Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/110

 my homage  in  union  with  the  transports  of  admiration and love  with  which  they  incessantly  proclaim  that thou art  holy,  holy,  holy,  and  that  the  Lamb  that was slain  is  worthy  to  receive  power,  and  divinity, and wisdom,  and  strength,  and  honour,  and  glory, and benediction,  for  ever  and  ever. ( Apoc . v. 12.)

H, my  God ! why do  I not  sigh  for  thy  coming  on this  altar,  with  as  much  ardour  as  did  the  ancient patriarchs and  prophets; with  as  much  pure  desire  as thy  blessed  Mother,  the  first  and  most  perfect  adorer of thy  sacred  humanity. I offer thee  my  heart,  soul, mind, strength,  desires  and  affections,  in  union  with the admirable  dispositions  of  thy  saints; but  particularly in  union  with  the  love  and  devotion  of  that incomparable Virgin,  in  whose  pure  soul,  prepared by thy  divine  spirit,  and  adorned  with  the  treasures of thy  grace,  thou  didst  delight  to  dwell. 1 offer thee, to  atone  for  my  coldness  and  tepidity,  her sacred heart,  with  all  the  love  with  which  it  ever  was, and for  all  eternity  will  be  animated. I offer thee her heavenly  contemplations,  her  purity,  profound humility, and  sufferings,  at  the  foot  of  the  cross; beseeching thee,  through  her  intercession,  to  pardon the iniquities  of  her  unworthy  servant.

And, thou,  O most  sacred  Virgin,  obtain  for  me  a share  in  the  holy  dispositions  that  adorned  thy  soul from the  moment  of  thy  immaculate  conception; since I am  also  destined  for  the  residence  and  sanctuary of  a God. O assured refuge  of  sinners,  I address  thee  with  the  most  lively  confidence,  beseeching thee  to  obtain  that  I may  be  worthily  united with him  who  was  born  of  thee — with  him  who  is  the desire and  expectation  of  all  nations.