III.

What pledge can I give, O my Saviour, as an earnest of the love which I have now engaged to thee? I have nothing worthy of thee, and if I had, I have nothing but what is thine; but such is thy goodness, that thou art content to accept from us what is already thine own. Wherefore, behold, I here offer to thee my body and soul, which are both now sanctified by thy divine presence; I consecrate them to thee for ever, since thou hast chosen them for thy temple; my body to be continually employed in thy service, and never more to become an instrument of sin; my soul to know thee, to love thee, and be evermore faithful to thee. Bless, O my Saviour, the offering which I here make to thee. Permit not my body to be any more defiled with sensual delights, nor my soul by a will to commit any mortal sin. I am now resolved to serve thee, O my God, with body and soul, and I will labour to correct all their evil inclinations. I will declare war against myself, renounce my vain pleasures, my passion, my pride, my self-love, my own will, and whatever else may offend

thee.

IV.

Preserve, O Lord, for ever in my soul the holy resolutions wherewith thou hast now inspired me, and grant me grace faithfully to put them in execution. Without thy aid I can do nothing; I therefore earnestly crave thy assistance, to conquer all the difficulties I may meet with in the way of my salvation. Regard me with the eyes of thy mercy; have compassion on my weakness; and strengthen me daily with thy grace.

O glorious Virgin, unite with me in giving thanks to thy beloved Son, who hath restored me to his grace, and refreshed my soul with the banquet of his most precious body. Offer him all the grateful service thou didst him in this life, to supply the defects of my devotion; and

obtain of him that he depart not from me without leaving behind him a benediction for my soul.

O all ye holy angels, ministering spirits of God, behold the only Son of the eternal Father, whom you adored at his entrance into the world. Plead with him in my behalf, that I may henceforth serve him with the same spirit and truth wherewith you ministered to him whilst he remained on earth, and with the same cheerfulness wherewith you now obey him in his heavenly kingdom. O all ye men and women, saints of God, behold within my breast your Lord, the source and reward of all your sanctity and grace, and let your prayers be joined with mine; that by his grace I may follow your steps in the exact performance of every duty, till, abounding in good works, I may at length be admitted into your society, and possess my Jesus to all eternity.

O great Saints, N. and N., whose names have been conferred upon me, and under whose patronage I have placed myself, obtain for me grace to fulfil the holy resolutions I have this day made. Help me, by your powerful intercession, to lead a life conformable to the sacred character I have received, and to imitate the virtues which you so eminently practised. Protect me through all the perils of life, and abandon me not at the hour of death.

Conclusion.

Graciously hear all my prayers, O good Jesus; hide me within thy wounds, and there protect me from all my enemies. Oh, let nothing ever separate me from thee. Call me to thee at the hour of my death, that, with thy saints, I may praise thee for ever. And now, Lord Jesus, I go from thee for a while, but I trust not without thee. To thy love and protection I recommend myself, as well as my brethren, my relatives, my country, my friends, and my enemies. Love us, O Lord, change our hearts, and transform us into thyself. May I be wholly employed in thee and for thee; and may thy love be the

end of all my thoughts, words, and actions, who livest and reignest for ever and ever.

Amen.

ASPIRATIONS BEFORE OR AFTER COMMUNION, OR WHILE OTHERS ARE COMMUNICATING.

Enlighten the eyes of my soul, O Lord Jesus, with the Lays of divine faith and wisdom, that I may ever look on thee as the way, the rule, and the example of all my thoughts, words, and actions.

Good Jesus, my hope and only happiness, I here return thee thanks for all thy sufferings; and beg that I may ever find a place of refuge in thy sacred wounds against the assaults of all my enemies; imprint the memory of them, I beseech thee, so deeply on my heart, that may ever love thee; and in all my sufferings never forget what thou hast suffered for me.

Oh, that I could ever remember thee, think of thee, and love thee only. Oh, that my senses were shut against vain and sinful objects, and my mind freed from all fruitless solicitude, that I might ever abide in thee. From henceforth I will with the utmost diligence seek thee, my only good; my desires shall be fixed on thee alone, and all my actions shall be directed to thy glory.

I resign myself into thy hands, O God, desiring that thy holy will may be done in and by me, both now and for ever. Be thou my instructor, director, and helper on all occasions, that I may neither do, speak, think, nor desire any thing but what is according to thy good will and pleasure.

Grant thy servant, O Lord, understanding, that he may learn the way of thy commandments. O Jesus, thou fountain of goodness, direct my steps in thy paths, and teach me to do thy will. Inspire me with courage to take up my cross and follow thee. Disengage my

heart from all unprofitable cares and vain affections; and though I dwell among creatures, yet may I ever live in thee and for thee. Grant me true fervour of spirit, and enkindle in my breast the fire of divine love, that I may find no rest but in thee.

How sweet, O Lord, is thy spirit; how pleasant to my ear are the words of thy mouth! Oh, that I could ever be attentive to them, and fulfil thy law. May I die to the world and all its pleasures; and let the greatness of thy love make all that is earthly appear to me as nothing. Protect me against my enemies, and in all danger come to my defence; make haste to help me, O God, and say to my soul, I am thy health and salvation.

My God, how long dost thou permit me to wander from thee? When wilt thou consume in me all that is corrupt and contrary to thy will? Draw me after thee, I beseech thee, that I may walk cheerfully in the way of thy precepts. Make me according to thine own heart, and let my soul be now thy habitation for ever.

My soul without thee is dry, like earth without water; moisten it, I beseech thee, with the dew of heaven, and grant me thy blessing from the land of the living. Wound my heart with thy love, that it may relish no earthly objects, but entirely depend on thy will.

Into thy hands I surrender myself, O my good God, and, laying aside all private wishes, desire to depend on thee, not only as to the whole state of my body and soul, but also as to all the accidents and events thou mayest please to appoint for me, asking nothing more but that thy name may be glorified for ever.

I accept all my sufferings and privations from thy hand, convinced that whatever I endure, whether in soul or body, for love of thee, is for my good.

Let nothing be my comfort but thou, my Lord Jesus; nor any thing afflict me but my sins, and whatever is displeasing to thy divine Majesty.

O Jesus, who, by becoming my food in this life, preparest me to feed on thee eternally in the next; thou,

N

who in this divine banquet givest us possession of thy grace here, and a secure pledge of glory hereafter; have As I now mercy on me, O Lord, and hear my prayer. adore thee here by faith, under these sacred veils, so may I hereafter behold thee face to face, and eternally rejoice in thy presence.

A Second Method.

Direct your Intention.

Lord Jesus, King of everlasting glory, behold I desire to come to thee this day, and to receive thy body and blood in this heavenly sacrament, for thy honour and glory, and the good of my soul. I desire to receive thee, because it is thy desire, and thou hast so ordained: blessed be thy name for ever. I desire to come to thee like Magdalen, that I may be delivered from all my evils, and embrace thee, my only good. I desire to come to thee that I may be happily united to thee, that I may henceforth abide in thee, and thou in me; and that nothing in life or death may ever separate me from thee.

Commemorate the Passion of Christ.

I desire, in these holy mysteries, to commemorate, as thou hast commanded, all thy sufferings; thy agony and bloody sweat; thy being betrayed and apprehended; all the reproaches and calumnies, all the scoffs and affronts, all the blows and buffets, thou hast endured for me; thy being scourged, crowned with thorns, and loaded with a heavy cross for my sins, and for those of the whole world; thy crucifixion and death, together with thy glorious resurrection and triumphant ascension. I adore thee, and give thee thanks for all that thou hast done and suffered for us; and for giving us, in the most blessed sacrament, this pledge of our redemp