Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/133

 Hail Mary,  and  also  to  St.  Joseph,  to  our  Guardian Angel, and  to  our  holy  patrons. These acts  should  be brief  but  very  earnest  and  fervent.

"The conclusion  of  our  meditation  consists  of  these three  acts:  (i)  thanksgiving  to  God  for  the  light  He imparted  to  us;  (2)  purposing  to  fulfil  our  good  resolutions at  once;  and  (3)  beseeching  the  eternal Father,  for  the  love  of  Jesus  and  Mary,  to  grant  us  the grace  and  strength  to  put  them  into  practice.  Before finishing  our  meditation  let  us  never  omit  to  recommend  to  God  the  souls  in  purgatory  and  poor  sinners. In  concluding  our  mental  prayer  let  us.  after  the  advice of  St.  Francis  of  Sales,  pick  out  a  thought  or  an  affection from  our  mental  prayer,  in  order  to  reflect  on  it or  repeat  it  from  time  to  time  during  the  day."

Y God,  I  firmly  believe  that  Thou  art  everywhere  present  and  seest  all  things. Thou seest my  nothingness,  my  inconstancy,  my  sinfulness. Thou seest  me  in  all  my  actions;  Thou  seest  me  in  this my meditation. I bow  down  before  Thee,  and  worship Thy  divine  majesty  with  my  whole  being. Cleanse my  heart  from  all  vain,  wicked,  and  distracting thoughts. Enlighten my  understanding,  and  inflame my  will,  that  I  may  pray  with  reverence,  attention, and  devotion.