Tell me, ungrateful sinner, what could I do for thee that I have not done? I created thee out of nothing, and made thee in mine own likeness, without having the least need of thee. I redeemed thee by the blood of mine only Son. I made thee a Christian and a Catholic, while millions of men like thee were left in the darkness of infidelity or of heresy. I have borne with thee patiently until this moment, in all thy sins and vices. I have given thee so many and so easy means to secure thy salvation. And on thy side, what hast thou done? For all this, thou hast only returned ingratitude! I made all creatures for thy sake, and thou makest use of them only to offend me ! “ Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth! I have brought up children, and exalted them, but they have despised me.” — (Isai. i. 2.)
CONTRITE PRAYER.
O WHAT base ingratitude! No, there is not, there cannot be anything like it under the sun. Yes, my most tender Father and loving Benefactor! this is the way I have shown my gratitude to thee for having drawn me out of that nothing where I was, and where I should be still, except for thee. Alas! alas! so little have I hitherto prized all those precious graces which thou hast showered upon my ungrateful head.
O ungrateful sinner that I am! Who will give sighs enough to my heart, and tears to my eyes, that I may weep for the death of my soul, and do penance as I ought for this treachery to my God, of which I have been guilty? O most merciful Lord, have mercy on me! I have a sincere desire, and
