“Jesus, I Adore You”
SHORT VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT
Edited by: Sr. Ma. Rosario Agtarap, fsp Contributors Sr. Ma. Rosario Agtarap, fsp Sr. Evangelina Canag, fsp Sr. Alicia Candido, fsp Sr. Divinia De Claro, fsp Sr. Clothilde De las Llagas, fsp
PHILIPPINES
“JESUS, I ADORE YOU” Short Visits to the Blessed Sacrament © 2015 Daughters of St. Paul Edited by: Sr. Ma. Rosario Agtarap, fsp Contributors Sr. Ma. Rosario Agtarap, fsp Sr. Evangelina Canag, fsp Sr. Alicia Candido, fsp Sr. Divinia De Claro, fsp Sr. Clothilde De las Llagas, fsp Published and distributed by Paulines Publishing House 2650 F.B. Harrison Street 1300 Pasay City, Philippines E-mail: edpph@paulines.ph Website: www.paulines.ph Cover design: Ann Marie Nemenzo, FSP All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without the written permission from the publisher. 1st printing 2016 ISBN 978-971-590-800-9
at the service of the Gospel and culture
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction How to Use this booklet Opening Prayer Closing Prayer Prayers of Thanksgiving For a Happy Family For Success in One’s Career For Good Health For the Call to Consecrated Life For a Blessing Received Prayers for Healing From Sickness From a Terminal Illness Of a Broken Heart Of a Painful Memory From an Addiction Of a Drug Dependent Of an Explosive Temper Of Feelings of Rejection Of Stinginess From Depression Of Attachment to a Forbidden Love Of Excessive Fear Of Feelings of Anger with God
1 6 7 8 10 10 11 11 12 12 14 14 17 17 18 20 22 25 27 28 30 32 33 34
Prayers for Healing of Secret Sins and Wounds One Who Had Been Sexually Abused One who Has Had an Abortion One Who Had Suggested, Financed or Aided an Abortion One Who Has Gotten Rich because of Stealing One Who Has Received a Bribe to Do Dishonest Things Prayers for Healing of Relationships With One’s Parents With One’s Siblings For Harmony in the Family For an Unfaithful Spouse For a Spouse Who Has Abandoned One’s Family With a Son or Daughter-in-Law With an Irreligious Husband With Elderly Parents With an Estranged Friend With an Oppressive Boss With Colleagues in the Workplace With Difficult Neighbors With Problematic Employees
37 37 39 41 43 45 48 48 51 52 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 70 72 74
Prayers for Other Needs A Repentant Sinner Conflict of a Homosexual For an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) For a Child of OFW Parents For Those Whose Job Leads to Sin For a Media Practitioner To Pass the Exams To Find a Good Job To Find a Good Life Partner Conversion of a Cruel Husband For Good Health and Holiness of the Family For Financial Help For a Peaceful Death For Comfort of One Who Is Bereaved For Purity in One’s State of Life To Discover and Follow One’s Vocation For Perseverance in God’s Service For the Pope/Bishops For the Sanctification of Priests For Leaders of Nations For Care of the Earth
77 77 79 81 82 84 85 87 88 90 91 94 96 97 98 100 102 103 105 107 109 111
Various prayers before the Blessed Sacrament Act of Adoration Act of Adoration (After Communion) Act of Faith Act of Hope Act of Love Act of Contrition Act of Surrender to the Will of God To the Holy Spirit Spiritual Communion The Divine Praises Soul of Christ (Anima Christi) Eucharistic Prayer from Fatima Before the Blessed Sacrament Most Sacred, Most Loving Heart of Jesus To Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament Stay with Me, Lord Memorare To the Guardian Angel To St. MichaeI, the Archangel For the Souls in Purgatory
114 114 115 115 116 116 116 117 118 118 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 126 127 127 127
Introduction The visit to the Blessed Sacrament or the Eucharistic adoration — in what does it consist? According to Blessed James Alberione (founder of the Pauline Family), the visit is: • the meeting of our soul and of all our being with Jesus; • the creature meeting his creator; • the disciple before the Divine Master; • the patient with the Doctor of souls; • the poor one appealing to the Rich One; • the thirsty one drinking at the font; • the weak one presenting himself to the Almighty; • the tempted one seeking a sure refuge; • the blind one searching for the Light; • the friend who goes to the True Friend;
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• the lost sheep sought by the divine Shepherd; • the heart led astray who finds the Way; • the foolish one who finds Wisdom; • the bride who finds the Spouse of the soul; • the nothing who finds the All; • the afflicted who finds the Consoler; • the youth who finds life’s meaning. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he did not leave us orphans. He left himself in the Blessed Sacrament so that we can go to him anytime. He wants to be near us, to hear our joys and pains, to give us the answers to our many questions, to console us in times of trials, to fill us with the joy of his presence. During the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, Jesus, through the priest, changes the bread and wine into his body and blood. When the Mass is finished, he himself remains in the Blessed Sacrament—body, soul and divinity, present to us night and day. He desires that we visit him so that he can pour on us abundant graces. “Come to me,” he says, “all you that 2
are weary and are carrying heavy burdens and I will give you rest” (Mt. 11:28). In the gospel people brought to Jesus all who were sick or possessed with demons. And he cured many (cf. Mk. 1:32-34). When we are sick we go to doctors, even to faith healers in order to be healed. We spend so much for medicine and sometimes we do not get cured at all. But the greatest doctor is in the Blessed Sacrament, he who created us and gave us a healthy body. He can diagnose everything and can cure every sickness. Why don’t we go to him? Sometimes we need advice on important matters. We consult a lawyer, a psychologist, or go to a counsellor. Jesus awaits us in the Blessed Sacrament. He is uncreated Wisdom, the One who knows everything and his services are for free. Why don’t we ask his counsel? As we go through life, we experience different circumstances. Each one has a particular need, a particular cross. This can be the topic of our conversation with Jesus. 3
Some people carry a heavy burden in their heart for years and years. Why not tell Jesus about it? With God we can speak in all honesty. We can tell him all we think and feel, even the most shameful or evil things we have done or are tempted to do. He is not scandalized. He understands that we are dust. He is interested in everything about us, even our blood pressure and our headache. He tells us: “Come to me, do not be afraid. Just be true, I know your heart and I love you.” In the Blessed Sacrament, it is not only Jesus who is present but also the Father and the Holy Spirit. The Blessed Trinity enfolds us in loving embrace and makes us taste divine joy. Our inner eyes are opened to God’s horizon well beyond our narrow perception. We acquire the wisdom of the heart and eternal life begins on earth. Oneness with the Trinity also unites us with our brothers and sisters in Christ’s glorious body. We are never alone. This prayer booklet lists some particular situations which we might find ourselves in. 4
It suggests the Word of God which can give us enlightenment and strength, followed by a short reflection and prayer from the heart. To God we can express all that is in our heart. He never rejects us because of our sins. He is all mercy and compassion. We need not try to prove ourselves holy before God. The more we acknowledge our sinfulness, the more he has a chance to show his mercy and his love. Consequently, we will be more thankful to God and humble towards our neighbors.
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How to use this booklet 1. Begin with the opening prayer on page 7. 2. The Table of Contents lists particular situations you may find yourself in, or a particular need you may want to pray for. Choose one or you may express your own needs spontaneously. 3. Read the suggested Biblical text and spend some quiet moments to listen to what God tells you in his Word. Reread it and let the Word resonate in your heart. 4. Read the short reflection. 5. Say the suggested prayer and/or the concluding prayer on page 8. 6. You may also like to add some prayers found on pages 114-127.
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Opening Prayer (to be prayed at the beginning of each visit) O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine. All praise and all thanksgiving, Be every moment thine! I adore you, my God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, present in the most Blessed Sacrament. Glory and praise to you, holy God, mighty God, holy immortal One. I thank you for having created me, made me your child at Baptism, sustained my life, especially my spiritual life through the Eucharist, and in the other sacraments. Thank you for the sacrament of Confession wherein you reconcile me to you countless time after I have sinned against you and my neighbor. I want to avoid sin and do good, help me with your grace. I present to you now the particular grace/s I want to ask from your bountiful heart. Holy Spirit, teach me to pray.
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Concluding Prayer
(to be prayed at the end of each visit) O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine. All praise and all thanksgiving, Be every moment thine! Thanksgiving for the Holy Eucharist Jesus, Divine Master, I thank and bless your most lovable Heart for the great gift of the Holy Eucharist. Your love makes you dwell in the holy tabernacle, renew your passion in the Mass, and give yourself as food for our souls in Holy Communion. May I know you, hidden God! May I draw salutary waters from the font of your Heart. Grant me the grace to visit you often in this sacrament, to understand
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and actively participate in Holy Mass, to receive Holy Communion often, with faith and love.
Sweet Heart of my Jesus, make me love you more and more. Amen. Blessed James Alberione
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PRAYERS FOR HEALING OF RELATIONSHIPS
With One’s Parents Lord, I am confused! I can’t understand my parents. Why do they have to dictate what I have to do? Why do they have to direct the course I have to take? Why should they be the ones to choose my friends, and even the person I have to marry? They are always busy! They tell us that everything they do is for our future. But when we are confused, we have no one to turn to! Mom and Dad do not have time for us!
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Word of God Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ‘Honor your father and mother,’ this is the first commandment with a promise, ‘so that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.’ And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Eph. 6:1-4) Reflection Parents are gifts from God. Unfortunately, some parents have not understood the importance of being present to their children. They think that they can give a better future to their children if they have enough money. But this is not always a guarantee. There are many children of poor families who are happy. And yet there are children from rich families who are problematic because they feel empty; hungry for the love of their father and mother. Children are called to love and respect their parents. In moments of misunderstanding, the children can reach out to their parents and show them appreciation 49
for providing for their needs. Then they can initiate a dialogue with them. Most of all, they can pray for them. In moments when we can’t understand our parents, we can request for a dialogue and obey as Jesus himself obeyed his parents. But, in times of conflict, like in the choice of a vocation in life, children have to obey their conscience. God’s call is imperative and we have to obey Him, more than anyone. Jesus said: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me.” (Mt. 10:37). Prayer Lord our God, I thank you for the gift of my parents. They may not be perfect, but you gave them to us. If at times, I can’t understand them, please give me the grace to reach out to them. Let me continue to respect them in their moments of weakness. I pray too, for all parents. Guide them to understand their primary duty as Christian parents towards their children. I pray especially for the intentions of my Mom and Dad. Amen. 50
With One’s Siblings Lord, I love my mother so much and she loves me. I could feel her affection. But I am not so close to my father. You know why? He always favors my other siblings. He always praises them. No matter how much I try to do my best in class, he always tells me that I am good for nothing. Yes, my sister and brother, truly excel in school. He always compares me with them. Because of this, I started to hate my brother/sister_______. I know it is not good to be jealous but the feeling is there. Word of God Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility regard others as better than yourselves. (Phil. 2:3) Reflection Feelings of hatred and jealousy are but natural because our self-esteem is threatened. But if we nourish these sentiments throughout our life, they will destroy us little by little. If we are judged less than the others in one aspect, we can try to do well in what we are good at. 51