Page:ThePathToHeaven.djvu/679

 O merciful  Redeemer  and  God  of  infinite  patience,  great  is my  confusion  at  appearing  in  thy  divine  presence,  because  I have  so  frequently  preferred  contemptible  creatures  before thee, the  Almighty  Creator  of  the  universe. I utterly  detest my presumption  in  sinning  in  thy  most  pure  sight. I acknowledge that  I  am  a  criminal,  and  I  plead  guilty  at  the  bar  of thy  dread  tribunal. Thou mightest  have  been  glorified  in thy  justice,  by  striking  me  suddenly  dead,  and  by  condemning me  to  eternal  flames  for  the  base  indignities  I  have  offered thee; but  thou  wast  pleased  to  be  glorified  in  the  high  prerogative of  thy  mercy,  by  recalling  me  to  repentance. I abhor all  my  crimes  of  thought,  of  word,  and  of  deed,  not merely for  the  fear  of  punishment  and  for  the  hope  of  reward, but  chiefly  for  thy  sake,  and  because  thou  dost  infinitely detest  them. O God  of  majesty  and  mercy,  look  upon the  sacred  marks  in  thy  hands,  feet,  and  side,  which  thou dost  still  retain  in  thy  glorified  body,  that  they  may  plead in  my  behalf. By that  tender  love  which  induced  thee  to create,  to  redeem,  and  to  sanctify  me,  unite  thy  infinite merits to  my  profound  misery. Strengthen my  weakness, confirm this  my  resolution  of  never  more  offending  thee; rather let  me  lose  every  thing,  even  life  itself,  than  lose  thy favour by  mortal  sin. My heart  was  created  for  thee,  and I love  thee  better  than  myself. Every day  of  my  life,  and especially that  on  which  I  shall  expire,  I  will  strive  to  love and to  serve  thee  for  thy  own  sake,  my  God  and  my  Creator. O Saviour  of  perishing  mankind, who  openest  thy  hand,  and fillest every  creature  with  benediction,  give  me  now  such  a blessing  as  thou  didst  bestow  on  thy  beloved  disciples,  when ascending  in  triumph  from  the  mountain  of  Olives,  that I may  live  and  die  in  these  happy  dispositions. Amen.

Say thrice  every  day,  with  a  desire  of  obtaining  a  good  death for all  members  of  the  congregation,  the  Lord's  Prayer  and Hail Mary,  and  once  the  following  prayer:. "Lord, into  thy hands  I  commend  my  spirit,  and  all  those  who  are  or  shall be  in  the  agony  of  death.  Mary,  Mother  of  grace,  Mother  of mercy,  defend  us  from  the  enemy,  and  receive  us  at  the  hour of  death.  Amen."

Plenary Indulgences, on  the  usual  conditions,  on  the  day  of admission;  at  the  hour  of  death  for  all  who  shall  devoutly  invoke the  sacred  name  of  Jesus;  on  any  one  Friday  or  Sunday in each  month,  for  all  who  receive  the  blessed  Eucharist  is  a church  wherein  this  congregation  is  established,  and  shall  assist at  the  benediction  of  the  most  holy  Sacrament;  on  Christmas-day, the  Epiphany,  Easter  Sunday,  the  Ascension,  Whitsunday, and  other  principal  Feasts.