I purpose humbly to ask of thy infinite goodness; and this according to the good pleasure of thy most gracious will, to which in all things I cheerfully bow myself. But how can one who is an unprofitable servant find grace in thy sight? Look, O Father, upon the face of thy Christ, in whom thou art well pleased, in whose name I humbly entreat thee mercifully to hear me.
Behold, I offer thee his most ardent prayers, devout affections, and holy desires, his most holy thoughts, words, and works, and all the merits of his Life, Passion, and Death, that from their union and perfection all my defects may be supplied, and that by him, as our Mediator and Advocate, this, my obedient service, may be pleasing to thee, O eternal Father!
And oh, that with the affection, zeal, and fervour of the most Blessed Mother and Virgin Mary, of the holy Angels, and of all the Blessed, especially my Patrons N. and N., I may be able to worship thee, love thee, and praise thee!
And this, to the end that thou mayst take away from me all, especially N. and N. , that is displeasing to thee in me. Thy eyes see my imperfection, O Searcher of hearts! And that thou mayst bountifully bestow on me the grace and virtues most necessary to me, as these N. and N., that I may the more worthily serve thee in my vocation. That I may do all things to the greater glory of thy Name, and to my own and my neighbour’s salvation, especially those to whom I am most especially bound.
This, only, O Lord, is the earnest desire of my soul, to serve thee, please thee, and adhere to thee, now and for ever. For thou art my God and my all! Amen.
PRAYER BEFORE HOURS.
Open my lips, O Lord, to bless thy holy Name; for I desire to sing to thee faithfully and attentively, and to praise thee sincerely, in union with that most perfect attention, with which thou prayedst to thy Father, and praisedst him upon earth, and that especially with which, with all the fervour of thy heart, and in the Bloody Sweat of thy face, thou prayedst at Mount Olivet.
Aid me by thy grace, without which I can do nothing, and let the power of thy measureless charity supply all my defects, that my obedient service may please thee, which I offer for the glory of thy Name, and for my own and my neighbour's salvation.
