Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/587



GOD, who  by  the  Virgin’s  immaculate  conception didst  prepare  a worthy  dwelling  for  thy  Son, we beseech  thee,  that  thou,  who  by  the  death  of  that same Son  of  thine,  foreseen  by  thee,  didst  preserve her from  every  stain,  wouldst  grant  that  by  her intercession we  also  may  be  purified,  and  so  come  to thee.

GOD, the  shepherd  and  ruler  of  all  the  faithful, look mercifully  down  on  thy  servant  Leo,  whom thou hast  chosen  to  be  the  shepherd  of  thy  Church. Grant, we  beseech  thee,  that  he  may  both  by  word and example  benefit  those  whom  he  governs,  that, together with  the  flock  entrusted  to  his  care,  he may  come  to  life  everlasting.

O God, our  refuge  and  our  strength,  listen  to  the holy prayers  of  thy  Church,  who  art  thyself  the author of  holiness,  and  grant  that  what  we  faithfully ask for  we  may  efficaciously  obtain,  through  Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

MARY, immaculate  lily  of  purity,  I congratulate with thee,  that  from  the  very  first  instant  of  thy conception thou  hast  been  filled  with  grace,  and  also that the  perfect  use  of  reason  was  conferred  on  thee. I thank and  adore  the  most  holy  Trinity  for  having imparted to  thee  graces  so  sublime; and  I am  utterly confounded before  thee  to  see  myself  so  poor  in