Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/217

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I would gladly make some offering m acknowledgment of this rich present thou hast made me; alas ! thou knowest my poverty, thou knowest I have nothing worthy of thy acceptance; nothing but what, upon a thousand titles, is already thine. But, O my God, such is thy goodness, thou wilt be contented with the little that I can give thee, though it be thine already; thou askest nothing but my heart, and this I here most willingly offer thee: oh ! be pleased to accept of it, and make it wholly thine for ever. I offer thee here my whole being, my body, with all its senses, and my soul, with all its powers; that as thou hast at present honoured them by thy presence, so they may be thy temple for ever. Oh ! sanctify and consecrate eternally to thyself this mansion, which thou hast this day chosen for thy abode. I give thee my memory, that it may be for ever recollected in thee; my understanding, that it may be always enlightened and directed by thy truth; and my will, that it may be ever conformable to thine, and ever burn with love of thee. O take me entirely into thy hands, with all that I have and all that I am; and let nothing henceforward, in life or death, ever separate me any more from thee. Amen.

PETITIONS AFTER COMMUNION.

O MOST merciful Saviour, behold I have presumed to receive thee this day into my house, relying on thy infinite goodness and mercy, and hoping, like Zacheus, to obtain thy benediction; but alas! with how little preparation, with how little devotion/ From my heart I beg pardon for my great unworthiness, and for my innumerable sins, which I detest for the love of thee, and I desire to detest for ever. Oh! wash them all away with thy precious blood;