Prayers of the Saints
Prayer Before Mass (St. Ambrose)
I draw near, loving Lord Jesus Christ,
to the table of your most delightful banquet
in fear and trembling,
a sinner, presuming not upon my own merits,
but trusting rather in your goodness and mercy.
I have a heart and body defiled by my many offences,
a mind and tongue over which I have kept no good watch.
Therefore, O loving God, O awesome Majesty,
I turn in my misery, caught in dangers, to you the fount of mercy;
to you I hasten for healing,
under your protection I take refuge;
and I long to have as Saviour the one
whom I cannot face as Judge.
To you, O Lord, I show my wounds;
to you I uncover my shame.
Amen.
Roman Missal, Preparation for Mass
About the prayer
The prayer of St. Ambrose of Milan, printed for centuries in the Roman Missal among the priest's preparation for Mass and assigned to a day of the week in the traditional cycle. Lay people have long used it before receiving communion.
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