EMENDEMUS IN MELIUS

Emendemus in melius quae ignoranter peccavimus;

ne subito praeoccupati die mortis,

quaeramus spatium poenitentiae,

et invenire non possimus.

Attende, Domine, et miserere;

quia peccavimus tibi.

Adjuva nos,

Deus salutaris noster,

et propter honorem nominis tui libera nos.

Let us amend for the better in those things

in which we have sinned through ignorance;

lest suddenly overtaken by the day of death,

we seek space for repentance,

and be not able to find it.

Hearken, O Lord, and have mercy:

for we have sinned against thee.

Help us, O God of our salvation,

and for the honour of thy name deliver us.

(Ps. 78:9; Distribution of Ashes, Ash Wednesday;
First Sunday of Lent, Matins Responsory; cf. Esther 13, Joel 2)