Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/543

 behold thy  servant  whom  thou  hast  cast  upon  a bed of sickness; comfort,  I beseech  thee,  my  afflicted spirit; increase my  faith,  strengthen  my  hope,  and perfect my  charity,  sanctify  all  my  sufferings,  and if thy  mercy  shall  restore  me  to  health,  may  I carefully  correct  the  errors  of  my  past  life. If it please  thee  to  call  me  out  of  this  world,  grant  that I may safely  pass  through  the  shades  of  death,  transported by  thy  holy  angels  into  the  mansions  of  bliss, where no  fear  shall  trouble  me,  no  pains  afflict  me,  no grief  disturb  my  peace  of  mind,  but  pure  delight,  unspeakable joy  and  perfect  security  shall  be  for  ever confirmed to  me: Through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord. Amen.

DEAR Jesus,  I adore  thee  with  my  whole  heart; I give thee  thanks  for  that  infinite  love  which thou didst  show  to  poor  sinners  in  dying  for  them on the  cross,  and  for  the  unspeakable  goodness  displayed in  thy  heavenly  banquet,  to  which  thou  art now pleased  to  invite  me. How dare  I approach, who have  so  ungratefully  offended  thee,  and  have lived so  long  unworthy  of  m&gt;* profession.

I acknowledge, O God,  that  I am  a sinner. Thou alone art  my  hope: I raise  my  eyes  to  thee,  who  art rich in  mercy,  who  art  my  advocate  and  most  powerful mediator. I commit my  cause  into  thy  hands. Help me  now  in  my  distress; let  the  infinite  treasure of thy  merits  supply  all  my  deficiencies,  while  I partake of  this  sacred  food. Thou knowest  my  weakness and unworthiness; thou  seest  how  unfit  I am, through the  multitude  and  enormity  of  my  sins,  to appear  before  thy  judgment  seat. I tremble for  that