Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/418

 Cross, to  be  a sacrifice  and ransom for  the  redemption  of us  sinners,  so  to  direct  me  by thy  saving  grace,  and  so  to cause  me  ever  worthily  to  use the sacred  Mysteries  of  thy Body and  Blood,  that  I may gain from  them  abundant  benefit and  strength  against  all the snares  of  the  world,  the flesh, and  the  devil,  and  avoid all sins,  especially  these,  N.

Grant, moreover,  that  I may  practise  more  diligently the virtues  most  necessary  to my  state,  as  charity, humility, purity, N.  and  N.,  and  endeavour to  serve  thee  more  faithfully every  day.

For what  other  return  shall I make thee,  O Lord,  for  all that thou  hast  done  for me? Do I not  owe  thee  my  life, my body  and  soul,  and  my  all, when thou  hast  freely  given me all  things,  even  thy  very own Son,  who  has  laid  down for me  his  life  and  his  soul?

It is  true,  O Lord,  that  I owe  myself  to  thee  entirely, since thou,  to  redeem  me,  a guilty  creature,  hast  given up entirely  thy  innocent  Son. Oh, that  I could  present  my body  a living  sacrifice,  holy, acceptable to  God! Oh, that my soul  may  live  to  thee,  and that all  that  I have  may  serve thee! Behold, my  heart  is ready,  O God,  my  heart  is ready. Thou, O Lord,  who lookest rather  to  the  will than the  gift,  despise  not,  I beseech  thee,  thy  poor  servant, who  have  nothing  more acceptable to  offer  thee  than him in  whom  thou  art  well pleased; and who  also  cast  in two  mites; that  is,  my  body and soul,  which  I resign  absolutely and  completely  to  thy pleasure and  service.

And thou,  my  most  sweet Redeemer, my  Advocate  and Mediator with  God  the  Father, despise  me  not,  but,  in union  with  thy  most  holy works, done  in  sovereign charity, favourably  offer  and commend to  thy  eternal  Father the  oblation  of  an  unworthy sinner.

Unite this  my  service  with that most  precious  Sacrifice, by which  thou  offeredst  thyself to  thy  eternal  Father,  in the  most  eminent  charity  and obedience, on  the  altar  of  tho Cross.

Behold, O Lord,  I am  poor and needy,  while  thou  art rich in  merits  and  mercy. But for  whom  is  it  that  thou hast heaped  up  the  riches  of thy  goodness,  if  not  for  poor sinners? Relieve, then,  my poverty  out  of  the  boundless treasure of  thy  merits,  and perfect all  my  actions  out  of the  abundance  of  thy  infinite love. And now  especially, mercifully supply  my  want