Invitation to Jesus Before Communion

O JESUS surpassingly sweet, who hast said with thine own gracious lips that thy delights are to be with the children of men, my soul longeth for thee, my heart yearneth now towards thee. Wherefore I invite thee to come unto me with all that devotion and that love wherewith any loving soul hath ever invited thee to itself. Come, then, O most beloved Spouse of my soul; come, O most beloved and only Love of my soul; come and turn aside awhile into the poor and wretched hovel of my heart. Come, thou heavenly Physician, come and heal my stricken soul. Come, O Friend, a thousand-fold above all others beloved, come and enrich my utter poverty.

Come, thou bright and genial Sun, and scatter the thick darkness which hangs upon my soul. Come, thou sweetest Manna, and satisfy my exceeding hunger. Come, O Jesus, incomparable in thy loveliness; come, thou beloved of my heart's vows; come and sup with me in the vile chamber of my heart. And although I have made ready nothing which may beseem thy dazzling magnificence, yet wilt thou find therein one dish of savoury meat such as thou lovest, a will which tends to thee alone, and affections wholly thine.

O thou my only Love, I long for thy coming with most eager desire, I await thy coming with yearning love. O thou fairest of the sons of men, O spring of inexhaustible sweetness, O thou sweeter than all sweetest delights, come, oh, come unto me, and disdain not thy poor and needy servant. Amen.