Prayers before Communion (OCC)

I believe, O Lord, that thou art Christ, the Son of the living God, the Saviour of the world. I believe all that thou hast taught, for thou hast the words of eternal life. I believe that thou hast died for our sins, and by thy death hast reconciled us to thy heavenly Father. I believe the words which thou hast spoken, “I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him.”

I place my hope, O Lord, in thy goodness and mercy. I trust that thou hast graciously forgiven me my sins, and that thou wilt fulfil in me thy promise; “He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.”

I thank thee, O Lord, for all thy clemency, and all thy mercy.

I love thee above all things; for thou art my Redeemer and Saviour, my consolation and my help.

Thou hast said; “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.” So refresh me, as full of trust I have recourse to thee.

The Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul unto everlasting life.

Almighty and everlasting God, behold I approach the sacrament of thy only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. As one sick I come to the physician of life, as blind to the light of eternal splendour, as poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. I implore thee, therefore, after thine infinite mercy, that thou wouldest heal my sickness, lighten my darkness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness, that I may receive the bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and fear, such contrition and devotion, such faith and purity as is expedient for the welfare of my soul. Grant me, O Lord, to receive not only outwardly the sacrament of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, but also inwardly the power and effects of this sacrament. O God of love and clemency, grant me so to receive the Body of thy only-begotten Son, that I may be incorporated in his mystical Body, and be reckoned among his members. Grant that him whom I now prepare myself to receive during this life’s journey veiled under the form of bread, even thy beloved Son, I may hereafter behold with open face, who with thee, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, God for evermore. Amen.

The preceding prayer was written by St Thomas Aquinas