Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/154



LAS! accursed sins! how could  I treat  the  Son of God  so  cruelly? Miserable that  I am,  who will give  rivers  of  tears  to  my  eyes,  that  I may  weep according to  the  multitude  of  my  sins! Is this  thy reward, my  dearest  Saviour,  for  that  innocent  blood which thou  hast  shed  with  so  much  love  and  sorrow for my  sake? Could I make  thee  no  better  return than this? — by my  guilty  pleasures,  my  brutal passions, my  cold  contempt  of  thy  holy  laws,  to cover  again  thy  face  with  shame,  and  open  thy bleeding wounds  afresh?

O Lamb of  God! sacrificed and  lifeless  on  the cross, remember  that  I am  a soul  redeemed  by  thy precious blood: pardon  me  my  sins,  for  I am  sorry for them  from  the  bottom  of  my  heart. Yes, raise thy wounded  hand  to  bless  and  pardon  me. Receive the traitor  that  now  casts  himself  in  sorrow  at  thy feet. My sins  fill  me  with  terror,  for  I know  that I deserve to  be  in  hell  this  moment; but  surely, since thou  hast  died  for  me,  thou  wilt  not  now refuse me  mercy. Behold me  here,  O my  God! what wilt  thou  have  me  do? Shall I weep  over my sins? Indeed, I am  sorry  for  them,  and  detest them with  my  whole  soul. Shall I forsake  them? I do renounce  them,  now  and  for  ever. Shall I spend  the  remainder  of  my  life  in  loving  thee  and serving thee? This is  my  desire,  and  I am  resolved to do  so. Behold now  I go  to  confess  my  sins! Great God! give me  grace  to  confess  them  thoroughly, sincerely, and  humbly,  and  from  this  moment never, never  to  offend  thee  any  more. Holy Mary, Mother of  mercy  1 I recommend  myself  to  thee in this  solemn  hour. My Guardian  Angel,  and all my  Patron  Saints,  pray  to  the  Lord  my  God  for  me.