thee, who, with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest for ever. Amen