our behalf, that we may perfectly confess with thy confessors the Catholic Faith, not only with our heart and mouth, but also in our life and works; and in knowing and doing the Lord’s will, may shine like burning lights in thy house on every side, and ever glorify thy name: who livest and reignest, world without end. Amen.
To any holy woman, especially a virgin.
Let us praise our God, because, among other miracles of his power, he has performed many wonders even in the weaker sex, by variously adorning them with different excellent endowments of grace and virtue; but chiefly by implanting in weak and tender vessels so noble and masculine a courage, that they despised a tyrant’s threatenings of death and torments, and went to death as though it were to feasting and pleasure.
These wonderful works of God I this day honour, especially in thee, O most beloved spouse of Christ, N.!
And I humbly beseech thee, by the grace which Christ has so largely bestowed upon thee, to obtain for me greater grace to enable me to please God, and to fulfil my vocation; but chiefly to make daily progress in true faith, charity, and patience; to overcome worldly allurements and carnal pleasures by the love of holy continence and abstinence; and to think nothing sweeter than Christ’s yoke, or dearer than his love, until, in the enjoyment of a happy immortality, I unite with thee in praising God for ever.
A prayer to any Saint, of whatever degree.
From my soul I give thee joy, O N., saint of God, because the eternal King has wonderfully crowned thee with glory and honour in heaven, and associated thee with the princes of his supreme oourt in his kingdom on high.
And because thou hast no cause to be anxious for thyself, I beseech thee to take care of us thy brethren, and of thy unfailing charity lovingly to procure for us what thou knowest to be chiefly necessary to enable us to lead a good and a happy life.
Succour us by thy intercession, who are set in the so great perils of this life, and in the midst of enemies, that, purified from all stains of sin, we may safely come to you in cur common home, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
An ancient prayer, very generally addressed to all the Saints of the Church triumphant.
O Lord, we beseech thee
