Prayer After Communion (Aquinas)
Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
In nómine Patris, et Fílii, et Spíritus Sancti. Amen.
Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God, I thank You, for even though I am a sinner, Your unprofitable servant, not because of my worth but because of Your mercy, You have fed me with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray that this Holy Communion may not bring me condemnation and punishment, but forgiveness and salvation. May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will. May it purify me from evil ways and put an end to my evil passions. May it bring me charity and patience, humility and obedience, and growth in the power to do good.
May it be my strong defense against all my enemies, both seen and unseen, and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses, bodily and spiritual. May it unite me more closely to You, the one true God, and lead me safely through death to everlasting happiness with You.
And I pray that You will lead me, a sinner, to the banquet where You, with Your Son and Holy Spirit, are true and perfect light, total fulfillment, everlasting joy, gladness without end, and perfect happiness to Your saints. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Gratias tibi ago, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, aeterne Deus, qui me peccatorem, indignum famulum tuum, nullis meis meritis, sed sola dignatione misericordiae tuae, satiare dignatus es pretioso Corpore et Sanguine Filii tui, Domini nostri Iesu Christi.
Et precor ut haec sancta Communio non sit mihi reatus ad poenam, sed intercessio salutaris ad veniam. Sit mihi armatura fidei et scutum bonae voluntatis. Sit vitiorum meorum evacuatio, concupiscentiae et libidinis exterminatio, caritatis et patientiae, humilitatis et obedientiae, omniumque virtutum augmentatio.
Contra insidias inimicorum omnium, tam visibilium quam invisibilium, firma defensio; motuum meorum, tam carnalium quam spiritualium, perfecta quietatio; in te uno ac vero Deo firma adhaesio; atque finis mei felix consummatio.
Et precor te ut ad illud ineffabile convivium me peccatorem perducere digneris, ubi tu cum Filio tuo et Spiritu Sancto sanctis tuis es lux vera, satietas plena, gaudium sempiternum, iucunditas consummata et felicitas perfecta. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.