Not only in distress and death, but in my very mouth
my beloved gives himself to me in sweetness.
His blood, enflamed by love, shall quiet my heart's heat.
I kiss and eat him out of love, here in my throat.
He could not be more closely wed with me.
He gives his very heart to still my hunger,
gives us his own self in his last will,
he who was first, before the world's foundation.

Oh, send a flaming host to kindle our devotion.
You who prepare our hearts, your Spirit makes the way,
sends virtues before him, the soul's adornment,
so that you find a spotless house prepared for you.
God, you give yourself to me! Grant that,
worthily and with your grace, I may receive you.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.

O Jesus, will you enter us, who are but dust?
You Lord of Glory, throne of God Most High,
Earth's happiness and healing, Heaven's sun and crown
in whom we see the Father's loving heart unveiled!
You, who prepare the heart, inspire us with devotion;
stir up our strength in joyful notes of bliss
to rightly receive God's holy Son
before whom even angels fear and tremble.

O highest wonder! Mortals eat their Maker.
The body that is one with God, longs to be one with us.
O deepest Goodness, let us fittingly receive you!
God's love and might have never shone so brightly.
The inmost heart's blood flows into our mouths;
from deep within our hearts we praise and thank you.

Click here to read this sonnet in the original German.