Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/106

 divine majesty,  acknowledge  his  infinite  mercies,  and obtain the  graces  necessary  for  serving  him  on  earth and enjoying  him  in  heaven. Permit me,  O divine Jesus, to  ascend  this  true  Calvary  with  thee,  that my whole  soul  may  do  homage  to  the  greatness  of thy  majesty; that  my  heart,  with  all  its  affections, may acknowledge  thy  infinite  love; that  my  memory may dwell  on  the  admirable  mysteries  here  renewed; and that  the  sacrifice  of  my  whole  being  may  accompany that  which  thou  art  about  to  offer. Alas! I am unworthy to  join  with  the  minister  in  adoring  thee; I can  neither  realize  the  extent  of  thy  blessings,  nor acknowledge them  as  I ardently  desire  to  do;  but, O Lord, be  thou  with  me,  that  by  thee  and  with  thee I may worthily  assist  at  these  tremendous  mysteries.

SAVIOUR of  my  soul,  how  sweet  is  the  hope that thou  hast  absolved  me  from  my  transgressions; that  thy  sacred  blood  has  washed  them  away; and that  thou  art  about  to  seal  my  pardon  by  the most precious  gift  thou  canst  possibly  bestow! O divine Lord,  let  this  encouraging  hope  be  realized; say to  my  soul  that  thou  art  her  salvation. With the fervent  penitent  of  the  Gospel,  I cast  myself  at thy  sacred  feet; let  me  hear  with  her,  from  thy  own adorable lips,  the  consolatory  sentence  of  peace  and mercy; let me  experience  with  her  the  conviction that thou  hast  accepted  my  repentance  and  granted me pardon. Alas! I well know  that  I have  neither her humility  nor  her  contrition,  her  fervour  nor  her love to  offer; but,  O my  God,  I venture  to  say,  that my hopes  are  established  on  still  surer  grounds  than would be  those  virtues,  were  I happy  enough  to possess  them. If many  sins  were  pardoned  her