Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/116

 wert born! How eanst  thou  remain  with  a soul  so ungrateful,  so  tepid,  and,  even  at  this  moment,  so little  penetrated  with  a sense  of  thy  divine  presence.! O God, how  hast  thou  multiplied  thy  mercies  in favour  of  thy  least  deserving  creature ! Should not the profusion  of  thy  benefits  terrify  me,  when  I consider  my  poverty,  misery,  and  inability  to  acknowledge or  repay  them? Yet, on  the  other  hand, O divine Benefactor  of  my  soul,  when  was  I ever  so rich  as  at  present? Convinced, then,  of  my  personal indigence, yet  filled  with  gratitude  for  the  dignity  to which  I am  raised  by  the  union  I have  contracted with my  Redeemer,  I will  again  offer  thee,  O King  of heaven  and  earth,  a victim  of  thanksgiving  proportioned to  thy  gifts; I will  offer  thee  a host  of  praise, immolated not  only  on  this  altar,  but  in  the  midst  of my  heart.

And thou,  O Jesus,  sweet  and  mild,  and  plenteous in mercy  ( Psalm  xxxv.),  give  ear  to  my  earnest petition; let me  be  now  so  closely  united  to  thee that I may  become  one  with  thee; create  within  me that  humble,  meek,  and  fervent  heart,  which  will make me  pleasing  and  acceptable  in  thy  sight; let thy divine  presence  fill  my  soul  with  consolation  and peace, and  let  thy  mercies  be  now  upon  me,  according to the  hope  I have  placed  in  thee.

GOD of  my  soul,  worthy  and  adorable  object  of the  praise  and  benediction  of  all  creatures, permit me  to  sing  to  thee  a new  canticle,  because  in my  favour  thou  hast  done  wonderful  things. (Psalm xcvii. 1.)  Permit  me  to  bless  thy  adorable  name, because thou  art  good,  and  thy  mercy  endureth  for ever. In union  with  him  who  is  the  brightness  of