PRAYERS IN TIME OF WAR

Traditional Prayers, Page 5

PRAYER OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS BEFORE HOLY COMMUNION

O almighty, everlasting God, behold I draw near to the Sacrament
of Thine only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I draw near,
as a sick man to the Physician of life, as one defiled
to the Fountain of mercy, as one blind to the Light of the eternal splendor,
as one poor and needy to the Lord of Heaven and earth.

Wherefore, I implore the fullness of Thine infinite bounty that Thou wouldst vouchsafe
to heal all my sickness, to wash away my defilement, to give light to my blindness,
to enrich my poverty and clothe my nakedness, so that I may receive the Bread of Angels,
the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, with such contrition and devotion,
such purity and faith, such purpose and intention, as may avail
to the welfare and salvation of my soul. Grant me, I beseech Thee,
to receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of my Lord,
but also the very reality and efficacy of the Sacrament.

O most gracious God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thine only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ, that very Body which He took of the Virgin Mary,
that I may be truly incorporated into His Mystical Body, and so numbered amongst its members.

O most loving Father, grant me at last to behold with open face, and forevermore,
Thy beloved Son, Whom I purpose to receive now in my pilgrimage,
beneath the veils of this Sacrament; Who livest and reignest, God through everlasting ages.
Amen.

FIVE PRAYERS TO BE RECITED BEFORE OR AFTER COMMUNION

I. I hate and detest each and everyone of my sins and all the sins committed by others from the beginning of the world until this very hour as well as those that will be committed from now until the end of the world: indeed, if I were able, I would prevent them by the grace of God. This grace I humbly implore.
II. I praise and commend all good works, performed from the beginning of the world until this very hour, as well as those that will be performed from now until the end of the world: indeed, if I were able, I would multiply them by the grace of God. This grace I humbly implore.
III. Whatever I do, say, and think, I intend all for the greater glory of God, with all those good intentions that the Saints had in the past or will have in the future or can even now have.
IV. I pardon and forgive with my whole heart all my enemies, all who calumniate me, all who
detract me, all who in any way injure me or desire evil against me.
V. Would that I could save all men by dying for each and everyone! I would gladly do it by the
grace of God. This grace, without which I can do nothing, I humbly implore.

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