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 pray to  thy  divine   Son  for  me,  that  he  may  be  pleased to accept  of  me,  and  make  me  all  his  own.

1. One  thing  is  necessary? the salvation  of  our  souls. It is not  necessary  to  be  great,  noble,  or  rich  in  this  world, or to  enjoy  uninterrupted  health;  but  it  is  necessary  to save  our  souls,     For  this  has  God  placed  us  here:  not  to acquire  honors,  riches,  or  pleasures,  but  to  acquire  by  our good works  that  eternal  kingdom  which   is  prepared  for those who,  during   this   present   life,  fight    against  and overcome the  enemies  of  their  eternal  salvation.

Ah, my  Jesus,  how  often  have  I  renounced  heaven  by renouncing  Thy  grace! But, O  Lord! I am  more grieved for  having  forfeited  Thy  friendship  than  for having lost  heaven. Give me,  O  Jesus! a great  sorrow for my  sins,  and  mercifully  pardon  me.

2. Of  what  consequence  is  it  if  a  man  be  poor,  mean, infirm, and   despised  in   this  life,  provided    that   in   the end he  dies  in  the  grace  of  God  and  secures  his  salvation? The more  he  has  been  afflicted  with    tribulations,  if  he suffered  them  with  patience,  the  more  will  he  be  glorified    in    the    kingdom    of    heaven. On  the   other  hand, what does  it  profit  a  man  to  abound  in  riches  and  honors, if, when  he  dies,  he  is  lost  forever? If we  are  lost,  all the goods  that  we  have  enjoyed  in  this  world  will  be  remembered  only  to  increase  our  misery  for  eternity.

Do Thou,  my  God,  enlighten  me;  give  me  to  under stand that  my  only  evil  is  to  offend  Thee,  and  my  only good to  love  Thee. Enable me  to  spend  the  remainder of my  days  in  serving  Thee.

3. Salvation  is  necessary,  because  there  is  no  medium;