The Seven Penitential Psalms. (continued 3)

For a Prayer after receiving the Viaticum, see page 128.

A Prayer Before Extreme Unction.

O Lord Jesus Christ, who, in the abundance of thy mercy, hast provided powerful resources for relief in all our necessities, grant me grace to have recourse to them with such worthy dispositions that my soul may partake of all those great advantages and salutary effects which thou hast appointed in their institution. Thou hast instituted the sacrament of Extreme Unction for the benefit of the sick, who, in the extremity of life, stand in need of more graces, more helps, and more consolation, than ever. I now desire to receive this heavenly medicine, for the ends for which it has been instituted. I am willing to be anointed, as thou hast commanded by thy apostle St James. Grant, I beseech thee, that this holy Unction may produce in me all its happy fruits, by healing my soul from the ulcers of sin, by fortifying me against all temptations, by supporting me in the hour of anguish and distress, and by preparing me for a happy passage out of this life, or whatever may be thy holy will. Shouldst thou foresee that my health may be conducive to thy greater glory, and expedient for my eternal salvation, let this be the means to restore it. I absolutely submit myself to thy divine will and pleasure. I wish not to live but to serve thee. Dispose of me as thou knowest best; do with me as thou pleasest. All I desire is the accomplishment of thy most holy will. Give me health or sickness, life or death; give me whatsoever thou pleasest: not my will, O Lord, but thine be done: it is a greater happiness to fulfil thy will, than to enjoy ten thousand lives. O how happy should I be, if the destruction of my body could repair the injury I have offered to thy divine Majesty! My eyes, alas! have seen vanities; my ears have been open to detractions, to profane and unprofitable discourses; my tongue has many ways offended thee, both in speaking and tasting; my hands have contributed to my follies; my feet have often gone astray in the paths of vanity and sin. By this holy anointing, and the prayers of thy church, pardon me, O Jesus, all the sins I have ever committed by these my five senses. Let those avenues through which sin has made its way into my soul, be now shut to the world; let my eyes be open to thee alone, my Jesus; let my ears be now attentive to thy commands, and to thy call; let my tongue be solely employed in crying out for mercy; let my prayers ascend like incense in thy sight; let my hands be lifted up to heaven for pardon; let my feet walk in thy ways; and let my heart be the living temple of the Holy Ghost. Into thy hands, O dear Jesus, I commend my spirit. In thee I will live, in thee I will die, in thee I will abide, and in thee I hope to possess eternal rest and heavenly joy for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer After Extreme Unction.

O my God, thou hast created, redeemed, and sanctified me; thou hast preserved me in many dangers both of soul and body; thou hast nourished me with the adorable sacrament of thy body and blood, and granted me the grace to receive the rights of thy church, preferably to so many others, who are carried off by a sudden death, without being favoured with those succours and graces which thou hast bestowed upon me, a most ungrateful sinner. For these and all thy other blessings, I offer thee innumerable thanks. O that I had as many tongues and hearts as there are stars in the heavens, atoms in the air, and creatures in the universe; how willingly would I employ them all in praising, loving, and glorifying thee! To thee I resign my heart: receive it as a holocaust. Into thy hands, O Lord, I commend my spirit: receive me, O dear Jesus, in thy mercy; receive me into thy loving arms, which were stretched forth on the cross for my redemption; receive me into the embraces of thy infinite charity. I do not desire to be freed from my pains; thou knowest what is best for me: do but take from me all murmuring, and give me patience to suffer whatever thou willest, and as long as thou pleasest. Should it be thy divine pleasure to inflict on my weak body and languishing soul greater punishments than I now suffer, my heart is ready, O Lord, my heart is ready to accept them, and to suffer in whatever manner and measure may be most conformable to thy will. This one grace I most earnestly beg of thee, my God—that I may die the death of the just, and be admitted, after the sufferings and tribulations of this transitory and sinful life, into the kingdom of thy glory, there to see and enjoy thee, in the company of the blessed, for a never-ending eternity. Amen.

Short Acts Of Virtue In Time Of Sickness.

I acknowledge, O Lord, that I am a sinner; accept, therefore, of what I now suffer, in atonement for my sins. Help me to receive with submission and resignation, whatever afflictions thou shalt please to send me.

I am content to suffer here, provided thou dost spare me hereafter. I know that it is by many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of heaven. I know that those who would be glorified with Jesus, must also suffer with Jesus. I am convinced, that the sufferings of this present time are not to be set in competition with the eternal glory which shall be revealed in us. I believe that the present momentary and light tribulation worketh in us, above measure, an eternal weight of glory.

I offer myself, and all that I have, or am, to thee. Do with me, my God, whatever thou pleasest. Shall I not drink the cup which my Father hath given me? Not my will, but thine be done.

O sweetness of my heart, and love of my soul! take off my heart and thought from this world, that all my comfort may be in thee. O when will thy kingdom come? O Lord, when wilt thou perfectly reign in all hearts? when shall sin be no more? Wound my heart with thy love, that it may relish nothing that is earthly. O that I had never offended so good a God! O that I had never sinned! Happy those souls that have always preserved their baptismal innocence.

O my God, all my hopes are in thee.—Through Jesus Christ my Redeemer, I hope for mercy, grace, and salvation.

O sweet and adorable Jesus! O spotless Lamb! O innocent victim! who by thy passion and death hath effaced the sins of mankind, blot out my iniquities, and do not permit that thy sufferings should become useless to me.

Look, O God, on this poor piece of clay, and help me in my distress. O my Jesus! I love thee; I love thee above all things, and desire to love thee alone, because thou alone art worthy of my love.

I cast myself into the arms of thy holy love. I abandon myself entirely to thy blessed will. My unworthiness humbles and confounds me; but the sight of thy wounds, O Jesus, proclaims aloud how great thy mercy is, and how far it exceeds my misery.

O boundless love of my Jesus! inflame my heart with thy heavenly fire. Consume in me all earthly affections, and confirm my soul in thy holy love for ever.

O Jesus, torn with stripes, pierced with thorns, and weltering in blood, for my sake! teach me to endure for the love of thee, the anguish and inconvenience of my infirmities and sickness.

O Jesus, raised upon the cross, attract me now most powerfully to thyself, that my whole occupation may be to love, praise, and adore thee for ever. Hail, sacred wounds of the hands and feet of Jesus! Hail precious streams of blood, that flowed from those painful wounds! Infinite praise, honour, and glory be to thee, my amiable Redeemer, for suffering such pains for the love of me. Ah, how does it pierce my heart with sorrow, to contemplate thee, and to consider the torments thou didst suffer for my salvation.

Hail, sacred wound of the side of Jesus! hail, blessed passage to the sacred heart of my divine Redeemer! O that I could contemplate thee with the love of a Magdalen, and melt into tears of sweet devotion in honor of thee! By the sacred wounds of thy hands, of thy feet, and of thy side; by the precious streams that flowed from them; by thy blessed heart, burning with love for me; I beg and beseech thee never to forsake me, but to grant me whatever thou seest necessary for the sanctification of my soul.

Glory be to the Father, who by his power hath brought me forth from nothing, and made me to his own image and likeness. Glory be to the Son, who by his wisdom hath delivered me from hell, and opened for me the gates of Heaven. Glory be to the Holy Ghost, who by his mercy hath sanctified me in baptism, and still continues to sanctify me by the graces which I daily receive. Glory be the three adorable persons of the blessed Trinity. O may I behold and glorify eternally in heaven, what I believe, adore, and worship on earth—one God and three Persons, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Amen.

"Here we have no permanent city: but we seek that which is to come." Hebrews xiii. 14.

"While we are in the body we are strangers from the Lord." 2 Corinthians v. 6.

"Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." Romans xiv. 8.

A Prayer Of Thanksgiving, Upon The Recovery Of A Person From The Bed Of Sickness.

Almighty and everlasting God, I here acknowledge thy blessing in the recovery of my health, and return thee my most hearty thanks for it. I beg thy grace for the making a better use of it than hitherto I have done; that I may correct all the errors of my past life, that I may improve in virtue, be an example to others, and dedicate that health to thee, which is now thy special gift; that thus living to thee, I may be ever prepared for my last hour: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; may he be praised and glorified for ever.

Bless the Lord, O my soul; and forget not all his benefits.

Blessed be the Lord, God of our fathers; let praise and glory be given to him for ever.

I will praise thee, O my God, while I live; I will glorify thy holy name while I have my being.

O magnify the Lord with me, all ye holy angels: praise him, all ye saints.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall be ever in my mouth.

Give glory to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endureth for ever.

Blessed be the name of the Lord, from henceforth, now, and for ever.

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, the name of the Lord is worthy of praise. Glory, &c.

Preparation for Death

Instruction

The last moments of a Christian are not only the most precious of his life, but to him of the greatest importance, as on them depends his eternal lot. It is then Satan uses his utmost efforts to accomplish the ruin of a soul. His snares and batteries are more subtle and violent at the extremity, than at any other period, of life; for it is then, as the apostle says, (Revelation xii.) "he cometh down, having great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time." Hence it becomes the indispensable duty of every soldier of Jesus Christ, frequently to exercise himself in acts of faith, hope, charity, confidence, fortitude, and perseverance; that by the familiar use of these spiritual weapons during life, he may be enabled to encounter the mortal enemy of his soul in his last conflict, and defeat all his malicious designs. When the disorder of a sick person has the appearance of danger, every spiritual help should be offered him before he loses the use of his senses; for which reason it would be very unfriendly to flatter him with the hopes of recovery, or to be negligent in exhorting him to make the best use of the little time which perhaps he has to live, in preparing for his voyage to eternity; and since a truly penitential spirit is the best security to a Christian in life or death, he ought to be urged to secure it to himself by the most perfect acts of compunction, resignation, faith, hope, and divine love. For this purpose he should keep himself as much as possible in the divine presence, and in the blessed company of Jesus Christ, the perfect model of suffering Christians. He should converse frequently with him, cast himself in spirit at his feet, like Magdalen; bewail his sins in the bitterness of his soul, and cry out for mercy while there is yet time for mercy. He should place a crucifix, or picture of his crucified Redeemer, before his eyes; think often upon his passion, his agony in the garden and on the cross; consider him nailed and fastened on that bed of sorrow, without moving either hand or foot, or having any other pillow to support his head but a crown of thorns. He should fly to his bleeding wounds, there to bathe his soul, and find a cure for all his disorders. He should be excited by these considerations to make a voluntary sacrifice of himself to the Divine Will; bear all his pains with patience; accept of death as the just punishment due to his sins; and offer it up in union with the death of Jesus Christ, that being united thereto, it may become precious in the sight of the Lord. He should frequently raise his thoughts above this world, and fix them on heaven—making it the object of his contemplation, and the centre of all his desires. He should consider what a happy thing it is to see and enjoy God eternally; and that the longer he remains here below, the more he lies exposed to the danger of offending him. Far, therefore, from being disturbed at the thoughts of quitting a wicked, treacherous, and deceitful world, he should rather endeavour to enter into the sentiments of St. Paul, who "longed to be dissolved, and to be with Jesus Christ." Instead of being sorry or unwilling to be disengaged from a frail body, subject to a thousand infirmities, he should rather, like King David, thirst after the happy hour that is to put him in possession of that eternal kingdom of glory, for the enjoyment of which he was created. In effect, if the seafaring man long for his arrival in the port of his destination; if the military man wish for an and of the campaign, and long for the day that is to restore him to his friends, crowned with laurels, and enriched with spoils and trophies; if the wearied traveller pant after his native soil, and wish for the end of his journey; if the captive long to be freed from his chains; if the farmer, after the toils and fatigues of the winter, rejoice at the bright prospect of the approaching harvest; why should not a Christian long for the end of the laborious winter of this life, in order to reap the sweet fruits of his past labours? Why should he not be charmed with the well-grounded hope of entering into the joys of his Lord, and finding the gates of heaven open to receive his soul? Why should he not wish to be rescued out of the stormy sea of this world, and arrive safely in the harbour of eternal life? Why should he not long for the end of the spiritual warfare wherein he is constantly engaged, in order to receive that never-fading crown of glory, which is reserved in the kingdom of heaven for such as conquer? Why should he not welcome the happy hour of his death, which is to restore him to his native country, fix him in his proper habitation, secure him from the embarrassments and snares of this mortal life, and translate him to the glorious society of the holy apostles, martyrs, confessors, virgins, and an innumerable host of heavenly citizens, who await him, and long to congratulate his happy arrival? "Which amongst us," says St. Cyprian, "who for a long time had been a sojourner in a foreign country would not anxiously desire to return to his native soil? What person would not wish for a prosperous gale of wind to waft him with expedition to his favourite home, that he might the sooner embrace his friends and relations?" Heaven is our native country; here we are but strangers, captives, and pilgrims. Here we have no permanent city; but there we shall be at home in our Fathers house. Here we are exiles and travellers, hastening to the end of our journey. This world is a tempestuous ocean, full of rocks and quicksands, wherein we are constantly tossed to and fro by storms and hurricanes, tortured between hopes and fears, and every moment exposed to the danger of being shipwrecked. "O how happy are they," continues St. Cyprian, "who, after being delivered from these storms and hurricanes, have happily arrived at the haven of everlasting bliss!" How happy are they who are removed from the dangers of sin, and freed from the assaults of the devil, and the conflict of their passions! How happy are they who are withdrawn from the miseries of this perishable life, and have put on a glorious immortality! Who would not rejoice to obtain everlasting rest, out of the reach of danger? Who would not cheerfully quit this sinful Babylon, to spend an eternity in the presence of God, and live for ever with Jesus Christ, in the company of millions of saints and angels! O blessed be that Divine Providence, that infinite goodness, which has provided a better world to receive us, and there promises us eternal life: Hence hath St. Teresa exclaimed: "O death, I know not who can fear thee, since it is by thee that we find life." Too great a love of life betrays a want of that lively faith and confidence, which, by fortifying the mind of a Christian, enables him to stare death in the face, and despise that king of terrors. It is now more than ever incumbent on us to comply with the obligation we lie under, of suppressing inordinate self-love in our hearts, and of doing, not our own, but the will of our heavenly Father; for how inconsistent would it be to desire that his will may be done on earth, as it is in heaven, if upon summoning us to quit this world, we are reluctant and unwilling to obey his call? With what propriety can we say, thy kingdom come, whilst we evidently betray a desire of remaining here in a state of bondage to our passions and subjection to the devil, rather than accept the invitation to go and live with Jesus Christ, in the kingdom which he has purchased for us at the expense of his sacred blood. To die well or ill, is all that should give us trouble. We know for certain that death is the only way to eternal happiness; that the cross is the ladder by which we should ascend to heaven; and that through many sufferings and tribulations we must endeavour to enter into it. Christ himself died before he entered into his glory. We cannot arrive at heaven by any other road. It is the only gate to life everlasting. It is a passage from a valley of tears to a region of unspeakable bliss. It is a deliverance from a continual warfare, in which we are surrounded with a thousand dangers of perishing. It is a happy exemption from the temptation of the devil, the world, and the flesh, which are our capital enemies. Animated therefore, with a bright prospect of eternal happiness at our departure, we should consider the pangs of death as nothing else but the breaking down of that partition which stands betwixt the soul and the sight of its sovereign good. "The body is a tottering edifice, which must necessarily fall, that the soul may be at rest. It is like the scaffolding which architects make use of to erect a palace; but which they take away after the building is finished."—Clement XIV.—Picture of Man.

Short Acts Of Virtue,

Which may be leisurely and distinctly suggested to sick persons in time of danger, yet so as not to fatigue them with too much reading.

O my God, I firmly believe whatever thy holy Catholic Church believes and teaches, and with the assistance of thy divine grace, I will die in this belief. Increase, O Lord, and strengthen my faith.

In thee, O Lord, I place my whole confidence. I hope to possess eternal life through thy infinite mercy and the merits of my Saviour Christ Jesus. O let me not be confounded for ever. My God! I love thee with my whole heart and soul, above all things, because thou art infinitely good and worthy of all love.

I love my neighbour, nay, and even my enemies, for the love of thee. O my God, it grieves me to the soul for having so ill-served so good a master. O that my heart could break asunder with sorrow for having offended thee by the sins of my past life! O that I had never offended so good a God! O unhappy day that I neglected to love thee! Too late, too late have I begun to love thee. I confess mine iniquities are many and grievous; but they cannot lessen my confidence in thy mercies, which are infinitely greater than my sins.

I most humbly ask pardon for them. I detest them because they displease thee. O God, be merciful to me a sinner. O grant me a true and sincere contrition, and let not the enemy of my soul have any power over me, either now or at my last hour.

Pardon me, O Jesus. Hear me, O Jesus. Save me, O Jesus. I renounce from this moment, and for all eternity, the devil and all his works. I abhor all his suggestions and temptations. I will, by no means, give admittance or consent to them.

Grant me, O Lord, the most precious gift of final perseverance, that whenever my hour comes, I may die in thy grace. I beg pardon of all those whom I have any way offended, and I sincerely forgive all those who have any way offended or injured me, or who wish me any kind of evil whatsoever.

I recommend my soul to God my Creator, who made me out of nothing; to Jesus Christ my Saviour, who redeemed me with his blood; to the Holy Ghost, who sanctified me in the water of baptism.

Praise, honour, and glory, be to thy name for ever, O my God, for all the graces and benefits which I have received from thy bounty during the whole course of my life.

May thy providence be ever blessed and praised for all the sufferings I have endured: O receive them in satisfaction for my sins. I offer up to thee, O my crucified Redeemer, all that I now suffer, or may have yet to suffer, to be united to, and to be sanctified by thy passion.

I am content to suffer here, in hopes that my momentary pains and sufferings will be soon changed into an eternity of happiness and comfort.

Let the flesh suffer and perish, so that the spirit may be safe. Scourge and afflict my body; and spare my soul for all eternity. Here wound me, here burn me, here cut me asunder; but spare me at my last hour.

My whole confidence, either of living or dying well, is grounded on the infinite merits of my Redeemer's death and passion, and the blood he hath shed for my sins.

Receive, O eternal Father, his precious merits, in full satisfaction for all my offences. O let me never be separated from thee.

Wound my heart with thy love, that it may relish nothing that is earthly. Take off my thoughts from this mortal life, that all my comfort may be placed in thee alone.

Dispose of my soul that it may be prepared at thy call to go forth and meet thee, and become thy habitation for ever.

To thee I resign my heart, and bequeath my soul. O do not cast me off amongst the reprobate; but make me fit to appear in thy sight.

O happy hour! when shall I behold thee? O sweet Jesus! when shall I appear before thy face? When shall I be disengaged from this earthly habitation, that I may come to the enjoyment of thee? When shall I be released from this prison, this miserable Babylon, this place of banishment, that I may bless thy name, and join with thy angels and saints in thy everlasting praise?

When shall I lay down this cumbrous weight of flesh, and be delivered from this body of death, which I have loved too well?

Thou hast in thy justice decreed that I should die. I most humbly submit to the sentence, and readily accept it in the spirit of penance, in order to honour thee by the sacrifice of my life, and to give a proof of my obedience to thy orders.

I am content to die for thy glory, and to testify that I love thee better than myself.

I am content to die, that I may no longer offend thee, but that I may love thee, possess thee, praise thee, bless thee, and glorify thee for ever in heaven. I am content to die, to expiate by my death and suffering, all the sins which I have committed since I came into the world.

I am ready and willing to be deprived of every thing I have loved upon earth. I renounce all the vanities of the world, and now willingly bid farewell to this vale of tears and miseries.

Heaven is my happier home. Paradise is much more pleasant and agreeable, and death is the path that leads to it.

O happy news of my departure! I hope I shall soon hear the choirs of angels sing forth the immortal praise of my God. To dwell one day in his holy palace, in the company of the blessed, is better than to be a thousand years in the tabernacle of sinners.

Let slow death then hasten on, that dying I may be no longer exposed to the dangerous occasions of sin, but that I may see and enjoy thee, my God, in paradise, and love thee eternally in the regions of bliss and immortality.

O heavenly Jerusalem! O beautiful city of God, my happy home! when shall I arrive in thy sacred tabernacles?

Take courage, my soul. The hour approacheth. Eternity comes on. Thy miseries and sorrows will soon have an end.

Thou art going to the nuptials of the Lamb. Thou art going to the land of the living. Thou art going to a kingdom where the God of all glory displays his grandeur with the greatest magnificence.

O welcome the approaching hour of death, which is to remove thee to a better life, and to translate thee from misery to felicity, from death to immortality.

Jesus Christ was crucified and died for thee. Be ready then to die for him, that thou mayest enjoy him in the kingdom of heaven, which he has promised to those who put their trust and confidence in him. [Here the assistants may show a crucifix to the sick person.] Contemplate him expiring on the painful bed of the cross, without any other pillow to support his head but a crown of thorns. Behold his merciful arms extended to embrace thee. See his sacred side laid open to grant thee admittance to his heart. See his blessed head laid down to give the kiss of peace. See at how dear a rate he has purchased thy salvation. See what he suffered for thy sake. Embrace him with the most tender affection, and with a firm confidence that thou wilt soon see him in heaven, whom thou now beholdest fastened on a cross. Yes, my divine Redeemer, I embrace thee with all the affections of my soul. I depend on thy merits, and take shelter in thy bleeding wounds. I trust thou wilt not suffer me to be for ever miserable, for thou art infinitely good and merciful. Since I have thy blood to plead in my behalf, why should I fear? why should I tremble at the thoughts of death, when I consider that thou hast satisfied for my sins, paid my debts, and laid down thy life for my salvation?

I am not afraid of hell, though I have deserved it, because my dear Jesus has purchased heaven for me.

I hope in his mercy; and all the artifices of the infernal spirits shall never induce me to relinquish my hope.

In spite of them all, I will sing eternal praises to thee, O blessed Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; I will adore thy mercies, and will possess and love thee for ever.

I will now say what, perhaps, I shall not be able to say at my dying moments:—"O Father of mercies, and God of all consolation, into thy most merciful hands I commend my soul, both for time and eternity."

Now, instead of then, when perhaps I may be deprived of the use of speech and reason, I offer thee, O Lord, my heart, my life, my agony, my pains, my anguish, my distress, and my death, to be united to the blood, sweat and agony of my dear Saviour Jesus Christ.

Now, as well as at the time of my departure, I renounce Satan, and declare my abhorrence of whatever evil thoughts he shall then suggest to me.

O God of my heart, my portion, and my inheritance for ever! I desire to love thee, as the angels of heaven love thee. O how good hast thou been to me, and how ungrateful have I been to thee! I grieve from the bottom of my heart that I ever offended thee, who art infinitely amiable. Forgive me, dear Jesus! forgive me, O Father of mercies.

O my God and my all! my soul doth thirst after thee. When shall I come and appear before thee, O thou fountain of mercy! O who will deliver me from this body of death! I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ; for Christ is my life, and to die will be my gain.

How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord God of Hosts! I love the beauty of thy house, and the place of thy glorious abode. "The eye hath not seen, the ear hath not heard, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive, what things God hath prepared for those who love him."

What have I more to do with the world? And in heaven, what can I desire but thee only, O Lord? Now dost thou dismiss thy servant in peace.

I am weary of this life. I willingly take my leave of this world, and of all terrestrial objects.

Nothing, O good Jesus! nothing more shall ever separate me from thee.

O holy Mary, mother of God, who didst assist at the death of thy beloved son Jesus, obtain for me the grace of a happy death.

Glorious St. Michael, prince of the heavenly host, intercede for me at the hour of my death, that I may depart this world in the grace and favour of my Creator.

O holy Angel Guardian, to whose care God in his mercy has committed me, stand by me at that dreadful hour; protect me against all the powers of darkness: defend me from all my enemies; and conduct my soul to the mansions of eternal repose.

O all ye blessed angels and saints of God, assist me by your intercession, in this last and dreadful passage.

O Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, be thou then to me a powerful redeemer and advocate with the Father.

Let those hands which were nailed to the cross, plead in my behalf, and open to me the gates of heaven.

Be thou a Jesus to me, and save my soul at that awful period. Hide me in thy wounds, and protect me under the shadow of thy wings.

O good Shepherd of souls! do not forsake me, but conduct my soul into eternal rest.

Suffer thy passion and death to stand betwix my soul and thy justice; and let these comfortable words sound then in my ears: "This day thou shalt be with me in paradise."

O sweet Comforter of desolate and distressed souls let me then experience the multitude of thy tender mercies, when my soul shall be in conflict with the pangs of death.

Be mindful of thy poor creature, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

Remember thou hast bought my soul at a dear rate. O let not thy precious blood be lost on me, or spilt in vain.

O let not my soul perish, which cost thee so great a price.

Thou hast promised, that whosoever shall invoke thy name with faith and confidence, shall be saved: I invoke thy sacred name, O Jesus, with my whole heart, and with all possible respect and devotion: do not then suffer me to be lost for ever.

Help me, O God my Saviour; and for the glory of thy blessed name, deliver me. Look with an eye of pity on this poor piece of clay, and succour me in my distress.

I beseech thee, by thy sufferings on the cross, especially at that hour when thy blessed soul left thy sacred body, to have mercy on my soul at the time of its departure from mine.

Call me to thyself, and receive me into the number of thine elect, that I may praise thee without end.

O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me.

Give me thy blessing, O most loving Jesus. Lord Jesus, receive my soul.

Receive me Lord Jesus, in thy mercy! receive my soul in peace.

Glory be to the Father, &c.

Post hominem vermis; post vermem fœtor et horror: Sic in non hominem vertitur omnis homo.

A Prayer By St. Liguori.

Ah, my Redeemer, how have I been able hitherto to live in such forgetfulness of you? You were prepared to grant me all the graces which I should ask of you; you only waited for me to ask them. But I have thought only of indulging my senses, and have been indifferent about the privation and loss of your love and of your graces. Lord, forget all my ingratitude, and have mercy on me. Pardon me all the displeasure I have given you, and grant me perseverance. O God of my soul, give me the grace always to ask your aid not to offend you. Do not permit me to be, as I have hitherto been, negligent in the performance of this duty. Grant me light and strength always to recommend myself to you, and particularly when my enemies tempt me to offend you again.

Grant, O my God, this grace through the merits of Jesus Christ, and through the love which you bear to him. O Lord, I have offended you enough. I wish to love you during the remainder of my life. Give me your love; and may this love remind me to ask your aid whenever I shall be in danger of losing you by sin. Mary, my hope after Jesus, through your intercession I hope for the grace to recommend myself, in all my temptations, to you and to your Son. Hear me, O my queen, through the love which you bear to Jesus Christ.

A Devout Prayer Of St. Augustine On The Sufferings Of Christ.

O God! who for the redemption of the world didst vouchsafe to be born—to be circumcised—to be rejected by the Jews—to be betrayed with a kiss—to be bound like a malefactor, and like an innocent lamb to be led to the slaughter—to be ignominiously brought before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and Herod—to be accused by false witnesses—scourged with whips—buffeted—defiled with spittle—crowned with thorns—stripped of thy clothes—fastened to the cross, placed between two thieves—to have vinegar and gall given thee to drink—to have thy side pierced through with a spear! Thou, O Lord, by these most grievous pains, which I, though unworthy, do commemorate, and by thy most sacred passion and death, free me from the pains of hell, and conduct me whither thy mercy did conduct the good thief crucified with thee: who, together with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest for ever.

A Prayer Of St. Jerome In Time Of Agony.

Merciful Jesus, thou art my strength, my refuge, and my deliverer; in thee I have believed and hoped; in thee have I loved. Call me now, I beseech thee, and I will answer.—Stretch forth thy hand of mercy to the work of thy hands, and let me not perish, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.

It is now time for dust to return to dust, and my spirit to thee who gavest it. Open then, Lord, the gate of life, and receive me; receive me most merciful Lord, according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, who receivedst the thief on the cross, and now prepare my soul for hearing the same promise of mercy which he did. I am sick, O Lord, and my life is withering away; therefore I come to thee my physician. Heal me then, my God, and I shall be healed: let me not be confounded; because I put my trust in thee. In thee have I hoped; let me not be cast off for ever.

But what am I, most merciful Lord, that I should speak thus boldly to thee?—I am a sinner, grown up in sin, a rotten carcass, a vessel of corruption, and food for worms. But spare me still, my God; for what victory is there in overthrowing me, who am but as dust before the wind? Forgive me all my sins, and deliver me from my distress.

Arise and help me, Lord; arise and let thy mercy plead for me. Let my prayer ascend before thee, and stretch forth thy hand to help me; for behold I am covered with sin, and have done evil in thy sight, and there is none can heal me but thou, my God. If thou hadst not paid my ransom, by dying on the cross, should not I have been for ever miserable? Remember then, O merciful Jesus, that I have a share in that price that was paid. It was for me also, though most unworthy, thy blood was shed; let me, therefore, have a part in this mercy.

I confess I have many times offended against thee, and therefore am not worthy to be called thy child; but turn away thy face, I beseech thee, from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Deal not with me according to what I deserve, nor chastise me according to my iniquities; but help me, O God, my Saviour, and for the glory of thy name deliver me. Now at this hour show mercy to me, and whenever I depart receive me into the number of thy family, that I may be one of those who are to praise thee for ever.

Prayers To Be Recited By The Assistants When The Dying Person Loses The Use Of Speech.

Lord Jesus Christ, we beseech thee, by thy bitter agony and prayer in the garden, that thou wouldst be pleased to be an advocate with thy eternal Father, in behalf of this thy servant: lay before him (her) all those drops of blood which in thy anguish of spirit flowed from thy body, and offer them for the remission of all his (her) sins: that in this hour of extremity, he (she) may be discharged from that hand-writing of sin which stands against him (her), and from that punishment which he (she) fears to be too justly due to his (her) sins. "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Lord Jesus Christ! who for our salvation was pleased to suffer death on the cross, we beseech thee to offer up all the anguish and pains thou didst then endure, and most especially at the hour of thy death, in behalf of this thy servant, that they may be accepted in his (her) favour, for the good of his (her) soul, for the obtaining of a happy hour, and for the release from that punishment which he (she) has deserved for his (her) sins. "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Lord Jesus Christ! who hadst such a boundless love for man as to induce thee to become man for his salvation, we beseech thee to let this thy infinite charity and goodness towards mankind, so plead in behalf of this thy poor servant, that by thy powerful mediation, his (her) soul, at the moment of its departure from the body, being freed from the bonds of sin, may find a free admittance through the gates that lead to the mansions of eternal bliss. "Our Father," &c. "Hail Mary," &c.

Lord Jesus Christ! who by thy precious blood hast redeemed us, we beseech thee to imprint deep in the soul of this thy servant the memory of thy most sacred wounds, that having them perpetually in his (her) sight, he (she) may be encouraged to suffer with patience and resolution, and be armed against all the pangs of death. Thus let him (her) cheerfully submit to all the difficulties of his (her) condition, and begin, even here, to be united to thee with a love that shall never end.

Grant him (her) now to partake of the fruit of thy holy incarnation, of thy bitter passion, of thy glorious resurrection, and admirable ascension.

Grant that he (she) may be sensible of the effects of thy holy mysteries and sacraments, and of all the prayers which are offered by the whole church.

Remember, O Lord, that thou wast once in the straits of death; and in this extremity, after crying out to thy eternal Father, and commending thy spirit to him, didst expire. Behold now this thy servant in his (her) anguish crying aloud to thee; stand thou by him (her), defend and comfort him (her) in this his (her) distress, and receive his (her) soul into thy merciful embraces.

Remember, O Jesus, that thy arms were stretched forth, thy side opened, and thy sacred head bowed down from the cross; have regard now, we beseech thee, to the soul of this thy servant, which, departing out of this world, seeks refuge in thee; receive it into thy arms, clasp it to thy breast, and there let it hide itself, secured from the attacks of all its enemies, till the anger of God pass over. Into thy hands we commend his (her) spirit, which has been created and redeemed by thee, despise not, we beseech thee, the work of thy hands.

O Christ Jesus, who was crucified for our redemption, we beseech thee, by that love which brought thee from heaven, to have compassion on the soul of thy servant; forgive him (her) all his (her) sins, and by the merits of thy bitter passion, satisfy for all his (her) failings, and supply his (her) defects; let him (her) now experience the multitude of thy tender mercies, and be sensible how good thou, O Lord, art. Dispose now his (her) soul by thy grace, that he (she) may be prepared at thy call to go forth to meet thee, his (her) heavenly bridegroom. Grant him (her), we beseech thee, true patience and perfect resignation in his (her) pains and anguish. Give him (her) full discharge from all his (her) sins; confirm his (her) faith; strengthen his (her) hope, and perfect his (her) charity; that departing hence, his (her) soul may be received into thy mercy. O dear Redeemer, by that distress which thou didst suffer on the cross, when thou criedst out to thy eternal Father, we pray thee to show mercy to this thy servant in his (her) extremity; hear the sighs and desires of his (her) heart; and since he (she) is now deprived of the faculty of speech, speak thou for him (her) we beseech thee, who art the eternal Word, and to whom the Father will refuse nothing.

By thy victory over death, and the infinite merits of thy passion, we beseech thee, on behalf of this thy servant, to have no other thoughts but of peace, of mercy and comfort, and not of affliction. Bear him (her) up against all distrust and despair; deliver him (her) from his (her) necessities, and be his (her) comforter in his (her) distress. Let those hands which were once nailed to the cross, now plead for him (her) and obtaining his (her) pardon, conduct him (her) into thy eternal rest. Amen.

The Recommendation Of A Soul Departing.

Let Us Pray.

Depart then, O Christian soul, out of this miserable world, in the name of God the Father Almighty, who created thee; in the name of Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, who suffered for thee; in the name of the Holy Ghost, who sanctified thee; in the name of the angels, archangels, thrones, dominations, cherubim, and seraphim; in the name of the patriarchs and prophets, of the holy apostles, and evangelists, of the holy martyrs and confessors, of the holy monks and hermits, of the holy virgins, and of all the saints of God: let thy place be this day in peace, and thy abode in holy Sion: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

God of clemency! God of goodness! O God, who according to the multitude of thy mercies, forgivest the sins of such as repent, and graciously remittest the guilt of their past offences, mercifully regard this thy servant (N.) and grant him (her) a full discharge from all his (her) sins, who most earnestly begs it of thee. Renew, O merciful Father, whatever is corrupt in him (her) through human frailty, or by the snares of the enemy; make him (her) a true member of thy church, and let him (her) partake of the fruit of thy redemption. Have compassion, O Lord, on his (her) sighs, have pity on his (her) tears, and admit him (her) to the sacrament of thy reconciliation, who has no hope but in thee: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

I recommend thee, dear brother (sister,) to Almighty God, and commit thee to his mercy, whose creature thou art; that having paid the common debt, by surrendering thy soul, thou mayest return to thy Maker, who formed thee out of the earth. May, therefore, the noble company of angels meet thy soul at its departure. May the court of the apostles receive thee. May the triumphant army of glorious martyrs conduct thee. May the crowds of joyful confessors encompass thee. May the choir of blessed virgins go before thee; and may a happy rest be thy portion in the company of the patriarchs. May Jesus Christ appear to thee with a mild and cheerful countenance, and give thee a place among those who are to be in his presence for ever. Mayest thou be a stranger to all who are condemned to darkness, chastised with flames, or punished with torments. May God command thy wicked enemy, with all his evil spirits, to depart from thee. May the infernal spirits tremble at thy approach encompassed by angels, and retire into the horrid confusion of eternal night. May thy God arise, and thy enemies be put to flight. May all who hate him fly before his face. Let them vanish like smoke, or as wax before the fire; so let sinners perish in the sight of God. But as to the just, let them rejoice and be happy in his presence. May all the ministers of hell be filled with confusion and shame, and let no evil spirit dare to stop thy course to heaven. May Christ Jesus, who was crucified for thee, be thy deliverer. May he deliver thee from death, who for thy sake vouchsafed to die. May Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God, place thee in his garden of Paradise; and may he, the true shepherd, own thee for one of his flock. May he absolve thee from all thy sins, and place thee at his right hand in the inheritance of his elect. O may it be thy happy lot to behold thy Redeemer face to face; to be ever in his presence, in the beatific vision of that eternal truth, which is the joy of the blessed. And thus placed among those happy spirits, mayest thou be for ever filled with heavenly sweetness. Amen.

Receive thy servant, O Lord, into that place where he (she) may hope for salvation from thy mercy.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant from all dangers of hell, and from all pain and tribulation.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Enoch and Elias from the common death of the world.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Noah in the flood.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Abraham from the midst of the Chaldeans.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Job from all his afflictions.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Isaac from being sacrificed by his father.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Lot from Sodom and the the flames of fire.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Moses from the hands of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Daniel from the lions' den.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst the three children from the fiery furnace, and from the hands of that unmerciful king.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Susannah from her false accusers.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst David from the hands of Saul and Goliah.—R. Amen.

Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant, as thou deliveredst Peter and Paul out of prison.—R. Amen.

And as thou deliveredst the blessed virgin and martyr, St. Thecla, from most cruel torments, vouchsafe to deliver the soul of this thy servant, and bring it to the participation of thy heavenly joys.—R. Amen.

Let Us Pray.

We commend to thee, O Lord, the soul of this thy servant; and beseech thee, O Jesus Christ, Redeemer of the world, that as in thy mercy to him (her) thou becamest man, so now thou mayest vouchsafe to admit him (her) into the number of the blessed. Remember, O Lord, that he (she) is thy creature, not made by strange gods, but by thee, the only true and living God; for there is no other God but thee, and none can work thy wonders. Let his (her) soul find comfort in thy sight, and remember not his (her) former sins, nor any of those excesses which he (she) has fallen into through the violence of passion and corruption. For although he (she) hath sinned, yet he (she) has still retained a true faith in thee, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; he (she) has had a zeal for thy honour, and faithfully adores thee his (her) God and Creator of all things.

Remember not, O Lord, the sins or ignorance of his (her) youth; but according to thy great mercy be mindful of him (her) in thy eternal glory. Let the heavens be opened to him (her,) and the angels rejoice with him (her). May St. Michael the archangel, the chief of the heavenly host, conduct him (her). May blessed Peter, thy apostle, to whom were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven, receive him (her.) May holy Paul thy apostle, and chosen vessel of election, assist him (her.) May St. John, thy beloved disciple, to whom were revealed the secrets of heaven, intercede for him (her.) May all thy holy apostles, to whom was given the power of binding and loosening, pray for him (her.) May all the chosen servants and martyrs of God, who in this world have suffered torments for thy sake, O Christ, intercede for him (her,) that being delivered from this body of corruption, he (she) may be admitted into the kingdom of heaven; through the assistance and merits of thee, our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.

[Should the sick person still continue in distress of agony, it may be proper for the assistants to continue on in prayer, saying Psalms xxi. cxviii.]

Litany For A Happy Death;

Composed by a young Lady who was converted to the Catholic Faith, and afterwards died at eighteen, in the odour of sanctity.

Let Us Pray.

O God, who hast doomed all men to die, but hast concealed from all the hour of their death, grant that I may pass my days in the practice of holiness and justice, and that I may deserve to quit this world in the peace of a good conscience, and in the embraces of thy love: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Soul Being Now Departed, The Following Responsory is Said:

Come to his (her) assistance, all you saints of God; meet him (her) all you angels of God; receive his (her) soul, and present it now before its Lord. May Jesus Christ receive thee, and the angels conduct thee to thy place of rest; may they receive thy soul, and present it now before its Lord.

V. Eternal rest grant him (her,) O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine unto him (her.)

May the angels present him (her) now before the Lord.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, &c.

V. And lead us not into temptation;

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. Eternal rest grant him (her,) O Lord.

R. And let perpetual light shine unto him, (her.)

V. From the gates of hell;

R. Deliver his (her) soul, O Lord.

V. May he (she) rest in peace;

R. Amen.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer;

R. And let my cry come unto thee.

Let Us Pray.

Unto thee, Lord, we commend the soul of thy servant (N.) that being dead to this world, he (she) may live to thee; and whatever sins he (she) has committed through human frailty, we beseech thee, in thy goodness, mercifully to pardon: through Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Then, for a conclusion, may be added the following prayer for the assistants, which may be also said at the burial.]

Grant, O Lord, that while we here lament the departure of thy servant, we may ever remember that we are most certainly to follow him (her). Give us grace to prepare for that last hour by a good life, that we may not be surprised by a sudden death, but be ever watching when thou shalt call, that so with the spouse we may enter into eternal glory: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

A Prayer For All That Are Buried In A Church Or Church-yard.

O God, by whose mercy the souls of all the faithful find rest, grant to all thy servants, here or elsewhere, that have slept in Christ, the full remission of all their sins; that being acquitted as well from the guilt as the temporal punishment due to them, they may be speedily admitted into thy heavenly kingdom, and there rejoice with thee for all eternity: through, &c.

Exequies, Or Sacred Rites Over The Tomb.

[Solemnity performed after High Mass for the Dead, and which may be privately recited after the Office.]

Responsory.

Libera me, Domine, de morte æterna, in die illa tremenda: *Quando cœli movendi sunt, et terra: *Dum veneris judicare sæculum per ignem.

V. Tremens factus sum ego, et timeo dum discussio venerit, atque ventura ira.

R. Quando cœli movendi sunt et terra.

V. Dies illa, dies iræ, calamitatis, et miseriæ: dies magna, et amara valde.

R. Dum veneris judicare sæculum per ignem.

Requiem æternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

R. Libera me, Domine, de morte æterna, in die illa tremenda, quando cœli movendi sunt et terra, dum veneris judicare sæculum per ignem.

Kyrie, eleison. Christe, eleison. Kyrie, eleison.

Pater noster, [secreto.]

V. Et nos inducas in tentationem.

R. Sed libera nos a malo.

V. A porta inferi.

R. Erue, Domine, animam ejus [animas eorum.]

Exequies, Or Sacred Rites Over The Tomb.

[Solemnity performed after High Mass for the Dead, and which may be privately recited after the Office.]

Responsory.

Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death on that dreadful day: *When the heavens and earth shall be moved: *Whilst thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.

V. I am seized with trembling and dread, when I reflect on the rigorous examination, and the vengeful wrath of that day.

R. When the heavens and earth shall be moved.

V. That day shall be a day of wrath, calamity, and misery: the great day of extreme bitterness and terror.

R. Whilst thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.

Eternal rest grant to them, O Lord, and may the perpetual light of glory shine upon them.

R. Deliver me, O Lord, from eternal death on that dreadful day, when the heavens and earth shall be moved, whilst thou wilt come to judge the world by fire.

Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.

Our Father, [in silence.]

V. And lead us not into temptation.

R. But deliver us from evil.

V. From the gates of hell.

R. Deliver his soul, [their souls,] O Lord.

V. Requiescat (requiescant) in pace.

R. Amen.

V. Domine, exaudi, orationem meam.

R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat.

Oremus.

Prayer On The Commemoration Of All Souls.

Fidelium, Deus, omnium conditor et redemptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum remissionem cunctorum tribue peccatorum: ut indulgentiam quam semper optaverunt, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum. Amen.