THE SEVEN CHURCHES VISITATION

(VISITA IGLESIA)
Meditations for each Station Church are from various sections
taken from the writings of Saint Alphonsus Liguori (The Passion
and Death of Jesus Christ). Scripture quotes are from Sacred Bible:
Catholic Public Domain Version.

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 P REPARATORY P RAYER
(To be said at the beginning of each Station Church visit)

O Jesus, my God, my Saviour, true God and true Man,

with that most profound homage with which the faith
itself inspires me, I adore and love Thee with my whole heart,
enclosed in the most august Sacrament of the Altar, in
reparation for all the acts of irreverence, profanation, and
sacrilege, which I may ever have been so unhappy as to have
committed, as well as for all such like acts that ever have been
done, or which may be done, though God forbid they should
be, in ages yet to come. I adore Thee, therefore, my God, not
indeed as Thou deserves, nor as much as I am bound to adore,
but as far as I am able; and I would that I could adore Thee
with all the perfection of which all reasonable persons are
capable.

M eantime I purpose now and ever to adore Thee, not only

for those Catholics who adore Thee not, and love Thee
not, but also in the stead of, and for the conversion of all
heretics, schismatics, impious atheists, blasphemers, impostors,
Mohammedans, Jews, and idolaters. Jesus, my God, mayest
Thou be ever known, adored, loved, and praised every
moment, in the most holy and divine Sacrament. Amen.

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4
 T HE F I R S T S T A T I O N C H UR C H
Archbasilica of Saint John of Lateran

J ESUS IN THE G ARDEN OF G ETHSEMANE

(Luke 22:39-48)

A nd departing, he went out, according to his custom, to the

Mount of Olives. And his disciples also followed him.
And when he had arrived at the place, he said to them: “Pray,
lest you enter into temptation.” And he was separated from
them by about a stone’s throw. And kneeling down, he prayed,
saying: “Father, if you are willing, take this chalice away from
me. Yet truly, let not my will, but yours, be done.” Then an
Angel appeared to him from heaven, strengthening him. And
being in agony, he prayed more intensely; and so his sweat
became like drops of blood, running down to the ground. And
when he had risen up from prayer and had gone to his
disciples, he found them sleeping out of sorrow. And he said to
them: “Why are you sleeping? Rise up, pray, lest you enter into
temptation.” While he was still speaking, behold, a crowd
arrived. And he who is called Judas, one of the twelve, went
ahead of them and approached Jesus, in order to kiss him. And
Jesus said to him, “Judas, do you betray the Son of man with a
kiss?” (Luke 22:39 – 48).

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 MEDITATION

M y Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me”.

Thus Jesus prayed. “My Father”, he says, if it be
possible, save me from drinking this bitter chalice. But he
prayed thus not so much to be delivered from the torments that
he was to endure, as to make us understand the pain which he
suffered and embraced for the love of us. He prayed thus, also,
to teach us that in tribulations we may ask God to deliver us
from them, but that we should at the same time conform
entirely to his divine will, and say with him, “Nevertheless, not
as I will, but as Thou wilt”. Yes, my Jesus, Thy will, not mine,
be done. I embrace all the crosses that Thou wilt send me.
Thou, innocent as Thou art, hast suffered so much for love of
me; it is but just that I, who am a sinner, and deserving of hell,
should suffer for love of Thee that which Thou dost ordain. My
Jesus, by that pain which Thou didst experience at seeing
Thyself betrayed by Judas with a kiss, give me the grace to be
ever faithful unto Thee, and never more to betray Thee, as I
have done in time past. And thee, most holy Virgin, and my
Mother Mary, by that sword which pierced thine heart, do I
pray to assist me in the hour of my death, that so I may come
to praise thee and to thank thee in paradise for all the graces
that thou hast obtained for me from God.

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 CLOSING PRAYER

L ord Jesus, Who has chosen to expose Thyself to all the

outrages of the impious rather than withdraw Thy Sacred
Body from our churches, grant us the grace to bewail, with true
bitterness of heart, the injuries and sacrileges committed
against Thee, and to repair as far as lies in our power, and with
sincere love, the many ignominies and contempts Thou have
received, and still continue to receive, in this ineffable mystery,
Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

(Proceed to the Next Station Church)

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 T HE S E C O N D S T A T I O N C H UR C H
Saint Peter’s Basilica

J ESUS IS T AKEN TO THE H OUSE OF A NNAS

(John 18:12-13; 19-24)

T hen the cohort, and the tribune, and the attendants of the
Jews apprehended Jesus and bound him. And they led
him away, first to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of
Caiaphas, who was the high priest that year. Then the high
priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his
doctrine. Jesus responded to him: “I have spoken openly to the
world. I have always taught in the synagogue and in the
temple, where all the Jews meet. And I have said nothing in
secret. Why do you question me? Question those who heard
what I said to them. Behold, they know these things that I have
said.” Then, when he had said this, one of the attendants
standing nearby struck Jesus, saying: “Is this the way you
answer the high priest?” Jesus answered him: “If I have spoken
wrongly, offer testimony about the wrong. But if I have spoken
correctly, then why do you strike me?” And Annas sent him
bound to Caiaphas, the high priest.

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 MEDITATION

T he impious Annas interrogates Jesus regarding his

disciples and doctrine, in order to find some grounds of
condemnation against him. He appeals to the testimony of his
very enemies. But after an answer so just and meek, an insolent
servant rushes forward through the crowd, and, as if to chastise
him for his insolence to Annas, gives him a severe blow on the
cheek. The unworthy pontiff sees it, and instead of rebuking
the guilty servant, remains silent, and by his silence approves of
his conduct. O my amiable Redeemer, Thou dost submit to all
these affronts in order to atone for the insults that I have
offered to the divine majesty by my sins. O, pardon me through
the merit of the insults Thou hast suffered for my sake. My
Jesus, by that pain which Thou didst feel at seeing Thyself
bound like a culprit to be taken before the judges, I pray Thee
to bind me to Thyself by the sweet chains of holy love, that so I
may nevermore see myself separated from Thee, my only
good. And thee, most holy Virgin, and my Mother Mary, by
that sword which pierced thine heart, do I pray to assist me in
the hour of my death, that so I may come to praise thee and to
thank thee in paradise for all the graces that thou hast obtained
for me from God.

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 CLOSING PRAYER

L ord Jesus, Who has chosen to expose Thyself to all the

outrages of the impious rather than withdraw Thy Sacred
Body from our churches, grant us the grace to bewail, with true
bitterness of heart, the injuries and sacrileges committed
against Thee, and to repair as far as lies in our power, and with
sincere love, the many ignominies and contempts Thou have
received, and still continue to receive, in this ineffable mystery,
Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

(Proceed to the Next Station Church)

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 T HE T HI R D S T A T I O N C HU R C H
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls

J ESUS IS TAKEN TO THE HOUSE OF

C AIAPHAS , THE H IGH P RIEST
(Matthew 26:57-59; 63-68)

B ut those who were holding Jesus led him to Caiaphas, the

high priest, where the scribes and the elders had joined
together. Then the leaders of the priests and the entire council
sought false testimony against Jesus, so that they might deliver
him to death. But Jesus was silent. And the high priest said to
him, “I bind you by an oath to the living God to tell us if you
are the Christ, the Son of God.” Jesus said to him: “You have
said it. Yet truly I say to you, hereafter you shall see the Son of
man sitting at the right hand of the power of God, and coming
on the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his
garments, saying: “He has blasphemed. Why do we still need
witnesses? Behold, you have now heard the blasphemy. How
does it seem to you?” So they responded by saying, “He is
guilty unto death.” Then they spit in his face, and they struck
him with fists. And others struck his face with the palms of
their hands, saying: “Prophesy for us, O Christ. Who is the one
that struck you?”

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 MEDITATION

W hen asked in the name of God, Jesus confessed the

truth, saying, “I am. And you shall see the Son of
Man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming
with the clouds of heaven”… And you shall one day see Me,
not in the lowliness in which I now appear, but seated as on a
throne of majesty, on the clouds of heaven, with power to
judge all men. At these words, Caiaphas, instead of falling
prostrate on his face to adore his God and his judge, rends his
garments and together with the other priests, pronounce the
sentence of death. Then they all begin to maltreat him, as a
criminal already condemned to death, and deserving of all
kinds of reproaches. My Jesus, on that night Thou didst not
repose; no, Thou wast the object of the derision and cruelty of
that ferocious rabble. My Jesus, by all those insults, buffetings,
and spittings which Thou didst on that night suffer in the house
of Caiaphas, give me the strength to suffer in peace, for love of
Thee, all the affronts which I shall meet with from men. And
thee, most holy Virgin, and my Mother Mary, by that sword
which pierced thine heart, do I pray to assist me in the hour of
my death, that so I may come to praise thee and to thank thee
in paradise for all the graces that thou hast obtained for me
from God.

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 CLOSING PRAYER

L ord Jesus, Who has chosen to expose Thyself to all the

outrages of the impious rather than withdraw Thy Sacred
Body from our churches, grant us the grace to bewail, with true
bitterness of heart, the injuries and sacrileges committed
against Thee, and to repair as far as lies in our power, and with
sincere love, the many ignominies and contempts Thou have
received, and still continue to receive, in this ineffable mystery,
Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

(Proceed to the Next Station Church)

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 T HE F O UR T H S T A T I O N C H UR C H
Basilica of Saint Mary Major

J ESUS IS TAKEN TO THE P RAETORIUM OF

THE R OMAN G OVERNOR P ONTIUS P ILATE
(John 18:28-38)

T hen they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the praetorium.

Now it was morning, and so they did not enter into the
praetorium, so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the
Passover. Therefore, Pilate went outside to them, and he said,
“What accusation are you bringing against this man?” They
responded and said to him, “If he were not an evil-doer, we
would not have handed him over to you.” Therefore, Pilate
said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to
your own law.” Then the Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for
us to execute anyone.” This was so that the word of Jesus
would be fulfilled, which he spoke signifying what kind of
death he would die. Then Pilate entered the praetorium again,
and he called Jesus and said to him, “You are the king of the
Jews?” Jesus responded, “Are you saying this of yourself, or
have others spoken to you about me?” Pilate responded: “Am I
a Jew? Your own nation and the high priests have handed you
over to me. What have you done?” Jesus responded: “My
kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this

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world, my ministers would certainly strive so that I would not
be handed over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not now from
here.” And so Pilate said to him, “You are a king, then?” Jesus
answered, “You are saying that I am a king. For this I was
born, and for this I came into the world: so that I may offer
testimony to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my
voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”.

MEDITATION

A fter having asked many questions as well of the Jews as of

our Redeemer, Pilate felt convinced that Jesus was
innocent, and that the accusations were all calumnies. Hence
he went out and told the Jews that he found no grounds for
condemnation against him. But afterwards, seeing that the
Jews were so intent on the death of Jesus, and hearing that he
was from Galilee, Pilate, in order to get rid of his
embarrassment, sent Him away to Herod. O my Jesus! By that
humiliation which Thou didst feel at being taken before Pilate,
I pray Thee to bestow upon me the grace of true humility, that
I may humble myself to all, especially to such as treat me with
contempt. And thee, most holy Virgin, and my Mother Mary,
by that sword which pierced thine heart, do I pray to assist me
in the hour of my death, that so I may come to praise thee and

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to thank thee in paradise for all the graces that thou hast
obtained for me from God.

CLOSING PRAYER

L ord Jesus, Who has chosen to expose Thyself to all the

outrages of the impious rather than withdraw Thy Sacred
Body from our churches, grant us the grace to bewail, with true
bitterness of heart, the injuries and sacrileges committed
against Thee, and to repair as far as lies in our power, and with
sincere love, the many ignominies and contempts Thou have
received, and still continue to receive, in this ineffable mystery,
Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

(Proceed to the Next Station Church)

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 T HE F I F T H S T A T I O N C HU R C H
Basilica of Saint Lawrence Outside the Walls

J ESUS IS TAKEN TO THE C OURT OF H EROD

A NTIPAS , T ETRARCH OF G ALILEE
(Luke 23:4-12)

T hen Pilate said to the leaders of the priests and to the

crowds, “I find no case against this man.” But they
continued more intensely, saying: “He has stirred up the
people, teaching throughout all of Judea, beginning from
Galilee, even to this place.” But Pilate, upon hearing Galilee,
asked if the man were of Galilee. And when he realized that he
was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him away to Herod,
who was himself also at Jerusalem in those days. Then Herod,
upon seeing Jesus, was very glad. For he had been wanting to
see him for a long time, because he had heard so many things
about him, and he was hoping to see some kind of sign
wrought by him. Then he questioned him with many words.
But he gave him no response at all. And the leaders of the
priests, and the scribes, stood firm in persistently accusing him.
Then Herod, with his soldiers, scorned him. And he ridiculed
him, clothing him in a white garment. And he sent him back to

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Pilate. And Herod and Pilate became friends on that day. For
previously they were enemies to one another.

MEDITATION

H erod was delighted to see Jesus Christ in his court; he

hoped that our Lord would perform some miracles in his
presence. But Herod felt indignant at the silence of Jesus, and
regarding Him as a fool, and after having treated Him with
contempt and mockery, he sent Him back to Pilate. O
Christians! Behold how the world treats the Eternal Wisdom!
My Jesus, by that ridicule which Thou didst receive from
Herod being treated as a fool, give me the grace to endure with
patience all that men shall say of me, treating me as base,
senseless, or wicked. And thee, most holy Virgin, and my
Mother Mary, by that sword which pierced thine heart, do I
pray to assist me in the hour of my death, that so I may come
to praise thee and to thank thee in paradise for all the graces
that thou hast obtained for me from God.

CLOSING PRAYER

L ord Jesus, Who has chosen to expose Thyself to all the

outrages of the impious rather than withdraw Thy Sacred
Body from our churches, grant us the grace to bewail, with true
bitterness of heart, the injuries and sacrileges committed

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against Thee, and to repair as far as lies in our power, and with
sincere love, the many ignominies and contempts Thou have
received, and still continue to receive, in this ineffable mystery,
Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

(Proceed to the Next Station Church)

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 T HE S I XT H S T A T I O N C HU R C H
Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem

J ESUS IS TAKEN BACK TO THE P RAETORIUM

(Luke 23:13-24)

A nd Pilate, calling together the leaders of the priests, and

the magistrates, and the people, said to them: “You have
brought before me this man, as one who disturbs the people.
And behold, having questioned him before you, I find no case
against this man, in those things about which you accuse him.
And neither did Herod. For I sent you all to him, and behold,
nothing deserving of death was recorded about him. Therefore,
I will chastise him and release him.” Now he was required to
release one person for them on the feast day. But the entire
crowd exclaimed together, saying: “Take this one, and release
to us Barabbas!” Now he had been cast into prison because of a
certain sedition that occurred in the city and for murder. Then
Pilate spoke to them again, wanting to release Jesus. But they
shouted in response, saying: “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Then
he said to them a third time: “Why? What evil has he done? I
find no case against him for death. Therefore, I will chastise
him and release him.” But they persisted, with loud voices, in
demanding that he be crucified. And their voices increased in
intensity. And so Pilate issued a judgment granting their
petition.

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 MEDITATION

B ehold the unjust sentence of death is read in the presence

of our condemned Lord. My Jesus, by that outrage which
Thou didst receive from the Jews in seeing Thyself placed after
Barabbas, give me the grace to suffer with patience the
dishonour of seeing myself placed after others. O my beloved
Redeemer, Thou dost accept the death due to me, and by Thy
death dost obtain life for me. I thank Thee for it, O my love,
and I hope to go one day to praise Thy mercies forever in
heaven But since Thou, an innocent, dost accept the death of
the cross, I, a sinner, cheerfully accept the death Thou dost
appoint for me, and I accept it with all the pains that shall
accompany it; and from this moment I offer it to Thy Eternal
Father, in union with Thy holy death. Thou hast died for the
love of me; I wish to die for the love of Thee. And thee, most
holy Virgin, and my Mother Mary, by that sword which
pierced thine heart, do I pray to assist me in the hour of my
death, that so I may come to praise thee and to thank thee in
paradise for all the graces that thou hast obtained for me from
God.

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 CLOSING PRAYER

L ord Jesus, Who has chosen to expose Thyself to all the

outrages of the impious rather than withdraw Thy Sacred
Body from our churches, grant us the grace to bewail, with true
bitterness of heart, the injuries and sacrileges committed
against Thee, and to repair as far as lies in our power, and with
sincere love, the many ignominies and contempts Thou have
received, and still continue to receive, in this ineffable mystery,
Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

(Proceed to the Next Station Church)

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 T HE S E VE N T H S T A T I O N C H UR C H
Basilica of Saint Sebastian Outside the Walls

J ESUS IS LED FROM THE

P RAETORIUM TO C ALVARY
(John 19:16-20; 28-30)

A nd they took Jesus and led him away. And carrying his
own cross, he went forth to the place which is called
Calvary, but in Hebrew it is called the Place of the Skull. There
they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side,
with Jesus in the middle. Then Pilate also wrote a title, and he
set it above the cross. And it was written: JESUS THE
NAZARENE, KING OF THE JEWS. Therefore, many of the Jews
read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was close
to the city. And it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in
Latin. After this, Jesus knew that all had been accomplished,
so in order that the Scripture might be completed, he said, “I
thirst.” And there was a container placed there, full of vinegar.
Then, placing a sponge full of vinegar around hyssop, they
brought it to his mouth. Then Jesus, when he had received the
vinegar, said: “It is consummated.” And bowing down his
head, he surrendered his spirit.

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 MEDITATION

O my Jesus, with what sentiments of love for me didst

Thou then go to Calvary, where Thou wast to con
summate the great sacrifice of Thy life! My soul, do thou also
embrace thy cross for the love of Jesus, who suffers so much
for thy sake. My Jesus, by the pain which Thou didst suffer in
carrying Thy cross on Thy journey to Calvary, give me the
grace to suffer with patience all my crosses in this life. My
Jesus, by that great sorrow which Thou didst feel when Thy
most holy soul, when Thou wast expiring, separated itself from
Thy most sacred body, give me the grace to breathe forth my
soul in the hour of my death, offering up my sorrow then to
Thee, together with an act of perfect love, that so I may go to
love Thee in heaven, face to face, with all my strength, and for
all eternity. And thee, most holy Virgin, and my Mother Mary,
by that sword which pierced thine heart, do I pray to assist me
in the hour of my death, that so I may come to praise thee and
to thank thee in paradise for all the graces that thou hast
obtained for me from God.

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 CLOSING PRAYER

L ord Jesus, Who has chosen to expose Thyself to all the

outrages of the impious rather than withdraw Thy Sacred
Body from our churches, grant us the grace to bewail, with true
bitterness of heart, the injuries and sacrileges committed
against Thee, and to repair as far as lies in our power, and with
sincere love, the many ignominies and contempts Thou have
received, and still continue to receive, in this ineffable mystery,
Who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the
Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

THE LITANY OF REPARATION

IN THE BLESSED SACRAMENT

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
God the Holy Spirit, Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us*.

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Sacred Host, offered for the salvation of sinners*,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, annihilated on the altar for us and by us,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, despised by lukewarm Christians,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, mark of contradiction,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, delivered over to Jews and heretics,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, insulted by blasphemers,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, Bread of angels, given to animals,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, flung into the mud and trampled underfoot,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, dishonoured by unfaithful priests,
Have mercy on us
Sacred Host, forgotten and abandoned in Thy churches,
Have mercy on us

Be merciful unto us, Pardon us, O Lord.

Be merciful unto us, Hear us, O Lord.

For the outrageous contempt of this most wonderful

Sacrament, We offer Thee our reparation.

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For Thine extreme humiliation in Thine admirable Sacrament,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For all unworthy Communions,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the irreverences of wicked Christians,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the profanation of Thy sanctuaries,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the holy ciboriums dishonoured and carried away by force,
We offer Thee our reparation.

For the continual blasphemies of impious men,

We offer Thee our reparation.
For the obduracy and treachery of heretics,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the unworthy conversations carried on in Thy holy
temples,
We offer Thee our reparation.
For the profaners of Thy churches
which they have desecrated by their sacrileges,
We offer Thee our reparation.

That it may please Thee to increase in all Christians

the reverence due to this adorable Mystery,
we beseech Thee, hear us.

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That it may please Thee to manifest the Sacrament
of Thy Love to heretics,
we beseech Thee, hear us.

That it may please Thee to grant us

the grace to atone for their hatred
by our burning love for Thee,
we beseech Thee, hear us.

That it may please Thee

that the insults of those who outrage Thee
may rather be directed against ourselves,
we beseech Thee, hear us.

That it may please Thee graciously

to receive this our humble reparation,
we beseech Thee, hear us.

That it may please Thee to make our adoration acceptable to

Thee, we beseech Thee, hear us.

Pure Host, hear our prayer.

Holy Host, hear our prayer.
Immaculate Host, hear our prayer.

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Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Graciously hear us, O Lord.

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,

Have mercy on us.

Lord, have mercy on us.

Christ, have mercy on us.

V. See, O Lord, our affliction,

R. And give glory to Thy Holy Name.

Let Us Pray.

O Lord Jesus Christ,

Who dost deign to remain with us
in Thy wonderful Sacrament to the end of the world,
in order to give to Thy Father,
by the memory of Thy Passion, eternal glory,
and to give to us the Bread of life everlasting:
Grant us the grace to mourn,
with a heart full of sorrow,
over the injuries which Thou hast received

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in this adorable Mystery,
and over the many sacrileges
which are committed by the impious,
by heretics and by bad Catholics.

Inflame us with an ardent zeal

to repair all these insults to which,
in Thine infinite mercy,
Thou hast preferred to expose Thyself
rather than deprive us of Thy Presence on our altars,
Who with God the Father
and the Holy Spirit
livest and reignest one God,
world without end. Amen.

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