Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/203

 cleansing of  all  my  faults,  the  putting  to  flight  of evil  thoughts,  the  quickening  and  renewal  of  all  good feelings, the  healthful  energy  of  all  good  works,  the most assured  protection  of  my  body  and  soul  from all the  snares  of  my  enemies. Amen.

ALMIGHTY everlasting  God, behold  I draw  near to the  Sacrament  of  thine  only-begotten  Son, our Lord  Jesus  Christ; I draw  near,  as  one  sick  to  the Physician of  life,  as  one  defiled  to  the  Fountain  of mercy,  as  one  blind  to  the  light  of  eternal  splendour, as one  poor  and  needy  to  the  Lord  of  heaven  and  earth. Wherefore, I implore  the  fulness  of  thine  infinite bounty, that  thou  wouldst  vouchsafe  to  heal  all  my sickness,  to  wash  away  my  defilements,  to  give  light to ray  blindness,  to  enrich  my  poverty  and  to  clothe my nakedness,  so  that  I may  receive  the  Bread  of Angels,  the  King  of  Kings,  and  the  Lord  of  Lords, with such  contrition  and  devotion,  such  purity  and faith, such  purpose  and  intention,  as  may  avail  to  the welfare and  salvation  of  my  soul. Grant me,  I beseech thee, to  receive  not  only  the  Sacrament  of  the  Body and Blood  of  my  Lord,  but  also  the  very  Reality  and Substance of  the  Sacrament. O most gracious  God, grant me  so  to  receive  the  Body  of  thine  only-begotten  Son  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  very  Body which he  took  of  the  Virgin  Mary,  that  I may  be truly  incorporated  into  his  mystical  Body,  and  so numbered  amongst  its  members. O most loving Father, grant  me  at  last  to  behold  unveiled,  and  for evermore, the  same  thy  beloved  Son  whom  I purpose to receive  now  in  my  pilgrimage,  beneath  the  veils of the  Sacrament; who  liveth  and  reigneth,  God through everlasting  ages. Amen.