CONTRITE PRAYER.
ALAS! accursed sins! how could I treat the Son of God so cruelly? Miserable that I am, who will give rivers of tears to my eyes, that I may weep according to the multitude of my sins! Is this thy reward, my dearest Saviour, for that innocent blood which thou hast shed with so much love and sorrow for my sake? Could I make thee no better return than this? — by my guilty pleasures, my brutal passions, my cold contempt of thy holy laws, to cover again thy face with shame, and open thy bleeding wounds afresh?
O Lamb of God! sacrificed and lifeless on the cross, remember that I am a soul redeemed by thy precious blood: pardon me my sins, for I am sorry for them from the bottom of my heart. Yes, raise thy wounded hand to bless and pardon me. Receive the traitor that now casts himself in sorrow at thy feet. My sins fill me with terror, for I know that I deserve to be in hell this moment; but surely, since thou hast died for me, thou wilt not now refuse me mercy. Behold me here, O my God! what wilt thou have me do? Shall I weep over my sins? Indeed, I am sorry for them, and detest them with my whole soul. Shall I forsake them? I do renounce them, now and for ever. Shall I spend the remainder of my life in loving thee and serving thee? This is my desire, and I am resolved to do so. Behold now I go to confess my sins! Great God! give me grace to confess them thoroughly, sincerely, and humbly, and from this moment never, never to offend thee any more. Holy Mary, Mother of mercy 1 I recommend myself to thee in this solemn hour. My Guardian Angel, and all my Patron Saints, pray to the Lord my God for me.
