and sensual pleasures have withdrawn me from thy service, and though I know them to be enemies that conspire my ruin, I want courage to resolve upon declaring war against them, and I hesitate to walk in thy footsteps. Help me, O my Saviour! and enable me by thy all-powerful grace to conquer the flesh, and all the temptations it suggests to me, and grant that thy holy love may prove an impenetrable shield against all its assaults. Thou art going to change bread and wine into thy precious body and blood: wilt thou not, O Lord, at the same time, change my heart, and give me one conformable to thine? Assist me, my God, with thy all-powerful grace, for, as I cannot rise from my evil habits without thy assistance, so neither can I persevere in good without a continuance of thy grace. Grant it to me, I beseech thee, through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Saviour, who is going to sacrifice himself for me.
My dear Saviour, blessed be this hour, in which thou wilt offer thyself to thy Eternal Father for my salvation, and the remission of my sins. A far less sacrifice from so great a priest could not but find acceptance; what then may I not hope for from this, in which thou art not only the priest that offers it, but the victim that is offered?
I hope not only for the pardon of my sins, but also for all that may promote thy glory, and the good of my soul, as a holy life and a happy death, the accomplishment of thy merciful designs upon me, and that thou wilt be pleased to form my heart according to thy own. All this I ask purely that I may become more pleasing in thy sight. Imprint thy law upon my heart; grant me grace to observe it faithfully. Look favourably on thy people; bless them, and give them all that thy mercy has designed
