Act of Reparation before Holy Communion

Dear Lord,

I come before you today with a heavy heart, aware of my many sins and shortcomings. I humbly beg for your mercy and forgiveness, and ask to be made clean through the power of your blood.

Please help me to examine my conscience and to recognize the ways in which I have fallen short of your grace. I offer up all my sins, both known and unknown, and ask for your guidance and strength to overcome them.

Lord, I acknowledge that my sins have wounded your Sacred Heart and that they have contributed to the pain and suffering of others. I offer up to you all my prayers, works, joys, and sufferings as reparation for my sins and for the sins of others.

I pray that you accept these offerings as a sign of my love and gratitude, and that they may contribute to the redemption of souls. Help me to live a life of faith, hope, and love, and to bear witness to your truth in all that I do.

Finally, Lord, I ask for your blessings as I receive Holy Communion. May this sacrament nourish and strengthen me, and may it bring me closer to you. May your Holy Spirit be with me always, guiding me on the path of righteousness.

Thank you, Lord, for your love and mercy. May your Holy Name be praised forever and ever. Amen.

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History of Act of Reparation before Holy Communion

The Act of Reparation before Holy Communion is a Catholic prayer traditionally recited before receiving the Eucharist. It is also known as the “Prayer of Contrition” or the “Act of Contrition,” and is often used as a way to express sorrow for one’s sins and to seek divine forgiveness and purification.

The Act of Reparation before Holy Communion has its roots in the ancient Christian practice of confessing one’s sins before receiving the Eucharist. This practice dates back to the early Church, when penitential rites were used to prepare the faithful for the reception of Holy Communion.

Over time, the Act of Reparation before Holy Communion evolved into a formal prayer, intended to help the individual reflect on their sins and to seek divine forgiveness and purification. The prayer emphasizes the need for a contrite heart, and underscores the importance of making amends for one’s sins through acts of reparation.

Today, the Act of Reparation before Holy Communion remains an important part of Catholic prayer and devotion. It is often recited in moments of personal reflection, and is seen as a way to deepen one’s faith and grow closer to God. As Catholics prepare to receive the Eucharist, this prayer serves as a powerful reminder of the need for purification, forgiveness, and reconciliation with God.