Instructions and Devotions for Communion

L D a man prove or try himself, says St. Paul, 1 Cor. xi., and so eat of that bread, &c. This proving or trying one’s self, is the first, and most necessary, preparation for the holy communion: and consists in looking diligently into the state of one’s soul, in order to discover what indispositions or sins may lie there concealed; and to apply a proper remedy to them by sincere repentance and confession: lest otherwise approaching to the Holy of Holies with a soul defiled with the guilt of mortal sin, we become guilty of the body and blood of Christ, and receive judgment in ourselves, not discerning the Lord’s body, 1 Cor. xi. For this 248 Instructions for Communi 2. The person that is to receive the Bless d es Besides this preparation of confessi First, to think well on the great work _ reason we go to confession before ae) munion, in order to clear our- souls the flthvoficin: VG ae Sacrament must be also fasting, at leas from midnight, by the command of the Church, and by a most ancient and a apos- - tolical tradition, ordaining that, in rev ence to so great a sacrament, n should enter into the body o before the body of Christ. Hence i through inadvertence, or otherwise, a person has taken any thing, tho 1 so. CPN RES twelve o perpe atn ing death? eae the Blessed. is received: by way of Viaticum. fasting, the person that proposes te to communion, must endeavour to at the best devotion he is able, i in to dispose his soul for worthily re so great a guest. To this en mend to hinge) i for some days beforehand; and more particularly the night before his communion, and the morning he receives.

Secondly, to propose to himself a pure intention, viz. the honour of God, and the health of his own soul, and in particular, that by worthily receiving Christ in this heavenly sacrament, he may come to a happy union with him, according to that of St. John vi. 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me, and linhim. + Thirdly, to meditate on the sufferings and death of his Redeemer:: this sacrament being instituted to this end, that we should shew forth the death of Christ until he comes, 1 Cor. xi.

Fourthly, to prepare himself by acts of virtue, more especially of faith, love and humility: that so he may approach to his Lord, with a firm belief of his real presence in this sacrament, and of that great sacrifice which he heretofore offer’d upon the cross for our redemption, of which he here makes us partakers; with an ardent affection of /ove to him who has loved us so much, and who out of pure love gives himself to us: and with a great sentiment of his own unworthiness and sins, join’d with a firm confidence in the mercies of his Redeemer.