Prayer before Communion

Almighty and eternal God, behold, I approach the Sacrament of the only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come as one sick to the physician of life, as one unclean to the fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of eternal brightness, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. I implore, therefore, the abundance of your boundless generosity, that you may graciously heal my weakness, wash my uncleanness, give light to my blindness, 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 reverence and humility, with such contrition and devotion, with such purity and faith, with such purpose and intention as may be helpful to the salvation of my soul.

Grant me, I beg, to receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord, but also its full grace and power. Most gentle God, grant me to receive the Body of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, born of the Virgin Mary, in such a manner that I may deserve to be incorporated into his mystical Body and counted among its members. Most loving Father, grant that I may at last contemplate for ever, face to face, your beloved Son, whom I now intend to receive hidden under these veils. Who lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.