An Act of Faith
O MY GOD! I believe in Thee; I believe all that Thou hast revealed, and that the holy Catholic Church proposes for my belief. I believe, first, that the most blessed Virgin is truly the Mother of God; I believe firmly, and with all certainty, that she is at the same time mother and virgin, and that she is free from even the least actual sin. I also believe most firmly, and with all certainty, that by a singular grace and privilege of Almighty GOD, in view of the merits of JESUS CHRIST, the Saviour of the human race, Mary was, in the first instant of her conception, preserved free from all stain of original sin. I believe most firmly and with all certainty that when the Roman Pontiff speaks ex cathedra that is, when, fulfilling the office of chief pastor and teacher of all Christians, he, in virtue of his supreme and apostolic authority, defines a doctrine concerning faith or morals to be held by the universal Church by the divine assistance, promised him in the person of St Peter, possesses that infallibility with which the divine REDEEMER wished his Church to be endowed when defining matters of faith or morals; and, therefore, that such definitions of the Roman Pontiff are, of themselves, and not from the consent of the Church, irreformable. I believe all this, because thy holy Church, which is the pillar and ground of truth, which has never erred and can never err, proposes it to be believed.
23.Prayer of St Bonaventure. 100 Days, once a day. (See Instructions.)
O HOLY LORD, almighty FATHER, eternal GOD! through thy liberality and that of thy SON, who for me endured suffering and death, through the surpassing holiness of His Mother, and through the merits of blessed Francis, and or all the saints, grant me, a sinner, undeserving of all thy benefits, that I may love Thee alone, and always thirst for thy love; that I may constantly feel in my heart the benefit of thy Passion; that I may acknowledge my misery, and desire to be trampled upon and despised by all men; that nothing but sin may
sadden my heart. Amen.