Holy Father, who wishes the repentance of sinners,
promising to accept them back; look, O Lord, at this moment, at
a sinful soul who had erred and lost her way in the valleys of
transgressions for many years, and wherein she was embittered
and wretched for being removed from the fountain of her salvation.
Yet now she comes forth to Thee, asking to be cleansed from all
defilement and filth that sullied her. Accept and reject her not,
for whether Thou look at her with compassion and deal with her
mercifully she will be cleansed and saved; or whether Thou neglect
her she will perish. Grant me grace to come
near Thee with faith unshaken and full of hope to confess my trespasses
and despise them. Let Thy spirit reprove me for my sins. Enlighten
my heart that I may see how greatly did I err, misbehave, and
forsake the way. Grant me determination to forsake evil that I
may be established in Thy commandments and live to glorify Thy
Holy Name. Amen.
I thank Thy goodness, O Lover-of-man, because Thou
did not wish my perdition, but have awakened me from my neglect
and guided me to Thy path. Thou have brought me back from the
valley of destruction to the safety of Thy bosom, so, fill me
with hope and faith. I have come to thee a sick person to the
Physician, hungry and needy to the Food of plenty, thirsty to
the Spring of living Water, poor to the Source of riches,
sinner to the Saviour, dead to the Fountain of Life; for Thou
art my salvation, my healer, my life, my strength, my comfort,
my happiness, and my rest is in Thee. So help me, protect me,
and teach me to put my will in Thy hands, that I may walk according
to Thy will. Help my weakness that I May be firm and continue
to be faithful to Thee till the end. Amen.
O Lord, I am not worthy that Thou should come under the roof of my house, for I am sinful, but say Thou first a word and my soul shall be healed. Say unto my soul: "Your sins are forgiven." I am barren and wanting all righteousness, and have but Thy compassion, mercy and Love-of-Man. And Thou hast condescended from the heaven of Thine ineffable glory to our afflictions and accepted to be born in a manger, Reject not, O my blessed Saviour to come into my lowly and afflicted soul that awaits Thy radiant presence. But accept to come into my soul to cleanse it. O Thou who disdained not to enter into the leper's house and to heal him, forbid me not to approach Thy pure Body and Thy Holy Blood, O Thou who prevented not the woman, who was a sinner, from kissing they feet. Let my communion be for partaking with Thee and for effacing all defilement, the mortification of my lusts, the doing of Thy Life-giving commandments, the healing of my soul and body from all sins, the acceptance of Thy gifts, the endwelling of Thy grace, the descent of Thy spirit for union with and abiding in Thee, that I may live for the glory of Thy Holy Name. Amen.
My hear has been filled with joy and my tongue with
rejoicing. Let my spirit glorify the Lord, and my soul rejoice
in God my Saviour. I have drawn nigh to Thee, O Lord, to clothe
me with a radiant garment and make me worthy to enter into Thy
wedding. Let my union with Thee today be forever, for through
it I increase and grow firm in virtue, wax strong in faith, and
strengthen my hope. Let it become a sign of salvation, a raiment
of grace, a garment of the new birth, a purity and righteousness
of body and soul, a cleansing of love, an eternal happiness and
joy, a good answer before Thy dreadful tribune. I commit myself
to Thy compassion to make me one with Thee and under Thy will.
I call forth my mind and my senses to Thee. My will do Thou bless
to obey Thy will. Enliven my heart and awaken my conscience. Disperse
the fantasies of the adversaries. Still the tempest. Walk with
me and calm my terror. Quench my thirst, kindle the flame of Thy
love in my heart. Abide with me for the day is far spent, and
accompany me until daybreak. For Thou are my goal and my happiness.
Thou alone, O Lord, forever. Amen.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord who supported us from our
youth and granted unto us Thy blessings, and prepared food for
every creature; for the eyes of all await Thee, Thou who gave
them their food in due season. Thou open Thine hands and fill
all living things. To Thee is due glory, praise, blessing and
thanksgiving for the food that Thou hast prepared for us. Stretch
forth Thy right hand and bless this food set before us for the
nourishment of our bodies. Let it be for power and health of our
lives. Grant salvation, grace, blessing and purity to all those
who partake thereof. Lift our minds to Thee at all times to seek
our spiritual and eternal food. Grant that we may labour for the
everlasting food which is for life eternal. Grant us to be partakers
of Thy evening banquet. Grant us the food of blessing, the cup
of salvation, and fill our hearts with joy. Grant us a peaceful
life, joy of the soul and health of the body. Teach us to seek
Thy pleasure in all things so that when eating, drinking or labouring,
we do it all for the glory of Thy Holy Name. For Thine is the
glory for ever and ever. Amen.