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 Pray for me, that I may realize how much I, too, could do and bear for the love of God, if I but had the divine gift of fortitude; beg it earnestly for me from the Holy Spirit. Help me to understand more fully something of the loving tenderness of the Heart of my heavenly Father, who deigns to abide in my own soul always, that I may be filled with a boundless trust in Him, knowing that we can never have too much confidence in Him if we are in real earnest about loving Him and seeking to give Him joy in everything. Above all, obtain for me abandonment—a childlike, boundless, unreserved trustful, blind and loving abandonment springing from a deep conviction of God's great love for me. I, too, wish to give up ALL self-seeking. May all that pleases God also be pleasing to me! May I accept it unconditionally and without question, beforehand, knowing that it can only be for my good! I, too, wish to let Him choose for me. to be like a signed blank sheet or a "little ball" in His hands, willing all and only what He wills, be it joy or pain. I also earnestly recommend to you the special intentions for which I am making this Novena…. God will refuse you nothing.

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be.

Other Novena Prayers on page 46.



(1) . —St. Therese did not rely on her own strength, but on God's realizing that the Three Divine Persons were really, truly, and substantially present in her heart:

To live by love is closely to enfold The Uncreated Word—Voice of my Lord! And with Thee, in my heart of hearts, to hold The Spirit sending forth His flame adored. Thus loving Thee, the Father, too, is mine: My feeble heart hath drawn Him from above, O Trinity, the Prisoner Divine!" Oh, my poor love!"