and {17} accept me, O
most merciful Father, for the sake of the same my crucified Saviour.
Amen.

[Illustration: BEARING THE CROSS. _Ary Scheffer_.]

May God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, be with me now
and at the hour of death. Amen.

THE DAY OF COMMUNION.

_Be careful to be at Church in good time, and while waiting for the
Service to begin, say one or more of these Prayers_:--

Cleanse Thou me, O Lord, from my secret faults, and mercifully pardon
my sins, that I may receive Thy holy gifts with a pure mind; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, I come to the holy Sacrament of Thy dear
Son. I draw near weak, to the Giver of Strength; unclean, to the
Fountain of Mercy; blind, to the Eternal Light; poor and needy, to the
Lord of heaven and earth. I pray Thee, therefore, of Thy great
goodness, to have mercy upon me, that so I may receive the King of
kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and purity and faith, as
shall be for the health of my soul. Let me now receive the Body and
Blood of Jesus my Lord, that I may be one Body and one Spirit with Him,
and ever remain among His members. Grant this for the same Jesus
Christ's sake. Amen.

I do not presume to come to Thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in my
own righteousness, but in {18} Thy manifold and great mercies. I am
not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Thy table. But
Thou art the same Lord, Whose property is always to have mercy: Grant
me therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the Flesh of Thy dear Son Jesus
Christ, and to drink His Blood, that my sinful body may be made clean
by His Body, and my soul washed through His most precious Blood, and
that I may evermore dwell in Him and He in me. Amen.

_Or this_.

O Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ, not trusting in my own goodness, but in
Thy great merits, I desire to receive the holy Sacrament of Thy Body
and Blood. I am stained with many sins; do Thou wash me in Thy
precious Blood. I am faint and weary in my strife against sin; do Thou
refresh and strengthen me. Give me perfect purity of soul and body;
drive from me all unholy thoughts, and keep me from every evil word and
deed. Give me grace to draw near to this holy Sacrament with such
reverence and fear, such holy joy and fervent love, such sorrow for sin
and desires for holiness, that I may enjoy all the blessings and
receive all the benefits which Thou hast obtained for