As soon, therefore, as the Mass commences, while the Priest humbles himself at the foot of the altar, and says the Confiteor, make a short examination of conscience, an act of true contrition, beg pardon of God for your sins, and invoke the assistance of the Holy Spirit and of the Blessed Virgin, that you may hear Mass with all reverence and devotion.
Then divide the Mass into four parts, in which you will pay the four great debts, in the following way: -
ADORATION.
1. From the beginning to the Gospel you will pay your first debt of honouring and praising the Majesty of God, who is worthy of infinite honour and praise. Humble yourself, therefore, with Jesus; acknowledge your own nothingness; confess sincerely that you are but utter nothingness in the presence of His immense Majesty; and then with great modesty and recollection, with humility of heart and body, say —
O my God, I adore Thee, and acknowledge Thee to be the Lord and Master of my soul. I protest that all that I am, all that I have, I have from Thee; and since Thy exceeding Majesty demands an infinite homage and worship, and I, a miserable creature, am utterly unable to acquit myself of this great debt, I offer Thee the humiliations and the homage which Jesus offers to Thee upon the altar. That which Jesus does, I intend to do likewise, in union with Him. I humble and abase myself
