PRAYER for the purging of sex abuse in the church #1
I composed this prayer in response to the exposing of clerical sex abuse in the United States, and elsewhere. It was first printed in Commentary #11.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who in our day hast wrought the judgment of Thine enemies who have sought to render Thy seamless Tunic, and hast shown the might of Thine arm; hear the prayers of Thy faithful who raise their hearts and voices unto Thee and who beseech Thee to purge from Thy Church the smoke of Satan. From the creation of the world, Thou hast never failed to reveal to the sons of Adam the greatness of Thy Divine Power, nor the ineffability of Thy Justice; yea, from the days of our holy father Abraham even unto our own day, Thou hast always shown Thy Adorable Will. Since Thou hast Willed that this purge take place within our own time, make provision, I beseech Thee, for Thy children who hope in Thee and who turn to Thee in their time of distress. Strengthen Thy faithful clerics of all ranks who have prayed to Thee for the end of this demonic activity, and give unto them the boldness of the Martyrs of old, who did not shrink from the pain of torture either for the glorification of Thy Most Holy Name nor for the liberation and exultation of our Holy Mother the Church.
And, Lord Jesus Christ, how could I not make mention of that singular Pillar of Purity, the Immaculate Virgin Mary?! She, who in the first instant of Her Immaculate Conception didst crush the most proud head of Lucifer, hast become for us once more the Queen of Victories and the Mother of Mercy! May She, who Thou wast pleased to assume body and soul to the Beatific Vision and to adorn as Queen of Heaven, ever be our Advocate before Thee, and in our weakness may She take up our petitions to Thee, for Thou hast promised to never refuse the prayers of Thy Holy Mother. May She, the Star of the Sea, guide the Barque of Peter over the tempest which the Devil has raged against this Holy Church.
Also, dearest Jesus, may Her prayers be joined by those of St. Peter, the glorious and thrice-blessed Prince of the Apostles, and of St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles! For they, ever at the service of the Cross, didst not forego the Crown of Martyrdom, but when it was appointed to them, they boldly gave up their lives, and shed their pure blood for the sanctification of the Roman Church, the Mother and Mistress of all Christians, and for the Eternal City of Rome, the Capital of the whole world. And most holy Peter, though of humble birth, wast raised by Thee to the Supreme Governance of the Church and it was given him the privilege of dying like Thee, upon a cross. Now, they - ever blessed by the Church - lift up their voices unto Thee, interceding for the people who Thou hast redeemed at so great a Price! May their prayers be efficacious for us, and may the holy Throne of Peter, the Beacon of Truth, be washed clean and be adorned by a Pontiff of holy and pious a character, so that the holy name of Catholic may once again be loved and cherished, revered and praised.
O Merciful Saviour, there are so many things about which I wish to praise Thee, but I pray that Thou forgivest the weakness of Thy servant! I do not even know if Thou wilt hear my prayer, on account of the sinfulness of this poor sinner, but I beseech all the Saints and Angels, my holy brethren, to raise their voices unto Thee for the sake of all the faithful. I pray especially that Thou wouldst strip me, the poorest of all sinners, of all my sins, vices, defects and all things within me that is contrary to Thy Adorable Will. Though this may be painful for me, I pray that I may become a fit instrument of Thy Will for the salvation of the Church and of the world.
My Lord Jesus, I know that even the smallest of my sins deserve the greatest punishment, and that being Hell; but I knoweth also that Thou hast promised mercy to them who do penance for their sins. Therefore, I wish to make an act of contrition, and to beg Thee to spare me the just judgment that I know I deserve for my sins:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, because they have crucified my loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all Good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, to amend my life and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen
And, Lord Jesus Christ, how could I not make mention of that singular Pillar of Purity, the Immaculate Virgin Mary?! She, who in the first instant of Her Immaculate Conception didst crush the most proud head of Lucifer, hast become for us once more the Queen of Victories and the Mother of Mercy! May She, who Thou wast pleased to assume body and soul to the Beatific Vision and to adorn as Queen of Heaven, ever be our Advocate before Thee, and in our weakness may She take up our petitions to Thee, for Thou hast promised to never refuse the prayers of Thy Holy Mother. May She, the Star of the Sea, guide the Barque of Peter over the tempest which the Devil has raged against this Holy Church.
Also, dearest Jesus, may Her prayers be joined by those of St. Peter, the glorious and thrice-blessed Prince of the Apostles, and of St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles! For they, ever at the service of the Cross, didst not forego the Crown of Martyrdom, but when it was appointed to them, they boldly gave up their lives, and shed their pure blood for the sanctification of the Roman Church, the Mother and Mistress of all Christians, and for the Eternal City of Rome, the Capital of the whole world. And most holy Peter, though of humble birth, wast raised by Thee to the Supreme Governance of the Church and it was given him the privilege of dying like Thee, upon a cross. Now, they - ever blessed by the Church - lift up their voices unto Thee, interceding for the people who Thou hast redeemed at so great a Price! May their prayers be efficacious for us, and may the holy Throne of Peter, the Beacon of Truth, be washed clean and be adorned by a Pontiff of holy and pious a character, so that the holy name of Catholic may once again be loved and cherished, revered and praised.
O Merciful Saviour, there are so many things about which I wish to praise Thee, but I pray that Thou forgivest the weakness of Thy servant! I do not even know if Thou wilt hear my prayer, on account of the sinfulness of this poor sinner, but I beseech all the Saints and Angels, my holy brethren, to raise their voices unto Thee for the sake of all the faithful. I pray especially that Thou wouldst strip me, the poorest of all sinners, of all my sins, vices, defects and all things within me that is contrary to Thy Adorable Will. Though this may be painful for me, I pray that I may become a fit instrument of Thy Will for the salvation of the Church and of the world.
My Lord Jesus, I know that even the smallest of my sins deserve the greatest punishment, and that being Hell; but I knoweth also that Thou hast promised mercy to them who do penance for their sins. Therefore, I wish to make an act of contrition, and to beg Thee to spare me the just judgment that I know I deserve for my sins:
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell, because they have crucified my loving Saviour, Jesus Christ, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all Good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to confess my sins, to do penance, to amend my life and to avoid the near occasions of sin. Amen