Page:Raccoltaorcolle00raccgoog.djvu/211

Rh possess me wholly. My sweetest Mother, in the Blood of Jesus, in thy intercession are my hopes. Comforter of the sad, abandon me not at my death-agony; fail not to console me in that great affliction. If even now I am so appalled by remorse for sin committed, the danger of a relapse and strictness of thy judgents, how will it be with me then? Mother, before death o'ertake me, gain for me great sorrow for my sins, a true amendment and constant fidelity to God in all my life that yet remains to me. And when indeed mine hour is come, then do thou, Mary, be my hope, be thou mine aid in the anguish wherein my soul will be overwhelmed; when the enemy sets before my face my sins, O comfort me then, that I may not despair. Obtain for me at that moment to invoke thee often, that with thine own sweet name and thy most holy Son's upon my lips, I may breathe forth my spirit. This grace thou hast granted to many of thy servants: let me not fail of this my hope and my desire.

Mother of God, most holy Mary, how oft by sin have I merited hell! Ere now the judgment had gone forth against my first mortal sin, hadst not thou in thy tender pity stayed awhile God's justice, and then drawn me on by thy sweetness to take confidence in thee. And O, how very oft in dangers which beset my steps my feet had well nigh gone, when thou, loving Mother that thou art, didst preserve me by the graces thou by thy prayers didst win me. My Queen, what will thy pity and thy favours still avail me, if in my wilfulness I perish in the flames of hell?