Compendium of the Art of Exorcism

ving you. It is true that while my own weakness takes away the hope of being able to serve you at your command, I will at least, of my own accord, ensure that my prayers (however cold A common rhetorical gesture of humility, suggesting the author's prayers lack the spiritual heat or worthiness of a more holy person. they may be) are always directed to GOD for your happiness—under which I also live. Whereas I should perhaps provide reasons why I dedicate this work to you; but of those two things which those who dedicate their works to others usually do—either narrating the reasons why they are moved to dedicate, or magnifying the greatness of those to whom they dedicate—it seems to me, my Most Illustrious Patron original: "Patrone"; the Cardinal acting as a legal and spiritual guardian for the author and his Order., that neither remains possible for me, or at least appropriate to be done. For as to the first, since the whole world knows the Protection original: "Protettione"; the formal office of "Cardinal Protector" who represented the Franciscans' interests at the papal court. that you hold over our Order original: "Ordine"; the Franciscan Order (Friars Minor)., it would rather be necessary to give reasons why any one of us would have the boldness to dedicate his works to anyone else. And as for the second, if I were to convince myself that I could...