INSTRUCTIONS FOR AFTER
COMMUNION
Source: THE SCHOOL
OF JESUS CRUCIFIED, Fr. Ignatius of the Side of Jesus, TAN
BOOKS,
with Nihil Obstat and
Imprimatur, 1895
1. Call to mind as frequently as possible during the day, that you have
received Jesus, concealed beneath the sacramental veils, into the house
of your soul. If all communicants would frequently call to mind during
the course of the day of their Communion the following
reflection---"This morning Jesus Christ, the Son of God, vouchsafed to
enter the house of my soul, and bestow His whole self upon me"---what
an infinitely greater degree of profit would be derived from Communion!
What far greater patience in affliction, how far more anxiety to
persevere in God's grace, and how incomparably more devotion would be
seen in those who approach the heavenly banquet! If you are mindful of
this practice, you will sanctify your own soul, and give good example
to others, while at the same time the thought will be to you a
continual incentive to lead a Christian life.
2. Often retire within yourself to renew your acts of adoration and
thanksgiving to your dear Lord for the loving visit He has made you
this morning, and endeavor to enkindle in your heart the flames of
divine charity, by some fervent ejaculation to Jesus Christ. The warmth
of devotion and of the love of God would not so soon die away in the
soul were it more exercised, and Jesus would not have to complain of
the coldness with which men love Him, did they think more frequently of
the benefits He has bestowed on them, and of His love, displayed to an
infinite degree in the most Blessed Sacrament, and they would thank Him
with real heartfelt devotion.
3. Often renew the offering of your heart to Jesus in the most Blessed
Sacrament. His design in bestowing His whole self upon you is to force
you, as it were, to love Him, and give Him your whole heart, which He
earnestly demands of you, in exchange for the infinite gift He has made
you. Can you, then, be so ungrateful to Jesus, as on the very day when
He comes to take possession of your heart, to refuse it to Him, in
order to give it to the world and the devil! No! But as you have
consecrated it to your sweet Lord in the Holy Communion, ratify and
confirm your offering; and if the world, with its flatteries, vanities
and false pleasures, seeks to re-enter your heart, protest and declare
that you have bestowed it irrevocably upon Jesus. If the devil with his
suggestions, or the flesh with its temptations, assail your heart with
intent to regain possession of it, reply generously that you have given
it to Jesus, and that to Jesus it shall belong forever. If all
Christians acted thus after Communion, they would persevere in God's
grace and not return to their sins.
4. Remember that your tongue was the first part of your body which had
the happiness of receiving the Lord of Heaven and Earth, and of
touching His most holy Body concealed beneath the appearance of the
sacred bread. This thought, if duly reflected upon, will be sufficient
to make you take the utmost care not to defile that tongue, which has
been so honored and favored by Christ, with evil conversation or impure
words. You should also call to mind this thought whenever you are
tempted to address impatient, angry or offensive words to your
neighbor, and I assure you that you will not then be likely to offend
your Lord with the very tongue that has been sanctified by contact with
His most sacred Flesh.
5. Make it a custom to visit the most holy Sacrament every day in some
church; at least in the evening, in order to finish your day piously:
and for that intention you must make a spiritual Communion, awakening
within your soul an earnest desire of receiving your dear Lord in the
Blessed Sacrament.
Jesus Christ remains in the holy Sacrament day and night, for love of
us, earnestly desiring to communicate Himself to our souls, and shower
forth His graces upon them; would it not then be a mark of the most
fearful carelessness and ingratitude if Christians refused to visit,
venerate, and adore Him at least once a day?
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