Prayer of Pope Urban

Before thy countenance, O Lord, we present ourselves as sinners, balancing our offences against the punishment, which we suffer.

When we consider the evil, which we have done, we recognise that our afflictions are small in comparison with our deserts. Grievous is our guilt, lenient the reparation, which is exacted.

But ah, — while we still smart under the rod of thy vengeance, we obstinately persevere in our sins: our malice does not abate. Though we are sick at heart and tormented by the stripes of remorse: our stubborn necks will not bend to the yoke. Life vanishes in the midst of pain, and yet our works do not improve.

Thy longanimity does not move us to repentance: nor do we submit when thy patience gives place to anger.

While affliction urges, we confess that we have provoked thee: after the visitation we- hasten to forget our purposes. Thy hand is stretched out, and we promise to do good; the sword is sheathed again, and we return to our evil courses. While thou art striking, we cry for mercy; when thou art merciful, we provoke thee to strike again.

Behold, O Lord, we confess, that we are guilty and that, unless thou pardonest, wo must perish for ever.

O Father Almighty, who hast made us out of nothing, grant, that as we have no merits of our own, our petitions may be accepted through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.