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I, the undersigned,--in the Presence of God and of all the company
of Heaven, having considered the Infinite Mercy of His Heavenly
Goodness towards me, a most miserable, unworthy creature, whom He
has created, preserved, sustained, delivered from so many dangers,
and filled with so many blessings: having above all considered the
incomprehensible mercy and loving-kindness with which this most
Good God has borne with me in my sinfulness, leading me so
tenderly to repentance, and waiting so patiently for me till
this-- (present) year of my life, notwithstanding all my
ingratitude, disloyalty and faithlessness, by which I have delayed
turning to Him, and despising His Grace, have offended Him anew:
and further, remembering that in my Baptism I was solemnly and
happily dedicated to God as His child, and that in defiance of the
profession then made in my name, I have so often miserably
profaned my gifts, turning them against God's Divine Majesty:--I,
now coming to myself prostrate in heart and soul before the Throne
of His Justice, acknowledge and confess that I am duly accused and
convicted of treason against His Majesty, and guilty of the Death
and Passion of Jesus Christ, by reason of the sins I have
committed, for which He died, bearing the reproach of the Cross;
so that I deserve nothing else save eternal damnation.
But turning to the Throne of Infinite Mercy of this Eternal
God, detesting the sins of my past life with all my heart and all
my strength, I humbly desire and ask grace, pardon, and mercy,
with entire absolution from my sin, in virtue of the Death and
Passion of that same Lord and Redeemer, on Whom I lean as the only
ground of my hope. I renew the sacred promise of faithfulness to
God made in my name at my Baptism; renouncing the devil, the
world, and the flesh, abhorring their accursed suggestions,
vanities and lusts, now and for all eternity. And turning to a
Loving and Pitiful God, I desire, intend, and deliberately resolve
to serve and love Him now and eternally, devoting my mind and all
its faculties, my soul and all its powers, my heart and all its
affections, my body and all its senses, to His Will.
I resolve never to misuse any part of my being by opposing His
Divine Will and Sovereign Majesty, to which I wholly immolate
myself in intention, vowing ever to be His loyal, obedient and
faithful servant without any change or recall. But if unhappily,
through the promptings of the enemy, or human infirmity, I should
in anywise fail in this my resolution and dedication, I do most
earnestly resolve by the grace of the Holy Spirit to rise up again
so soon as I shall perceive my fall, and turn anew, without any
delay, to seek His Divine Mercy.
This is my firm will and intention,--my inviolable, irrevocable
resolution, which I make and confirm without any reserve, in the
Holy Presence of God, in the sight of the Church triumphant, and
before the Church militant, which is my mother, who accepts this
my declaration, in the person of him who, as her representative,
hears me make it. Be pleased, O Eternal, All-Powerful, and
All-Loving God,-- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to confirm me in
this my resolution, and accept my hearty and willing offering. And
inasmuch as Thou hast been pleased to inspire me with the will to
make it, give me also the needful strength and grace to keep it. O
God, Thou art my God, the God of my heart, my soul, and spirit,
and as such I acknowledge and adore Thee, now and for all
eternity. Glory be to Jesus. Amen.
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