who dies in the grace of God. Let us here set down certain acts of devotion, which may be very acceptable to the Lord at the time of death.
O my God, I offer Thee my life, and I am prepared to die at any hour which may be pleasing to Thy holy will. " Thy will be done;" ever, ever, may Thy will be done.
O Lord, if Thou wiliest to leave me in life for some time longer, blessed be Thy name; but I desire not life, except to spend it all in loving Thee and giving Thee pleasure. If Thou wilt that I should die of this sickness, still blessed art Thou. I embrace death to do Thy will, and I repeat, " Thy will, Thy will be done;" I only beg Thee to help me all through this hour. "Have mercy on me, oh God, according to Thy great mercy." If, then, Thou wilt that I should leave this earth, I declare that I desire to die, because thus Thou wilt have it.
I desire also to die, in order that, by the pain and bitterness of my death, I may satisfy Thy Divine justice for all my sins, through which I have offended Thee and deserved hell.
I desire also to die, that I may never more offend Thee, or cause Thee displeasure in this life.
I also desire to die in acknowledgment of the gratitude which I owe Thee for all the benefits and gifts that Thou hast given me, contrary to all my own deserts.
