holy thoughts, and by the glowing love of thy pierced Heart, wash away all the guilt of my evil thoughts and of my wicked heart. By the matchless innocence of thy life, and by thy unspotted holiness, destroy all the foulness of my corrupt life. By the priceless fountain of thy most Precious Blood, wash away, cleanse and efface every defilement of my heart and soul, that by thy most holy merits I may be found clean from sin, and be henceforward enabled to keep all thy commandments perfectly and spotlessly. Amen.
Five sublime aspirations to Jesus Christ, which he himself taught to St. Mechtilde.
O SWEET Jesus, I sigh unto thee in union with that glory which flows down from thee upon all thy saints, to make up what is lacking in the glory which all creatures ought to give thee.
O compassionate Jesus, I sigh unto thee in union with the gratitude which rises towards thee from the hearts of thy saints, when they give thanks to thee for the gifts thou hast bestowed on them.
O meek Jesus, I sigh unto thee by reason of my sins and those of all men, in union with that patience with which thou dost support and endure the iniquities of us all.
O amiable Jesus, I sigh unto thee in union with that divine yearning which thou hadst on earth for the
