Blogger Priest

Just as we should come to Mass early so as to reflect upon our intentions and to prepare ourselves; at the end of the Mass we should not depart quickly. Ten minutes or so of reflection can have great spiritual value.  We can reflect upon the great mystery within which we have had a part.  We are moved by a profound gratitude.  The dismissal is not the end of the story. It has been said that given the speed of digestion, for ten or fifteen minutes we are actual living tabernacles of the Blessed Sacrament.  Once digested, and the accidents of bread are gone, then the substantial presence passes as well.  However, the Lord continues to be present through grace.  We are made spiritual temples of the Lord.

A famous Thanksgiving Prayer is that of St. Thomas Aquinas:

I thank You, Lord, Almighty Father, Everlasting God, for having been pleased, through no merit of mine, but of Your great mercy alone, to feed me, a sinner, and Your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for my judgment and condemnation, but for my pardon and salvation. Let this Holy Communion be to me an armor of faith and a shield of good will, a cleansing of all vices, and a rooting out of all evil desires. May it increase love and patience, humility and obedience, and all virtues. May it be a firm defense against the evil designs of all my visible and invisible enemies, a perfect quieting of all the desires of soul and body. May this Holy Communion bring about a perfect union with You, the one true God, and at last enable me to reach eternal bliss when You will call me. I pray that You bring me, a sinner, to the indescribable Feast where You, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, are to Your saints true light, full blessedness, everlasting joy, and perfect happiness. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

A short Litany of the Sacred Heart was promoted by my old pastor, Msgr. William J. Awalt: 

• Jesus, Infinite Goodness, Jesus, Lover of mankind, Jesus, most patient,
• Jesus, meek and humble of heart, Make my heart like unto Thine.
• Heart of Jesus, full of goodness and love,
• Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity,
• Heart of Jesus, burning with love for me,
• Inflame my heart with love for Thee and for those around me.
• Pour into us, O Lord, the spirit of Thy love.
• From anger and hate and from all evil wishes, O Lord deliver us.
• Grant, O Lord, that every moment of this day in all my dealings with others, I may keep in my mind Thy words: “Whatsoever you do to one of them you do unto Me.”
• Grant that I may rule all my dealings with others according to Thy command: “Love one another as I have loved you.”
• Grant that I may think of them as You think of them and me.
• Grant that I may feel towards them as You feel towards them and me.
• Grant that I may speak to them as You would were You in my place.
• Grant that I may bear with them as You bear with me.
• Grant that I may consider it a privilege “not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
• Grant that I may look for opportunities of doing good to them in a kindly, humble way – seeing You, serving You, in them.
• Place Your thoughts in my mind, Your love in my heart, Your words on my lips – that I may learn to love others as You love me.

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