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the act of contrition, kneeling here in this humble chapel in
the presence of God. He is there in the tabernacle burning
with love for mankind, ready to comfort the afflicted. Be
not afraid. No matter how many or how foul the sins if you
only repent of them they will be forgiven you. Let no world-
ly shame hold you back. God is still the merciful Lord who
wishes not the eternal death of the sinner but rather that he
be converted and live.
—He calls you to Him. You are His. He made you out of
nothing. He loved you as only a God can love. His arms are
open to receive you even though you have sinned against
Him. Come to Him, poor sinner, poor vain and erring sin-
ner. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the hour.
The priest rose and, turning towards the altar, knelt
upon the step before the tabernacle in the fallen gloom. He
waited till all in the chapel had knelt and every least noise
was still. Then, raising his head, he repeated the act of con-
trition, phrase by phrase, with fervour. The boys answered
him phrase by phrase. Stephen, his tongue cleaving to his
palate, bowed his head, praying with his heart.
—O my God!—O my God!—I am heartily sorry—I
am heartily sorry—for having offended Thee—for having
offended Thee—and I detest my sins—and I detest my sins—
above every other evil—above every other evil—because
they displease Thee, my God—because they displease Thee,
my God—Who art so deserving—Who art so deserving—
of all my love—of all my love—and I firmly purpose—and
I firmly purpose—by Thy holy grace—by Thy holy grace—
never more to offend Thee—never more to offend Thee—and

166 A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man