Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/551

 through the  gate  that  leads  to  the  mansions  of  eternal bliss.

Our Father,  etc. Hail Mary,  etc.

Lord Jesus  Christ! who by  thy  precious  blood hast redeemed  *us,  we  beseech  thee  to  imprint  deep  on the  sold  of  this  thy  servant,  the  memory  of  thy  most sacred wounds,  that  having  them  perpetually  in  [his] sight, [he]  maybe  encouraged  to  suffer  with  patience and resignation,  and  be  armed  against  all  the  pangs of death. Thus let  [him]  cheerfully  submit  to  all the difficulties  of  [his]  condition,  and  begin,  even here, to  be  united  to  thee  with  a love  that  shall  never end.

Grant [him]  now  to  partake  of  the  fruit  of  thy  holy incarnation, of  thy  bitter  passion,  of  thy  glorious resurrection and  admirable  ascension.

Grant that  [he]  may  be  sensible  of  the  effects  of thy  holy  mysteries  and  sacraments,  and  of  all  the prayers which  are  offered  to  thee  by  the  whole church.

Remember, O Lord,  that  thou  wast  once  in  the straits of  death; that  in  this  extremity,  after  crying out to  thy  eternal  Father,  and  commending  thy  spirit t6 him,  thou  didst  expire. Behold now  this  thy servant in  [his]  anguish  crying  aloud  to  thee; stand thou by  [him],  defend  and  comfort  [him]  in  this  [his] distress, and  receive  [his]  soul  into  thy  merciful embraces.

Remember, O Jesus,  that  thy  arms  were  stretched forth, thy  side  opened,  and  thy  sacred  head  bowed down from  the  cross; have  regard  now,  we  beseech thee, to  the  soul  of  this  thy  servant,  which,  departing out of  this  world,  seeks  refuge  in  thee; receive  it  into thy arms,  clasp  it  to  thy  breast,  and  there  let  it  hide itself, secured  from  the  attacks  of  all  its  enemies,  till