Prayer (§338)

O MOST glorious Patriarchs, who by your sublime sanctity became worthy to be chosen by the Mother of GOD herself to propagate the devotion to her Dolours; at her bidding you separated from the world, and, hidden in the rough caves of Senario, chastised your bodies with unheard-of penances and fed your spirit with the continual contemplation of the great mysteries of the Faith, thus unconsciously preparing for the mission which was afterwards entrusted to you and your Order, namely to eradicate sin and iniquity from the hearts of men through compassion for the Dolours of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Then, bearing the Passion of JESUS and the sufferings of his Mother deeply engraven on your hearts, you strove everywhere to quell civil feuds, move sinners to repentance, and bring back heretics to the obedience of the Roman Pontiff. Deign, O glorious Saints, now that you are reigning in Heaven with CHRIST, deign from the thrones of your glory to look down upon us, unfortunate pilgrims, who have still to fight in this land of trial and combat. The devil with his suggestions, the world with its deceits, the flesh with its concupiscence, as so many roaring lions, are ever seeking to devour us. Have then compassion on us, and pour down into our hearts a portion at least of that tender devotion to the Dolours of Mary with which you were constantly penetrated, that the sight of our Mother so afflicted may enable us to resist the seductions of temptation, and preserve us from renewing by sin the Passion of our divine REDEEMER and Mary’s sorrows. Obtain for us, we beseech you, O powerful protectors, docility and promptitude to answer the calls of GOD, detachment from the fallacious goods of this world, a true spirit of mortification and penance, that, following on earth your examples of perfection and sanctity, we may deserve to join you in heaven, to praise for ever the tender mercies of our crucified REDEEMER and the glories of the Queen of Martyrs. Amen.