Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/125

 when one  word  would  have  sufficed — leave  me  not without effecting  the  cure  for  which  thou  art  come; depart not  until  thou  hast  planted  on  the  ruins  of  my pride  and  vanity  the  divine  virtues  of  humility  and meekness, so  strongly  inculcated  by  the  divine example. Teach me,  I beseech  thee,  to  walk  in  thy footsteps; make choice  of  my  heart,  to  model  it  after thine, and  to  adorn  it  with  the  solid  virtues  of charity,  patience,  compassion  for  the  poor  and afflicted, a lively  horror  of  sin,  and  of  all  that  offends thy divine  Majesty.

Y God,  thou  shalt  never  leave  me  until  thou  bless me — until thou  givest  me  that  efficacious  benediction which  will  be  the  safeguard  of  thy  graces. That the  world  may  know  I sincerely  love  thee,  and have had  the  happiness  of  receiving  thee,  I will  follow thee, and  serve  thee  faithfully  to  the  last  moment  of life; but  yet,  my  God,  with  what  diffidence  should  I make  these  promises! How often  have  I promised to be  faithful  to  thy  law,  and  yet,  on  occasions  of trial,  how  repeatedly  have  I transgressed! Thou hast given me  thy  precious  body  and  blood,  yet  I have ungratefully refused  thee  the  most  trifling  sacrifices. Thus have  I hitherto  acted; and  what  I once  did,  I may  and  certainly  shall  do  again,  if  not  supported  by thy  powerful  grace. Yet, notwithstanding  my  experience of  past  weakness,  I do  again  promise  to keep  thy  Commandments,  to  love  thee  and  serve  thee with all  my  heart  and  soul. Remain with  me,  O divine  Lord,  by  the  influence  of  thy  all-powerful grace; take my  whole  being,  and  reign  over  me  so absolutely,  that  I may  never  acknowledge  any  kind of master  but  thee. May I rather  die  than  forget