I second the poster who said to pray the prayers before communion before receiving. One way not to take communion for granted is to meditate on some of these prayers. I love the prayers of St Augustine.
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PRAYERS OF ST AUGUSTINE**
O most holy, O most benign, O noble and glorious Virgin Mary, who was worthy to bear in your sacred womb the Creator of all and at your virginal breast to nourish Him whose true, real, and most holy body and blood I, an unworthy sinner, have just now dared to receive: I humbly ask you to intercede with Him for me, a sinner; that whatsoever, by ignorance or neglect, accident or irreverence, I have left undone or have done amiss, in this unspeakably holy sacrifice, may be pardoned through your prayers to the same our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost lives and reigns world without end. Amen.
Before Thy eyes, O Lord, we bring our offences, and we compare them with the stripes we have received.
If we consider the evil we have wrought, what we suffer is little, what we deserve is great.
What we have committed is very grave, what we have suffered is very slight.
We feel the punishment of sin, yet withdraw not from the obstinacy of sinning.
Under Thy lash our inconstancy is visited, but our sinfulness is not changed.
Our suffering soul is tormented, but our neck is not bent.
Our life groans under sorrow, yet mends not in deed.
If Thou spare us we correct not our ways: if Thou punishest we cannot endure it.
In time of correction, we confess our wrong-doing: after Thy visitation, we forget that we have wept.
If Thou stretchest forth Thy hand, we promise amendment;
If Thou withhold the sword, we keep not our promise.
If Thou strike, we cry out for mercy: if Thou spare, we again provoke Thee to strike.
Here we are before Thee, O Lord, shameless criminals: we know that unless Thou pardonest, we shall deservedly perish.
Grant then, almighty Father, without our deserving it, the pardon we ask for; Thou who made out of nothing those who ask Thee. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
V. Deal not with us, O Lord, according to our sins.
R. Neither requite us according to our iniquities.
Let us pray. O God, Thou art offended by sin and pacified by penance; mercifully regard the prayers of Thy suppliant people, and turn away the scourges of Thy wrath, which we deserve for our sins. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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PETITIONS OF ST AUGUSTINE **
O Lord Jesus, let me know myself, let me know Thee,
And desire nothing else but only Thee.
Let me hate myself and love Thee,
And do all things for the sake of Thee.
Let me humble myself, and exalt Thee,
And think of nothing else but Thee.
Let me die to myself, and live in Thee,
And take whatever happens as coming from Thee.
Let me forsake myself and walk after Thee,
And ever desire to follow Thee.
Let me flee from myself, and turn to Thee,
That so I may merit to be defended by Thee.
Let me fear for myself, let me fear Thee,
And be amongst those who are chosen by Thee.
Let me distrust myself, and trust in Thee,
And ever obey for the love of Thee.
Let me cleave to nothing but Thee,
And ever be poor for the sake of Thee.
Look upon me, that I may love Thee,
Call me, that I may see Thee,
And forever possess Thee. Amen.
Wow, that prayer by St. Augustine to Our Lady is breathtaking. Augustine is my confirmation saint and he never ceases to give me gifts. Thank you for posting that. I’m going to put it in my missal.
St.Ambrose was St. Augustine’s bishop and instrumental in Augustine’s conversion. Have you read St. Ambrose’s prayer before Mass? It is in the back of my MTF missal and it is wonderful.
The prayers of St. Thomas before and after Mass are also very good. Be careful if you look up any of these online as some of versions out there are a bit wishy-washy.
Prayer of St. Ambrose Before Mass
***I draw near to the table of your most delectable banquet, dear Lord Jesus Christ.
A sinner, I trust not in my own merit; but, in fear and trembling, I rely on your mercy and goodness.
I have a heart and body marked by my grave offenses, and a mind and a tounge I have not guarded well.
For this reason, God of loving kindness and awesome majesty, I, a sinner caught by namy snares, seek safe refuge in you.
For you are the fountain of mercy.
I would fear to draw near to you as my judge, but I seek you out as my Savior.
Lord, I show you my wounds, and I let you see my shame.
Knowing my sins are many and great, I have reason to fear.
But I trust in your mercies, for they are beyond all numbering.
Look upoin me with mercy, for I trust in you my Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and man, you who were crucified for mankind.
Have mercy on me, you who never cease to make the fountain of your mercy flow, for I am full of sorrow and sins.
I praise you, the saving Victim offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind.
I praise the noble Blood that flows from the woulds of my Lord Jesus Christ, the precious Blood that washes away the sins of the world.
Remember, Lord, your creature whome you have redeemed with your own Blood.
I am sorry that I have sinned, and long to put right what I have done.
Most kind Father, take away all my offenses and sins so that, purified in body and soul, I may be made worthy to taste the Holy of holies.
And grant that this holy meal of your Body and Blood, which I intend to take, although I am unworthy, may bring forgiveness of my sins and wash away my guilt.
May it mean the end of my evil thoughts and the rebirth of my better longings.
May it lead me security to live in way that please you, and may it be a strong protection for body and soul, against the plots of my enemies.
Amen. ***
-Tim-
to get your chin up and give yourself a pat on the back for the very adult virtue of “doing what you are supposed to do - even when it doesn’t come with instant gratification.”