Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/196

 7. Humbly beg  God's  grace. — But,  O my  God,  thou knowest my  great  poverty  and  misery,  and  that  of myself  I can  do  nothing; thou  knowest  how  unworthy I am  of  this  infinite  favour,  and  thou  alone canst make  me  worthy. Oh! since thou  art  so  good as to  invite  me  thus  to  thyself,  add  this  one  bounty more to  all  the  rest,  to  prepare  me  for  thyself. Cleanse my  soul  from'  its  stains,  clothe  it  with  the nuptial garment  of  charity,  adorn  it  with  all  virtues, and make  it  a fit  abode  for  thee. Drive sin  and  the devil far  from  this  dwelling,  which  thou  art  here pleased to  choose  for  thyself,  and  make  me  one according to  thy  own  heart,  that  this  heavenly  visit which thou  designest  for  my  salvation,  may  not,  by my  unworthiness,  be  perverted  to  my  damnation. Oh ! let me  never  be  guilty  of  thy  body  and  blood, by an  unworthy  communion. For the  sake  of  this same precious  blood,  which  thou  hast  shed  for  me, deliver me  from  so  great  an  evil. O rather let  me  die ten thousand  deaths,  than  thus  presume  to  crucify thee again.

8. Implore the  prayers  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  and  of the  Saints. — O all  ye  blessed  angels  and  saints  of  God, who see,  face  to  face,  him  whom  I shall  receive  under these humble  veils; and  thou  most  especially,  ever •Blessed Virgin,  Mother  of  the  same  God  and  Saviour, in whose  sacred  womb  he  was  conceived  and  borne for nine  months; I most  humbly  beg  the  assistance of your  prayers  and  intercession,  that  I may  in  such manner receive  him  here  in  this  place  of  banishment, as to  be  brought  one  day  to  enjoy  him  with  you  in our  true  country,  and  there  to  praise  him  and  love him for  ever.