Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/156

 to become,  from  this  very  moment,  what  I shall certainly wish  to  have  been  at  the  hour  of  my  death. I resolve to  adopt  all  the  means  I know  to  be  necessary for  preserving  thy  grace,  and  persevering  in virtue. I resolve to  discharge  my  spiritual  duties with the  utmost  fidelity,  to  employ  my  time  carefully, and  in  the  manner  that  thou  requirest,  since  I must  account  for  every  moment  of  it  to  thee. I resolve to  strive  particularly  against  those  faults I am most  accustomed  to  commit,  and  to  avoid  those dangerous occasions  which  have  hitherto  led  me  into s:n.

These are  my  firm  resolutions,  O my  God! but I tremble when  I consider  my  former  inconstancy and my  present  weakness. I do not  deserve  those graces I have  so  often  abused: but  notwithstanding, since thou  knowest  I can  do  nothing  without  thee, I humbly hope  thou  wilt  give  me  the  grace  and strength necessary  for  persevering  in  thy  love,  and keeping most  faithfully  the  resolutions  I now  make. Preserve me,  O Lord,  from  presumptuous  confidence in my  own  strength,  for  that  alone  would  cause  my fall. Alas! there are  many  now  in  hell,  who  at  some period of  their  mortal  life  felt  more  fervour,  more sorrow for  sin,  and  made  more  firm  purpose  of amendment  than  I do; I also  may  deserve  to  be abandoned  by  thee. My God  and  only  hope! leave me not  to  myself — accept  my  resolutions,  but  do thou  give  them  efficacy; permit  me  to  place  them  in thy  hands,  in  thy  sacred  heart,  and  under  the  protection of  thy  blessed  Mother,  and  my  g66d  Angel; that thus  my  weakness  may  be  powerfully  assisted, and that  I may  be  preserved  from  the  misfortune  of a relapse  into  sin.