Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/497

 tector, until  I shall  have  happily  joined  thee  in  the kingdom of  eternal  rest. Amen.

Aspiration. — O glorious St.  Joseph  I obtain  for  me the  grace  of  a holy  life  and  a happy  death.

MOST adorable  Jesus! whom thy  own  infinite love induces  to  dwell  among  us,  thy  unworthy servants, in  the  adorable  Sacrament  of  our  Altars, receive I beseech  thee,  my  profound  adoration. I firmly believe  that  thou  art  really  present  in  the Holy Eucharist,  as  powerful,  as  amiable,  and  as adorable  as  thou  art  in  heaven; thou  hast  mercifully hidden the  splendour  of  thy  Majesty,  lest  it  should deter us  from  approaching  thy  sanctuary. I believe thou dwellest  on  our  altars,  not  alone  to  receive  our adorations, but  to  listen  to  our  petitions — to  remedy our evils — to  be  the  strength  and  nourishment  of our  souls,  our  powerful  Helper,  our  Refuge,  and  our Sacrifice, I hope  in  that  boundless  mercy  which detains thee  among  us  poor  weak  sinners. I love that infinite  goodness  which  induces  thee  to  communicate thyself  so  liberally  and  so  wonderfully  to thy  creatures. I thank thee  for  such  a convincing proof of  thy  love,  and  ardently  wish  that  I could worthily acknowledge  all  the  blessings  I have  ever received from  this  fountain  of  grace  and  mercy. I sincerely regret  that  this  precious  pledge  of  thy  love is received  by  so  many  with  such  coldness  and indifference. Alas! I myself have  had  too  much share, by  my  ungrateful  conduct,  in  wounding  thy merciful heart  on  this  altar,  and  am  more  guilty  than others, since  very  few  have  been  so  much  favoured.