Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/159

 Holy Mary,  Mother  of  Mercy,  and  refuge  of  poor sinners, pray  for  me  now,  that  I may  make  this confession well,  and  so  obtain  pardon  and  the  grace to amend  my  life.

HOU seest  at  thy  feet,  O God  of  infinite  Majesty, the traitor  who  has  so  often  offended  thee,  but now humbly  implores  thee  to  pardon  him. “ A contrite and  humbled  heart,  O God,  thou  wilt  not despise.” I thank  thee  that  thou  hast  waited  for me until  this  day,  and  hast  not  left  me  to  die  in  my sins. I hope through  the  merits  of  Jesus  Christ, that having  been  patient  with  me  hitherto,  thou wilt pardon  me  now  in  this  confession  all  the  sins which 1 have  committed. O my God! I repent of all  my  sins,  and  am  deeply  grieved  for  having committed them,  because  I have  sinned  against  a merciful  and  loving  Father,  and  at  the  risk  of  my eternal  salvation. Yes! I am sorry  for  them  all, and with  my  whole  heart,  but  not  so  much  because of the  punishment  which  they  deserve,  as  because they have  offended  thee,  O infinite  Goodness!

O my supreme  and  only  Good,  I love  thee,  and because I love  thee,  I lament  all  the  offences  which I have been  guilty  of  towards  thee. I have neglected thee: I have not  paid  thee  that  honour  which belongs to  thee: I have  despised  thy  favour  and thy friendship,  and  I have  deserved  to  lose  thee  for ever, for  Jesus’  sake  forgive  me  all  my  sins  1 With my  whole  heart  I repent  of  them. I detest them. I repent not  only  of  every  mortal  sin  which I have ever  committed,  but  also  of  my  venial  sins, because by  them  also  I have  offended  thee,  I resolve for the  time  to  come,  with  the  help  of  thy  grace,