Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/787

Rh thee, I  may  be  made  worthy  to  enjoy  the  vision  of  our  God forever. Amen.

Indulgence of  100  days,  once  a  day. — Pius VII,  March 6,  1802.

had drawn  as  his  monthly  patron for  August  the  glorious  martyr  St. Laurence, and in  his  honor  he  performed  daily  some  penance  or  devotion. On the  eve  of  his  feast  he  obtained  leave  to  take  the discipline;  in  the  morning  he  went  to  Communion,  and then  laid  before  the  image  of  the  saint  a  letter  addressed to  our  Lady,  in  which  he  begged  that  he  might  die  on  her feast  of  the  Assumption,  and  he  prayed  St. Laurence to present  to  her  his  petition. That night  he  was  seized  with a  slight  fever,  which,  however,  rapidly  increased;  and  on Assumption-eve  he  received  the  last  sacraments. Then, as he  lay  dying,  he  had  brought  to  him  a  little  book  containing a  litany  in  his  own  writing  of  his  monthly  patron saints,  whom  he  constantly  invoked. At 3  a.m.  on  the feast  of  the  Assumption  his  face  suddenly  lit  up  with  joy, and  he  breathed  forth  his  soul  to  the  Mother  of  God,  who had  come  to  conduct  him  to  heaven. — Miniature Lives  of  the  Saints.

St. Stanislaus, angel  of  purity  and  seraph  of charity,  I  rejoice  with  thee  at  thy  most  happy  death, which  arose  from  thy  desire  to  contemplate  our  Lady  in heaven,  and  was  at  length  caused  by  the  excess  of  thy  love for  her,  I  give  thanks  to  Mary  because  she  thus  accomplished  thy  desires;  and  I  pray  thee,  by  the  luster  of  thy happy  death,  to  be  my  advocate  and  patron  in  my  death. Intercede with  Mary  for  me,  to  obtain  for  me  a  death,  if not  all  happiness  like  thine,  yet  calm  and  peaceful,  under the  protection  of  Mary  my  advocate,  and  of  thee,  my special  patron. Pater, Ave,  Gloria.