Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/444



N that  day,”  says  the  Prophet,  “ there  shall  be 1 a fountain  open  to  the  house  of  David,  and  to the  inhabitants  of  Jerusalem,  for  the  cleansing  of  the sinner.” (Zach.  xiii.  1.)  Jesus  in  the  Blessed  Sacrament is  this  fountain  foretold  by  the  Prophet,  which is open  to  all,  and  where,  as  often  as  we  like,  we  can wash away  from  our  souls  all  those  spots  with  which they are  contaminated  by  daily  sin. What better remedy can  we  find  for  any  fault  into  which  we  have fallen, than  to  have  immediate  recourse  to  the Blessed Sacrament? Yes, my  Jesus,  so  will  I always do: for well  I know  that  the  water  of  this  salutary fountain, at  the  same  time  that  it  washes  my  soul, will give  me  the  light  and  strength  to  fall  no  more: and while  it  inflames  me  with  thy  love,  will  teach  me to  suffer  adversity  with  joy. This is  the  reason,  1 know it  well,  why  thou  dost  wait  for  my  visits  here, and why  thou  repayest  the  visits  of  those  that  love thee with  such  abundant  graces. Be it  so,  then, my Jesus! wash away  all  the  faults  which  I have committed this  day,  and  which  I am  now  sorry  for, because they  have  displeased  thee. Give me  the strength not  to  fall  again,  and  give  me  also  an  ardent desire to  love  thee  more  than  I do. O! why can  I not  be  near  thee  always,  like  thy  faithful  servant Mary Diaz,  who  lived  in  the  time  of  St.  Teresa,  and who obtained  of  the  Bishop  of  Avila  the  permission to dwell  in  the  gallery  of  a church? There she  remained almost  always  in  presence  of  the  Blessed Sacrament, which  she  called  her  neighbour,  never going out  from  there  except  for  confession  or  communion. The venerable  brother  Francis  of  the Infant Jesus,  barefooted  Carmelite,  whenever  he passed  before  a church  where  the  Holy  Sacrament