so that I may diligently observe Thy precepts, and never deny Thee either in thought, word or deed; and give me, I pray Thee, most fervent charity, that I may truly love all men for Thy sake. Amen.

5. Our Blessed Redeemer then instituted the Holy Eucharist.

Gospel Harmony.

See S. Matt. xxvi. 26-28; S. Mark xiv. 22-25; S. Luke xxii. 19; and S. John vi.

Prayers.1

I adore Thee, I praise and glorify Thee, O LORD JESUS CHRIST, I bless and give thanks to thee, O SON of the Living GOD, Who in Thine unspeakable

1 For Meditations, see "Eucharistica," " Bp. Patrick's Christian Sacrifice," "Paradise of the Christian Soul," Steps to the Altar."

love didst institute the holy Eucharistic Sacrament, wherein Thou dost, with stupendous bounty, give Thyself to us, saying, "This is My Body, which is given for you, and this is My Blood which is shed for you." Have mercy upon me, that I stagger not at the greatness of Thy words. Thou art the Lamb of GOD, Who takest away the sins alone canst enrich and help me.

of the world; Thou Take from me what

ever hurteth me and displeaseth Thee; and give me what is pleasing to Thee, and good for me.

Kindle

in my soul, I beseech Thee, humble and ardent desires for this Blessed Sacrament. Grant that I may go to Thine altar with devout affections, deep humility and reverence, and with a pure and contrite heart.

May I so hunger and thirst after Thee, and be so replenished by Thee, that I may go in the strength of that food, through the wilderness of this world, until I shall feed on Thee in Thy kingdom, and be satisfied with the plenteousness of Thy house for ever. Amen.

Aspirations before the Holy Communion.

O most gracious REDEEMER, come with patience to support my imperfections; and refuse not a poor sinner, who is the fittest object of Thy mercy.

Come, O merciful JESU, clothed with humility, and disdain me not, although I am the most vile and abject of Thy creatures. Come, and with Thy love inflame my cold heart, and purify my soul from all its dross.

Amen.

Aspirations at the time of Communion.

O King of Heaven, I come unto Thee as the poorest of Thy subjects, acknowledging myself unworthy of Thy mercies. But Thou, O LORD, have mercy on me, otherwise I dare not approach unto Thee.

I come, most Benignant Saviour, humbly begging the continuance of Thy Patience, wherewith Thou hast suffered so much for me. O merciful JESU! enter not into judgment with Thy servant, but mercifully receive me coming unto Thee.

I come, O Saviour, to obtain grace that I may acknowledge my own nothingness, and henceforth truly humble myself, by the consideration of Thy desire for my salvation, and my own coldness and indifference to it. LORD, create in me a new spirit.

I come, O Eternal Brightness of the FATHER, as one destitute of grace, and overwhelmed in the darkness of my ignorance, wherefore illuminate my understanding, that I may see and feel Thy boundless love and goodness.

I come, O Fountain of Mercy! ashamed to have been so backward, when Thou hast sought me by all possible means. O LORD, make me worthy to receive Thee now, that henceforward I may be more prompt to serve Thee.

I come amongst the lame, the blind, and diseased, wherefore open the floodgates of Thy mercy, and let me be partaker of this heavenly banquet, which Thou hast prepared. Thou didst come into the world for sinners, and as such an one I come to Thee. O Son of David, have mercy upon me. Bow down Thine

ear, and hear me, for I am poor and in misery. Help me, that I profane not this Holy Sacrament, but may I come with clean hands, and a contrite heart, to the altar of my GoD, and there obtain remission of all my sins, and the gift of eternal life.

6. After the Holy Eucharist, our LORD consoled His Apostles, and promised to send the Comforter. S. John xiv. 1-4.

Reflections.

ON JESUS, AS THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE.

JESUS is the Way by His Example, the Truth by His Word, and the Life by His Grace. The new and living Way wherein faith causes us to walk; the infallible Truth of good things to come, for which we must hope; and the Eternal Life, which must be the sole object of our love. Out of this way, there is nothing but wandering; without this Truth, nothing but error and deceit; and without this Life, nothing but death. By the means of sin, the heart has lost the life of righteousness; the understanding, the light of truth. All are restored to us in JESUS CHRIST; the way of heaven discovered and laid open to us by His Life and mysteries; the truth which enlightens our understandings; and the life which reanimates our hearts. Let us not transfer to any creature that which belongs exclusively to CHRIST. He alone is our Way, as our Mediator; He alone is the Truth of His promises, which are fulfilled only in Him as the Head of the

Elect, and in us as His members; and He alone is the Life, being the principle of our life and actions by His grace. That man well deserves to lose himself, to be deceived, and deprived of life, who keeps not close to Thee, O Eternal Way, in which alone those who have gone astray recover themselves. Incarnate Truth! which alone enlightenest those who are in darkness; Celestial and Divine Life! which alone givest immortal life to the dead! Thou art the Divine Way, which camest to weary Thyself in seeking sinners, the Truth which didst vouchsafe to descend into our darkness; and the Life, which didst humble Thyself so low as to die for us.

Meditation.

O Divine Word, SoN of the Living GOD! Eternal and Sovereign Truth! I join with all angels, with all the blessed, all the just, the Holy Church, and all Thy creatures, in blessing Thee; and with all Thy perfections and Thy works which glorify Thee without ceasing. Thou art my Way, my Truth, and my Life. Thou art the Way of all who live in Thee, the Truth by which I know Thee, and the Life by which I live. The Way without danger, the Truth without dissimulation, the Life without death. He who walks not with Thee wanders out of the way; he who walks not by Thy Light is in darkness; and he who lives not in Thee is as one dead. Thou art the unerring Way, perfect Truth, and very Life. Thou art the Living GOD Whom I serve, the True GOD Whom I adore, the Infallible GOD in Whom I trust. Conduct me,