lighten us, we beseech thee, and give us an humble and contrite heart, that we may see wherein we have offended thy infinite Majesty, and judge ourselves now with such a just severity that thou mayest then judge us with mercy and clemency.
Let us examine ourselves, and consider how we have spent this day, what sins we hare committed against God, our neighbor, or our selves; and reflect whether we have complied with the full duty of our state of life.
Here pause ten minutes for the general examen. Then say the Confiteor, the Lord's Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Creed.
MOST merciful Lord! we are sorry from the bottom of our hearts for all the sins we have committed, purely because they are offensive to thee, who art a God of infinite goodness: we sincerely detest them, and firmly purpose, through thy holy grace, never to offend thee any more. Enlighten our understandings, and strengthen our wills, that we may persevere in thy favor till death. Amen.
O my God! we firmly believe all the sacred truths the Catholic Church believes and teaches, because thou hast revealed them.
Relying on thy goodness and promises, we hope to obtain the pardon of our sins, and life everlasting, through the merits of Jesus Christ, and by the intercession of his blessed Mother, and of all the Saints.
We love thee, above all things, with our whole heart and soul, purely for thyself, and we desire to love thee, as the blessed do in heaven. We also love our neighbor, for thy sake, as we love ourselves. And we sincerely forgive all who have injured us, and ask pardon of all whom we have injured.
We adore all the designs of thy Divine Providence, resigning ourselves entirely to thy will. We renounce the devil with all his works, the world with all its