CIUDAD to - the Catholic Kingdom!

THE CORONATION 667
this I
tues.
of the vir
desire now to do, O Mother and Queen
Humbled in thy presence deeper than to the dust,
I confess that I have received this and other blessings
as favors, which I could never merit. Only what Thou
hast taught and commanded, have I written;
I was but
the mute instrument of thy tongue, moved and governed
by thy wisdom. Perfect Thou this work of thy hands,
not only for the appropriate glory and praise of the Most
High, but add to it what is
wanting, in order that I may
practice thy doctrine, follow thy footsteps, obey thy com
mands, and run after the odor of thy ointment, which is
the sweetness and fragrance of thy virtues diffused with
ineffable kindness through this history.
790. I acknowledge myself, O Empress of heaven, as
the most unworthy, the most indebted of all the children
of the holy Church. In order that the monstrosity of
my ingratitude may not become apparent
in the Church,
before the Almighty and before Thee, I propose, offer, and
seek to make known my renunciation of all that is visible
and earthly; I again subject my liberty to the divine will
and to thy own, engaging myself not to use my free will,
except for God s glory and pleasure. I beseech Thee,
the Blessed among all creatures, that, just as by the clem
ency of the Lord and thy own I hold the title of his
spouse, and of thy daughter and disciple, and as thy Son,
my Lord, has so often deigned to confirm these titles,
Thou permit me not, O purest Lady, to fall short of these
titles.
Thy protection and assistance failed me not in
the writing of thy wonderful life ; help me now to put
in practice thy teachings, wherein eternal life consists.
Thou wishest and commandest me to imitate Thee ; stamp
and engrave upon my soul thy living image. Thou hast
sown in my earthly heart the holy seed guard : it, cher
ish it, O Mother, sweet Mistress, that it may bring forth
Private Use Only