Page:The Catholic prayer book.djvu/106

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divine majesty, acknowledge his infinite mercies, and obtain the graces necessary for serving him on earth and enjoying him in heaven. Permit me, O divine Jesus, to ascend this true Calvary with thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of thy majesty; that my heart, with all its affections, may acknowledge thy infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed; and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany that which thou art about to offer. Alas! I am unworthy to join with the minister in adoring thee; I can neither realize the extent of thy blessings, nor acknowledge them as I ardently desire to do; but, O Lord, be thou with me, that by thee and with thee I may worthily assist at these tremendous mysteries.

FROM THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS TO THE EPISTLE.

O SAVIOUR of my soul, how sweet is the hope that thou hast absolved me from my transgressions; that thy sacred blood has washed them away; and that thou art about to seal my pardon by the most precious gift thou canst possibly bestow! O divine Lord, let this encouraging hope be realized; say to my soul that thou art her salvation. With the fervent penitent of the Gospel, I cast myself at thy sacred feet; let me hear with her, from thy own adorable lips, the consolatory sentence of peace and mercy; let me experience with her the conviction that thou hast accepted my repentance and granted me pardon. Alas! I well know that I have neither her humility nor her contrition, her fervour nor her love to offer; but, O my God, I venture to say, that my hopes are established on still surer grounds than would be those virtues, were I happy enough to possess them. If many sins were pardoned her