Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/31

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NIGHT PRAYER.
13

majesty, and provoked thy wrath and indignation against me, especially for my disobedience to so holy a law, and extreme ingratitude to so gracious and bountiful a God. I acknowledge, O Lord, that I have not merited the least of thy mercies, but rather deserve the severest of thy judgments; but as thou hast revealed thyself to be a God of pity and compassion, forgiving the iniquities of such as truly repent, I therefore, with a penitent and contrite heart, freely confess the guiltiness of my own conscience, and beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.

May Almighty God have mercy on me, and, forgiving me my sins, bring me to everlasting life: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant me pardon, absolution, and remission of all my sins. Amen.

And now, O most gracious and liberal Benefactor, I praise and magnify thy holy name for thy great and innumerable benefits, proceeding purely from thy bounty, and intended wholly for my good—particularly for preserving me this day in the midst of so many dangers incident to my condition, and delivering me from so many calamities and miseries as are due to my sins.

Thou art my Creator, O my God, and kind Protector; thou art the ultimate end of my being, and supreme perfection of my nature. Under the shadow of thy wings is perpetual repose, and from the light of thy countenance flow eternal joy and felicity. To thee be glory and honour; to thee