Prayer (§329)

O INVINCIBLE defender of the liberty of the Church, by that fortitude which thou didst manifest, O glorious St Gregory, in maintaining her rights against the powers of earth and hell conspiring together, extend from heaven, we pray thee, thy powerful arm over the Church, to strengthen and defend her in the terrible warfare in which she is engaged at this very time. Above all, encourage in the bitter struggle the august Pontiff, who has inherited with thy episcopal chair some of the fearlessness of thine own heart, and obtain that he may see his pious efforts crowned by the triumph of the Church and the return of the wandering to the right path. By thy means let all the earth know, once for all, that it is in vain to do battle against that faith which has ever conquered and will ever conquer the world: "hæc est victoria quæ vincit mundum, fides nostra," "this is the victory which overcomes the world, our faith." This is the prayer which we with one mind and heart send up to thee, and we trust that after we have been heard on earth thou wilt summon us one day to join thee in heaven in the presence of the Eternal Pontiff, who with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT liveth and reigneth for ever and ever. Amen.

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ST PIUS V