O Lord, who art called the Branch, the Orient, the Splendour of the eternal light, and the Sun of Justice, who art that Tree, of whom Thy beloved disciple speaks as the Tree of life, bearing twelve fruits, and its leaves for the healing of the nations, give Thy grace and blessing on all those various states and conditions in Thy Holy Church, which have sprung from Thee and live in Thy Life.
Give to all Bishops the gifts of knowledge, discernment, prudence, and love.
Give to all priests to be humble, tender, and pure;
Give to all pastors of Thy flock to be zealous, vigilant, and unworldly;
Give to all religious bodies to act up to their rule, to be simple and without guile, and to set their hearts upon invisible things and them only.
Grant to fathers of families to recollect that they will have hereafter to give account of the souls of their children; grant to all husbands to be tender and true; to all wives to be obedient and patient; grant to all children to be docile; to all young people to be chaste; to all the aged to be fervent in spirit; to all who are engaged in business, to be honest and unselfish;
And to all of us the necessary graces of faith, hope, charity, and contrition.
Bl. John Henry Newman
Twelve Meditations and Intercessions for Good Friday
Twelve Meditations and Intercessions for Good Friday
