Page:Prayerbookforrel00lasa 0.djvu/595

 fire with  the  pure  flames  of  the  most  ardent  charity,  and whose life  was  a  constant  prayer  and  continual  contemplation! deign to  accept  me  as  thy  protege,  and  to  teach  me  the  perfection of  the  interior  life. Teach me  how  to  model  my  heart in accordance  with  the  hearts  of  Jesus  and  Mary. Direct me in  the  way  of  salvation/  and  obtain  for  me  that  I  may, day after  day,  without  interruption,  live  and  labor  for  God and my  neighbor  in  the  rigorous  observance  of  my  vows. From the height  of  thy  throne,  where  thou  reignest  in  heaven  near Jesus and  Mary,  cast  thy  paternal  and  compassionate  looks upon all  Religious,  and  especially  upon  those  of  our  own Order, who  are  filled  with  the  most  profound  respect  and tender veneration  for  thee. Be a  father  to  us  all;  inspire our Superiors;  protect  our  interests;  shield  us  from  danger and aid  us  in  the  spread  of  God's  kingdom  on  earth. Obtain for all  Religious  the  graces  of  which  they  stand  in  need,  in order  to  arrive  at  the  sanctity  to  which  God  calls  them. Especially obtain  for  them  the  spirit  of  prayer,  the  gift  of piety,  that  fervor  of  which  thou  art  the  perfect  model. Teach them to  pray  as  thou  thyself  hast  learned  it  from  Jesus  and Mary.

May they  be  always  animated  with  the  same  sentiments of humility,  purity  of  intention,  respect,  docility,  faith,  confidence, and  love,  with  which  thou  thyself  wert  inflamed and actuated,  when  in  thy  hidden  life,  in  the  silence  and  seclusion of  thy  poor  house  at  Nazareth,  thou  didst  offer  unceasingly with  Jesus  and  Mary  the  most  fervent  and  acceptable prayers to  the  divine  Majesty. Amen.

GLORIOUS descendant  of  the  King  of  Juda! inheritor of the  virtues  of  all  the  patriarchs! just and  happy St. Joseph! listen to  my  prayer. Thou art  my  glorious  protector, and  shalt  ever  be,  after  Jesus  and  Mary,  the  object of my  most  profound  veneration  and  tender  confidence. Thou art the  most  hidden,  though  the  greatest  saint,  and  art  peculiarly the  patron  of  those  who  serve  God  with  the  greatest