Francis Xavier's prayer

My God, I love thee;  

not because I hope for heaven thereby,  

nor yet because who love thee not are lost eternally.  

Thou, O my Jesus,  thou didst me upon the cross embrace;  

for me didst bear the nails and spear,  and manifold disgrace.  

And griefs and torments numberless and sweat of agony;  

even death itself,  and all for one Who was thine enemy.  

Then why, O blessed Jesus Christ  should I not love thee well?  

not for the hope of winning heaven,  or of escaping hell.  

not with the hope of gaining aught,  nor seeking a reward,  

but as thyself has loved me,  O ever-loving Lord!  

Even so I love thee, and will love  and in thy praise will sing,  

solely because thou art my God,  and my eternal king.