Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/426

 and when,  in  thy  presence  and  in  theirs,  he  miraculously ascended  into  heaven. I ask it  through  the grace of  the  Holy  Ghost,  infused  into  the  hearts  of his  disciples  when  he  descended  upon  them  in  the form of  fiery  tongues,  and  by  which  they  were inspired with  zeal  in  the  conversion  of  the  world when they  went  to  preach  the  Gospel. I ask it through  the  awful  appearance  of  thy  Son  at  the  last dreadful day,  when  he  shall  come  to  judge  the  living and the  dead,  and  the  world  by  fire. I ask it  through the compassion  he  bore  thee  in  this  life,  and  the ineffable joy  thou  didst  feel  at  thy  assumption  into heaven, where  thou  art  eternally  absorbed  in  the sweet contemplation  of  his  divine  perfections. O glorious and  ever  blessed  Virgin,  comfort  the  heart of thy  supplicant,  by  obtaining  for  me:

[Here mention  or  reflect  on  your  lawful  request,  under  the  reservation of  its  being  agreeable  to  the  will  of  God. who sees  whether it will  contribute  towards  your  spiritual  good.]

And as  I am  persuaded  my  divine  Saviour  honours thee as  his  beloved  Mother,  to  whom  he  can  refuse nothing, let  me  speedily  experience  the  efficacy  of thy  powerful  intercession,  according  to  the  tenderness of thy  maternal  affection,  and  his  filial,  loving  hearty who mercifully  grantest  the  requests  and  compliest with the  desires  of  those  who  love  and  fear  him. O most blessed  Virgin,  besides  the  object  of  my  present petition, and  whatever  else  I may  stand  in  need  of, obtain for  me  of  thy  divine  Son,  our  Lord  and  our God, lively  faith,  firm  hope,  perfect  charity,  true contrition, a horror  of  sin,  love  of  God  and  my neighbour,  contempt  of  the  world,  and  patience  and resignation under  the  trials  and  afflictions  of  this  life. Obtain likewise  for  me,  O sacred  Mother  of  God,  the great gift  of  final  perseverance,  and  grace  to  receive