Page:StVincentsManual.djvu/260

 Guardian addresses  you  in  these  words: - Behold  the Spouse cometh,  go  forth  now,  and  meet  him;  rise  as  early as you  can  to  receive  the  great  guest  who  deigns  to  honor you with  this  visit. Keep a  profound  silence  until  you  return from  Mass,  and  let  it  appear  by  your  modesty,  that you are  deeply  penetrated  with  the  sanctity  of  this  action.

Sixthly. In short,  whenever  you  go  to  your  communion, have always  in  your  mind  some  particular  intention;  such as the  acquiring  of  a  virtue;  the  overcoming  of  a  temptation;  the  knowledge  of  God's  will  with  regard  to  yourself; the  relief  of  the  souls  of  the  faithful  departed;  the conversion of  infidels,  heretics,  and  sinners  in  general. Nothing is -more  capable  of  exciting  fervor  than  some  particular end,  to  which  all  is  referred.

On the  day  that  you  communicate,  you  are  required  by the  Church  to  be  lasting  from  the  midnight  previous,  in honor  of  the  heavenly  food  that  you  are  to  receive.

On the  morning  of  your  communion,  go  to  church  with modesty, and  wholly  occupied  with  the  great  action  which you are  to  perform. If you  are  in  church  a  good  while  before the  Mass,  at  which  you  are  to  receive  the  holy  communion, entertain  yourself  with  some  pious  consideration relative to  this  sacred  mystery. You might,  for  example, reflect on  these  three  questions:  Who  is  coming? To whom? And for  what  purpose? In the  first,  you  may consider your  Saviour  under  the  various  titles,  which  he has  assumed  for  the  love  of  mankind,  viz.,  as  the  Father, Teacher, Physician,  Shepherd,  Redeemer,  Friend  and Spouse of  your  soul:  and  see  how  perfectly  he  has  fulfilled these titles,  and  fulfils  them  still,  in  the  Blessed  Eucharist. In the  second,  consider  the  corresponding  titles  in  yourself; viz.,  of  his  Child,  his  Disciple,  his  Patient,  his  Sheep, his rescued  Captive,  his  Friend  and  Spouse,  and  see  how you comply  with  the  duties  annexed  to  these  glorious names. In the  third,  consider  the  intentions  of  mercy  and love, which  bring  him  down  from  heaven,  and  detain  him in this  Sacrament,  and  the  inexhaustible  treasures  of  graces there opened  to  mankind;  which,  to  be  lavished  on  them requires not  any  merit  on  their  side,  but  only,  that  they would put  no  obstacle  to  his  divine  profusions.

During the  Mass  at  which  you  communicate,  make  the following acts,  observing  to  recite  them  slowly  and  piously: endeavoring to  appropriate  to  yourself  the  sentiments  expressed therein,  and  deeply  to  impress  your  heart  with