When we approach the altar to receive Holy Communion, it can be difficult to incite within ourselves a deep love of God. Our own love can often seem minuscule compared to the love God has for us.
Instead of relying on our own love, we can ask the Virgin Mary to stir within us the same love that she has for Jesus the next time we receive Holy Communion.
Here is a short prayer from The Catholic prayer book and manual of meditations.
O most holy Virgin Mary, my mother, see!
I am now going to receive thy divine Son.
I wish I might have thy heart in this moment,
and that love with which thou didst receive him.
Give thy Jesus this morning to me,
as thou didst give him to the shepherds and the three holy kings.
I desire to receive him from thy pure hands.
Tell him that I am thy devoted servant;
then he will love me more, and unite me more closely in this happy moment to himself.
And today we celebrate...