A PRAYER BEFORE DEVOTIONS.

Open, O Lord, my mouth, to bless thy holy name: cleanse my heart from all vain, perverse, and distracting thoughts: enlighten mine understanding, inflame my will, that I may worthily, attentively, and devoutly recite this office, and deserve to be heard in the sight of thy Divine Majesty, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, in union with that divine intention by which thou didst give praise to God while on earth, I offer to thee these Hours.