on the rock of apostolical confession, called to the unity of the faith by the same princes of religion, and assembled together in the house of the Church: so, with firm and thankful hearts, we may hold fast their apostolic doctrine and traditions, and follow their holy conversation in leading blameless lives; above all, uniting fervent charity and constant patience to our Christian profession.
Holy N., apostle of Christ, preacher of, and martyr for, the truth, intercede for us, and obtain by thy prayers that, by the extinction of diverse and strange doctrines, the Catholic Faith in its integrity may flourish again throughout the world; and that I, resting within the terms of apostolic preaching and tradition, may never in my whole life deem any thing more ancient than the love of Christ and the unity of his Church. Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A prayer that may refer to any holy Martyr of Christ.
I will bless the Lord, because he is so glorious, mighty, and wonderful in his saint N., who shines so brightly both in the militant and the triumphant Church.
His life was precious upon earth, more precious his death, but most precious of all the glory with which the eternal King has crowned his soldier in heaven, who fought to the death in the cause of faith and justice, because he was founded on a firm rock, and sparkled like gold that is tiled in the furnace.
O invincible wrestler of Christ! not the allurements of this life, nor the snares of thy enemies, nor the pain of thy punishments, nor the cruelty of thy tormentors, could separate thee from the love that is in Christ Jesus. O holy N., pray for us, that, by the love of God, we may overcome every opponent, ourselves first, and afterwards death itself; and that, like thee, we may fearlessly drink of Christ’s chalice, as we desire to be crowned with thee by our common Lord in heaven.
A prayer that may refer to any holy Confessor.
O Lord Jesus Christ, King of glory, and Brightness of the saints, we give thee hearty thanks for having set so many shining lights, or rather burning torches, in thy Church; that they who live in thy house, and need the light of others, may be enlightened every where by the words, counsels, virtues, examples, and writings of the saints.
And because, among other confessors, thou hast highly exalted holy N., to be both an example and patron to many, we beseech thee to accept the aid of his prayers in
