Chapter 09. That we ought to offer ourselves and all that is ours to God,?... (Book 4. Exhortation to Holy Communion) (The Imitation of Christ) (a-Kempis, Thomas)

1. The Voice of the Disciple

Lord, all that is in the heaven and in the earth is Yours. I desire to offer myself up to you as a freewill offering, and to continue Yours for ever. Lord, in the uprightness of mine heart I willingly offer myself to You to-day to be Your servant for ever, in humble submission and for a sacrifice of perpetual praise. Receive me with this holy Communion of Your precious Body, which I celebrate before You this day in the presence of the Angels invisibly surrounding, that it may be for the salvation of me and of all Your people.

2. Lord, I lay before You at this celebration all my sins and offences which I have committed before You and Your holy Angels, from the day whereon I was first able to sin even to this hour; that You may consume and burn them every one with the fire of Your charity, and may do away all the stains of my sins, and cleanse my conscience from all offence, and restore me to Your favour which by sinning I have lost, fully forgiving me all, and mercifully admitting me to the kiss of peace.

3. What can I do concerning my sins, save humbly to confess and lament them and unceasingly to beseech Your propitiation? I beseech You, be propitious to me and hear me, when I stand before You, O my God. All my sins displease me grievously: I will never more commit them; but I grieve for them and will grieve so long as I live, steadfastly purposing to repent me truly, and to make restitution as far as I can. Forgive, O God, forgive me my sins for Your holy Name's sake; save my soul, which You have redeemed with Your precious blood. Behold I commit myself to Your mercy, I resign myself to Your hands. Deal with me according to Your loving-kindness, not according to my wickedness and iniquity.

4. I offer also to You all my goodness, though it is exceedingly little and imperfect, that You may mend and sanctify it, that You may make it well pleasing and acceptable in Your sight, and ever draw it on towards perfection; and furthermore bring me safely, slothful and useless poor creature that I am, to a happy and blessed end.

5. Moreover I offer to You all pious desires of the devout, necessities of parents, friends, brothers, sisters, and all who are dear to me, and of those who have done good to me, or to others for Your love; and those who have desired and besought my prayers for themselves and all belonging to them; that all may feel themselves assisted by Your grace, enriched by consolation, protected from dangers, freed from pains; and that being delivered from all evils they may joyfully give You exceeding thanks.

6. I offer also to You prayers and Sacramental intercessions for those specially who have injured me in anything, made me sad, or spoken evil concerning me, or have caused me any loss or displeasure; for all those also whom I have at any time made sad, disturbed, burdened, and scandalized, by words or deeds, knowingly or ignorantly; that to all of us alike, You may equally pardon our sins and mutual offences. Take away, O Lord, from our hearts all suspicion, indignation, anger, and contention, and whatsoever is able to injure charity and diminish brotherly love. Have mercy, have mercy, Lord, on those who entreat Your mercy; give grace to the needy; and make us such that we may be worthy to enjoy Your grace, and go forward to the life eternal. Amen.

1 Chronicles xxix. 11. 1 Chronicles xxix. 17.