Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/360

 even of  the  angels  themselves,  how  great  is  the maternal tenderness  of  thy  heart  towards  mankind! how great  thy  favours! how unworthy  our  acknowledgment, our  gratitude,  our  return. Our souls are penetrated  with  grief  at  the  consideration  of  the many injuries  thou  receivest  from  infidels  and  wicked Christians, by  the  profanation  of  the  altars  dedicated to thy  name,  by  execrable  blasphemies  vomited  out against thy  maternal  virginity,  sanctity,  and  integrity, but especially  from  the  anguish  with  which  those sinners load  thee,  who,  heaping  sin  upon  sin,  against thy divine  Son,  draw  down  vengeance  and  damnation on their  own  souls; all  which  bring  sorrow  on  thy tender love  and  compassion. Thus affected,  and upon this  consideration,  we  cast, ourselves  at'  thy sacred feet,  and,  though  the  greatest  of  sinners,  most unworthy and  least  corresponding  with  the  graces we have  received,  we  here  enter  our  protest  against such ungrateful  conduct,  and  beseech  thee,  O sacred Virgin, more  than  martyr,  to  accept  the  same  as  a reparation  of  honour. Pardon our  past  offences  and indignities; pardon those  of  mankind. Prostrate in like  manner  before  thee,  make  us,  sinners  as  we  are, sensible of  the  favours  thou  hast  conferred  upon  us; and being  truly  contrite  for  the  past,  may  we,  by  thy aid and  assistance,  break  the  chains  of  our  former thraldom and  slavery,  live  henceforward  in  thy  favour, and in  the  happy  liberty  of  the  children  of  God. May this  our  act  and  deed,  O Saviour  of  the  world, as we  can  do  nothing  more  agreeable  to  thee  than  to show  our  love  and  gratitude  to  thy  blessed  Mother, may it  be  approved  and  confirmed  by  thy  blessing and authority. Amen.