Visit XX

In illa die, says Zechariah, ch. 13, erit fons patens Domui David et habitantibus Ierusalem in ablutionem peccatorum. Jesus in the Sacrament is this fountain foretold by the prophet, open to all, where we can, whenever we wish, wash our souls of all the stains of the sins we contract daily. When anyone commits some fault, what better remedy is there than to have recourse at once to the Blessed Sacrament? Yes, my Jesus, this I resolve to do always, knowing moreover that the waters of this fountain of yours not only cleanse me but also give me light and give me strength not to fall and to suffer cheerfully the things that are contrary, and at the same time inflame me to love you. I know that for this purpose you await me to visit you, and that with so many graces you reward the visits of your lovers. My Jesus, come, wash me of all the faults I have committed today, for which I repent, having offended you. Give me the strength to fall no more, by giving me a great ardor to love you greatly. Oh, if only I could always be near you, as your faithful servant Maria Diaz did! She lived in the time of St. Teresa and received permission from the Bishop of Avila to dwell in the gallery of a church where she spent almost her entire time before the Blessed Sacrament, which she called her Neighbor, and she never left except to go to confession and Communion! The Ven. Brother Francesco del Bambino Gesu, a Discalced Carmelite, passing by churches where the Sacrament was kept, could not refrain from entering to visit it, saying that it was not fitting for a friend, passing before the house of his friend, not to enter at least to greet him and say a word to him. But he was not content with a word; he would remain as long as he was permitted before his beloved Lord.

My only and infinite good, I see that for this purpose you have instituted this Sacrament and remain upon this altar: to be loved by me. For this purpose you have given me a heart capable of loving you greatly. But why, then, do I, ungrateful as I am, not love you? Or love you so little? No, it is not right that a goodness so lovable as you should be loved so little. At the very least, the love you bear me deserves a different love from me. You are an infinite God and I am a wretched worm. It is a small thing that I should die for you, that I should consume myself for you who have died for me, who have placed yourself in the Sacrament for me, and who every day sacrifice yourself entirely upon the altars for love of me. You deserve to be greatly loved; I wish to love you greatly. Help me, my Jesus, help me to love you and to do what so greatly pleases you and what you so earnestly seek from me. -- Dilectus meus mihi et ego illi.

Spiritual Communion.

To Mary

My sweetest, most compassionate, most lovable Queen, oh, what beautiful confidence St. Bernard gives me when I have recourse to you! He says that you do not examine the merits of those who have recourse to your compassion, but that you offer yourself to help all who pray to you: Maria non discutit merita, sed omnibus se exorabilem praebet. Therefore, if I pray to you, gracious Lady, you will hear me. Hear, then, what I ask of you. I am a poor sinner who deserves a thousand hells. I wish to change my life. I wish to love my God, whom I have so greatly offended. I dedicate myself to you as your slave; I give myself to you, miserable as I am. Save, I say, one who is yours and no longer his own. My Lady, have you heard me? I hope that you have heard me and answered me. -- O Mary, tuus sum ego, salvum me fac.

Prayer of the same Abbot of Celles:

O sweetest Virgin, you have found grace with God, for you were preserved from original sin, filled with the Holy Spirit, and conceived the Son of God. You have all these graces, O most humble Mary, not for yourself alone but also for us, so that you may assist us in all our needs. And indeed you already do so. You assist the good, by preserving them in grace, and the wicked, by leading them to receive divine mercy. You help the dying, by protecting them against the wiles of the devil, and you help them also after death, by receiving their souls and leading them to the blessed kingdom.

O Mary, blessed is the one who serves you and trusts in you!