INTRODUCTION TO THE DEVOUT LIFE

| Part-I | Part-II | Part-III | Part-IV | Part-V |

PART I: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24

PART I, Chapter 20: A Firm Resolution To Impress Upon Oneself The Decision To Serve God, As A Conclusion To The Acts Of Repentance(1)

I, the undersigned, placing myself confidently in the presence of the eternal God, and of the whole court of heaven:

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  1. Having reflected on the infinite mercy of his divine goodness towards me, a most unworthy and wretched creature, whom he created out of nothing, preserved, nourished, saved from so many danger, and on whom he has showered so many blessings;

  2. Above all, having experienced the incomprehensible gentleness and mercy with which this most God has: a) so kindly put up with me in my misdeed, b) inspired me so often and so lovingly, c) invited me to change my ways, d) waited with such patience for me to repent and be converted until this …th year of my life, in spite all my ingratitude, disloyalty and infidelity by which I have so shamelessly offended him, putting off my conversion and despising his graces;

  3. Moreover, having realized that on the day of my holy Baptism I was so happily and holily vowed and consecrated to my God, to be his child, and that, contrary to the profession then made in my name, I have again and again, unhappily and detestably, profaned and violated my spirit, directing it and using it against his divine Majesty; now at last, returning to myself, prostrate in heart and in spirit before the throne of divine justice, I acknowledge, admit and confess myself to be rightly accused and convicted of the crime of treason against his divine Majesty, and guilty of the Death and Passion of Jesus Christ, because of the sins I have committed, for which he died having suffered the torment of the cross, so that as a result I deserve to be lost and condemned forever;

  4. I turn myself towards the throne of the infinite mercy of this same eternal God, after detesting with my whole heart and with all my strength the misdeeds of my past life. I ask and humbly beg for grace and pardon and mercy, with a complete absolution of my crime by virtue of the Death and Passion of this same Lord and my Redeemer.

  5. Relying on my Saviour as the only foundation of my hope, I acknowledge again and renew the sacred profession of fidelity made at my Baptism to my God on my behalf, I renounce the world, the flesh and the devil and I detest their miserable suggestions, vanities and evil desires for all the time of my present life and for all eternity. Turning to my God, who is full of loving-kindness and compassion, I desire, determine, intend and resolve irrevocably to serve him and to love him now and forever.

  6. For this purpose I give, dedicate and consecrate to him my spirit with all its faculties, my mind with all its powers, my heart with all its affections, my body with all its senses. I affirm that I will never again misuse any part of my being against his divine will and supreme Majesty. To him I sacrifice and immolate myself in spirit to be forever loyal, obedient and faithful servant, without ever wanting to revoke or alter this resolution.

  7. Alas, if through the suggestion of the enemy or through human frailty, it happens that I in any way go against my resolution and consecration, I affirm from this moment that I am determined, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to begin again as soon as I am aware of my offence, turning back anew to the divine mercy, without hesitating or delaying in any way.

  8. This is my unchangeable and irrevocable will, intention and resolution, which I acknowledge and confirm, without reserve or exception, in the same sacred presence of my God, and in the sight of the Church triumphant, and before the Church militant, my Mother, who hears this my declaration in the person of him who, as its minister, is listening to me.

  9. My eternal God, all-powerful and all-good, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may it please you to confirm me in this resolution, and to accept in your mercy this whole-hearted and interior sacrifice. As it has pleased you to give me the inspiration and the will to make it, so grant me also the strength and the grace necessary to carry it out.

My God, you are my God (Ps. 63:1), the God of my heart (Ps 73:26), the God of my mind, the God of my Spirit. I acknowledge you as such and I adore you, now and for all eternity. Live Jesus.

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[1] In the original, the text is in three long paragraphs. For clarity it is presented here in ten points. This resolution is drawn up like a legal document. St. Francis was a qualified lawyer.