CORPUS CHRISTI NOVENA - SEVENTH DAY

            

                          Meditation

Wheresoever the body shall be, thither will the eagles also be gathered together.  Luke 17: 37

By this body the saints usually understand That of Jesus Christ, and by the eagles souls detached from this world, which, like eagles, soar above the things of earth, and fly to Heaven, whither they constantly aspire in thought and affection, and where they habitually dwell. On earth these eagles have their paradise wherever they find Jesus in the most holy Sacrament, so that they seem never wearied with remaining in His sacred presence. "If," says St. Jerome, "eagles scenting a body come to it from afar, how much more are we bound to seek Jesus, to fly to Him in the ever-blessed Sacrament, as the most beloved Food of our souls? "Hence the saints have always, in this vale of tears, had recourse to this heavenly Fountain as the thirsty stag seeks the spring of living water. Father Balthasar Alvarez, of the Society of Jesus, used, whatever occupation he chanced to be about, to turn his eyes frequently towards the place where he knew that the adorable Sacrament was kept; he often visited It, and some times remained the whole night before It. He wept to see the palaces of the great filled with persons paying court to a mere man, hoping to obtain some wretched, perishable advantage, while the churches, in which dwells the Sovereign Ruler of the universe truly present with us on this earth, as on a throne of love, and rich with immense and eternal treasures, were deserted and empty. He used to say that persons in religious houses were but too happy in being able to visit their beloved Lord, present under their roof, as often as they choose, by night or by day, which persons living in the world cannot do.

                

                  Prayer

My beloved Lord, since Thou callest me with such infinite goodness to approach Thee, though Thou seest me so worthless, and so ungrateful to Thy love, I will not let my unworthiness discourage me; I will come and place myself before Thee; do Thou change me entirely; drive from me all love that is not of Thee, every desire which does not please Thee, every thought which does not tend to Thee. My Jesus, my Beloved, my Treasure, my All, I will satisfy Thee only, and please Thee alone; Thou alone deservest my love, and Thee only will I love with my whole heart. Detach me from every thing else, my beloved Lord, and bind me to Thyself alone; but bind me so that I may never more separate myself from Thee, in this life or in the next.

              Ejaculation
My most sweet Jesus, never permit me to be separated from Thee.

I thank Thee, Jesus, my Divine Redeemer, for coming upon this earth for our salvation, and for instituting the august Sacrament of the Most Holy Eucharist in order to remain with us until the end of the world.

I thank Thee for hiding beneath the Eucharistic species Thy infinite majesty and beauty, which Thy Angels delight to behold, so that I might have courage to approach the throne of Thy Mercy.

I thank Thee, most loving Jesus, for having made Thyself my food, and for uniting me to Thyself with so much love in this wonderful Sacrament that I may live in Thee.

I thank Thee, my Jesus, for giving Thyself to me in this Most Blessed Sacrament, and so enriching it with the treasures of Thy love that Thou hast no greater gift to give me.

I thank Thee not only for becoming my food but also for offering Thyself as a continual sacrifice to Thy Eternal Father for my salvation.  I thank Thee, Divine Priest, for offering Thyself as a Sacrifice daily upon our altars in adoration and homage to the Most Blessed Trinity, and for making amends for our poor and miserable adorations.

I thank Thee for renewing in this daily Sacrifice the actual propitiatory Sacrifice of the Cross offered on Calvary, in which Thou satisfiest Divine justice for us poor sinners.

I thank Thee, dear Jesus, for having become the priceless Victim to merit for me the fullness of Heavenly favors. Awaken in me such confidence in Thee that their fullness may descend ever more fruitfully upon my soul and let me always be worthy of Thee.

I thank Thee for offering Thyself in thanksgiving to God for all His benefits, spiritual and temporal, which He hath bestowed upon me. In union with Thine offering of Thyself to Thy Father in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, I ask for this special favor:

            (Mention your petition here)

If it be Thy holy Will, grant my request. Through Thee I also hope to receive the grace of perseverance in Thy love and faithful service, a holy death, and a happy eternity with Thee in Heaven. Amen.

O Lord, Thou hast given us this Sacred Banquet, in which Christ is received, the memory of His Passion is renewed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us who are worthy of Thee. Thou hast given them bread from Heaven. Having all sweetness within.

                Prayer

God our Father, for Thy glory and our salvation Thou appointed Jesus Christ eternal High Priest. May the souls He gained for  Thee by His Blood come to share in the power of His Cross and Resurrection by celebrating His Memorial in this Most Blessed Sacrament, for He liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, forever. Amen.

O Jesus, since Thou hast left us a remembrance of Thy Passion beneath the veils of this Sacrament, grant us, we pray, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood that we may always enjoy the fruits of Thy Redemption through Christ our Lord. Amen.