Advent Prayer Before Mass (Adapted from St. Thomas Aquinas)

Almighty and ever-living God,

as Your Church waits in hopeful longing for the coming of Your Son,

I come to the sacrament of Jesus Christ, my Savior and my King.

I come weary to the God who gives rest,

cold to the fire of divine love,

walking in shadow to the rising Sun of Justice,

and poor and empty to the Giver of every good gift.

In Your mercy, Lord, heal what is wounded,

warm what is frozen,

awaken what is drowsy,

and fill what is empty within me.

As I prepare to receive the Bread of Heaven,

may I do so with watchful faith,

with repentant humility,

with trusting love,

and with a heart made ready for Your coming.

Grant that I may receive the Body and Blood of Your Son

not only as a sacred sign,

but as the living fire of His presence and power within me.

May the One whom I receive under sacramental veils

be the same Lord who was carried in the womb of the Virgin Mary,

laid in a manger,

and given for the life of the world.

As on this pilgrimage of Advent

I now receive Him hidden in mystery,

grant that I may one day behold Him face to face in glory—

the One who comes, and will come again,

who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God forever and ever.

Amen.