FIRST REAL COMMUNIONS: CONTINUED

Conchita blessing her lips

The Communion given by the Angel observed a well-established ritual. The girls made the Sign of the Cross and recited the "Confiteor." After a brief dialog with St. Michael, they then put out their tongue, drew it back and swallowed the Host. The movements of the cheeks and neck made the phenomenon of swallowing it visible. The children then made an act of thanksgiving, recited the prayer "Soul of Christ," and came out of their ecstasy; it never lasted more than ten minutes. A new detail, what an eloquent one too: the Blessed Virgin of Mount Carmel was never "present" when the real Communion (and not "mystical," as a good number of authors incorrectly qualified them) was given by the "Angel" to the young visionaries of San Sebastian de Garabandal.

At the request of the Blessed Virgin, the two little girls of six years old (Sari, Mari-Loli's sister & Mari-Carmen, Jacinta's sister) were present at the first real Communion received by Conchita and Mari-Cruz. As these girls moved freely around the visionaries, they fulfilled the role of witnesses on several occasions and for various reasons.
[Excerpted from 'Garabandal' Book, page 66.]

See how Our Lady takes care of all our spiritual needs. When there was no priest in town and therefore, no Mass, the Angel brought Holy Communion to the girls, which I guess, inspired them and a lesson for us, to become daily Communicants! Everything is done for a purpose, so to teach us how to receive Communion properly, the girls were taught by the Angel to recite the Confiteor before receiving and say a thanksgiving prayer after. I still pray the traditional "I confess . . ." prayer each morning. The "Soul of Christ" is a beautiful thanksgiving prayer, but I just never got into the habit of praying it. Instead, I always pray the Fatima prayers that were taught by the Angel.

Deacon John

CONFITEOR
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault (strike the breast three times).
Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
May almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me my sins, and bring me to
life everlasting. Amen.
May the almighty and merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and
remission of my sins. Amen.

SOUL OF CHRIST
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds, hide me.
Suffer me not to be separated from thee.

From the malicious enemy defend me.

In the hour of my death call me
and bid me come unto thee,
that with thy saints I may praise thee
for ever and ever. Amen.