O Jesus, Thou art holiness itself and Thou dost hate all evil. Thou art the Lover of innocent souls and Thou dost find pleasure in the pure and sinless heart. Make my heart pure through frequent Holy Communion so that someday my soul may enjoy the blessedness of beholding Thee face to face.

O Lord, I believe that mortal sin is the greatest evil in the world because it turns me away from God—the Source of all life, peace and joy. Mortal sin causes spiritual death. Through it the devil can destroy Thy work of grace in my soul.

My life is a continual warfare against the world, the flesh and the devil - those enemies of my soul that lead me into mortal sin—but Thou hast given me Holy Communion as the most powerful safeguard against them. Thou dost teach me that the main effect of Holy Communion is to preserve and increase the life of Sanctifying Grace in my soul and to guard it against mortal sin. "This is the bread which cometh down from heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die." (John 6:50). Holy Communion also imparts actual graces, which give light and strength: light to my mind, that I may see the evil whkh I must shun, and strength to my will that I may fight against it

Thy Sacred Body, which was born of the Virgin Mary, sanctifies me, and in the time of temptation it helps me to keep my passions under control.

Thy Blood, which washes away the sins of the world, is my refreshment By its divine power I am protected from mortal sin. Everything that surrounds this Sacrament is clean, white and spotless—reminding me that I must war against all sin and impurity.

O Jesus, when I receive Thee into my heart, I become like a tabernacle whkh contains the Blessed Sacrament How chaste my body should be! How can I defile my soul with impure thoughts and desires, much less with sinful actions? Make my words and conversation clean, kind and proper, for my tongue touches Thy most pure Body and serves as a paten on which Thou dost rest I beg Thee to remain close to me

when I am tempted; do not permit any serious sin ever to separate me from Thee. Do no permit me to commit even lesser sins, which would weaken our friendship. Strengthen my soul by the power of Thy grace, that I may courageously resist all evil. I should fear nothing, for I am equipped with the strongest spiritual weapon-Holy Communion. If Thou art with me, who can be against me?

O Jesus, I believe that, after mortal sin, nothing is more terrible than venial sin. It really offends Thine infinite Majesty and brings upon me the punishments of Purgatory. It banishes true joy from my heart, because it draws me away from Thee, my highest Good. Venial sin is an ugly stain which makes my soul displeasing in Thy sight It hinders Thee from enriching me with so many more graces, which could help me to love and serve Thee better. / thank Thee for Holy Communion, which prevents mortal sin from taking root in my soul and which washes away the stains of venial sin, so long as I have no affection for it nor desire to commit it in the future. Thy coming to me awakens new love in my heart and encourages me to live in purity and sinlessness for Thy glory alone.

Sinlessness is a reflection of Thine own Divine beauty. It draws Thy Heart in loving friendship. "He that loveth cleanness of heart—shall have the King for his friend." (Prov.22:l 1). One Holy Communion should be enough to make my soul holy and sinless, and yet, after so many Communions, I have not succeeded in correcting my faults. It is because I have not received Holy Communion with greater fervor and more often, although Thou dost assure me that I cannot keep my soul alive-free from mortal sin-without Holy Communion. "Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you." (John 6:54). Help me often to receive Thy Sacred Flesh and Blood in Holy Communion at the Holy Sacrifice-even daily, if possible—so that my soul may be sinless. With the poor leper I cry out to Thee, "Lord, if thou wilt, thon canst make me clean." Stretch forth Thy hand and touch me also in Holy Communion and say, "I will, be thou made clean." (Man. 8:2-3).

O Jesus, I beg Thee to cleanse and sanctify my body, which is privileged to enshrine The own sacred Body in Holy Communion. Make ft a fitting ciborium for the Victim-Body which was sacrificed to atone for my sins. Wash in Thy redeeming Blood all the sinfulness of my soul\ make my being beautiful with the sinlessness of the angels. Give me all the strength I need to guard the purity of my body and soul, and grant that my conscience may never be defiled by any evil thought, desire, word or deed. Let me rather die than offend Thee by a willful mortal sin. May each Holy Communion be a pledge of my loyalty to Thee, until I am eternally Thine own in Thy heavenly kingdom. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on me! Through Holy Communion make me sinless and pure of heart so that I may see God!

ARE YOU TRYING TO BE SINLESS?

1. Do you hate and shun mortal and venial sin as the greatest evils in the world?

2. Are you in the habit of offending God by any willful thought, word or deed against the virtue of purity?

3. Are you making an honest effort to avoid the occasions of sin and to overcome your main faults?

4. Do you receive Holy Communion every time you attend Mass* because you realize that It is the most powerful means you have of protecting yourself against temptation and sin?

{*Fr. Lovasik is of course referring to Holy Communion received worthily, that is, with one's soul being in the state of grace. If a Catholic is not in the state of grace, he must first confess his mortal sin(s) and receive absolution in the Sacrament of Penance before receiving Communion.)

— NOVENA PRAYER —

Aspiration for the day: O Heart of Love, I place all my trust in Thee; for I fear all things from my own weakness, but I hope for all things from Thy goodness.
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