Monday 31 October 2016

Discouraging Times

The rubble ruins of the Basilica of Saint Benedict
in Norcia, Italy,
Largely flattened on Sunday morning by a powerful earthquake.
Almighty, Eternal God,
by ever giving strength to our weakness,
you enable the Church to flourish, even amidst her trials,
so that, when she appears to men to be utterly cast down,
then rather does she gloriously prevail.
Whilst then, she accepts affliction as a proving of her faith,
let her persevere, by your grace, in triumphant loyalty.
Missal of Robert of Jumieges 11th century.