Prayer
BEFORE ASSISTING AT THE DIVINE OFFICE, OR OTHER DEVOTIONS
O almighty, everlasting God, I, thy most unworthy creature, appear here before the throne of thy grace, desiring to pour out my heart before thee, and to worship thee, my God, as well and as perfectly as I can. Wherefore I begin and will faithfully continue this office [or, this prayer] in union with the love wherewith thy -Son worshipped thee, and wrought all the whole work of our redemption; beseeching thee that I may be enabled to pay thee a tribute of honour and praise like that which the most precious Humanity of Jesus and the most holy Virgin Mary rendered thee unceasingly. And to this end I offer these my prayers to thee, in the virtue and merit of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in his name and in that of all thy holy angels and saints, to thy eternal praise and glory. I humbly implore thee to preserve me from ail distraction and dryness of spirit, and to enable me duly to bring thee this my appointed tribute of prayer and praise. Amen.
ASPIRATION BEFORE OFFICE.
O Lord Jesus, in union with the intention and love with which thou didst give praise to God the Father, I offer and will recite [or, assist at] this holy office.
The above prayers may he used in church before any service. They are taken from St. Gertrude.
