Prayers

I MY LORD JESUS CHRIST, who didst found the Church with thy Precious Blood, and by the preaching of the Apostles didst establish, propagate and extend it throughout the whole world, and thereafter didst commission the holy Patriarch Dominic to adorn, illustrate, and defend it with the splendour of his merits and doctrine; graciously hear the prayers which this Apostolic man incessantly offers to Thee for the increase of her treasures, both spiritual and temporal. PATER, Ave, Gloria. II MOST merciful REDEEMER, who didst choose as thy fellow labourer for the salvation of souls St Dominic, who by his zeal, aided by thy grace, gained over to the Church so many heretics who had been lost to her, and so many sinners who had grieved her by their obstinacy; send, O my GOD, ever fresh labourers into thy vineyard to work for thy glory, and gather in the fruits of eternal life. PATER, Ave, Gloria. III O GOOD JESUS, who didst delight to see St Dominic prostrate every night before thy altar, adoring Thee hidden in the most holy Sacrament with most lively faith, and offering- up, now groans, now prayers, now penances on behalf of the Church, at that time persecuted by her enemies and profaned by her servants; defend this thy Spouse through the intercession of St Dominic from the outrages and plots of the infernal enemy of mankind. PATER, Ave, Gloria. V/. Pray for us, St Dominic. R/.. That we may be made worthy of the promises of CHRIST. Let us pray. GRANT, we beseech Thee, Almighty GOD, that we who are weighed down by the burden of our sins may be raised up by the patronage of thy blessed Confessor Dominic. Through CHRIST our LORD. Amen.

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ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI