Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/630

 of  the  cross;  by  all  the  sufferings  of  thy  most afflicted heart,  obtain  for  us,  O Mother  of  Mercy, true contrition  for  our  sins,  persevering  fervour  in the  divine  service,  and  the  particular  favours  we solicit  in  this  Novena.

O thou most  tender  and  afflicted  Mother,  who  didst sacrifice thyself  on  the  same  altar  with  thy  beloved Son, and  whose  heart  was  penetrated  by  the  nails that fastened  him  to  the  cross; as  it  was  our  sins inflicted those  torments  on  thy  Divine  Son,  we  acknowledge that  we  justly  deserve  the  wrath  of divine  justice  to  fall  on  our  devoted  heads. But if those  very  sufferings  have  proved  our  defence  and protection heretofore,  grant  that  now  at  least  we may  participate  profoundly  in  the  sorrow  of  which we have  been  the  unhappy  cause; and  obtain,  that souls hitherto  so  insensible  to  the  strongest  proofs of love,  may,  by  heartfelt  contrition,  taste  one  drop of that  bitter  chalice  of  which  thou  didst  drink  so deeply. Amen.

BLESSED Apostle  of  Ireland! glorious St. Patrick! who didst  become  my  father  and  benefactor long  before  my  birth,  receive  my  prayers,  and accept the  sentiments  of  gratitude  and  veneration  with which my  heart  is  filled  towards  thee. Thou wert the channel  of  the  greatest  graces  to  me; deign  then to become  also  the  channel  of  my  grateful  thanksgivings to  God  for  having  granted  me,  through  thee, that precious  gift  of  faith,  which  is  dearer  than  life.