Posted on 03/17/2017 7:41:16 AM PDT by Salvation
To my mind, one of the most remarkable prayers ever written was one attributed to Clement XI, who was pope from 1700-1721. Many have never heard it. The prayer is called “universal” because of its sweeping themes. Upon completing it one might well ask if anything at all was left out!
If you are looking for a prayer to set on your night stand, this is surely a good one. I often pray this when my mind is dull. I admire its beauty and style; it is deeply personal and humble. It is not trite but neither is it stuffy. One of my favorite sections is this one:
Let me love you, my Lord and my God,
And see myself as I really am:
A pilgrim in this world,
A Christian called to respect and love
All whose lives I touch,
Those under my authority,
My friends and my enemies.
As beautiful and helpful as the Universal Prayer is, it is nearly unknown. It is a bit long to reproduce in its entirety, but is available for viewing and download here: The Universal Prayer.
Here is a video in which the prayer is recited. Now off to prayer with you!
Monsignor Pope Ping!
Thank you for sharing this...been struggling, this helps!
Thank you.
Ping!
Thanks for that. I have known the prayer for many years, but never heard it sung before.
The version sung at the inauguration of a president of Ireland I thought particularly beautiful.
Can you imagine if this prayer had been sung at our president’s inauguration?
I have it in text format, if anybody wants it.
There once was a day (long before Vatican II and the scourge of heretical ecumenism) when the holy sisters who taught many of us our religion, would have read that “universal” prayer and told us not to dare say it because it was a “Protestant” prayer. A Catholic prayer, they would have insisted, would would have used the word “Catholic” instead of Christian.
But the Catholics in the pews today (including those on the altar like Monsignor Pope), are so completely indoctrinated with the Modernist influences of the Second Vatican Council they see little difference between the heretical Protestant religions and the one true Catholic Church. Most are so far gone that aren’t even aware that there’s a problem. Oh but a day will come when the will learn there is.
Please do post it!
The Lorica (Breastplate) of Saint Patrick, Apostle to the Emerald Isle
From: ========================
Date: Wed, 23 Sep 1998 10:37:31 -0700 (PDT)
A literal translation from the old Irish text.
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity:
I believe in the Trinity in Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the Incarnation of Christ with His Baptism,
The virtue of His crucifixion with His burial,
The virtue of His Resurrection with His Ascension,
The virtue of His coming on the Judgement Day.
I bind to myself today
The virtue of the love of seraphim,
In the obedience of angels,
In the hope of resurrection unto reward,
In prayers of Patriarchs,
In predictions of Prophets,
In preaching of Apostles,
In faith of Confessors,
In purity of holy Virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.
I bind to myself today
The power of Heaven,
The light of the sun,
The brightness of the moon,
The splendour of fire,
The flashing of lightning,
The swiftness of wind,
The depth of sea,
The stability of earth,
The compactness of rocks.
I bind to myself today
God’s Power to guide me,
God’s Might to uphold me,
God’s Wisdom to teach me,
God’s Eye to watch over me,
God’s Ear to hear me,
God’s Word to give me speech,
God’s Hand to guide me,
God’s Way to lie before me,
God’s Shield to shelter me,
God’s Host to secure me,
Against the snares of demons,
Against the seductions of vices,
Against the lusts of nature,
Against everyone who meditates injury to me,
Whether far or near,
Whether few or with many.
I invoke today all these virtues
Against every hostile merciless power
Which may assail my body and my soul,
Against the incantations of false prophets,
Against the black laws of heathenism,
Against the false laws of heresy,
Against the deceits of idolatry,
Against the spells of women, and smiths, and druids,
Against every knowledge that binds the soul of man.
Christ, protect me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against death-wound,
That I may receive abundant reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ at my right, Christ at my left,
Christ in the fort,
Christ in the chariot seat,
Christ in the pupi deck,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks to me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.
I bind to myself today
The strong virtue of the Invocation of the Trinity,
I believe in the Trinity in Unity
The Creator of the Universe.
“A Catholic prayer, they would have insisted, would have used the word “Catholic” instead of Christian.”
My version does not include either word.
Do the versions on YouTube?
That said, the Catholic Church is the original Christian Church, and remains thoroughly Christian—despite the best efforts of the enemies within in concert with the Enemy.
Belay my last. I see that you were talking about the prayer in the OP.
Sorry.
That’s beautiful.
Beautiful!
The original Catholic Church is the original Christian Church and remains today as the Eastern Orthodox Church.
So you wish to set these two churches against one another?
Just the facts -- just the facts!
Just the facts -- just the facts!
I carried it around with me through some of my darkest days.
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