Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/330

 tion of  the  most  sacred  Host, or take  in  my  hand  a rosary or a book; whenever  I feel myself tempted  by  the  flesh, the world,  and  the  devil,  in anything  affecting  faith,  hope, charity, chastity,  patience, humility, &amp;c.,  I declare  once for all,  that  I wish  to  make and exercise,  in  the  best  form and manner  possible,  these acts following,  though  I may not perhaps  recollect  it  at the  time.

On such  occasions  I say from my  heart,  I rejoice,  and give thee  joy  for  thy  infinite perfections, — that thou  art who art,  a God  supremely powerful, wise,  good,  merciful, just,  &amp;c.,  the  supreme good of  the  rational  creature; that thou  needest  nothing, for thou  art  happy  enough  in thyself,  and  sufficient  for  thyself, while  all  our  sufficiency is from  thee.

I rejoice, too,  O Lord,  for the good  works  ever  heretofore, this  day,  or  hereafter  to be  done  for  the  love  of  thee, and for  all  others  which could be  done  by  those whom thou  hast  and  couldst have created; and  this  with all the  perfection  of  which I am capable.

I rejoice for  what  our  Lord Jesus Christ, the  Virgin  Mary, the holy  Angels,  Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles,  Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins,  all  the Saints, and  all  the  Faithful have done  for  thy  glory; for the love  they  will  eternally bear thee,  and  the  praise  they will give  thee  for  ever.

I offer thee  all  the  sacrifices of the  holy  Mass,  hitherto  and hereafter to  be  celebrated  in the  Church,  even  to  the  consummation of  the  world; and this with  the  intention" of adoring  and  praising  thee  as a God  of  supreme  majesty, power,  wisdom,  goodness, &amp;c.,  as  well  as  of  giving  thee thanks,  of  propitiating  thee, and  of  obtaining  from  thee the  blessings  of  grace  and glory.

From my  heart,  too,  for love of  thee,  I am  sorry  for all and  each  of  my  sins. Of thy infinite  mercy  I hope  for forgiveness. And, by  thy grace, I purpose  never  more to offend  thee.

I am sorry,  too,  for  the many sins  committed, by  what persons soever,  from  the  beginning of  the  world  until now, and  for  the  heavy  offence they have  given  thee. From my heart  I wish  that  my blood  could  in  some  degree compensate for  them. Oh, that every  moment  of  eternity, the  holy  Angels  and  all the blessed  might  render  thee a thousand acts  of  obedience for every  sin!

For love  of  thee,  I forgive from  my  heart  all  who have any  way  whatever  offended or  injured  me,  and  for every offence  I wish  they may obtain  of  thee  some especial favour  or  blessing; and oh,  that  they  may  never