Page:StJosephsManual1877.pdf/682

 of punishment as for the misfortune of having offended thee, the centre of all goodness.

I steadfastly purpose, through thy grace, to seek thee seriously by the reformation of my life, that I may find thee in the heavenly Jerusalem, reigning with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world with out end. Amen.

MNIPOTENT God, who descended from heaven to bring fire on the earth, inflame my frozen heart, that I may imitate the virtues of St. Joseph. As a poor wretch at the gate of some noble and generous prince, expecting an alms, so I appear before thee, wounded in all my senses by sin, and imploring charity in my great distress. I grieve for what is past, not because I fear, but because I love. Nothing has succeeded with me, because I never consulted thee as I ought, I hope, O Lord, that I do not come too late. I beg, through the intercession of St. Joseph, that I may avoid evil, and do good; that I may leave the broad way of iniquity, and walk in the narrow road that lends to eternal happiness; that I may consecrate the remaining days of my short life to thy honor, and attain the end for which I was created — to admire, praise, and love thee forever and ever. Amen.

MOST glorious Patriarch, my dear patron, blessed are the eyes that see what you now see. Through the infinite merits of Christ, and by your powerful intercession, I hope, with holy Job, that in my flesh I shall see God my Saviour. Stretch out in favor of your unworthy client those happy arms that so often bore the Son of God, and provided for him. Petition that I may live, as I wish to die, al-