Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/458

 he may  vouchsafe  to  strengthen  our  weakness: no one  is  better  entitled  to  speak  in  our  favour  to  thy God, and  ours,  than  thyself,  who  art  the  nearest  to him. Intercede, then,  for  us,  O blessed  Mother, because thy  Son  hears  thee,  and  thou  canst  obtain whatever thou  wilt  ask.

Short prayer,  etc. — “O Mary,  obtain  for  me  the grace to  have  constant  recourse  to  thee.”

SWEETEST, most  compassionate,  and  most amiable Sovereign! with what  tender  confidence St. Bernard inspires  me,  when  I have  recourse  to  thee! Thou dost  not  examine,  he  says,  the  merits  of  each  one that has  recourse  to  thy  goodness,  but  thou  dost promise help  to  all  who  will  pray  to  thee. Thou wilt hear  me  willingly  therefore  if  I pray. Behold, then, my  petition! Listen: I am a poor  sinner,  and deserve a thousand  hells. I desire, however,  to change  my  life; I wish  to  love  that  God  whom  I have  so  much  offended. I consecrate myself  to  thy service, I give  myself  to  thee,  all  miserable  as  I am. O then, save  now  a penitent  who  is  thine,  and  no more  his  own. O my Queen,  hast  thou  heard  me? Indeed, I hope  thou  hast  both  heard  and  blessed  me.

OST holy  Virgin! who art  the  greatest  consolation that  I receive  from  God; thou  who  art the heavenly  dew  which  assuages  all  my  pains; thou who art  the  light  of  my  soul  when  it  is  enveloped  in darkness; thou  who  art  my  guide  in  unknown  paths