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Almighty and Eternal God,
look lovingly upon the face of your Divine Son
and on the faces of your other sons,
the brothers consecrated to Jesus.
In youth, we turned away from earthly possessions,
from passing joy, from vain ambition,
to dedicate ourselves to the hidden holiness
of St. Joseph, our patron.
Yet, high as is our calling, we are only weak men,
dependent always on your grace
for your strength in our frailty,
take us then and teach us
patience in trials, resignation in weariness,
and joy in labor.
Give us your love
to embrace all crosses,
your courage to endure pain,
your insight to appreciate the greatness of fidelity
in the thousand little things that total sanctity.
Show us the wisdom of humilty,
the delight of union with you, the grandeur of man
when man is lost in God.
O Jesus, we plead with You, also
for all us brothers --
the faithful, ardent religious;
the wavering, weakening religious.
Be present in our classroom with brothers who labor for youth;
Bend over the hospital bed with those brothers who nurse the sick;
Be present in the kitchen, field, laundry, office, workshop
with those of us wose strength supports great orders in the church.
Be present in the mission with those who have you alone for motive and solace.
Smile upon the young brother in his first moments of sacrifice;
Support those bearing the heavy burden of noonday heat;
Deal gently with jubilarians so laden with years and merits;
Guide those entrusted with superiorships;
Beckon lovingly those who have recently died.
O Jesus, keep all of us
Close to your Sacred Heart
And bless us abundantly both now and for eternity
Amen.
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