Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/441

 with joy  out  of  the  Saviour's  fountains.”  (Isai.  xil) 3. The  Countess  of  Feria,  that  distinguished  disciple of the  venerable  Father  Avila,  who  became  a nun  of the  Order  of  St.  Clare,  and  was  named  the  spouse  of the  Blessed  Sacrament,  on  account  of  her  long  and frequent devotions  in  presence  of  the  most  Blessed Sacrament, was  asked  one  day,  what  she  was  doing all those  long  hours  she  spent  in  presence  of  her Lord? She replied: “ I would  remain  there  for  all eternity. Have I not  there  present  my  God,  who will be  the  joy  of  the  blessed  in  heaven? Good God! what is  one  doing  before  him? Ah! rather, what does  one  not  do? One loves,  one  praises,  one gives thanks,  one  prays. What does  a beggar  in presence  of  a rich  man? What does  a sick  man  in presence  of  his  physician? What does  a thirsty  man before a fountain  of  pure  water? W hat does  a hungry man before  a table  well  laid  out?”

MOST lovely,  most  sweet,  and  dearest  Jesus! life, hope,  treasure,  and  only  love  of  my  soul. Oh! how much  has  it  cost  thee  to  remain  with us in  this  Sacrament! It was  necessary  for  thee  to die  in  order  to  remain  afterwards  upon  our  altars: and how  many  injuries  hast  thou  not  been  made  to suffer  in  consequence  of  this  presence  among  us! But thy  love,  and  thy  desire  to  be  loved  by  us,  have surmounted all. Come then,  Lord,  come  and  occupy my heart,  and  afterwards  close  its  entrance  for  ever, so that  no  creature  may  ever  enter  there  again  to take  away  a part  of  this  love  which  belongs  entirely to thee,  and  which  I am  unwilling  to  give  to  any  other. Do thou  alone,  my  dear  Redeemer,  reign  over  me! Do thou  alone  possess  me  entirely; and  if  at  any time I should  not  obey  thee  perfectly,  punish  me severely,  that  for  the  future  I may  be  more  careful