Prayer for the Holy Church

O MOST tender Lord Jesus Christ, who hast chosen the holy Church to thyself to be thy bride, and hast so loved it as to pour out thy life and thy blood for it; we implore thy clemency that thou wouldst deign to give it peace, to guard it, to unite it, and to govern it throughout the whole earth. Behold, O most merciful Jesus, with what unresting pertinacity it is assailed by its enemies. See with what appalling rage the gates of hell rise up against it. Suffer them not to prevail against it, I beseech thee; but keep and defend it with thy strong right arm. Behold, O most compassionate Jesus, how carelessly, and with what unseemly dishonour, thy divine worship is celebrated, how thy service is despised, and how little knowledge there is of thee upon earth. Send forth, therefore, fervent and unwearied labourers into thy harvest, that they may increase it, further it, and gather it into thy garner. Grant unto all the faithful, that they may obey thy holy Church, and observe her precepts, and grow in grace and in every good work daily, to the greater glory of thy Name. Amen.