After Communion prayers

[thann]

Priests vary in how long they pray silently after Communion. One of our priests prays long enough for me to pray my favorite prayer, the Adoro Te Devote, by Thomas Aquinas. If our other priest is celebrating, I pray a brief prayer and then I make certain to pray the Adoro Te after Mass. Here it is:

Hidden God, devoutly I adore Thee,
Truly present underneath these veils:
All my heart subdues itself before Thee,
Since it all before Thee faints and fails.

Not to sight, or taste, or touch be credit,
Hearing only do we trust secure;
I believe, for God the Son hath said it–
Word of Truth that ever shall endure.

On the Cross was veiled Thy Godhead’s splendor,
Here Thy manhood lieth hidden too;
Unto both alike my faith I render,
And, as sued the contrite thief, I sue.

Though I look not on Thy wounds with Thomas,
Thee, my Lord, and Thee, my God, I call:
Make me more and more believe Thy promise,
Hope in Thee, and love Thee over all.

O Memorial of my Saviour dying,
Living Bread that givest life to man;
May my soul, its life from Thee supplying,
Taste Thy sweetness, as on earth it can.

Deign, O Jesus, pelican of heaven,
Me, a sinner, in Thy Blood to lave,
To a single drop of which is given
All the world from all its sin to save.

Contemplating Lord, Thy hidden presence,
Grant me what I thirst for and implore,
In the revelation of Thine essence
To behold Thy glory evermore.

 

[jmm08]

Father Holmes here in Manassas VA often leads the whole congregation in the following:

Prayer to Saint Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel,
*defend us in battle, *
be our defense against the wickedness
*and snares of the devil; *
may God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
*and do thou *
*O Prince of the heavenly hosts, *
by the divine power,
*thrust into hell Satan *
*and all the evil spirits *
*who prowl about the world *
*seeking the ruin of souls. *
Amen.

I love it.

 

[StephanieC]

I like Timidity’s response–listening for what God has to say. Sometimes I can do this. Sometimes I say the “Anima Christi.” Sometimes I sing the Communion song. Sometimes I offer my Communion up for someone I know can’t or won’t be receiving, but needs to. Sometimes I cry tears of joy–or sorrow. Some days, I am all too human & distracted by my fellow communicants…so I allow myself to lower my head & watch their feet passing by, and think, “There goes Christ,” or “Another living tabernacle,” or something to that effect…

 

[Detroit_Sue]

cmcruz:

Great suggestions here!

Before receiving Communion, I also focus on the image of the Bridegroom–as I walk down the aisle, I imagine myself as a bride anxiously walking toward my beloved, as He waits for me.

After Communion, I love to pray the Anima Christi, one of the first prayers I learned when I converted. I try to say it slowly in my mind, concentrating on the powerful images as I plead to Christ:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds, hide me.
Separated from you, let me never be.
From the evil one, protect me.
At the hour of my death, call me.
And close to you, bid me,
That with your saints I may be
Praising you forever and ever. Amen.

That is my favorite prayer after Communion, also.