through Thy merits, without even so much as knowing it, was, by baptism, made a child of the Church; through Thy love my sins have been often forgiven, and I have received many special graces; through Thee I have the hope of dying in the grace of God, and of loving Thee eternally in paradise.
O my beloved Redeemer, what gratitude do I not owe Thee! Into Thy pierced hands I commend my poor soul. Make me well understand the excess of that love which made God die for me: would that I could die for Thee! But what would the death of a wicked slave weigh against the death of his Lord and God? Would that I could, at least, love Thee with my whole heart; but without Thy help, O my Jesus, I can do nothing. Oh, help me! and, through the merits of Thy death, make me die to all earthly affections, that so I may love Thee only, Who dost deserve all my love. I love Thee, O Infinite Goodness. I love Thee, my chief Good. O Mary, my Mother, intercede for me. Amen.
Petitions to Jesus crucified.
H, my crucified Jesus, look on me with the
same love with which Thou didst look on
me when dying on the cross for me; look on
me, and have pity on me; give me a general pardon
for all the displeasure I have given Thee; give me
holy perseverance; give me Thy holy love; give me
a perfect conformity to Thy will; give me paradise,
that I may love Thee there forever. I deserve nothing; but Thy wounds encourage me to hope for
every good from Thee. Ah, Jesus of my soul, by
that love which made Thee die for me, give me Thy
love. Take away from me all affection to creatures,
give me resignation in tribulation, and make Thyself the object of all my affections, that from this day
forward I may love none other but Thee.
