Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/217

 I would gladly  make  some  offering  m acknowledgment of this  rich  present  thou  hast  made  me; alas ! thou knowest my  poverty,  thou  knowest  I have  nothing worthy of  thy  acceptance; nothing  but  what,  upon a thousand titles,  is  already  thine. But, O my  God, such is  thy  goodness,  thou  wilt  be  contented  with  the little that  I can  give  thee,  though  it  be  thine  already; thou askest  nothing  but  my  heart,  and  this  I here most willingly  offer  thee: oh ! be pleased  to  accept of it,  and  make  it  wholly  thine  for  ever. I offer thee here my  whole  being,  my  body,  with  all  its  senses, and my  soul,  with  all  its  powers; that  as  thou  hast at present  honoured  them  by  thy  presence,  so  they may be  thy  temple  for  ever. Oh ! sanctify and consecrate eternally  to  thyself  this  mansion,  which thou hast  this  day  chosen  for  thy  abode. I give thee my memory,  that  it  may  be  for  ever  recollected  in thee;  my  understanding,  that  it  may  be  always enlightened and  directed  by  thy  truth; and  my  will, that it  may  be  ever  conformable  to  thine,  and  ever burn with  love  of  thee. O take me  entirely  into  thy hands, with  all  that  I have  and  all  that  I am; and  let nothing henceforward,  in  life  or  death,  ever  separate me any  more  from  thee. Amen.

MOST merciful  Saviour,  behold  I have  presumed to receive  thee  this  day  into  my  house,  relying on thy  infinite  goodness  and  mercy,  and  hoping,  like Zacheus, to  obtain  thy  benediction; but  alas! with how little  preparation,  with  how  little  devotion/ From my  heart  I beg  pardon  for  my  great  unworthiness, and  for  my  innumerable  sins,  which  I detest for the  love  of  thee,  and  I desire  to  detest  for  ever. Oh! wash them  all  away  with  thy  precious  blood;