Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/120



DIVINE Jesus,  the  Redeemer  of  all  mankind, who art  come  to  save  even  those  who  were  lost, whose adorable  blood  was  shed  for  many  to  the remission of  sins,  deign  to  listen  to  the  prayers  I now  offer,  not  for  myself  alone,  but  for  the  great family of  mankind,  whose  Creator,  Lord,  and  sovereign Master  thou  art. Permit me  to  offer  my  supplications for  the  peace  and  prosperity  of  that  Holy, Catholic, and  Apostolic  Church,  which  was  founded on thy  unerring  word,  established  by  thy  miracles, enriched by  thy  merits,  and  peopled  by  thy  saints — of that  Church,  whose  unworthy  child  I am,  in  whose bosom, through  thy  grace,  I resolve  to  live  and  to  die — that Church,  which  has  this  day  imparted  to  me  her most precious  treasure,  in  giving  me  the  adorable body and  blood  of  her  heavenly  Spouse.

O my God,  bless,  sanctify,  and  protect  the  Pope, thy representative  on  earth; have  mercy  on  the bishops, priests,  and  all  who  labour  in  thy  vineyard; animate them  with  zeal  for  the  salvation  of  souls, who are  the  purchase  of  thy  blood; give  them  prudence, perseverance,  humility,  and  patience; inflame their hearts  with  that  ardent  zeal  which  consumed  thy holy apostles; render  their  lives  as  holy  as  the  law they inculcate; make  them  all  according  to  thy  own divine heart; and  let  their  light  so  shine  before  men, that they,  seeing  their  good  works,  may  glorify  their Father who  is  in  heaven. ( Matt . v. 16.)  O my  God, I seek not  that  which  is  profitable  to  myself,  but  to many,  that  they  may  be  saved  (1  Cor.  x.  33); therefore I most  earnestly  conjure  thee  to  show  forth  the riches of  thy  infinite  mercy,  by  pardoning  those  who are in  the  dreadful  state  of  mortal  sin. Thou art