Prayer of St. Ambrose Before Mass (Ad Mensam Dulcissimi Convivii Tui)

To the table of Thy most sweet feast, O loving Lord Jesus Christ, I a sinner, presuming nothing on my own merits, but trusting in Thy mercy and goodness, fear and tremble to approach. For my heart and body are stained with many sins; my mind and tongue are not carefully guarded. Wherefore, O gracious Deity, O awful Majesty, I, wretched that I am, caught in a strait betwixt hope and fear, turn to Thee, the Fountain of mercy; to Thee I hasten to be healed, under Thy protection I fly; and Him whom I cannot endure as Judge, I long to have as Saviour. To Thee, O Lord, I show my wounds, to Thee I uncover my shame. I know my sins are many and great, for which I fear: I hope in Thy mercies, which are without number. Look down upon me, then, with the eyes of Thy mercy, O Lord Jesus Christ, Eternal King, God and Man, crucified for man. Hearken unto me who hope in Thee; have mercy upon me who am full of misery and sin, Thou who wilt never cease to let flow the fountain of mercy. Hail, Victim of salvation, offered for me and for all mankind upon the gibbet of the Cross. Hail, noble and precious Blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ, and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, O Lord, Thy creature, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy Blood. I repent that I have sinned; I desire to amend what I have done. Take away from me, therefore, O most merciful Father, all my iniquities and sins, that being purified both in soul and body, I may worthily taste the Holy of Holies; and grant that this holy foretaste of Thy Body and Blood, which I, though unworthy, purpose to receive, may be the remission of my sins, the perfect cleansing of my offenses, the driving away of shameful thoughts, and the renewal of good desires, the healthful performance of works pleasing unto Thee, and the most firm protection of soul and body against the wiles of my enemies. Amen.