The Raccolta (1857)/Prayer for Confessors

by Sacred Congregation of Indulgences and Holy Relics

13.

PRAYER FOR CONFESSORS.

At the prayer of the Father-General of the Theatines, Pope Pius IX. granted

THE INDULGENCE OF 100 DAYS to all confessors who, with contrite hearts and devotion, before taking their seats in the tribunal of penance to hear Confessions, shall recite the following prayer. This Indulgence may be gained once every day, as appears by the decree of the S. Congr. of In. dulgences, dated March 27, 1854.

ORATIO.

Da mihi Domine, sedium tuarum assistricem Sapientiam, ut sciam judicare populum tuum in justitia et pauperes tuos in judicio. Fac me ita tractare claves Regni cælorum, ut nulli aperiam cui claudendum sit, nulli claudam cui aperiendum sit. Sit intentio mea pura, zelus meus sincerus, charitas mea patiens, labor meus fructuosus. Sit in me lenitas non remissa, asperitas non severa; pauperem ne despiciam, diviti ne aduler. Fac me ad alliciendos peccatores suavem, ad interrogandos prudentem, ad instruendos peritum. Tribue, quæso, ad retrahendos a malo solertiam, ad confirmandos in bono sedulitatem, ad promovendos ad meliora industriam : in responsis maturitatem, in consiliis rectitudinem, in obscuris lumen, in implexis sagacitatem, in arduis victoriam; inutilibus colloquiis ne detinear, pravis ne contaminer; alios salvem, meipsum non perdam. Amen.

TRANSLATION.

Grant me, O Lord, I beseech Thee, Wisdom, who sitteth at the right hand of Thy throne; that I may know how to judge Thy people with justice and Thy poor with judgment. Teach me so to handle the keys of the kingdom of heaven, that I may open to none to whom Thou dost close, and close to none to whom Thou dost open. Let my intention be pure, my zeal upright, my charity patient, my labour fruitful. Suffer not in me either a leniency which is lax or a severity which is harsh ; let me never despise the poor, or flatter the rich. Make me sweet to entice sinners into the path of virtue, prudent to interrogate, skilful to instruct. Give me, I beseech Thee, heavenly craft to draw sinners from perdition, constancy to strengthen them in good, zeal to lead them on to perfection; give me, too, judgment in my decisions, uprightness in my advice, light in what is dark, sagacity in what is perplexed, success in what is difficult. Let me not waste time in useless conversations, and let me not be soiled by base. Enable me to save the souls of others and not lose my own.

Amen.