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

Based on the guidelines of St. Francis de Sales

O God, to you I lift up my soul,

to you, who are my only joy,

and my only consolation.

O God of mercy…!

My most good God…!

My sweet Savior…!

O God of my heart,

my joy and my hope…!

My cherished Spouse…!

Well-beloved of my soul…!

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…

A bundle of myrrh

is my Beloved to me…

My eyes strain after you,

O my God, saying,

“When will you comfort me?…”

O Jesus, be a Jesus to me…

Vive Jésus, and my soul shall live…

Who shall ever separate me

from the love of God…

Jesus, I surrender to you,

and Jesus I trust in you --

for I do not doubt

that after you, O God,

have put me on trial,

you will deliver me

from this evil,

and I will experience

the wound of Love,

the divine sense of humor,

and Divine Mercy in the dark night!

Amen.