Jesus, Increase Our Love For Thee!
Prayer attributed to St. Francis Xavier, S. J.
My God I love Thee! Not the crown of glory to attain. Nor do I love, my dearest Lord, Through servile fear of pain. I see the nails, the lance, the cross. The lone Gethsemane, I see the scourge and thorny wreath and these were all for me!
Then shall I not reciprocate These proofs of love Divine? O, by Thy wounds and precious blood Inflame this heart of mine. And may its mystic chords vibrate In holy monotone;
I long to love Thee Jesus, Lord, For Thy dear Self alone.
Translation by Enfant de Marie.
Remarks: Often times this prayer translated in a slightly different way. This prayer has even been made into a hymn by several different composures. The other translation is also often found in different Hand Missals.
Sources
[1] Pray Translation from The Carmelite Review, 1902, Aspiration pg 140
[2] The Deposition Picture in the Public Domain : Edited by Alleluia Audio Books
