Considering that the debts which I owe to thy justice are so immense, that of myself I have not the means of discharging them, I have recourse to the inexhaustible treasure of the merits of my Redeemer, which thy church (in virtue of the keys of the kingdom of heaven, which he has committed to its supreme pastors, in the person of St. Peter,) now holds forth to me. Grant me, O Lord, the dispositions to obtain such a portion thereof, as may be necessary to discharge the debt of temporal punishment due to my sins. Suffer me now to partake of the infinite merits of Christ, that the immense ransom which he has paid for my salvation being applied to my poor sinful soul, I may be released from the punishments which it has otherwise so justly deserved. I beseech thee also, O most bountiful Lord! to pour down thy blessings on thy holy Catholic Church; on its supreme pastor, [_Pope N. N._]; on the pastor to whom the care of thy flock in this archdioceses or diocese is committed [_name him_]; upon our queen, and all the royal family; upon all thy bishops and clergy throughout the whole world. Enlighten poor infidels, heretics, and sinners; and assist such apostolic missionaries as labour in their conversion. {120} Unite all mankind in the profession of the true faith; give them the spirit of divine charity, whereby they may love thee above all things, and for thy sake love each other. Have compassion on the suffering souls of the faithful departed. Give thy blessing to my parents, friends, relations, and benefactors; preserve them from eternal misery; and conduct us all, by thy grace, to the mansions of celestial bliss, there to praise and glorify thee for ever. Amen. An Act Of Humility. Reflect on these words: "And he gave it to his disciples, and said, Take ye, and eat," &c. It must have been a great cause of confusion to the apostles, when they beheld their Saviour distribute to them his sacred body, not merely that they might adore it, or that they might preserve it as an inestimable relic, but that they might make it their food. Be thou also penetrated with the most profound humility. What am I, O God of majesty and glory, or who am I, that thou shouldst deign even to look on me? Whence am I honoured with so unspeakable a favour, as that my Lord and my God should come and visit in person such a miserable and vile worm of the earth? How dare a being more contemptible than nothing, approach so holy a God, eat the bread of angels, and feed on thy divine flesh! Ah, Lord! it is too much; I am not worthy of so great a favour; I shall never, no never, deserve it. {121}