Of Prayers of Thanks and for the Nation
We had a Missa Cantata this morning, in the Extraordinary Form of course, using the texts for the Feast of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, adding the prayers Pro gratiarum actione. The schola did a good job and Mass was well-attended.
Here is the “For thanksgiving”…
COLLECT
Deus, cuius misericordiae non est numerus, et bonitatis infinitus est thesaurus: piissimae maiestati tuae pro collatis donis gratias agimus, tuam semper clementiam exorantes; ut, qui petentibus postulata concedis, eosdem non deserens, ad praemia futura disponas.
O God, of whose mercy there is no reckoning, and whose treasury of goodness is infinite: always imploring your clemency we give thanks to Your most gracious Majesty for the gifts that have been conferred, so that, You who grant the things petitioned to those seeking them, even as you never abandon them, may ready them for the rewards to come.
This prayer is often prayed when the Te Deum is sung. You will hear in it an echo of Wisdom 7:14: For she [Wisdom] is an infinite treasure to men: which they that use, become the friends of God, being commended for the gifts of discipline. … Infinitus enim thesaurus est hominibus quod qui usi sunt participes facti sunt amicitiae Dei propter disciplinae dona commendati.
During my brief sermon, I mentioned that I was in the Chapel on the Rue du Bac last week, that I prayed for the people present and for benefactors, and for the bishop, for whose intention we celebrated the Mass. Also, I mentioned that in the apparition, some of the rings which Our Lady displayed, were not shining with light and that they symbolized the graces that we have not asked for. We must turn to God, through the intercession of the saints and the Queen of Saints, asking God to help us, who must apply our own elbow grease to the exigencies of life.
At the end of Mass we all knelt and I said the “Prayer for Government” composed by John Carroll, Archbishop of Baltimore, in 1791. John was a cousin of Charles Carroll of Maryland, a signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Fathers, you might want to post this in your parish bulletins and ask families to recite it regularly in their homes. I like to recite it on national holidays.
PRAYER FOR GOVERNMENT We pray, Thee O Almighty and Eternal God! Who through Jesus Christ hast revealed Thy glory to all nations, to preserve the works of Thy mercy, that Thy Church, being spread through the whole world, may continue with unchanging faith in the confession of Thy Name. We pray Thee, who alone art good and holy, to endow with heavenly knowledge, sincere zeal, and sanctity of life, our chief bishop, Pope N., the Vicar of Our Lord Jesus Christ, in the government of his Church; our own bishop, N., all other bishops, prelates, and pastors of the Church; and especially those who are appointed to exercise amongst us the functions of the holy ministry, and conduct Thy people into the ways of salvation. We pray Thee O God of might, wisdom, and justice! Through whom authority is rightly administered, laws are enacted, and judgment decreed, assist with Thy Holy Spirit of counsel and fortitude the President of these United States, that his administration may be conducted in righteousness, and be eminently useful to Thy people over whom he presides; by encouraging due respect for virtue and religion; by a faithful execution of the laws in justice and mercy; and by restraining vice and immorality. Let the light of Thy divine wisdom direct the deliberations of Congress, and shine forth in all the proceedings and laws framed for our rule and government, so that they may tend to the preservation of peace, the promotion of national happiness, the increase of industry, sobriety, and useful knowledge; and may perpetuate to us the blessing of equal liberty. We pray for his excellency, the governor of this state , for the members of the assembly, for all judges, magistrates, and other officers who are appointed to guard our political welfare, that they may be enabled, by Thy powerful protection, to discharge the duties of their respective stations with honesty and ability. We recommend likewise, to Thy unbounded mercy, all our brethren and fellow citizens throughout the United States, that they may be blessed in the knowledge and sanctified in the observance of Thy most holy law; that they may be preserved in union, and in that peace which the world cannot give; and after enjoying the blessings of this life, be admitted to those which are eternal. Finally, we pray to Thee, O Lord of mercy, to remember the souls of Thy servants departed who are gone before us with the sign of faith and repose in the sleep of peace; the souls of our parents, relatives, and friends; of those who, when living, were members of this congregation, and particularly of such as are lately deceased; of all benefactors who, by their donations or legacies to this Church, witnessed their zeal for the decency of divine worship and proved their claim to our grateful and charitable remembrance. To these, O Lord, and to all that rest in Christ, grant, we beseech Thee, a place of refreshment, light, and everlasting peace, through the same Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.
In case you don’t know the prayers Pro gratiarum actione, here, too, is the
SECRET
Odorem, Domine, sacrifiii huius cum gratiarum actionibus suscipe, et praesta: ut, quos exaudire et incolumes servare dignatus es, ab omni in posterum adversitate custodias; et in tuo servitio et amore concrescant.
Receive, O Lord, the savor of this sacrifice with our acts of thanksgiving, and vouchsafe that You might guard hereafter those whom you have deigned graciously to hear and to keep safe; and that they might increase in Your service and love.
POST COMMUNION
Deus, qui neminem in te sperantem nimium affligi permittis, sed pium precibus præstas auditum : pro postulationibus nostris votisque susceptis gratias agimus, te piissime deprecan-tes : ut per hæc quæ sumpsimus, a cunctis eripi mereamur adversis.
O God, who permit no one hoping in You to be overmuch afflicted, but grant their prayers a merciful hearing: we thank You for the acceptance of our prayers and devotions and, devoutly entreating You, that through these things we have received, we may merit to be snatched away from every adversity.
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