St. Thomas Aquinas — Thanksgiving after Mass

Said after receiving Jesus in the Eucharist.

This thanksgiving prayer after Holy Communion was also composed by St. Thomas Aquinas. It expresses profound gratitude for the gift of the Eucharist and asks that the grace of Communion bear fruit in a holy life.

The Prayer

Lord, Father all-powerful and ever-living God,
I thank You, for even though I am a sinner,
Your unprofitable servant,
not because of my worth
but in the kindness of Your mercy,
You have fed me with the precious Body and Blood
of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I pray that this Holy Communion
may not bring me condemnation and punishment
but forgiveness and salvation.
May it be a helmet of faith and a shield of good will.
May it purify me from evil ways
and put an end to my evil passions.
May it bring me charity and patience,
humility and obedience,
and growth in the power to do good.
May it be my strong defense against all my enemies,
visible and invisible,
and the perfect calming of all my evil impulses.
Amen.

About This Prayer

The period immediately after receiving Holy Communion is considered by spiritual directors to be the most precious time of prayer — a moment of intimate union with Christ. St. Thomas Aquinas’ thanksgiving prayer is recommended by many saints and spiritual writers as the ideal response to this sacred gift.