Cross, to be a sacrifice and ransom for the redemption of us sinners, so to direct me by thy saving grace, and so to cause me ever worthily to use the sacred Mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that I may gain from them abundant benefit and strength against all the snares of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and avoid all sins, especially these, N.
Grant, moreover, that I may practise more diligently the virtues most necessary to my state, as charity, humility, purity, N. and N., and endeavour to serve thee more faithfully every day.
9. Offer thyself and thy all to God.
For what other return shall I make thee, O Lord, for all that thou hast done for me? Do I not owe thee my life, my body and soul, and my all, when thou hast freely given me all things, even thy very own Son, who has laid down for me his life and his soul?
It is true, O Lord, that I owe myself to thee entirely, since thou, to redeem me, a guilty creature, hast given up entirely thy innocent Son. Oh, that I could present my body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God! Oh, that my soul may live to thee, and that all that I have may serve thee! Behold, my heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready. Thou, O Lord, who lookest rather to the will than the gift, despise not, I beseech thee, thy poor servant, who have nothing more acceptable to offer thee than him in whom thou art well pleased; and who also cast in two mites;[1] that is, my body and soul, which I resign absolutely and completely to thy pleasure and service.
10. Unite thy oblation or communion with the oblation and merits of Christ.
And thou, my most sweet Redeemer, my Advocate and Mediator with God the Father, despise me not, but, in union with thy most holy works, done in sovereign charity, favourably offer and commend to thy eternal Father the oblation of an unworthy sinner.
Unite this my service with that most precious Sacrifice, by which thou offeredst thyself to thy eternal Father, in the most eminent charity and obedience, on the altar of tho Cross.
Behold, O Lord, I am poor and needy, while thou art rich in merits and mercy. But for whom is it that thou hast heaped up the riches of thy goodness, if not for poor sinners? Relieve, then, my poverty out of the boundless treasure of thy merits, and perfect all my actions out of the abundance of thy infinite love. And now especially, mercifully supply my want
- ↑ Luke xxi. 2.
