A Prayer at the Confiteor

O blessed Trinity, one God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, prostrate in spirit before thee, I here confess, in the sight of the whole court of heaven, and of all thy faithful, mine innumerable treasons against thy divine Majesty. I have sinned, O Lord, I have sinned; I have grievously offended thee through the whole course of my life, in thought, word, and deed; and therefore am most unworthy to lift mine eyes to heaven, or so much as to name thy sacred name: how much more am I unworthy, to appeare here in thy sanctuary, and to assist among thine angels at these heavenly mysteries, which require so much purity; because Jesus Christ himself is here in person both Priest and Victim! But, O my God, thy mercies are above all thy works, and thou wilt not despise a contrite and humble heart: and therefore I here venture to come into thy temple, and with the poor publican, and, as I hope, with the same penitential spirit, I strike my breast and say, O God, be merciful to me a sinner, O God, be merciful to me a sinner, O God, be merciful to me a sinner. And I humbly hope to find this mercy which I crave, through that passion and death which is here celebrated. O fountain of mercy, grant this mercy to me and to all poor sinners. Amen.