Traditional priestly preparation

Printed in the Missal for priests, prayed by many laypeople.

The Roman Missal contains prayers of preparation for the priest before Mass, among them this one attributed to St. Ambrose. It is unusually frank about approaching the altar unworthily, which is why laypeople have adopted it.

The Prayer

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 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 to You, the fountain of mercy;
to You I hasten to be healed,
under Your protection I take refuge.

I who cannot bear to have You as my judge
long to have You as my Saviour.

To You, Lord, I display my wounds,
to You I lay bare my shame.
I know my sins are many and great,
and for them I am afraid.
But I hope in Your mercies, which are without number.

Grant that I may receive not only the sacrament
of the Lord's Body and Blood,
but also its grace and power. Amen.

About This Prayer

One line stands out: I who cannot bear to have You as my judge long to have You as my Saviour. That is the entire Christian position stated in a sentence, and it was written by a bishop who had been a provincial governor and knew exactly what a judge was.