into Thee, to the praise of Thy Name, by which we are called.

Convert sinners, O Lord, call back heretics and schismatics; enlighten the unbelieving who are in ignorance of Thee; be nigh all those who are in any necessity and tribulation help those who have commended themselves to my prayers, or who desire to be so commended: be with my parents, kins-folk and benefactors living and departed. Have mercy upon all for whom I ought to pray, and for whom Thou wouldest be entreated; grant pardon and peace to the living; give rest and everlasting light to the faithful departed. To Thee be praise, O Christ Jesus, world without end. Amen.

43. Conclusion. I depart from Thee for a little while, O Lord Jesus! but not without Thee is there consolation, happiness, or any good to my soul; to Thy loving heart do I most humbly commend myself, my relations, my friends and enemies. Do Thou love us, O Lord, and change us as perfectly as possible after Thy likeness. Let me be wholly occupied in Thee and for Thy sake; so there shall be no other object of my words and actions, interior and outward, but Thou, my love, Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday.

PREPARATION.

44. Direct your intention. O Lord God, I Thine unworthy servant intend this morning, with all the affection of love, reverence, and devotion I possibly can, to offer up this most holy Sacrifice to Thy Majesty, to which alone it is due, according to the rites of holy Church; and now I do offer it, together with all sacrifices that are most pleasing to Thee, with the precious Blood of our Lord Jesus, as also the virtues and good deeds of the Blessed Virgin and all the Saints, and the prayers and praises of Thy whole Church; in union with that sacrifice which Christ at the last Supper instituted, and finished upon the Cross, Himself made both priest and victim; in the Name and affection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and of His Spouse the Church, out of pure love of Thee, and from a desire of doing Thy good pleasure at all times and in all things.

I offer it to Thee in witness of Thy supreme and uncreated excellency, of Thy dominion over all creatures, and of our subjection and dependence upon Thee; in thanksgiving for all benefits bestowed, or that shall be bestowed upon any creature at any time; for the completely doing away of all injury, either that has been

mitted against Thee by any at any time; also in the performance of that worship which belongs to Thee alone, together with all the service rendered Thee by Christ, and the adoration of the Blessed Virgin and of all Thy Saints and Angels; so, too, for the increase of joy in the humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in memory of His life of suffering, and for the increase of the glory and bliss of the Holy Virgin, as well as of all Thy Saints and Angels.

Furthermore, I offer it in thanksgiving for all Thy benefits bestowed upon me; in satisfaction for my sins, for which I sorely grieve, for every offence and injury I have purposed against Thee; and in behalf of all the present and future necessities of my soul and body.

I offer it lastly for the quick and the dead, for whom our Lord Jesus Christ knows and wills that I should sacrifice; for my parents, friends, relations, and benefactors; for all estates of the holy Catholic Church, for the union of Christian princes, the rooting up of heresies and schisms, the conversion of all unbelieving nations, the sanctification, preservation, and increase of the clergy, and all religious states and orders.

Therefore, O Lord, look upon me Thy most unworthy servant, whom Thou hast

Thee, both for the quick and dead; that Thou mayest grant rest to the departed; and to the living grant pardon and grace, to serve Thee rightly and faithfully, and to persevere in Thy love unto their lives' end. Amen.

45. Acts of the principal virtues. I believe in Thee, O God, the first and only truth, on account of Thine infinite power and authority. I worship Thee, for the sake of Thine uncreated excellence. I hope in Thee, for the sake of the boundlessness of Thy mercy. I love Thee, on account of Thine exceeding goodness and lovingkindness. I am confounded and ashamed that I, not content with Thee, infinite good, should have sought after mean, passing, and only seeming goods. I grieve for my sins for Thy sake, Whom I love above all things; and ready to make satisfaction to Thee during my lifetime, I purpose, by Thy help, a full and entire amendment. give Thee thanks for all the benefits which Thou hast never ceased heaping upon

me.

I

Whatever I have or hold, that altogether I give back to Thee, and deliver it up to the governance of Thy will. All who have offended me I pardon for the sake of Thy love. I beseech Thee, by the most holy Passion of Thy Son, have mercy upon my soul at Thy coming, and

46. Call upon God. Almighty, everlasting God, lo, I draw near to the Sacrament of Thy Only-begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ; I come nigh as one sick to the physician of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the light of eternal brightness, poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. I implore, therefore, the abundance of Thine exceeding bounty, that Thou wouldest vouchsafe to heal my sickness, to wash my defilements, to enlighten my blindness, to enrich my poverty, and to clothe my nakedness; that I may receive the Bread of Angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, such purpose and intention, as is expedient for the health of my soul. Grant me, I beseech Thee, that I may receive not only the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord, but the substance and virtue of the Sacrament. O most merciful God, grant me so to receive the Body of Thy Onlybegotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, which He took of the Virgin Mary, that I may be worthy to be incorporated with His mystical Body, and accounted among His members. O most loving Father,

47. Prayer for priests. I, mindful of Thy venerable Passion, O Lord, approach Thine Altar, although a sinner, to offer that Sacrifice which Thou hast instituted, and commanded to be offered, in remembrance of Thee, for our salvation. Receive it, I beseech Thee, O God most high, for Thy holy Church, and for Thy people, whom Thou hast purchased with Thine own Blood. And since Thou hast willed that I a sinner should be in the midst between Thee and the same Thy people, although Thou perceivest in me the proof of no good thing, at least refuse not the dutiful performance of the ministration which is entrusted to me; let not by my unworthiness the price of their salvation be destroyed, for whom Thou hast vouchsafed to be the Victim of salvation, and their Redemption. Also I bring before Thee, O Lord, if Thou wilt vouchsafe mercifully to behold, the tribulations of Thy people, the perils of Thy servants, the sorrowful sighing of prisoners, the miseries of orphans, the necessities of

Mother of Thy Only-begotten, offered Thee, when she conceived, carried and bore in her chaste womb, Him Whom I myself even now embrace enclosed within my own breast; and those too, which in her lifetime, and especially as often as she reIceived Thee in this Sacrament after Thine Ascension into heaven, from her burning heart's desire, and inward devotion, she gave to Thee.

Let all the Angelic spirits also bless and praise Thee, who for ever stand with holy fear about the throne of Thy Majesty, and continually do cry, saying: Holy, Holy, Holy.

I desire also with all my heart, that all Thy Saints and friends, now reigning with Thee in heaven, in whose communion with us we believe, may somewhat make up for my insufficiency by their Own more worthy praises, and which here on earth they ever most devoutly offered Thee in the use and veneration of this Sacrament; and which they sing to Thee now, when feeding with open face on the Bread of life, and drinking of the river of Thy pleasure. Make me a partaker, O God, of all them that fear Thee and keep Thy commandments.

Oh that I could in like manner gather together into my one self the affection and fervour of all the pious faith

and good deeds of those that please Thee on earth; and thus love and honour Thee with all the intensity of my soul, for that great love and honour which Thou hast vouchsafed to me in this Sacrament.

50. Petition. Lord, I believe, but would believe more firmly. I hope, O Lord, but would hope more sincerely. I love, O Lord, but would love more warmly. I grieve, O Lord, but would grieve more sorely. I worship Thee, my first beginning; I desire Thee, my last end; I praise Thee, my continual benefactor; I call upon Thee, my gracious defender.

By Thy wisdom direct me; by Thy righteousness keep me; by Thy mercy comfort me; by Thy power protect

me.

I offer Thee, O God, my thinkings, that they may be towards Thee; my sayings, that they may be of Thee; my doings, that they may be concerning Thee; my sufferings, that they may be for Thy sake.

I will whatsoever Thou willest; I will because Thou willest; I will in whatsoever way Thou willest; I will as long as Thou willest. I pray Thee, O Lord, that Thou wouldest enlighten my understanding, inflame my will, cleanse my body, sanctify my soul.

Let pride never corrupt me,