Eucharistic Exposition and Benediction
Exposition
After the people have assembled, the following or another suitable song may be sung while the minister prepares the Holy Eucharist for adoration.
O Salutaris Hostia
O saving Victim, open wide
The gate of heav’n to us below,
Our foes press on from ev’ry side;
Your aid supply, your strength bestow.
To your great name be endless praise,
Immortal Godhead, One in Three;
O grant us endless length of days
In our true native land with thee.
Amen.
Adoration
The Liturgy of the Hours may be celebrated during the period of exposition, or there may be prayers, songs, readings from Scripture and a brief homily to direct the attention of the faithful to the worship of the Lord. (Selection of Prayers below).
The following or another suitable Eucharistic song may be sung.
Tantum Ergo
Down in adoration falling,
This great Sacrament we hail;
Over ancient forms of worship
Newer rites of grace prevail;
Faith will tell us Christ is present,
When our human senses fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And the Son who made us free,
And the Spirit, God proceeding
From them Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing,
Might and endless majesty.
Amen.
Benediction
V. You have given them Bread from heaven
(Easter: alleluia)
V. Having within it all Sweetness
(Easter: alleluia)
Eucharistic Blessing
If the minister is a priest or deacon, there may be a blessing. Before the blessing, a prayer such as the following may be said. (Easter: alleluia)
Lord Jesus Christ,
you gave us the Eucharist
as a memorial of your suffering and death.
May our worship of this Sacrament of your body and blood
help us to experience the salvation you won for us
and the peace of the kingdom
where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
Reposition
After the blessing, the minister places the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle.
Acclamation or Song
The people may say an acclamation or sing another song such as the following.
Divine Praises
Blessed be God.
Blessed be His Holy Name.
Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man.
Blessed be His most Sacred Heart.
Blessed be His most Precious Blood.
Blessed be Jesus in the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar.
Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete.
Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary, most holy.
Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception.
Blessed be her glorious Assumption.
Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother.
Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste Spouse.
Blessed be God in His angels and in His saints.
or
Holy God, we praise thy name;
Lord of all, we bow before thee;
All on earth thy scepter claim,
All in heaven above adore thee.
Infinite thy vast domain,
Everlasting is thy reign.
Hark, the loud celestial hymn;
Angel choirs above are raising;
Cherubim and Seraphim,
In unceasing chorus praising,
Fill the heavens with sweet accord:
Holy, holy, holy, Lord!
Prayers before the Blessed Sacrament
O Sacrum Convivium
Anima Christi
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds conceal me.
Do not permit me to be parted from you.
From the evil foe protect me.
At the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come to you,
to praise you with all your saints
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Act of Hope
O My God, relying on Your almighty power and infinite mercy and promises,
I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, the help of Your grace,
and life everlasting through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Redeemer.
Act of Faith
O my God, I firmly believe that You are one God in three divine Persons,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe that Your divine Son became man,
died for our sins, and that He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these truths and all the truths which the Holy Catholic Church teaches,
because You have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Act of Love
O my God, I love you above all things, with my whole heart and soul,
because You are all good and worthy of all love.
I love my neighbor as myself for the love of You.
I forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured. Amen.
Act of Adoration
We adore you, Most Holy Lord, Jesus Christ,
here and in all your churches of the whole world,
and we bless You because by Your Cross You have redeemed the world.
Have mercy on us.
Prayer before the Reception of the Eucharist
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God,
who according to the will of the Father and with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit
hast by Thy death given life unto the world,
I adore and revere this Thy holy Body and this Thy holy Blood,
which was given over and poured forth for the many unto the remission of sins.
O merciful Lord, I beg of Thy mercy
that through the power of this sacrament Thou wilt make me one of the many.
Through faith and love make me feel the power of these sacraments,
so I may experience their saving power.
Absolve and free all sin and punishment of sin Thy servants,
Thy handmaidens, myself, and all who have confessed their sins to me,
those whom I have promised or am obliged to pray for,
and so too those who themselves hope or beg to be helped by my prayers with Thee.
Make our Church rejoice in Thy constant protection and consolation. Amen.
Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
God our Father in heaven
have mercy on us
God the Son
have mercy on us
Redeemer of the World
have mercy on us
God the Holy Spirit
have mercy on us
Holy Trinity, one God
have mercy on us
Jesus, Son of the living God
have mercy on us
Jesus, splendor of the Father
have mercy on us
Jesus, brightness of everlasting light
have mercy on us
Jesus, king of glory
have mercy on us
Jesus, dawn of justice
have mercy on us
Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary
have mercy on us
Jesus, worth of our love
have mercy on us
Jesus, worth of our wonder
have mercy on us
Jesus, mighty God
have mercy on us
Jesus, father of the world to come
have mercy on us
Jesus, prince of peace
have mercy on us
Jesus, all powerful
have mercy on us
Jesus, pattern of patience
have mercy on us
Jesus, model of obedience
have mercy on us
Jesus, gentle and humble of heart
have mercy on us
Jesus, lover of chastity
have mercy on us
Jesus, lover of us all
have mercy on us
Jesus, God of peace
have mercy on us
Jesus, author of life
have mercy on us
Jesus, model of goodness
have mercy on us
Jesus, seeker of souls
have mercy on us
Jesus, our God
have mercy on us
Jesus, our refuge
have mercy on us
Jesus, father of the poor
have mercy on us
Jesus, treasure of the faithful
have mercy on us
Jesus, Good Shepherd
have mercy on us
Jesus, true light
have mercy on us
Jesus, eternal wisdom
have mercy on us
Jesus, infinite goodness
have mercy on us
Jesus, our way and our life
have mercy on us
Jesus, joy of angels
have mercy on us
Jesus, king of patriarchs
have mercy on us
Jesus, teacher of apostles
have mercy on us
Jesus, master of evangelists
have mercy on us
Jesus, courage of martyrs
have mercy on us
Jesus, light of confessors
have mercy on us
Jesus, purity of virgins
have mercy on us
Jesus, crown of all saints
have mercy on us
Lord, be merciful
Jesus, save your people
From all evil
Jesus, save your people
From every sin
Jesus, save your people
From the snares of the devil
Jesus, save your people
From your anger
Jesus, save your people
From the spirit of infidelity
Jesus, save your people
From everlasting death
Jesus, save your people
From neglect of your Holy Spirit
Jesus, save your people
By the mystery of your incarnation
Jesus, save your people
By your birth
Jesus, save your people
By your childhood
Jesus, save your people
By your hidden life
Jesus, save your people
By your public ministry
Jesus, save your people
By your agony and crucifixion
Jesus, save your people
By your abandonment
Jesus, save your people
By your grief and sorrow
Jesus, save your people
By your death and burial
Jesus, save your people
By your rising to new life
Jesus, save your people
By your return in glory to
the Father
Jesus, save your people
By your gift of the Holy Eucharist
Jesus, save your people
By your joy and glory
Jesus, save your people
Christ, hear us
Christ, hear us
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
have mercy on us
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world
have mercy on us
Let us pray.
Lord, may we who honor the holy name of Jesus enjoy his friendship in this life and be filled with eternal joy in the kingdom where he lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen.
Litany of the Holy Eucharist
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Jesus, the Most High
have mercy on us
Jesus, the holy One
have mercy on us
Jesus, Word of God
have mercy on us
Jesus, only Son of the Father
have mercy on us
Jesus, Son of Mary
have mercy on us
Jesus, crucified for us
have mercy on us
Jesus, risen from the dead
have mercy on us
Jesus, reigning in glory
have mercy on us
Jesus, coming in glory
have mercy on us
Jesus, our Lord
have mercy on us
Jesus, our hope
have mercy on us
Jesus, our peace
have mercy on us
Jesus, our savior
have mercy on us
Jesus, our salvation
have mercy on us
Jesus, our resurrection
have mercy on us
Jesus, Judge of all
have mercy on us
Jesus, Lord of the Church
have mercy on us
Jesus, Lord of creation
have mercy on us
Jesus, Lover of all
have mercy on us
Jesus, life of the world
have mercy on us
Jesus, freedom for the imprisoned
have mercy on us
Jesus, joy of the sorrowing
have mercy on us
Jesus, giver of the Spirit
have mercy on us
Jesus, giver of good gifts
have mercy on us
Jesus, source of new life
have mercy on us
Jesus, Lord of life
have mercy on us
Jesus, eternal high priest
have mercy on us
Jesus, priest and victim
have mercy on us
Jesus, true Shepherd
have mercy on us
Jesus, true Light
have mercy on us
Jesus, bread of heaven
have mercy on us
Jesus, bread of life
have mercy on us
Jesus, bread of thanksgiving
have mercy on us
Jesus, life-giving bread
have mercy on us
Jesus, holy manna
have mercy on us
Jesus, new covenant
have mercy on us
Jesus, food for everlasting life
have mercy on us
Jesus, food for our journey
have mercy on us
Jesus, holy banquet
have mercy on us
Jesus, true sacrifice
have mercy on us
Jesus, perfect sacrifice
have mercy on us
Jesus, eternal sacrifice
have mercy on us
Jesus, divine Victim
have mercy on us
Jesus, Mediator of the new covenant
have mercy on us
Jesus, mystery of the altar
have mercy on us
Jesus, medicine of immortality
have mercy on us
Jesus, pledge of eternal glory
have mercy on us
Jesus, Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us
Jesus, Bearer of our sins, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us
Jesus, Redeemer of the world, you take away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us
Christ, hear us
Christ, hear us
Christ, graciously hear us
Christ, graciously hear us
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
The Real Presence of Jesus
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
The whole world should tremble and heaven rejoice,
when Christ, the Son of the living God,
is present on the altar in the hands of the priest.
What wonderful majesty! What stupendous condescension!
O sublime humility! O humble sublimity!
That the Lord of the whole universe, God and the Son of God,
should humble himself like this and hide under the form of a little bread for our salvation.
Look at God’s condescension, my brothers, and pour out your hearts before him.
Humble yourselves that you may be exalted by him.
Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament
St. Pope John XXIII (1881-1963)
O Jesus, present in the Sacrament of the Altar,
teach all nations to serve you with a willing heart,
knowing that to serve God is to reign.
May your sacrament, O Jesus, be light to the mind,
strength to the will, joy to the heart.
May it be the support for the weak,
the comfort for the suffering,
the wayfaring bread of salvation for the dying,
and, for all, the pledge of future glory.
Prayer in Full Faith
St. Thomas More (1478-1535)
Give me, good Lord, a full and fervent charity,
a love of you, good Lord, incomparable above the love of myself;
and that I love nothing to your displeasure but everything in an order to you.
Take from me, good Lord, this lukewarm fashion,
or rather this cold manner of meditation
and this dullness in praying to you.
And give me warmth, delight, and life in thinking about you.
And give me your grace to long for your hold sacraments,
and specially to rejoice in the presence of your blessed body,
sweet Savior, in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar,
and duly to thank you for your gracious coming.
A Prayer for Deliverance
St. Theresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)
Deliver me, O Jesus, From the desire of being loved, From the desire of being extolled, From the desire of being honored, From the desire of being praised, From the desire of being preferred, From the desire of being consulted, From the desire of being approved, From the desire of being popular, From the fear of being humiliated From the fear of being despised, From the fear of suffering rebukes, From the fear of being culminated, From the fer of being forgotten, From the fear of being wronged, From the fear of being ridiculed, From the fear of being suspected.
Prayer from the Coptic Liturgy
We thank you, O Lord our God, the true Word,
who has loved us and thus gave us yourself as a sacrifice for our redemption,
who has granted us life from your holy body and precious blood,
and who has made us worthy to 10 partake of them.
We confess our sins to you, O God, lover of your creatures,
and send them up to you glory and honor and worship
with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Hymn to the Sacred Heart of Jesus
Edward Caswall (1814-1878)
All you who seek a comfort sure
In trouble and distress,
Whatever sorrow vex the mind,
Or guilt the soul oppress,
Jesus, who gave himself for you
Upon the cross to die,
Opens to you his Sacred Heart;
Oh, to that heart draw nigh.
You hear how kindly he invites;
You hear his words so blest:
“All you that labor come to me,
And I will give you rest.”
Christ Jesus, joy of saints on high,
The hope of sinners here,
Attracted by those loving words
To you we lift our prayer.
Act of Spiritual Communion
St. Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787)
My Jesus, I believe that you are truly present in the most Blessed Sacrament.
I love you above all things and I desire to possess you within my soul.
Since I am unable now to receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace you as being already there, and unite myself wholly to you.
Never, never permit me to be separated from you.
St. Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
I believe that You, O Jesus, are in the most holy Sacrament.
I love You and desire You. Come into my heart. I embrace You. Oh, never leave me.
May the burning and most sweet power of your love, O Lord Jesus Christ, I beseech You, absorb my mind that I may die through love of Your love,
who were graciously pleased to die through love of my love.