ST. FRANCIS DE SALES' PRAYER IN TIME OF SORROW / by Joe Castorino

Based on the guidelines of St. Francis de Sales, and inspired by St. Paul’s fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22-23)

O God, to you I lift up my soul,

to you, who are my only joy,

and my only consolation.

O God of mercy,

Thank you for the gift

of the fruit of the Spirit!

My most good God,

Thank you for the gift

of your heroic patience!

My sweet Savior,

Thank you for the gift

of your heroic generosity!

O God of my heart,

Thank you for the gift

of your heroic faithfulness!

My joy and my hope,

Thank you for the gift

of your holy joy!

My cherished Spouse,

Thank you for the gift

of your holy love!

Well-beloved of my soul,

Thank you for the gift

of your holy peace!

I vigorously oppose

any tendency to sadness,

and I will persevere

by singing spiritual canticles…

Even though it may be

without relish,

I embrace this crucifix

and I spiritually kiss

your feet and hands;

I lift up my eyes

and my hands

to Heaven,

raising my voice to God

in words of love

and confidence.

My beloved to me,

and I to Him:

Thank you for the gift

of your saintly self-control!

A bundle of myrrh

is my Beloved to me:

Thank you for the gift

of your saintly courage!

My eyes strain after you,

O my God, saying,

“When will you comfort me?”

Thank you for the gift

of your angelic kindness!

O Jesus,

be a Jesus to me:

Thank you for the gift

of your angelic gentleness!

Vive Jésus,

and my soul shall live:

Thank you for the gift

of your divine wisdom!

Who shall ever separate me

From the love of God?

Jesus, I surrender to you.

Jesus, I trust in you.

I do not doubt

that after you, O God,

have put me on trial,

you will deliver me

from this evil:

for after the wound of Love,

I will undoubtedly experience

Divine Mercy in the dark night!

Amen.