Resignation

Act of Resignation to the Divine Will
 
O Lord my God, I now at this moment, readily and willingly accept at Thy hand whatever kind of death it may please Thee to send me, with all its pains, penalties and sorrows.

Something of a revelation:

The first time I read this prayer was in the mid-1980’s when I first began attending the Tridentine Mass.  The prayer impressed me very much.  I was young and always had a fear of death.  

Just this night, I paused before the Crucifix.  This prayer came to me and with it the realization that Our Lord sends many types of death.  Yes, we all die, of course, but He desires that we die to ourselves so that He may live in us.  Obvious, I know, but …. all this time, this prayer has been about accepting physical death, in whatever way He desires.  It is now so much more, which is the death and dying which I have resisted for so long.  I have not truly died to self, to sin.  Having now some experience with near-death, I can say that dying to oneself is so much more difficult.  So many pains, penalties, and sorrows!

Spiritual Communion prayer

I do not remember where I found this prayer, 

but offer it here for your edification.

An Act of Spiritual Communion

My dear Lord and Savior!  Though I am but a sinful servant, I approach Thee with confidence, for Thou hast said in Thy goodness and mercy:  “Come to Me all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you.”  Thou wilt not despise a contrite a humble heart.  I am truly sorry for having offended Thee by my sins, because Thou art infinitely good.  I have wounded Thy Sacred Heart by foolishly resisting Thy holy will and transgressing Thy commandments; but I love Thee now with my whole heart and above all things.  I adore Thee truly present on the altar.  I have a great desire, dear Jesus, to receive Thee in holy communion, and since I cannot now approach the Holy Table to be united to Thee in the Blessed Sacrament, I beseech Thee most earnestly to come to me at least spiritually and to refresh my soul with the sweetness of Thy grace.

Come, my Lord, my God, and my All!  Come to me, and let me never again be separated from Thee by sin.  I wish to become like to Thee.  Teach me Thy blessed ways; help me with Thy grace to practice meekness, humility, purity, charity, and all the virtues of Thy Sacred Heart.

Oh, Thou Lamb of God! Who takest away the sins of the world, take away from me whatever may hurt me and displease Thee.  With St. Francis of Assissi I Pray:  May the fire of Thy love consume my soul, so that I may die to self and the world for love of The, Who vouchsafed to die on the cross for love of me!

Jesus, I consecrate to Thee my heart with all its affections, my soul with all its powers, and my body with all its senses.  In union with Thee I will love and labor and suffer to do the heavenly Father’s will.  I will ever be mindful of the presence of my God and strive to be perfect.  Bless me in life and in death that I may praise Thee forever in heaven.  Amen.