Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/564

 didst communicate  to  them  so  wonderfully,  and  with so much  mercy  and  generosity. Take from  my  heart whatever is  not  pleasing  to  Thee,  and  make  of  it  a worthy  dwelling-place  for  Thyself. Illumine my  mind, that I  may  see  and  understand  the  things  that  are  for my eternal  good. Inflame my  heart  with  pure  love  of Thee,  that  it  may  be  cleansed  from  the  dross  of  all inordinate attachments,  and  that  my  whole  life  may be hidden  with  Jesus  in  God. Strengthen my  will,  that it may  be  made  conformable  to  Thy  divine  will,  and be guided  by  Thy  holy  inspirations. Aid me  by  Thy grace to  practice  the  divine  lessons  of  humility,  poverty, obedience,  and  contempt  of  the  world,  which  Jesus taught us  in  His  mortal  life.

Oh, rend  the  heavens,  and  come  down,  consoling Spirit! that inspired  and  encouraged  by  Thee,  I  may faithfully comply  with  the  duties  of  my  holy  state, carry my  daily  cross  most  patiently,  and  endeavor  to accomplish  the  divine  will  with  the  utmost  perfection. Spirit of  love! Spirit of  purity! Spirit of  peace! sanctify my soul  more  and  more,  and  give  me  that  heavenly peace which  the  world  can  not  give. Bless our  Holy Father, the  Pope,  bless  the  Church,  bless  our  bishops, our priests,  all  Religious  Orders,  and  all  the  faithful, that they  may  be  filled  with  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and labor earnestly  for  the  spread  of  His  kingdom.

O Holy  Spirit,  Thou  Giver  of  every  good  and  perfect gift, grant  me,  I  beseech  Thee,  the  intentions  of  this novena. May Thy  will  be  done  in  me  and  through me. Mayest Thou  be  praised  and  glorified  for  evermore! Amen.

GOD the  Holy  Ghost,  infinite  love  of  the  Father and of  the  Son,  through  the  hands  of  Mary,  Thy immaculate spouse,  I  offer  myself  this  day,  and  all  the days of  my  life,  upon  Thy  chosen  altar,  the  Divine  Heart