Page:MaryHelpOfChristians.djvu/328

 ity, so  we  might  be  partakers  of  Thy  divinity. I desire to  love  Thee,  my  Jesus,  who  art  my  only comfort in  this  place  of  banishment,  the  only hope of  my  infirm  soul,  my  happiness  above  all  I can  enjoy  in  this  life. I love  Thee,  my  God,  with my whole  heart,  with  my  whole  soul,  and  with all my  mind  and  strength. I wish  that,  as  every moment is  an  increase  of  my  life,  so  it  may  also be of  my  love  toward  Thee. I desire,  with  all  the affections and  powers  of  my  soul,  that,  as  the  inmost thanks  are  due  to  Thee,  so  they  may  be  returned to  Thee  by  all  the  faithful,  for  this  divine food, which  is  our  refreshment,  support,  strength, armor, and  defense  in  all  our  miseries;  and  that my love  may  never  cease,  inflame  my  heart  with the fire  of  heaven,  that  it  may  continue  burning till, nature  and  corruption  being  consumed,  I  may at length  be  transformed  into  Thee. Come. O Lord, hasten  to  release  me  from  the  bonds  of sin,  and  prepare  me  for  the  blessing  Thou  art now about  to  bestow  on  me.

y Lord  and  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ! "As the hart  panteth  after  the  fountains  of  waters  so my  soul  panteth  after  Thee,  O  God!" (Ps. xlii.  1 ). Tired with  my  own  evil  ways,  I  now  return to Thee,  to  taste  Thy  banquet,  that  my  soul  may be refreshed. I henceforth  despise  all  human consolations, that  I  may  be  comforted  by  Thee,