Union with God.

Unto Thee, O LORD, will I lift up my soul.

FATHER of all flesh, Preserver and Lover of the souls of men, Thou that art very high exalted, to Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul, longing and fainting for Thee, gasping unto Thee as a thirsty land.

And Thou art the GOD that heareth prayer. The unuttered, inexpressible desire of the soul reacheth unto Thy Heart, and Thine Ear hearkeneth thereto : Thou needest not that we should testify unto Thee, for Thou art He that knoweth all things.

Thou seest me laden with infirmities, weary in the warfare of the spirit against the flesh, bowed down at times with failures, yearning for a nearer conformity to Thy Will, yet still the slave of my own desires; Thou knowest all of me that I know of myself, and far more.

Yet Thou, O Holy One, dost not despise
Thou drawest me to Thyself by the

me.

cords of a Man, even by the Humanity of Thy SON. He standeth before the Throne of Thy Majesty, uplifting His Pierced Hands, presenting before Thee the Sacrifice of His Incarnation, ever living to make Intercession for us.

Through the Vail, that is to say, His Flesh, we too have access to Thy Presence, and truly our Communion, Ó FATHER Almighty, is with Thee, through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD.

Teach me the things concerning Thyself. Let me meditate upon them, and give myself wholly to them. Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of Thy Glory; O let not my soul alone be empty of Thee. Fill Thou my heart with the grace which Thou hast prepared for the sons of men, and lead me in the Way Everlasting.

Bid me seek Thee in all things, that I may find Thee everywhere. Make me to realise that the Word is indeed very near me, in my heart and in my mouth. Give me the blessedness of knowing the very truth of Thy perpetual Presence. Let me own Thee present in sorrow, in sickness, in loneliness of heart,-in whatever Thy Will for me shall be. And so shall I ever dwell with my Lord. Through JESUS CHRIST. Amen.

O Blessed Master, Who hast promised that where Thou art, there shall Thy ser

vant be, I pray Thee by the Mystery of Thy Eucharistic Presence to fulfil Thy gracious word in me, and thus to satisfy the desire of my soul.

PSALM CXXXIX.

Amen.

Domine, probasti.

LORD, Thou hast searched me out

Thou shou knowest my

down-sitting, and mine up-rising; Thou understandest my thoughts long before. Thou art about my path, and about my bed and spiest out all my ways.

For lo, there is not a word in my tongue : but Thou, O LORD, knowest it altogether. Thou hast fashioned me behind and before and laid Thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me: I cannot attain unto it. Whither shall I go then from Thy SPIRIT or whither shall I go then from Thy Presence?

If I climb up into heaven, Thou art there: if I go down to hell, Thou art there also. If I take the wings of the morning: and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there also shall Thy hand lead me: and Thy right hand shall hold me.

If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me: then shall my night be turned to day.

Yea, the darkness is no darkness with

Thee, but the night is as clear as the day: the darkness and light to Thee are both alike.

For my reins are Thine: Thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

I will give thanks unto Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works, and that my soul knoweth right well.

My bones are not hid from Thee: though I be made secretly, and fashioned beneath in the earth.

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being imperfect: and in Thy book were all my members written;

Which day by day were fashioned: when as yet there was none of them.

How dear are Thy counsels unto me, O GOD: O how great is the sum of them!

If I tell them, they are more in number than the sand when I wake up I am present with Thee.

Wilt thou not slay the wicked, O GOD: depart from me, ye blood-thirsty men.

For they speak unrighteously against Thee and Thine enemies take Thy Name in vain.

Do not I hate them, O LORD, that hate Thee and am not I grieved with those that rise up against Thee?

Yea, I hate them right sore: even as though they were mine enemies.

Try me, O GOD, and seek the ground of my heart prove me, and examine my thoughts.

Look well if there be any way of wickedness in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

Glory be to the FATHER, and to the SON and to the HOLY GHOST ;

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.