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Begin your preparation over-night, by sundry aspirations and
loving ejaculations. Go to bed somewhat earlier than usual, so
that you may get up earlier the next morning; and if you should
wake during the night, fill your heart and lips at once with
sacred words wherewith to make your soul ready to receive the
Bridegroom, Who watches while you sleep, and Who intends to give
you countless gifts and graces, if you on your part are prepared
to accept them.
In the morning rise with joyful expectation of the Blessing you
hope for, and (having made your Confession) go with the fullest
trust, but at the same time with the fullest humility, to receive
that Heavenly Food which will sustain your immortal life. And
after having said the sacred words, "Lord, I am not worthy," do
not make any further movement whatever, either in prayer or
otherwise, but gently opening your mouth, in the fulness of faith,
hope, and love, receive Him in Whom, by Whom, and through Whom,
you believe, hope, and love.
O my child, bethink you that just as the bee, having gathered
heaven's dew and earth's sweetest juices from amid the flowers,
carries it to her hive; so the Priest, having taken the Saviour,
God's Own Son, Who came down from Heaven, the Son of Mary, Who
sprang up as earth's choicest flower, from the Altar, feeds you
with that Bread of Sweetness and of all delight. When you have
received it kindle your heart to adore the King of our Salvation,
tell Him of all your own personal matters, and realise that He is
within you, seeking your best happiness.
In short, give Him the very best reception you possibly can,
and act so that in all you do it may be evident that God is with
you. When you cannot have the blessing of actual Communion, at
least communicate in heart and mind, uniting yourself by ardent
desire to the Life-giving Body of the Saviour.
Your main intention in Communion should be to grow, strengthen,
and abound in the Love of God; for Love's Sake receive that which
Love Alone gives you. Of a truth there is no more loving or tender
aspect in which to gaze upon the Saviour than this act, in which
He, so to say, annihilates Himself, and gives Himself to us as
food, in order to fill our souls, and to unite Himself more
closely to the heart and flesh of His faithful ones.
If men of the world ask why you communicate so often:
- Tell them that it is that you may learn to love God; that
you may be cleansed from imperfections, set free from trouble,
comforted in affliction, strengthened in weakness.
- Tell them that there are two manner of men who need frequent
Communion--those who are perfect, since being ready they were
much to blame did they not come to the Source and Fountain of
all perfection; and the imperfect, that they may learn how to
become perfect; the strong, lest they become weak, and the weak,
that they may become strong; the sick that they may be healed,
and the sound lest they sicken.
- Tell them that you, imperfect, weak and ailing, need
frequently to communicate with your Perfection, your Strength,
your Physician.
- Tell them that those who are but little engaged in worldly
affairs should communicate often, because they have leisure; and
those who are heavily pressed with business, because they stand
so much in need of help; and he who is hard worked needs
frequent and substantial food.
- Tell them that you receive the Blessed Sacrament that you
may learn to receive it better; one rarely does that well which
one seldom does.
Therefore, my child, communicate frequently,--as often as you
can, subject to the advice of your spiritual Father. Our mountain
hares turn white in winter, because they live in, and feed upon,
the snow, and by dint of adoring and feeding upon Beauty,
Goodness, and Purity itself in this most Divine Sacrament you too
will become lovely, holy, pure.
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