Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/339

 other return  for  these  thy  mercies  than  contempt  of thy  favours,  forgetfulness  of  their  obligations,  and ingratitude to  thee,  the  best  of  benefactors,  is  it not  just  that  we  thy  servants,  penetrated  with  a deep  sense  of  such  indignities,  as  far  as  is  in  our power, enter  on  a due  and  satisfactory  reparation  of honour  to  thy  most  sacred  Majesty? Humbled therefore in  mind  before  heaven  and  earth,  we solemnly  declare  our  sincere  detestation  and  abhorrence of  such  conduct. Inexpressible, we  know,  was the bitterness  with  which  the  multitude  of  our  sins overwhelmed thy  tender  Heart; insufferable  the weight of  our  iniquities,  which  pressed  thy  face  to the  earth  in  the  Garden  of  Olives; and  insurmountable thy  anguish,  when,  expiring  with  love,  grief,  and agony on  Mount  Calvary,  in  thy  last  breath  thou wouldst reclaim  sinners  to  their  duty  and  repentance. This we  know,  O dear  Redeemer,  and  would  most willingly redress  these  thy  sufferings  by  our  own,  or share  with  thee  in  thine.

O merciful Jesus,  ever  present  on  our  altars,  and with a Heart  open  to  receive  all  who  labour  and  are burdened! O adorable Heart  of  Jesus,  source  of true  contrition,  impart  to  our  hearts  the  true  spirit of penance,  and  to  our  eyes  a fountain  of  tears,  that we may  bewail  our  sins  and  those  of  the  world. Pardon, divine  Jesus,  all  the  injuries,  reproaches,  and outrages offered  to  thee  through  the  course  of  thy  holy life and  bitter  passion. Pardon all  the  impieties, irreverences, and  sacrileges  which  have  been  committed against  thee  in  the  sacrament  of  the  Eucharist from its  first  institution. Graciously receive  the small tribute  of  our  sincere  repentance,  as  an  agreeable offering  in  thy  sight,  in  requital  for  the  benefits we daily  receive  from  the  altar,  where  thou  art  a living