Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/121

 the Lamb  that  was  slain,  and  hast  redeemed  us  to God,  in  thy  blood,  out  of  every  tribe,  and  tongue, and people,  and  nation,  and  hast  made  us  to  our  God a kingdom. ( Apoc . v. 9,  10.)  Let  none,  then,  be excluded  from  that  saving  faith,  which  is  the  only sure road  to  thee; let  all  hear  thy  voice,  O good Pastor of  our  souls,  that  all  may  follow  thee; and  let there be  but  one  sheepfold  and  one  shepherd. Permit me also,  adorable  Jesus,  to  implore  thy  mercy  on  all who, having  received  from  thee  the  precious  gift  of faith,  have  suffered  the  light  to  become  darkness  in their  hearts. O Lord, forgive  them,  for  they  know not what  they  do; convert  them,  and  they  shall  be converted; teach  them  before  it  be  too  late,  that they are  created  to  love  and  serve  thee  alone,  and  let that important  truth  be  so  deeply  impressed  on  their hearts, that  they  may  sincerely  return  to  thy  love and service.

DIVINE Lord,  by  what  miracle  of  mercy  do  I again  behold  thee  on  this  altar? Ah, my  God ! when wilt  thou  set  bounds  to  that  love  which  is  so often  abused? when wilt  thou  shield  thy  too  often slighted Majesty  from  the  insults  it  receives  in  this ineffable mystery! Oh, that  I could  repair  them  all in this  moment  by  the  sacrifice  of  ten  thousand  lives ! O divine Jesus,  how  true  it  is,  that  thy  delight  is  to be  with  the  children  of  men  (Prov.  viii.  31); for though thy  eternal  throne  is  surrounded  by  heavenly spirits, who  adore  thee  as  a God  of  infinite  majesty, and who  love  thee  as  the  source  of  infinite  goodness itself, yet  thou  bowest  the  very  heavens  to  come  on this  altar,  and  even  into  the  wretched  mansion  of  my soul. I need not  then  ascend  to  heaven  to  find