Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/514



HOLY youth! why have  not  I a heart  as  pure, as tender,  and  inflamed  with  the  love  of  God  as yours  was? During your  mortal  life  upon  earth, you imitated  that  lively  and  ardent  charity  which animates the  blessed  spirits  in  heaven. This encourages me  to  apply  to  you,  to  obtain  for  me  from the Almighty  a thorough  change  of  my  heart. Yes; I make bold  to  present  to  you  this  frozen  and  insensible heart. Obtain for  me  some  sparks  of  that divine fire  which  inflamed  and  consumed  your  soul. Teach me  at  length  to  know  and  to  love  my  God, my sovereign,  my  only  good. Alas! I see, and  to my  shame  I own  it,  that  I am  deficient  in  my  most essential duty,  whilst  I refuse  to  my  God  the  love which I owe  to  him. I foolishly give  my  heart  to vile  and  perishable  creatures,  and  I do  not  love  my Creator,  my  Redeemer, and  my  Father. I therefore conjure  you,  through  that  ardent  love  which  you  ever  had for this  divine  Master,  and  which  you  wished  you  had the power  to  enkindle  in  every  heart,  to  inspire  me with  sentiments  far  different  from  those  which  I have hitherto entertained. Exert your  influence  with  our common Lord,  to  obtain  for  me  the  grace  to  live  and to die  in  the  love  of  my  God: this  is  the  greatest favour that  I can  expect  from  your  powerful  protection. Amen.

LLOW me,  great  Saint,  to  prostrate  myself  at  the feet of  the  throne  of  glory  to  which  the  Lord has raised  you  in  heaven. Allow me  to  congratulate with you  on  that  unspeakable  happiness  which  you now enjoy, and  will  enjoy  for  all  eternity. Blessed be  the