When Catholics receive Jesus in Holy Communion, there is a parallel between this presence and Jesus’ presence within Mary’s womb.
In both instances Jesus is truly present within a person’s body, which allows for a unique bond meant to unite body and soul.
Here is a short prayer that contemplates this mystery and invokes Mary’s aid in giving thanks to God for such an opportunity.
O most holy, O most benign,
O noble and glorious Virgin Mary,
who wast worthy to bear in thy sacred womb the Creator of all,
and at thy virginal breast to nourish Him whose true,
real, and most holy Body and Blood
I, an unworthy sinner,
have just now dared to receive:
vouchsafe, I humbly beseech thee,
to intercede with Him for me, a sinner;
that whatsoever, by ignorance or neglect,
by accident or irreverence,
I have left undone, or have done amiss,
in this unspeakably holy Sacrifice,
may be pardoned through thy prayers to the same our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son,
who with the Father
and the Holy Spirit
liveth and reigneth world without end.Amen.
And today we celebrate...