Wednesday, May 15 : Saint Aelred of Rielvaux

Hear me yet further, God most merciful, for those for whom I am compelled and drawn to pray to Thee both by my duty and by my heart’s love. Remembering Thy kindness, I am bold; for Thou, sweet Lord, knowest how much I love them, how I yearn over them, and how my heart goes out to them. Thou knowest, Lord, I do not want to rule them harshly or self-assertively, but to help them in charity, rather than command, and to be subject to them in humility, while being always one amongst them in sympathy. Hear me, therefore, here me, O Lord my God, and let Thine eyes be open on them day and night. Spread Thou Thy wings, most loving Lord, and shield them; stretch forth Thy holy right hand, Lord, and bless them; and pour into their hearts Thy Holy Spirit, that He may keep them in unity of spirit and the bond of peace, chaste in their bodies, lowly in their minds. May He be there to help them when they pray, and fill them with the unction and the riches of Thy love. May He renew their minds with sweet compunction, enlighten their hearts with the light of Thy grace, By the same Spirit make them, Lord, to be alike within themselves, with one another, and towards myself, peaceable and equable and kind, obedient, serviceable, helpful to each other. May they be fervent in spirit, rejoicing in hope, enduring steadfastly through poverty and fasting, toils and vigils, silence and repose. Be in their midst, according to Thy faithful promise; and, since Thou knowest what each of them needs, I pray Thee, strengthen what is weak in them, spurn not their frailty, heal that which is diseased, give joy for sorry, kindle what is lukewarm, establish what is insecure in them.

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team