Acknowledgment of the Benefits of God

While saying this prayer, St. Gertrude received from the Son of God most gracious tokens of his love, and his promise that he would take her into his most intimate and special protection. Hence she learned that the Lord takes in a special manner under his protection all who gratefully recite this acknowledgment, and commit themselves to his divine Providence.

I GIVE thee thanks, O holy Father, with all my strength, through him who sitteth at thy right hand, for all the gifts I have ever received from thy munificent bounty; and I acknowledge that no power could have bestowed them on me but thine, who art all-powerful, and upholdest all creation.

I give thee thanks, most kind and gentle Jesus, and I confess, and will confess to my latest breath, that thou hast most wisely and well provided for me in body and in soul, in all things prosperous or adverse; and I acknowledge that no wisdom could thus embrace all my whole life but thy increated wisdom alone, O my most tender God, which reacheth from end to end mightily, and ordereth all things sweetly.

I give thee thanks, O good and quickening Spirit, the Comforter, through him who was by thy co-operation made flesh in the Virgin’s womb, that thou dost in all things so sweetly anticipate me, unworthy as I am, with the blessings of thy gratuitous bounty; and I acknowledge that no goodness could thus diffuse itself but thy ineffable goodness, in which all good things are contained, from which they proceed, and together with which they are received. And as thou hast hitherto and always provided for me, so I confidently hope and rely that thou wilt provide for me to the end through thy divine goodness, to which I most devoutly commend myself.’ Amen.