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 the Jews;  the  integrity  of the  most  blessed  Virgin  Mary; the protection  of  the  holy Angels, especially  my  guardian. and the  suffrages  of  all God’s elect,  be  between  me and  all  my  enemies,  visible and invisible,  now,  and  at  the hour of  my  death. Amen. In the  name  of  the  Father, and the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy Ghost. Amen.

 At night, when  going  to  bed, take care  not  to  forget  God, by whose  favour  thou  hast lived through  the  day  and thy life  hitherto; and  perhaps  wilt  not  live  till  morning, unless  this  night  thou make thy  peace  with  God. Thy very  bed, in  fact, in which, as  in  the  tomb, thou layest thy  naked  limbs  to  rest, in a manner  reminds  thee  of death. And what  is  sleep itself but  the  brother  and image of  death? He is  over rash, who, with  God  offended and unreconciled, ventures  to commit  himself  to  the  night’s sleep. Rather prepare  thyself for  thy  night’s  rest  as though  one  whispered  in  thy ear: This night  shall  they require of  thee  thy  soul. And therefore  remember  to pray  with  the  Prophet:  Enlighten my  eyes,  that  I never sleep in  death,  lest  at  any time my  enemy  say,  I have prevailed against  him. 

1. Thank  God.

2. Ask  light.

3. Thy  heart  examine  well.

4. Ask  pardon  of  thy  faults.

5. All  ill  repel.

O infinite goodness,  I thank  thee  from  the  bottom of my  heart  for  all  the  blessings which,  this  day  and  during my whole  life,  thou  hast  so bountifully  bestowed  upon me, however  unworthy. To thee be  praise  and  glory  from me, and  from  thy  elect,  in heaven  and  in  earth,  and  from all creatures,  for  ever  and ever.

O eternal wisdom,  in  many things, alas! we all  offend; but who  can  understand sins? Enlighten my  darkness, O thou  true  Light,  that I may see  and  know  my  failings. Thou knowest  all  the secrets of  my  heart,  and  considerest  all  my  steps. Grant me, therefore,  however  I have sinned against  thee,  fully  to recount  to  thee,  in  the  bitterness of  my  soul,  all  that  I have  committed  against  thee this day  by  thought,  word, or deed.

O God, the  searcher  of hearts  and  reins  ! woe is  me, that I have  this  day  sinned against heaven  and  before thee; and how  can  I hide  it