Prayer Before Holy Communion
This prayer before Holy Communion prepares your heart to receive the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist—the source and summit of Catholic life. It expresses awe at God's humility in coming to us and asks for the grace to receive Him worthily.
✝Prayer Text
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, I am about to receive Your most sacred Body and Blood in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist. I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Lord, I believe that You are truly present— Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity— under the appearances of bread and wine. Increase my faith, Lord. I believe; help my unbelief. Cleanse my heart of all distraction and sin. Fill me with burning love for You and with charity toward all people. May this Holy Communion draw me closer to You, strengthen me against temptation, nourish my soul for eternal life, and unite me with Your Mystical Body, the Church. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.
⏰When to Pray
Pray before receiving Holy Communion at Mass, during the Communion procession or while kneeling in your pew. Also pray before receiving Communion at Eucharistic celebrations outside of Mass, or before a Communion visit to the homebound.
📖How to Pray
Begin your preparation before Mass by examining your conscience. During Mass, focus on the Liturgy of the Word and the Eucharistic Prayer. As the Communion procession approaches, quiet your heart with this prayer. Receive with reverence, whether on the tongue or in the hand, and return to your pew for thanksgiving.
📜Related Scripture
John 6:55-56
“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in him.”
Matthew 8:8
“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.”
1 Corinthians 11:28
“A person should examine himself, and so eat the bread and drink the cup.”
📚History & Background
The practice of preparing spiritually before Communion dates to the apostolic era. St. Paul warned against receiving unworthily (1 Cor 11:27-29). Saints like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Alphonsus Liguori, and St. Thérèse of Lisieux wrote beautiful Communion prayers. The Church requires a one-hour Eucharistic fast before receiving.
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