O Jesus, only Son of the living God, Who, by an incomprehensible effect of Thy love, wast pleased to be made man, to be born in a stable, to live amidst labors and sufferings, to die upon a Cross, and to leave us, as a perpetual pledge of Thy tenderness, Thine own Body and Blood for the nourishment of our souls, in the ineffable Sacrament of the Eucharist: Thou beholdest at Thy feet a criminal covered with confusion, who comes, in the spirit of union with all the associates in the adoration of Thy divine Heart, humbly to confess his ingratitude, his iniquities, and those of all other men, that he may make reparation for them as far as in him lies.
Alas! O loving Jesus, we have sinned against heaven and before Thee. What hath Thy most Sacred Heart not suffered on our part in the course of Thy sacred life, in Thy bitter Passion, and from the moment that Thou hast dwelt amongst us in the Sacrament of Thy love! O with how much bitterness, opprobrium, and grief have we deluged Thy divine Heart! Pardon; mercy; O adorable Heart of Jesus! mercy for me, mercy for all men, and for our land in particular!
I detest, with all the sincerity of my soul, and with the most profound and bitter grief, everything which hath ever offended Thee in myself or in others; I detest it for the love Thou deservest, and which is supremely due unto Thee. O that I could efface with my tears, and wash away with my blood, the injuries which we have done unto Thee. O that I could repay Thee, by my repentance, by my works, and by my love, all the glory, honor, and satisfaction of which Thou hast been robbed by the injuries and outrages that have been committed against Thee! Accept at least the earnest desire with which Thou inspirest me.
Vouchsafe, O Heart infinitely rich in mercy, to light again in my heart and that of all men the sacred fire which Thou camest to kindle upon the earth. Let it purify them, let it inflame them, let it make of them one heart with Thy Heart. Pour down, I beseech Thee, Thy most precious and abundant benedictions on Thy holy Church, and those who govern it; on this diocese, on this region, and on all those who are united with us in devotion to Thy Sacred Heart. O Heart of Jesus, live, reign in all hearts, for time and for eternity. Amen.
