Catholic Hymns (1860)/Hymn of St. Francis Xavier

by Anonymous

55. Hymn of St. Francis Xavier.

My God, I love Thee, not because
I hope for Heaven thereby;
Nor because they who love Thee not,
Must burn eternally.

Thou, O my Jesus, Thou didst me
Upon the Cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails and spear,
And manifold disgrace;

And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
E'en death itself—and all for one
Who was Thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ!
Should I not love Thee well?
Not for the sake of winning Heaven,
Or of escaping Hell;

Not with the hope of gaining aught;
Not seeking a reward;
But, as Thyself hast loved me,
O ever-loving Lord.

E'en so I love Thee, and will love,
And in Thy Praise will sing;
Solely because Thou art my God,
And my eternal King.

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