O most sweet Infant Jesus! Who wast taken to Jerusalem when twelve years
old, wast lost by Thy parents, and sought for by them with sorrow, and
after three days wast found, to their exceeding joy, with the doctors in
the Temple, have mercy upon us.
_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.
O Jesu! born of Virgin bright, etc.
_V._ Christ is at hand.
_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Our Father, etc.
During the year:
_V._ The Word was made flesh.
_R._ And dwelt amongst us.
At Christmas and during the octave add Alleluia.
At the Epiphany and during the octave:
_V._ Christ hath manifested Himself unto us. Alleluia.
_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Alleluia.
_Let Us Pray._
O almighty and everlasting God, Lord of heaven and earth! Who didst reveal
Thyself to little ones, grant, we beseech Thee, that whilst we duly
celebrate and honor the most holy mysteries of Thy Son, the Infant Jesus,
and worthily strive to imitate them, we may arrive at that heavenly
kingdom which Thou hast promised to little children, through the same
Jesus Christ, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Communion Prayers in Honor of the Infant Jesus.
Preparation for Holy Communion.
1. I believe most firmly, my dear Jesus, that in the consecrated Host is
contained Thy humanity and Thy divinity, together with Thy sacred flesh
and blood. I believe in this mystery of our faith, because Thou, Who art
infinite wisdom, hast announced, “My flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is
drink indeed.” I believe as firmly as Thy holy Mother Mary believed in all
the sacred truths which Thou camest to preach. With the heart of Mary, O
divine Infant Jesus, I would love Thee! I would wish to receive Thee into
the shelter of my heart, as Mary didst receive Thee into her arms with
devotion and tenderness, and Thou didst find a resting‐place. Cold and
dreary was everything about Thee, that night of Thy birth, but Thou didst
find a warm heart in Thy holy Mother. Let me embrace Thee with the same
fervor with which Joseph and Simeon welcomed Thee into their arms. Give me
now, O divine Infant Jesus, through the participation in Thy body and
blood, the burning love of Thy holy spirit, which induced Thee to become
my Brother. Thou didst institute this Holy Sacrament that I might be
united to Thee and Thou to me. I am heartily sorry that I have, hitherto,
preferred creatures to Thee, and so far have done nothing to deserve Thy
mercy. Forgive the sins for which I have had only a superficial sorrow,
and which I, perhaps, have confessed in the same spirit. Clothe me with
the garb of innocence of Thy holy childhood; by Thy adorable blood purify
me, by Thy holy spirit enliven me, that from the present I may no longer
live, but Thou, my Jesus, live in me forever.
O Holy Ghost, Who didst prepare the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by
the infusion of sanctity, to be a worthy habitation of the body of the
divine Infant Jesus, prostrate before Thee I beg that Thy grace may also
render my soul and body worthy to receive the body of Christ, that I may
receive Him with purity and faith, and may through the reception lay a
foundation of sanctity, which will entitle me to enter the glorious
kingdom of heaven.
O my good Jesus, my whole confidence is in Thee; Thy wounds and Thy sacred
blood encourage me to hope in the Lord.
O Son of the almighty God, Son of the Virgin Mary, hear me, and be
merciful unto me. My heart desires to receive Thee with the same joy and
desire with which Mary conceived Thee and gave Thee birth.
Come, then, dear Lord, and fashion my heart according to Thy will; and,
oh, holy saints, devout adorers of the Infant Jesus, St. Francis, St.
Anthony, St. Stanislaus, pray that my faith may be strong, that my hope
and confidence in the Infant Jesus may increase, that my love for Him and
His good Mother may burn with an inextinguishable flame.
And thou, my guardian angel, as well as arch‐*angels and angels, cherubim
and seraphim, accompany me to the holy table of the Lord; cover me with
thy wings, for I am not worthy to receive this heavenly food.
2. O my God, my Lord, is it possible that Thou lovest me, a miserable
human being, so tenderly, that now Thou dost feed my soul with Thy
precious blood, with the bread of angels? By this sacred food Thou dost so
firmly unite me to Thee as to make us one; Thy soul unites itself with my
soul, and Thy body with my poor human nature. Rejoice, then, O my soul,
for no longer can it be said, “My tears have been my bread day and night:
whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?”—Ps. xli. 4. For my food
is the bread of angels and my God is not far from me and my God is in my
soul! O dear Jesus, how liberal art Thou towards him that seeks Thee! How
can I make return for this great kindness?
3. Consider, O my soul, that as often as you receive communion, you
become, as it were, like Mary, the Mother of God, and a spouse of Jesus
Christ: for in holy communion you may consider that the Lord comes to you
as the little Child of Bethlehem. He becomes your Spouse because He loves
you, takes care of you, and caresses you. O my soul, with what energy you
ought to seek to acquire the virtues of our dear Mother Mary. She was
adorned with every virtue when the incarnation took place in her, and she
enjoyed the presence of her God.
Put yourself exclusively into the hands of God, and have the same
sentiments that Mary had when she said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord,”
or with the spouse in the Canticles: “My Beloved is a bunch of myrrh which
rests in my bosom.” And with Simeon, the prophet, exclaim, “Now Thou dost
dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace: Because my
eyes have seen Thy salvation.”
4. Permit me, my dear Jesus, to use Thy words in the Gospel: “I am come to
cast fire on the earth, and what will I but that it be kindled?”—Luke xii.
49. Why is it that I receive so often, and approach this fire of divine
love, and am not ignited? Let, then, this fire of love, which burns in
this Sacrament, communicate its flames to me, that I may rise from the
things of this world. I will now endeavor to love Thee above all things
and no creature shall hinder me from Thy love. I will love Thee with my
whole strength.
5. Dear Infant Jesus, Thy love has conquered my heart! I know now that
Thou givest Thyself to me as my food, and as a ransom to free me from the
slavery of Satan. My servitude to the devil, the flesh, and the world has
been hard, but being once liberated from these chains, I hate my former
cruel masters, and wish to belong entirely to Thee. There is no joy or
happiness in anything in this world, but in Thee, my God, Who callest to
me: “Come to Me all you that labor, and are burdened, and I will refresh
you. Take up My yoke upon you ... and you shall find rest to your
souls.”—Matt. xi. 28, 29. Yes, I will willingly subject myself to Thy
yoke, by obedience to Thy holy commandments, which I will keep with the
greatest exactitude. Permit me to approach Thy sacred banquet, for which I
am now preparing.
6. In Jesus you may find all that you seek, and all that you need. Why,
then, do you turn to other consolations? Seek that only Good which
contains all good. Consider Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the greatest
Good, and stir up in yourself a desire for Him. He will not despise you,
though you are unworthy of the favor. When Jesus dwelt on earth, and
travelled through cities, towns, and country, He always had compassion on
misery, and rejected none that came seeking relief from the ills of body
and soul. And now that same Jesus is in heaven, and He can refuse no one.
The woman who touched the hem of His garment was healed of a long standing
infirmity. Magdalen, the sinner, kisses His feet, and her sins are
forgiven. The pagan woman of Chanaan obtains the cure of her daughter. The
sisters Mary and Martha obtain the resurrection of their brother Lazarus.
Those possessed by the devil are freed.
My heart will not hesitate, but will boldly and humbly approach the Lord
and ask the cure of my soul. He gives me His sacred body and blood, and
all other needful things will be added unto me.
7. Yes, my God, my Lord, will come to me! I will not fear; I will approach
with a joyful heart; I will not lose courage because I am sinful, as I
know the Lord invites the sinner. He has eaten and drank with them, and
treated them as His friends. He will also eat with me, and entertain me at
His own table if I am only sorry for my sins. He will give me the kiss of
peace and welcome me to His house. With His own flesh and blood He will
feed me.
8. Come, O dear Jesus, wash my feet as Thou didst the apostles’. St. Peter
refused, but when he was told that unless he complied he would have no
part with Jesus, he gladly consented. Purify me also that I may have share
with Thee in Thy glory. I am full of impurities in body and soul, my lips
are unclean, because they utter many reprehensible words, my eyes and ears
are impure, because they see and hear impurities. Who can purify me but
Thou, O Lord, O crucified Redeemer, by Thy sacred blood which flows from
the cross?
9. Who shall give me the wings of a dove, that I may fly to Thee, my rest,
my peace? Give me two wings: one the firm confidence in Thy goodness, that
Thou wilt allow me to claim some of Thy merits for my salvation; the other
the wing of love, that I may soar beyond this world, and remain with Thee.
Prepare me for Thy sacred banquet with the virtues which Thou Thyself
would have in me. Teach me how I am to serve Thee. Give me a real thirst
after Thy sacred blood, and a real hunger after Thy sacred flesh, that I
may really desire it.
10. O consolation of my soul, dear Infant Jesus, I beg of Thee to root out
of my heart all the sins and vices to which I am so much inclined; spare
me not in removing them, even though it may hurt, even though I may be
unwilling. Piety, humility, sincerity, modesty, and love are necessary.
Then plant these virtues in my soul, and give me grace to practise them.
11. The Bridegroom is coming! I hear this cry, and I am to go forth to
meet Him. Am I prepared? Have I oil in my lamp? Bestir yourself then, O my
soul: it is not an angel that is coming, or a great prophet. No, it is God
Himself Who is approaching: the Son of God, the King of glory. Rise, my
soul, and prepare a resting‐place in your heart, where the Lord may
remain.
After Communion.
Ejaculations To The Dear Infant Jesus.
How great is Thy love, sweet Heart of Jesus, Who hast given Thyself to me
as a celestial food! Thou deservest to be loved with an infinite love, and
not with the love of ordinary creatures.
O Jesus, I am heartily sorry for having hitherto loved Thee so little! Why
did I not love Thee sooner?
Would that I could redeem that time in which I did not love Thee! Where
will I find hearts that are going to help me to make up for the glory that
I should have given Thee up to this time?
Would that I loved Thee with that tender love with which Mary loved Thee.
The angels and saints loved Thee, my Jesus; let me also join them in their
love.
Offering.
I offer Thee my whole being; let it be unreservedly Thine. Thou hast taken
possession of my heart, Thou art its Master; my whole life shall be used
for Thy greater honor and glory. Wherever my influence may reach, there
will I carry the name of Jesus. Wherever the word of God may be announced,
I will glory in Thy name.
Thou, O Lord, art so full of love, and still Thou art so little loved! O
would that I could enkindle all hearts with the fire of Thy love! Thou, O
Lord, art the Master of all hearts; we belong to Thee because Thou hast
created us, and when we rebelled from Thee and became slaves of Satan,
Thou didst redeem us. What greater right have we than to belong to Thee,
to be subject to Thee, and to announce Thy holy name to all, so that by
our mutual example we may be encouraged to live lives of sanctity?
O that all of us would have the love of the Infant Jesus in our souls, and
make earnest endeavors to spread Thy love among all men! When, O Lord,
will I be dissolved, to live only with Thee? To Thee my sighs and desires
go up day and night. When will I see Thy blessed countenance? When my time
comes to die, let me die in Thy love, so that I may love Thee for all
eternity. Thy will, O Jesus, be done in all things, and let me delight to
walk in Thy footsteps.
Do with me what Thou wilt; I am willing to submit to joy or sorrow, life
or death, fortune or misfortune. It is all indifferent to me as long as it
is Thy will, only give me the grace to endure adversity with resignation.
It will be a joy to me to fulfil Thy holy will in all things.
Thanksgiving After Communion.
_Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, according to St. Francis de
Sales._
How can I, O Lord Jesus Christ, praise Thee sufficiently for having
visited my soul in Thy infinite goodness, by Thy divinity and Thy sacred
humanity, with Thy body and blood? I give Thee, my Lord and my God, a
loving welcome, Thou Who art my Redeemer, my last end, my consolation, my
sweetest rest, my all. A thousand welcomes to Thee, my dear Jesus, my good
shepherd. In the abyss of my nothingness I humbly adore Thee. I adore Thy
sacred flesh and blood, which Thou hast given me for my food, and the
pledge of my eternal union with Thee. I adore Thy sacred head crowned with
thorns; I adore Thy eyes that have shed so many tears for me; I adore Thy
mouth, with which Thou didst teach me eternal truths; I adore Thy sacred
countenance, which has been beaten for me by cruel soldiers; Thy feet,
that have been pierced by the nails and fixed to the tree of the cross;
Thy arms, which were outstretched for me, for a loving embrace; Thy side
which the lance pierced, and from which blood and water issued forth, the
witnesses of my redemption; Thy Heart, which loved me even unto the death
of the cross. My dear Redeemer, I adore Thy sacred body, covered with
innumerable wounds which Thou didst suffer for me. I adore Thy most holy
soul, which was saddened unto death in the Garden of Olives that I might
reach eternal life.
My dear Jesus, with great love I embrace Thee, and I will remain faithful
to Thee until my last hour. Bless these feelings of a good heart: grant
that no storm of temptation may lead me again to be unfaithful as I have
repeatedly been heretofore.
A Pious Salutation To The Infant Jesus.
Hail, holy and adorable Infant Jesus, source of mercy! Thou art the life
of the sinner, unfathomable ocean of divine sweetness, our hope, our joy.
To Thee, born in the dreary stable of Bethlehem, we cry, poor children of
Eve, to Thee we send forth our sighs, to Thee we send up our lamentations
in this valley of tears. Turn then, O incarnate love, Thine eyes of mercy
towards us, O blessed fruit of Thy Virgin Mother. As Thou didst show
Thyself full of kindness in the stable of Bethlehem, so show unto us,
after this miserable life, Thy divine mercy, when Thou shalt come in the
glory of Thy Father. O sweet, O loving, O clement Infant Jesus! Amen.
Pious Invocation To The Infant Jesus.
(_Father Elias Avillon._)
Hail, Infant Jesus, Thou fountain of mercy, Thou life of the sinner dead
in sin, Thou unfathomable ocean of divine consolation, our hope and our
joy. Hail, to Thee, born in the desolate stable of Bethlehem, do we cry,
poor children of Eve. To Thee do we sigh and bewail our misery from this
valley of tears. Turn then, O incarnate love of God, Thine eyes of mercy
upon us, Thou blessed fruit of the womb of the Virgin Mary. As Thou didst
show poor humanity unbounded mercy from the manger, so also continue Thy
kindness during our life, until after this miserable existence we arrive
in the glory of heaven, where we shall meet Thee, to praise and glorify
Thee for all eternity. O sweet, O pious, O merciful Infant Jesus! Amen.
A Prayer To The Holy Name Of Jesus.
Eternal God, Father in heaven, daily do we pray that Thy sacred name be
sanctified, that Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done. It is also Thy
holy will that the name of Thy beloved Son should be glorified. Thou hast
given Him a name at which every knee should bend in heaven, on earth, and
under the earth. I pray Thee with all my heart that Thou give us the grace
to pronounce that holy name with the greatest devotion, and to serve the
Lord with a good and willing heart. Engrave this holy name on my heart,
that I may never forget it. Place it as a sign on my forehead, that I may
ever be faithful to it. O holy name of Jesus! my heart rejoices when I
hear thee mentioned. I feel great consolation as often as I hear that holy
name. Angels of heaven, who are gathered in ecstasy about the throne of
God, praise with us on earth the sacred name of Jesus; sing its praises
worthily, as we cannot sing it; invoke it for us also, that when our
feeble powers fail, thy holiness and zeal will supply our deficiency. Thy
holy name, O Jesus, be praised forever!
Adoration of the Child Jesus in the Twelve Mysteries of His Divine
Infancy.
Dear Jesus, divine Infant of incomparable beauty, of infinite goodness, I
adore Thee, because Thou art my Redeemer, and I love Thee. I make a
sacrifice to Thee of all my intellect, and of my heart, and I thank Thee
for having become a child for my sake. I adore Thee in all the mysteries
of Thy holy childhood, and pray Thee to let me enter into the spirit of
it. Give me the grace to honor Thy childhood all my life, and that I may
imitate the virtues which Thou dost inculcate by Thy example.
I adore Thee, O God of purity, at the moment when the Holy Ghost formed
Thy sacred body in the bosom of the Virgin Mary, and beg of Thee the grace
to be always pure.
I adore Thee, O hidden God, hidden for nine months in the womb of the
Blessed Virgin, and I desire to honor Thee by my perfect life.
I adore Thee, O Child of grace, in Thy visitation to John the Baptist in
order to sanctify him. Visit also my soul, that I may live a saintly life
and remain faithful to the impulses of Thy grace.
I adore Thee, O Child Jesus, at the moment of Thy birth, and I desire,
with Thy help, that no other fire burn in my heart than that which Thou
camest on this earth to kindle.
I adore Thee, O Spouse covered with wounds, in the painful mystery of the
circumcision. I conjure Thee by the sacred blood which Thou didst then
shed for the first time for our salvation, that Thou wilt give me the
virtue of meekness, with which I am to go through life, for Thy glory and
the edification of my neighbor.
I adore Thee, O Lord Jesus, with the Magi, who came from the distant
orient to adore Thee lying in the crib in the stable. Give me the grace to
be in earnest in the work of my salvation.
Great God, Author of all sanctity, I adore Thee in the Temple, where Thou
didst present Thyself according to the Law of Moses, to be offered to Thy
Father as His first‐born Son. Give me grace to subject myself to every
law, even though it would imply that I am a sinner, which I really am.
I adore Thee, humble Jesus, in Thy flight into Egypt, and beg of Thee to
give me the grace, by this holy mystery of Thy life, of perfect humility
of heart.
I adore Thee, O Child Jesus, in Thy poverty, which afflicted Thee in Thy
stay in Egypt. Give me the grace also to be poor in spirit, and endure
actual poverty with resignation.
I adore Thee, O Child Jesus, in Thy joyful and triumphal return from Thy
exile in Egypt to Nazareth; give me the grace to overcome the enemies of
my salvation.
I adore Thee, O obedient Child Jesus, in Thy exact compliance with the
commands of Mary and Joseph; give me the grace joyfully to obey my
superiors.
I adore Thee, O Child Jesus, in the midst of the doctors in the Temple of
Jerusalem, when Thou didst enlighten their minds on the sacred prophecies
of the Old Testament. Give me a Christian simplicity, that I may believe
all that Thou teachest me through the holy Catholic Church.