Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/496

 approach thee  with  confidence,  because  I am  convinced that  the  constant  view  of  the  eternal  God become a child  for  our  love,  has  filled  thy  heart  with paternal tenderness  for  all  those  whom  he  honoured, and instructed  by  the  example  of  his  early  life. O glorious model  and  patron  of  God’s  greatest  saints! thou dost  not  disdain  to  become  the  particular patron of  youth,  because  the  sacred  infancy  of Christ  was  the  source  of  thy  glory,  and  the  object  of thy  tender  devotion. Receive me,  then,  into  thy venerable arms,  for  the  love  of  the  divine  Infant  who so often  reposed  on  thy  bosom. Take me  as  thy child, for  the  sake  of  him  whose  submission  to  thy will and  dependence  on  thy  care  so  exalted  thee. I, on my  part,  most  fervently  offer  thee  my  heart,  and all my  thoughts,  words,  and  actions  of  this  day, which I particularly  consecrate  to  thee,  as  a small testimony of  my  respect  and  filial  love. Present me, O blessed Saint,  to  Jesus,  and  obtain  for  me  a share in the  virtues  and  amiable  dispositions  of  his  divine childhood, that  I may  thereby  become  less  unworthy to call  thee  my  Father. Be thou,  O glorious Guardian of  the  Word  made  Flesh! my special  protector; not  alone  amidst  the  many  dangers  of  my youth,  but  throughout  my  life. Implore for  me  a particular  devotion  to  thy  Virgin  Spouse,  and  the grace to  imitate  so  faithfully  her  virtues  and  thine, that at  the  hour  of  my  death,  I may  be  entitled  to look  up  to  her  and  to  thee  with  an  humble  confidence. When that  awful  hour  of  my  departure  from  this world arrives,  obtain  for  me,  O glorious  St. Joseph! a small share  in  the  profound  peace,  holy  confidence, and ardent  love  which  the  actual  presence  of  Jesus and Mary  infused  into  thy  soul  at  thy  consoling death, and  do  not  cease  to  be  my  dear  blessed  pro-