O Lord God, King of heaven and earth, vouchsafe this day to direct and sanctify, to rule and govern, our hearts and bodies, our thoughts, words, and deeds, in thy law, and in the works of thy commandments; that henceforth and for ever, O Saviour of the world, we may be protected and saved, through thy mighty help, who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

O God, who out of thy unspeakable providence, art pleased to appoint thy holy angels for our guardians, give ear to the supplications which we make for a continuance of their protection, and that we may be added to their joyful number for all eternity. Amen.

May the blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints, be our intercessors with the Lord, that we may be succoured and preserved by him who liveth and reigneth to everlasting ages. Amen.

May our Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil, and bring us to life everlasting; and may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

[A Litany or Hymn may be added if time permit.]

Night Prayers.

N the name of the

IN

Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Blessed be the holy and undivided Trinity, now and for ever. Amen. Our Father. Hail Mary. I believe. Come, Holy Ghost, &c.

Let us place ourselves in the presence of God, and give him thanks for all the benefits which we have received from him, particularly this day.

MY God, I firmly believe that thou art here, and perfectly seest me, and that thou observest all my actions, all my thoughts, and the most secret motions of my heart. Thou watchest over me with an incomparable love, every moment bestowing favours, and preserving me from evil. Blessed be thy holy name; and may all creatures bless thy goodness for the benefits which I have ever received from thee, and particularly this day. May the saints and angels supply my defect in rendering thee due thanks. Never per

mit me to be so base and wicked as to repay thy bounties with ingrati

tude, and thy blessings with offences and injuries.

Let us ask of our Lord Jesus Christ grace to discover the sins which we have committed this day; and beg of him a true sorrow and a sincere repentance for them.

MY Lord Jesus Christ, Judge of the living and the dead, before whom I must appear one day to give an exact account of my whole life; enlighten me, I beseech thee, and give me a humble and contrite heart, that I may see wherein I have offended thine infinite Majesty, and judge myself now with such a just severity, that then thou mayest judge me with mercy and clemency.

Let us here examine what sins we have committed this day, by thought, word, deed, or omission.

(If nothing occur to your mind wherein you have offended, renew your sorrow for the sins of your past life.)

Let us conceive a great sorrow for having offended God.

MY God, I detest these and all

other sins which I have committed against thy divine Majesty. I am extremely sorry that I have offended thee, because thou art infinitely good, and sin displeaseth thee. I love thee with my whole heart; and firmly purpose, by the help of thy grace, never more to

offend thee.

I resolve to avoid the occasions of sin; I will confess my sins, and will endeavour to make satisfaction for them. Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy, and pardon me, a wretched sinner. the name of thy beloved Son Jesus, I humbly beg of thee so to wash me with his precious blood, that my sins may be entirely remitted.

In

Let us endeavour, as much as possible, to put ourselves in the dispositions in which we desire to be found at the hour of death.

MY God, I accept of death as a homage and adoration which I owe to thy divine Majesty, and as a punishment justly due to my sins, in union with the death of my dear Redeemer, and as the only means of coming to thee, my beginning and last end.

I firmly believe all the sacred truths which the Catholic Church believeth and teacheth, because thou hast revealed them. And by the assistance of thy holy grace, I am resolved to live and die in the communion of this thy Church.

Relying upon thy goodness, power, and promises, I hope to obtain pardon of my sins, and life everlasting, through the merits of thy Son Jesus

Christ, my only Redeemer, and by the intercession of his blessed Mother, and all the saints.

I love thee with all my heart and soul, and desire to love thee as the blessed do in heaven. I adore all the designs of thy divine Providence, resigning myself entirely to thy love.

I also love my neighbour for thy sake, as I love myself. I sincerely forgive all who have injured me, and ask pardon of all whom I have injured.

I renounce the devil, with all his works; the world, with all its pomp; the flesh, with all its temptations.

I desire to be dissolved, and to be with Christ. Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.

R. Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

May the blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, and all the saints, pray for us to our Lord, that we may be preserved this night from sin and all evils. Amen.

Blessed St. Michael, defend us in the day of battle, that we may not be lost at the dreadful judgment. Amen.

O my good Angel, whom God, by his divine mercy, hath appointed to be my guardian, enlighten and pro

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