Page:StVincentsManual.djvu/632

 Let us  say  Our  Father,  and  Hail  Mary,  three  times,  in memory  of  the  three  hours  our  dear  Redeemer  hung  upon the cross,  and  apply  them  to  the  souls  of  the  departed  of this  confraternity.

Our Father,  &amp;c.

Let us  also  say  an  Our  Father,  and  a  Hail  Mary,  for such as  are  in  the  lamentable  state  of  mortal  sin.

Our Father,  &amp;c.

Let us  again  say  an  Our  Father,  and  a Hail  Mary,  for him or  her  of  this  confraternity,  that  is  to  die  next,  that  he or  she  may  be  prepared,  and  depart  heartily  fortified  with the holy  sacraments  of  the  Church.

Our Father, &c.

Let us  dispose  ourselves  by  acts  of  perfect  contrition  and pure love  of God,  to  receive  worthily  the  benediction  of our  Lord  and  Saviour  in  the  adorable  sacrament  of  the altar.

ERCIFUL Redeemer,  and  holy  God  of  infinite patience! great is  my  confusion  to  appear  in thy  divine  presence,  having  so  frequently  postponed thee, the  omnipotent  Creator  of the  universe,  ta  vile and contemptible  creatures. I am  a  miserable  worm of the  earth,  who  utterly  detest  my  horrid  confidence of sinning  in  thy  most  pure  sight;  I  own  myself  a  notorious criminal,  and  I  plead  guilty  at  the  bar  of  thy dread tribunal. Thou mightest  have  been  glorified  in thy  justice,  by  suddenly  striking  me  dead,  and  by condemning  me  to  eternal  flames,  for  base  indignities committed against  thee. But thou  wert  pleased  to  be glorified  in  the  high  prerogative  of  thy  mercy,  by calling  me  back  to  repentance. I abhor  all  my  crimes of thought,  word  and  deed,  not  for  the  hope  of  reward, or  fear  of  punishment,  but  for  thy  own  sake, and because  thou  dost  infinitely  abominate  them. Oh! my God  of  majesty  and  mercy! look upon  those  sacred marks in  thy  hands,  feet  and  side,  which  thou  retain est in  thy  glorified  body,  to  plead  my  pardon. By that tender  love,  which  induced  thee  to  create,  re-