Page:TheParadiseOfTheChristianSoul.djvu/419

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of preparation and devotion, that have been too small and insufficient for these tremendous Mysteries.

11. Represent to God the Father the merits of his Son.

O eternal Father! look upon the face of thy Christ. Behold, this is thy Beloved Son, in whom thou art well pleased; and yet thou hast so loved the world as to give for the world’s salvation thy only-begotten Son, so that, to redeem a slave, thou hast delivered up thy Son. Thou hast willed him also to be an Advocate and Mediator for us with thee, that by his merits we may obtain what we cannot by our own. Most perfect as are his Sacrifice offered for us on the Cross, his works and merits, they cannot be otherwise than most pleasing to thee. Oh, that his abundance may supply my want, that for the love and honour of thy Son thou mayest be pleased with the service of so mean a servant.

12. Invoke the Saints, especially thy Patrons.

To you, too, O Saints and friends of God, I humbly fly for aid, especially to thee, O most holy Virgin, Mother of God, my Patroness! who, being full of grace, didst in thy most pure womb merit to bear God and man.

To you also, O holy N. N., my signally chosen and beloved Patrons, you now see, face to face, and eat to the full of that Bread, which we see only in a glass in a dark manner, and receive veiled under figures. Oh, that by the aid of your intervention I may be very often worthily refreshed on the way by this heavenly Bread and Viaticum, so that at last I may merit with you to be satisfied with it in our home. Amen.

A Short Exercise for Celebration and Communion,

USEFUL TO PRIESTS AND LAICS, BOTH BEFORE AND AFTER MASS AND COMMUNION.

Here observe the Acts of the Principal Virtues.

O most sweet Saviour, Christ Jesus! with all my heart I adore thee, and than thee from the very bottom of my soul, because with love so great thou hast redeemed us, when miserably lost, with the price of thy Blood ; and with such admirable power, wisdom, and goodness, hast given us for meat and drink thy very Body and Blood, in memory of this thy love, and for a pledge of future glory ; and lastly, by thy unspeakable mercy, hast called me, a