Priest’s Prayer Before Liturgy

Lord Jesus, I beseech Thy forgiveness for the unworthy way in which I have so often dared to offer Thy Sacrifice at Thy holy Altar. I have served at Thine Altar with distractions, with a lack of conviction, with guilty thoughts, and with a divided will. I have deserved, indeed I shall always deserve, to be struck down on the spot by fire from heaven. Send that fire, Lord; for I willingly accept even that it destroy me, if beforehand it can kindle and purify my heart. I have no other refuge than the Chalice which holds Thy holy and precious Blood. I presume to drink from that Chalice. Consume me, O Lord. Let nothing of the old, sinful man remain within me. If I am concerned with myself alone, I drink to mine own judgment and condemnation. If it is Thou whom I contemplate — Thou upon the Cross — then I receive, trembling, yet with hope, the holy and precious Blood which flows from Thy saving wounds. And Lord, however unworthy I may be, I beseech Thee to accept those who receive from my hands Thy holy, precious, and immaculate Body and Blood. Receive them unto Thyself for their salvation, O Lord, and grant that they may carry within themselves, far beyond our parish and community, and to all those whose lives they touch, the fruits of peace and love that flow forth from Thy Eucharistic side. O my Redeemer, forgive and sanctify me. Amen.