Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/1058



MOST loving  Jesus,  Who  by  Thy  sublime  and  beautiful virtues of  humility,  obedience,  poverty,  modesty,  charity, patience, and  gentleness,  and  by  the  example  of  Thy  domestic life, didst  bless  with  peace  and  happiness  the  family  which Thou didst  choose  on  earth,  in  Thy  clemency  look  down  upon this household,  humbly  prostrate  before  Thee  and  imploring Thy mercy. Remember that  this  family  belongs  to  Thee;  for to Thee  we  have  in  a  special  way  dedicated  and  devoted  ourselves. Look upon  us  in  Thy  loving-kindness,  preserve  us  from  danger; give us  help  in  time  of  need;  and  grant  us  the  grace  to  persevere to the  end  in  the  imitation  of  Thy  Holy  Family;  that  having revered Thee  and  loved  Thee  faithfully  on  earth,  we  may  bless and praise  Thee  eternally  in  heaven. O Mary,  most  sweet Mother, to  thy  intercession  we  have  recourse,  knowing  that  thy Divine Son  will  hear  thy  prayers. And do  thou,  O  glorious Patriarch, St.  Joseph,  assist  us  by  thy  powerful  mediation, and offer,  by  the  hands  of  Mary,  our  prayers  to  Jesus. Amen.

MOST amiable  Redeemer! Whose infinite  love  for man far  exceeded  Thy  corporal  strength  in  the  crib  of Bethlehem,  receive  our  fervent  adorations  and  most  ardent thanksgiving for  the  first  effusion  of  that  adorable  blood which Thou  didst  afterwards  shed  to  the  last  drop  for  us  on the  cross. Oh, how  ardently  must  Thou  have  desired  our  salvation, since  Thou  didst  so  soon  begin  to  suffer  for  us! How much must  Thou  have  wished  for  our  confidence,  since  Thou didst so  early  assume  that  name  which,  above  all  names,  is best  calculated  to  render  Thee  amiable  in  our  eyes  and dear to  our  hearts. O Jesus! our infant,  but  most  powerful Saviour! we now  feel  that  Thou  art  Our  Redeemer,  and therefore most  confidently  approach  Thy  crib,  to  represent to Thee  all  our  wants,  and  in  particular  to  implore,  by  Thy adorable infancy,  by  Thy  painful  circumcision,  and  above  all by Thy  sacred  name,  which  is  the  joy  of  heaven,  the  terror  of hell,  the  consolation  of  the  afflicted,  and  refuge  of  sinners, that Thou  wouldst  grant  us  the  intentions  of  this  novena.