IV. A few words of advice on frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
In order to derive all the benefit we can, from frequent visits to the Blessed Sacrament, we shall do well to observe what follows
1. We should never enter the Church, but with great modesty. This should be a visible proof of our faith, and of the reverence we feel for the holiness of the place. For this, it is enough, to reflect on what we are doing. A humble and respectful posture, a modest countenance, accompanied by interior recollection, are very necessary dispositions for receiving signal favours from Jesus Christ.
2. Our vocal prayers, should be short; but tender and affectionate. The simplest and least studied are best suited to one who speaks from the heart.
3. Though all times are seasonable for rendering our homage to Jesus Christ, there are certain hoars of the day, and certain days in the year, in which our visits are most pleasing to Him. Such are, the morning for religious persons and ecclesiastics, who have the Blessed Sacrament in their own house, and the afternoon for all kinds of persons. It is difficult to express the advantages gained by those who are diligent in being the first to visit the Blessed Sacrament on rising. The eagerness we show in going at once to adore the Blessed Sacrament, and in being the first to offer Him our homage, pleases Him exceedingly. It is very dear, that, were a servant, a friend, or a child, to show the same eagerness in our regard, we should be deeply touched by it. We may judge then, what must be the effect produced in the Heart of our Divine Lord. This . fervour and exactness oblige Him to grant us during the day, the special graces we need, in the exercise of our employments and on various occasions. Weak and imperfect souls, who have hardly any love for Jesus Christ, never manifest this eagerness for any length of time, though it is so reasonable and just. For it is as much the effect, as the cause, of a most ardent love of Jesus Christ. The afternoon is also a very suitable time for receiving great benefits from our loving Saviour, and for showing Him our love: especially at certain hours when He is almost forgotten, and is very rarely visited. It is neither the crowd that draws us thither at that time, nor custom that impels us. The love of Jesus Christ must be our chief motive. It is this that obliges Jesus Christ to be so liberal during these visits. It is during them that many great Saints have received those singular graces, which have conducted them in a short time to the highest perfection. Besides Feasts, which are especially consecrated to the service of God, there are certain days in the year, on which it is most useful to visit Jesus Christ, more assiduously than usual. Such are days devoted by the world to amusement. The carnival; times of public joy, and other similar occasions, with which the greater part of the world are wholly taken up, may be turned to great account by such as are generous and faithful enough to consecrate them particularly to Jesus Christ. One single mark, such as this, of love and fidelity, has proved the first source of the sublime perfection, attained by some of the greatest Saints.
We must not depart from before the Blessed Sacrament before saying to Jesus Christ, in the words of Jacob: Non dimittam te, nisi benedixeris mihi (Gen. xxxii. 26): My Saviour, I will not leave Thee until Thou hast given me Thy blessing.
We should entertain so great a respect for everything consecrated to Jesus Christ, especially for the place where He dwells, that nothing should ever make us relax on this point. We should never, under any pretext, fail to maintain that respect and silence which are so carefully observed in the houses of the great. Let us never forget, each time we visit Jesus Christ, to honour His Sacred Heart by some special act of homage. Let us offer Him our hearts, that they may be so completely united to His, as of two hearts to form but one.
Finally, all in general may be told that the great means of becoming recollected, spiritual, and solidly virtuous, is frequently to visit Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. If we would make these visits with profit, we must make them like persons who really believe that they are visiting Jesus Christ. We must act towards Him with great respect, simplicity, and confidence, speak little, listen to Him attentively, and love Him much.
Keep the Faith!
