Before Mass

Almighty and ever-living God,
we approach the Sacrament of thine only-begotten Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ.
We come sick to the physician of life,
unclean to the fountain of mercy,
blind to the radiance of eternal light,
poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.
Lord, in thy great goodness,
heal our sickness,
wash away our defilement,
enlighten our blindness,
enrich our poverty,
and clothe our nakedness.
May we receive the bread of angels,
the King of kings and Lord of lords,
with humble reverence,
with the purity and faith,
the repentance and love,
and the determined purpose
that will help to bring us to salvation.
May we receive the sacrament of the Lord's Body and Blood,
and its reality and power.
Loving Father,
as on our earthly pilgrimage
we now receive thy beloved Son
under the veil of a sacrament,
may we one day see him face to face in glory,
who liveth and reigneth,
world without end. Amen.

From the prayer of St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)