Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/631

 O most blessed  father,  and  patron  of  my  country! do not,  I beseech  thee,  despise  my  weakness. Remember,that the  cries  of  little  children  were  the  mysterious invitation thou  didst  receive  to  come  among  us. Listen then  to  my  most  hmnble supplications; I unite them to  the  praises  and  blessings  which  will  ever follow thy  name  and  thy  memory  throughout  the Irish Church; I unite  them  to  the  prayers  of  the multitude of  my  ancestors,  who  now  enjoy  eternal  bliss, and owe  their  salvation,  under  God,  to  thy  zeal  and charity. They will  eternally  share  thy  glory,  because they listened  to  thy  word,  and  followed  thy  example. Ah! since I am  descended  from  saints,  may  I blush to differ  from  them; may  I begin  from  this  moment to love  God  with  all  my  heart,  and  serve  him  with  all my strength. For this  end  I most  humbly  beg  thy blessing, O great  St. Patrick! and thy  particular intercession, for  obtaining  whatever  grace  thou  seest to be  most  necessary  for  me,  and  also  the  particular intentions of  this  Novena. [ Name them.]

O charitable Shepherd  of  the  Irish  flock! who wouldst have  laid  down  a thousand  lives  to  save  one soul, take  my  soul,  and  the  souls  of  all  Christians, under thy  special  care,  and  preserve  us  from  the dreadful misfortune  of  sin. Thy zealous  preaching provided us  the  blessings  of  religious  instructions which we  now  enjoy; obtain  that  none  of  us  may receive them  in  vain. Thou didst  teach  our  ancestors to love  our  holy  Faith,  obtain  for  us  that  we  may  be true  to  it  till  death. I most humbly  recommend  to thee  this  country,  which  was  so  dear  to  thee  while on earth. Protect it  still; and  above  all,  obtain  for its pastors,  particularly  those  who  instruct  us,  the grace to  walk  in  thy  footsteps,  that  they  may  share in thy  eternal  bliss.