Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas Before Holy Communion

Almighty and Everlasting God, behold, I approach the Sacrament of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I approach as one who is sick to the Physician of life; as one unclean to the Fountain of mercy; as one blind to the Light of eternal brightness; as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. Wherefore I implore the abundance of Thine infinite bounty, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to heal my sickness, to wash away my defilement, to enlighten my blindness, to enrich my poverty, and to clothe my nakedness; that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, such purpose and intention, as may conduce to the salvation of my soul. Grant, I beseech Thee, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood, but also the reality and power of the Sacrament. O most gracious God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took from the Virgin Mary, that I may merit to be incorporated into His Mystical Body and numbered among His members. O most loving Father, grant that I may at length contemplate forever, face to face, Thy beloved Son, whom now on my pilgrimage I am about to receive beneath the sacramental veil: Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.