Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/211

 orifice of  this  heavenly  well,  that  so  I may  draw  from thence, some  small  drop  to  refresh  my  thirst,  to  the end that  I may  not  be  wholly  dried  up. And if  I cannot  as  yet  be  all  heavenly,  and  all  on  fire,  like  the cherubim and  seraphim,  I will,  however,  endeavour  to apply  myself  to  devotion,  and  to  prepare  my  heart  for the acquiring  of  some  small  flame  of  divine  fire,  by the  humble  receiving  of  this  life-giving  sacrament. And whatever  is  wanting  to  me,  O good  Jesus,  most blessed Saviour,  do  thou  in  thy  bounty  and  goodness supply for  me,  who  hast  vouchsafed  to  call  all  unto thee, saying, "Come  to  me  all  you  that  labour  and  are burdened, and  I will  refresh  you .”  (Matt.  xi.  28.)

I labour indeed,  in  the  sweat  of  my  brow,  I am tormented  with  grief  of  heart,  I am  burdened  with sins, I am  troubled  with  temptations,  and  am entangled  and  oppressed  with  many  evil  passions; and there  is  no  one  to  help  me,  no  one  to  deliver  and save me,  but  thou,  O Lord  God,  my  Saviour; to whom  I commit  myself,  and  all  that  is  mine,  that thou mayst  keep  me,  and  bring  me  to  everlasting life. Receive me  for  the  praise  and  glory  of  thy  name, who hast  prepared  thy  body  and  blood  for  my  meat and drink. Grant, O Lord  God,  my  Saviour,  that with the  frequenting  this  thy  mystery,  the  affection of my  devotion  may  increase.

Lord, all  things  are  thine  that  are  in  heaven,  and on earth. I desire to  offer  up  myself  to  thee  as  a voluntary  oblation,  and  to  remain  for  ever  thine. Lord, in  the  sincerity  of  my  heart,  I offer  myself  to thee  this  day,  to  be  thy  servant  evermore,  to  serve thee, and  to  become  a sacrifice  of  perpetual  praise to thee. Receive me  with  this  sacred  oblation of thy  precious  body,  which  I offer  to  thee  this day, in  the  presence  of  thy  angels  invisibly  stand-