Prayers for First Communion

O Lord Jesus Christ, who dost embrace children with the arms of thy mercy, and dost make them living members of thy Church; Give them grace, we pray thee, to stand fast in thy faith, to obey thy word, and to abide in thy love; that, being made strong by thy Holy Spirit, they may resist temptation and overcome evil, and may rejoice in the life that now is, and dwell with thee in the life that is to come; through thy merits, O merciful Saviour, who with the Father and the Holy Ghost livest and reignest one God, world without end. Amen.

Act of Faith.

O Saviour of mankind! comest Thou to me, and shall I have the happiness to receive Thee? Who could believe such a miracle of love, so wonderful a condescension, if Thou Thyself hadst not said it? Yes, O Lord, Thou whom I am to receive in this august sacrament, born for my sake in a stable, was pleased to die for me on the cross; and glorious in heaven, art still concealed under these mysterious veils. I firmly believe this profound mystery of Thy real presence; I believe it, because Thou who art truth itself hast said it. I believe it, and though it is wholly incomprehensible to reason, and impenetrable to human understanding, I submit my senses and my reason in the obedience of faith. Verily, Thou art a hidden God, the God of Israel, the Saviour.

Act of Humility.

Who am I, O God of glory and Majesty! who am I that Thou shouldst deign even to look on my unworthiness? Whence this supreme happiness, this unbounded goodness, that Thou shouldst condescend to visit me? I am but a wretched sinner, more contemptible than nothingness itself, and yet I dare approach so holy a God, and partake of the bread of angels! Ah, Lord, I do not deserve this mark of Thy predilection, this additional proof of Thy tenderness and love. King of heaven, author and preserver of the world! I annihilate myself before Thee. With profound humility, I acknowledge Thy sovereign greatness and my extreme wretchedness. This consideration covers me with inexpressible awe and confusion, O my loving Lord; I confess with humble sincerity that I am but dust and ashes, and that I am wholly unworthy of the ineffable favor Thou deignest now to confer upon me. Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof.

Act of Adoration.

O God of power and majesty! the grandeur of the heavens is as nothing in Thy sight; the earth Thou hast poised in Thy hand; the ocean is before Thee as a drop of water; all nature trembles in Thy presence! How then shall I extol Thee, immortal King of ages! What homage can I render Thee, except to be silent and honor Thee in the most profound annihilation of my soul? I acknowledge Thy supreme greatness, compared with which all power is weakness; all prosperity, wretchedness; and the most brilliant light, nothing but the thickest darkness. Eternal Power! infinite Perfection! adorable Holiness! My soul longs to annihilate itself before Thee. I adore Thee, O my God, and render Thee homage with all the faculties of my being; with all my heart by loving Thee; with all my soul by praising Thee; with all my mind by submitting it to faith. It is my sweetest delight to know that I possess within me, as in a living tabernacle, the Holy of holies; and that in the holy Eucharist I honor Thee in a manner worthy of Thy immortal majesty.

Act of Love.

O beloved Jesus, where shall I find words to express my gratitude and love? O inestimable pledge of God's love for man! O inexhaustible fountain of divine graces! O boundless mercy! O divine charity! Hail, O merciful Jesus! O may my soul be sensible of Thy adorable presence, and may I see how sovereignly sweet Thou art in the sacrament of Thy love. Yes, O God of goodness! I love Thee with my whole heart, my whole soul, and above all things. O divine Jesus, do Thou confirm these holy resolutions in my heart, and grant that I may always be able affectionately to exclaim with Thy holy apostle: Thou knowest, Lord, that I love Thee.