At the Canon

O INEFFABLE God, we are now drawing near to those tremendous Mysteries which neither Cherubim nor Seraphim nor all the virtues of heaven suffice to comprehend, for thou alone knowest with what energy of love thou dost daily offer thyself to God the Father upon the altar as a victim of praise and propitiation. And therefore all choirs and orders of Angels adore this thy most sacred and impenetrable secret with lowliest prostration, and behold with awe their King and their Lord, who once came down from heaven in unutterable love to redeem man, now again mysteriously present upon the altar, hidden beneath the mean and lowly species of bread and wine for the salvation of men.

O good Jesus, this work which thou art now about to work is so transcendently adorable that I dare not even look up to thee from the depth of my nothingness. Wherefore I bury myself in the lowest, deepest valley of humiliation I can find, and there await the portion of thy substance that falleth to me, for salvation goeth forth from thee upon all thine elect. Would, O loving Jesus, that my weak arm might aid thee in thy divine work, and obtain for this most holy oblation its full effect according to its ineffable dignity and worth; to effect this the most weary and painful toil would be sweet and light to me. Wherefore I pray thee, grant to this thy priest that he may with due reverence handle thee and offer thee, so that this oblation may have its fullest force and efficacy on all the living and departed. Amen.