Prayer Before Communion

“O Lord, I believe and profess that you are truly Christ,
The Son of the living God, who came into the world
To save sinners of whom I am the first. Accept me today as a partaker of your mystical supper, O Son of God,
For I will not reveal your mystery to your enemies, Nor will I give you a kiss as did Judas,
But like the thief I profess to you: Remember me, O Lord, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Master, when you come in your kingdom.
Remember me, O Holy One, when you come in your kingdom. May the partaking of your Holy mysteries, O Lord,
Be not for my judgment or condemnation,
But for the healing of my soul and body. O Lord, I also believe and profess, that this,
Which I am about to receive,
Is truly your most precious Body, and your life-giving Blood,
Which, I pray, make me worthy to receive
For the remission of all my sins and for life everlasting. Amen. O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.
O God, cleanse me of my sins and have mercy on me.
O Lord, forgive me for I have sinned without number.”

This is a beautiful prayer said in our home parish during the Ukrainian Catholic Liturgy of the Hours. We say this prayer as community, as we prepare individually as sinner to approach Jesus, the Greatest Gift of all in the Eucharist. Not just to come and kneel before Him but to take Him, consume Him into our souls.

We beg God in the infinite power of His Eucharist to wash away our sin, all OUR sin and to embolden and empower us to go forth as forever changed saints. We step into the aisle before the Eucharist as Judas, betrayers of the Christ. Though not worthy, we received Him in Bread and Wine to walk away at St. Peter. Forgiven, but not just forgiven. Asked to feed and tend to His flock.

I hope you enjoy this prayer as much as Connie and I do. We have taken it on the Road to every Mass we’ve attended.