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Prayer Before the Reception of
Holy Communion

Almighty and eternal God, behold, I approach the sacrament of
Thine only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. I approach as
one who is sick to the physician of life, as one unclean to the
fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of eternal brightness,
as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.

Therefore I beseech Thee, of Thine infinite goodness, to heal my
sickness, to wash away my filth, to enlighten my blindness, to
enrich my poverty, and to clothe my nakedness, that I may
receive the Bread of Angels, the King of Kings, and the Lord of
Lords with such reverence and humility, with such contrition and
devotion, with such purity and faith, with such purpose and
intention, as may conduce to the salvation of my soul. Grant, I
beseech Thee, that I may receive not only the sacrament of the
Body and Blood of our Lord, but also the fruit and virtue of this
sacrament.

O most indulgent God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thine
only-begotten Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took of the
Virgin Mary, that I may be found worthy to be incorporated with
His mystical body and numbered among His members. O most
loving Father, grant that I may one day contemplate forever, face
to face, Thy beloved Son, Whom now on my pilgrimage I am
about to receive under the sacramental veils; Who lives and
reigns with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world
without end. Amen.
Saint Thomas Aquinas

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