One of my favorite authors, Walker Percy, said that the real issue facing mankind is how to get through an ordinary Wednesday afternoon. I am a bad Catholic. I know what I ought to do but still do something else. Like another of my friends, Ms. Flannery O'Connor said in one of her letters, I have reserved a room in Purgatory for a long stay.
THE CONFITEOR
"I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, through my fault, through my most grevious fault (mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa). Therefore, I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
May Almighty God have mercy on me, forgive me sins, and bring me to everlasting life. Amen."
"Oh my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fires of hell, and lead all souls to heaven, especially those in most need of thy mercies."
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
