pray for the Holy Catholic Church, Thy new work, Thy “workmanship,” Thy “building,” Thou “the chief Corner-stone,” Thou the “living Rock” whence it was hewn. I pray for the Universal Church, for all the branches and all the members thereof, wheresoever scattered throughout the world. Thou hast called it Thine own “Body,” Thy “Bride,” Thy “Household,” Thy “Fold,” Thy “Vineyard;” all these most loving, most honourable names hast Thou bestowed upon it in token of Thy exceeding great love.
I pray, holy Father, for this Thy Son's work, the fruit of His blood, this new-born world, living through His death. I pray for its increase, that all nations may be gathered into it, the utmost ends of the earth; that all the heathen may be converted, and brought to a knowledge of the truth, that the Church may do her work of evangelizing the world, that her borders may be enlarged, the fold widened.
I pray for its Unity, that all who are called by Thy name, Lord Jesus, may be one, even as Thou and the Father and the Holy Ghost are one, even as there is but “one faith, one Lord, one Baptism, one God and Father of all.”
I pray for its Purity, that it may be “the salt of the earth,” purifying the world, destroying the