Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/620

 and love  of  thee; grant  me  also  that  which  I ask  in this  Novena,  to  thy  greater  honour  and  glory. Amen.

OST holy  father  Francis  Xavier  who  didst  receive praise from  the  mouths  of  innocent  children, I humbly implore  thy  bountiful  charity,  for  the sake of  the  most  precious  Blood  of  Jesus,  and  of the  immaculate  conception  of  our  Blessed  Lady, Mother of  God,  to  obtain  of  God's  infinite  goodness that, at  the  approach  of  my  last  hour,  my  heart  may be separated  and  withdrawn  from  all  worldly thoughts and  distractions,  and  be  fixed  in  the  most ardent love  of  him,  and  the  desire  of  a happy eternity; so that,  laying aside  all  earthly  things, which have  hitherto  perplexed  me,  I may  most diligently seek  and  perfectly  find  that  one  thing which is  necessary,  to  die  and  rest  in  peace,  under the protection  of  the  most  holy  Virgin  Mary,  in  the wounds of  Jesus  her  most  blessed  Son,  in  the  sweet embraces of  my  God,  and  in  thy  presence,  holy Saint, through  whose  intercession  I hope  to  obtain this mercy. But yet,  whilst  it  shall  please  the divine providence  to  preserve  my  life,  I beseech  thee, my loving  protector  and  affectionate  father,  to obtain  for  me  of  his  divine  majesty,  that  I may  live as one  that  is  to  die,  and  as  I would  wish  to  have lived at  the  hour  of  my  death; ever  imitating  thy virtues, and  fulfilling  the  most  holy  will  of  God, that so  my  temporal  death  may  be  to  me  a passage into life  everlasting. I also beseech  thee  to  obtain for me  that  which  I ask  in  this  Novena,  if  it  be  for the glory  of  God  and  for  the  good  of  my  soul. Amen.