TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF MONSEIGNEUR DE LA BOUILLERIE,Archbishop of Perga, Coadjutor of Bordeaux.
The Eucharistic sanctuary is the starting-point of the Saints. It is the ever-fertile field where grows the Corn of the Elect. It is the ever-flowing press whence comes the wine which brings forth virgins.
IV.
I have tried to make you understand the supreme influence which the Eucharist has over prayer. When our prayer has become penetrated by this Eucharistic influence, as by a divine element, it acquires immense value. I distinguish it from all other by calling it especially Eucharistic Prayer.
And, firstly, 0 Christian soul, there are three admirable Eucharistic prayers which I commend to your piety: Holy Mass, Holy Communion, and the visit to the Blessed ' Sacrament.
Holy Mass. I said before that the sacrifice of the altar was itself a sublime prayer. There the Saviour prays at the same time as Victim and as Priest. As Victim, His Blood which flows cries louder than that of the altar, and the perfume of His Prayer is more penetrating, more balmy, more sweet, than that which rises from the censer. As Priest, His Voice, which intercedes, has a more touching harmony, a more sonorous vibration, than the concerted voices of angels and men.
As Victim and Priest, the double note of His Canticle pierces the clouds, and ascends even to God.
So then, 0 Christian soul, when assisting at this sacred mystery, pray as if yourself were victim and priest. Alas, our feeble nature is always a living host, and God provides in each of us a victim for the sacrifice. Endeavour to turn all your sufferings into hymns of love and praise. Then, offering yourself, endeavour to participate in some way in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. —When it is a question of sacrificing ourselves, God has consecrated us all priests.— Take into your hands the chalice of the altar: love to pour into it your tears and your blood! Ah ! I tell you in truth, your sacrifice united with the sacrifice of a God, will become an excellent prayer—the actual prayer of the Eucharist. But if, when assisting at Holy Mass, you pray, ah! how much better still when you receive Holy Communion.
The Eucharistic sanctuary is the starting-point of the Saints. It is the ever-fertile field where grows the Corn of the Elect. It is the ever-flowing press whence comes the wine which brings forth virgins.
IV.
I have tried to make you understand the supreme influence which the Eucharist has over prayer. When our prayer has become penetrated by this Eucharistic influence, as by a divine element, it acquires immense value. I distinguish it from all other by calling it especially Eucharistic Prayer.
And, firstly, 0 Christian soul, there are three admirable Eucharistic prayers which I commend to your piety: Holy Mass, Holy Communion, and the visit to the Blessed ' Sacrament.
Holy Mass. I said before that the sacrifice of the altar was itself a sublime prayer. There the Saviour prays at the same time as Victim and as Priest. As Victim, His Blood which flows cries louder than that of the altar, and the perfume of His Prayer is more penetrating, more balmy, more sweet, than that which rises from the censer. As Priest, His Voice, which intercedes, has a more touching harmony, a more sonorous vibration, than the concerted voices of angels and men.
As Victim and Priest, the double note of His Canticle pierces the clouds, and ascends even to God.
So then, 0 Christian soul, when assisting at this sacred mystery, pray as if yourself were victim and priest. Alas, our feeble nature is always a living host, and God provides in each of us a victim for the sacrifice. Endeavour to turn all your sufferings into hymns of love and praise. Then, offering yourself, endeavour to participate in some way in the Priesthood of Jesus Christ. —When it is a question of sacrificing ourselves, God has consecrated us all priests.— Take into your hands the chalice of the altar: love to pour into it your tears and your blood! Ah ! I tell you in truth, your sacrifice united with the sacrifice of a God, will become an excellent prayer—the actual prayer of the Eucharist. But if, when assisting at Holy Mass, you pray, ah! how much better still when you receive Holy Communion.
