The Ave Verum Corpus is a short medieval Eucharistic hymn, probably from the fourteenth century, that greets Jesus truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. It was traditionally sung at the elevation of the Host during Mass, and it is famous today through the musical settings of Mozart, Byrd, and Elgar. In just a few lines, it connects the Eucharist to the Incarnation, the Cross, and our own death. Pray it during Eucharistic adoration, after receiving Holy Communion, at Benedic

During Benediction, adore and ask blessing from Jesus in the monstrance. The Prayer O God, Who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion; grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy Redemption. Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. Blessed be God. Blessed be His holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Bl

Eucharistic aspirations are short acts of praise to Jesus truly present in the Most Holy Sacrament. "O Sacrament most holy" in particular has been sung and recited for generations and is often said at Benediction, during adoration, and at the close of a Holy Hour. These lines are easy to memorize and can be prayed at any moment: when you pass a Catholic church, as you genuflect before the tabernacle, while waiting in line for Communion, or during your thanksgiving after Mass.

The Luminous Mysteries contemplate Christ's public life. Titles below may be prayed with the usual Rosary structure. The Prayer 1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan 2. The Wedding Feast at Cana 3. The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God 4. The Transfiguration 5. The Institution of the Holy Eucharist Pray each decade with Our Father, ten Hail Marys, Glory Be, and Fatima prayer, meditating on the mystery. Traditional Gospel titles for the Luminous Mysteries; public-domain Gospe

On Corpus Christi the Church rejoices in the Real Presence. Adore Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. The Prayer O God, Who under a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a memorial of Thy Passion: grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of Thy Body and Blood, that we may ever feel within ourselves the fruit of Thy redemption. Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen. Traditional Corpus Christi collect; classic English, public domain. If these prayers help

A "visit" to the Blessed Sacrament is simply stopping into a church or chapel, outside of Mass, to spend a few minutes with Jesus present in the tabernacle. St. Alphonsus Liguori wrote a whole book of such visits, and generations of Catholics have made the practice part of their day on the way to work, school, or home. This short prayer thanks Our Lord for His presence and asks never to be separated from Him. Pray it when you kneel before the tabernacle, look for the sanctuar

When the Blessed Sacrament is exposed in the monstrance, the Church invites us to stop and simply look at Jesus, truly present in the Host, and let Him look at us. Many parishes offer Eucharistic adoration weekly or even perpetually, and a short prayer helps settle the heart when you first kneel down. This traditional act of adoration asks for an increase in the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. Pray it when you arrive at adoration, at the start of a Holy

The Divine Praises were composed in 1797 by an Italian Jesuit, Fr. Luigi Felici, as an act of reparation for blasphemy and profanity. Over the following century and a half, popes added new lines honoring the Immaculate Conception, the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph, the Assumption, the Precious Blood, and the Holy Spirit. Each line begins with "Blessed be," turning the heart toward God in simple praise. The Divine Praises are traditionally prayed or sung at Benediction of the Bless

When we cannot receive Holy Communion, whether because of illness, distance, travel, or some other reason, the Church encourages us to make a spiritual communion: an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and to welcome Him into our hearts. St. Thomas Aquinas described it as a desire for the Sacrament, and the Council of Trent praised it. The form given here is based on the well-known prayer of St. Alphonsus Liguori. Pray it while watching a livestreamed Mass, during

The Beloved Disciple rested on the Heart of Jesus. Ask him for love of the Word. The Prayer O glorious Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, who wast so highly favored by Jesus as to rest upon His Sacred Heart, and to whom He entrusted His Blessed Mother, obtain for me a great love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and a tender devotion to Mary. Amen. Sources: Traditional prayer to St. John; classic manuals, public domain. If these prayers help you, you can support Daily Cathol

The Anima Christi, "Soul of Christ, sanctify me," dates from the early fourteenth century. Its author is unknown, though it was long associated with St. Ignatius of Loyola, who loved it and placed it at the beginning of his Spiritual Exercises. Each short line turns to a part of Christ's sacred humanity, His Soul, Body, Blood, the water from His side, and His Passion, and asks for grace from it. It is traditionally prayed after receiving Holy Communion, as a thanksgiving whil

After receiving Holy Communion, the Church encourages a few minutes of quiet thanksgiving, while Christ is sacramentally present within us. This traditional prayer thanks God the Father for refreshing us with the Body and Blood of His Son and asks that Communion bring not judgment but salvation and health of soul and body. It echoes St. Paul's warning to receive the Lord worthily (1 Corinthians 11:27-29). Pray it in the pew after Communion or after the final blessing, before

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered for four great purposes, often called the four ends of the Mass: adoration of God, thanksgiving for His benefits, satisfaction for sin, and petition for our needs. This short prayer before Mass names each of them and asks for the grace to take part with attention, reverence, and devotion, for the salvation of the living and the dead. Pray it in the pew before Mass begins, after a moment of silence, or on the way to church. Arriving a

After receiving Our Lord, linger in thanksgiving with this traditional prayer. The Prayer My good Jesus, I thank Thee with all my heart for giving Thyself to me in this Holy Communion. May Thy holy Body and Blood increase my faith, strengthen my hope, and inflame my charity. Take entire possession of me, that I may live only for Thee. Keep me from all sin, and make me persevere in Thy love until death. Amen. Traditional prayer after Communion; classic manuals, public domain.

Approach the altar with this traditional prayer of faith, humility, and desire. The Prayer O Lord Jesus Christ, King of everlasting glory, behold I desire to come to Thee this day, and to receive Thy Body and Blood in this heavenly Sacrament, for Thy honor and glory, and the good of my soul. I desire to receive Thee, because it is Thy desire, and Thou hast so ordained: blessed be Thy Name forever. I desire to come to Thee like Magdalen, that I may be delivered from all my evi

When unable to receive sacramentally, this act of desire expresses longing for Jesus in the Eucharist. The Prayer My Jesus, I believe that Thou art present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love Thee above all things, and I desire to receive Thee into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive Thee sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace Thee as if Thou wert already there and unite myself wholly to Thee. Never permit me to be separated from Thee. Ame

Pange Lingua glorifies the Eucharist and the Passion. This traditional English excerpt is suitable for Eucharistic devotion. The Prayer Sing, my tongue, the Savior's glory, Of His Flesh the mystery sing; Of the Blood, all price exceeding, Shed by our immortal King, Destined, for the world's redemption, From a virgin's womb to spring. Of a pure and spotless Virgin Born for us on earth below, He, as Man with man conversing, Stayed, the seeds of truth to sow; Then He closed in s

Adoro Te Devote is St. Thomas Aquinas's hymn of Eucharistic adoration. This traditional English form is found in classic hymnals. The Prayer Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, Masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more, See, Lord, at Thy service low lies here a heart Lost, all lost in wonder at the God Thou art. Seeing, touching, tasting are in Thee deceived: How says trusty hearing? that shall be believed; What God's Son has told me, take for truth I do; Trut

Tantum Ergo concludes the Pange Lingua and is sung at Benediction. This traditional English translation is from classic Catholic hymnals. The Prayer Down in adoration falling, Lo! the sacred Host we hail; Lo! o'er ancient forms departing, Newer rites of grace prevail; Faith for all defects supplying, Where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, And the Son who reigns on high, With the Holy Ghost proceeding Forth from Each eternally, Be salvation, honor, blessing,

O Salutaris Hostia is the traditional Eucharistic hymn often sung at Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The English below is a classic public-domain rendering. The Prayer O saving Victim, opening wide The gate of heaven to man below! Our foes press on from every side; Thine aid supply, Thy strength bestow. To Thy great Name be endless praise, Immortal Godhead, one in Three; Oh, grant us endless length of days In our true native land with Thee. Amen. Traditional Eucharistic