Jump to content

Page:Withgodbookofpra00las.djvu/781

From Wikisource
This page needs to be proofread.

free; to Whom be glory from age to age without end. Amen.

Indulgence of 300 days, once a day. — Pius IX, May 24, 1847.

St. Francis Xavier's Hymn of Love

O God, I love Thee for Thyself
And not that I may heaven me, gain,
Nor because those who love
Thee not,
Must suffer hell's eternal pain.
Thou, O my Jesus  ! Thou didst me
Upon the cross embrace;
For me didst bear the nails
and spear
and manifold disgrace;
And griefs and torments numberless,
And sweat of agony;
E'en death itself — and all for one
Who was Thine enemy.

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ,
Should I not love Thee well:
Not for the sake of winning heaven,
Or of escaping hell;
Not with the hope of gaining
aught, not seeking a reward;
But, as Thyself hast loved
O ever-loving Lord?