Ghost, Descend Upon Us and Remain with Us Forever

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus ! Bless us, O Lord, as Thou didst bless the little children and again Thy disciples at Thy glorious ascension into heaven, so that we may persevere in Thy grace and be numbered on the last day among the elect, whom Thou wilt call the blessed of Thy Father, and invite into Thy eternal king- dom. PRAYER OF ST. ALPHONSTJS DE LK5XT0RI, TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY ost holy and immaculate Virgin!

O my mother J thou who art the mother of my Lord, the queen of the world, the advocate, hope, and refuge of sinners ! I, the most wretched among them, now come to thee. I worship thee, great queen, and give thee thanks for the many favors thou hast bestowed on me in the past; most of all, do I thank thee for having saved me from hell, which I had so often deserved. I lpve thee, lady most worthy of all love, and, by the love which I bear thee, I promise ever in the future to serve thee, and to do what in me lies to win others to thy love. In thee I put all my trust, all my hope of salvation. Receive me as thy servant, and cover Digitized by Goode Prayers at Holy Mass 271 me with the mantle of thy protection, thou who art the mother of mercy ! And since thou hast so much power with God, deliver me from all tempta- tions, or at least obtain for me the grace ever to overcome them: From thee I ask a true love of Jesus Christ, and the grace of a happy death.

O my mother ! by thy love for God, I beseech thee to be at all times my helper, but, above all, at the last moment of my life. Leave me not until you see me safe in heaven, there for endless ages to bless thee, and sing thy praises. Amen