dominican novenas
NOVENA IN HONOR OF ALL SAINTS
I praise Thee, 0 God, in thy saints, for having created them and given them thy abundant grace. Thou knowest the merits of all thy friends. Thou didst foresee them for thy beloved from the beginning of the world. Thou didst choose them out of the world, and draw them to thyself by many attractions; thou didst pour celestial consolations into their souls. Strengthened by thee, they persevered in good. And how affectionately didst thou crown their virtue! With what unspeakable love dost thou love them all! Yes, O thou who art holy and incomprehensible, 1 praise thee in thy saints. Thou hast delivered them, O Jesus, from darkness, sin and death; thou hast brought them to thy kingdom, the kingdom of light, of life, and of love. O beloved saints, you are as the fairest flowers in the garden of my God. O happy company of God, you are seen, you love, you flourish in God’s eternity; you shine in the truth of God, you exist in the good things of God. I will fix my abode with you on high, I will leave this world in affection, and mix in your holy society, and with you, become one heart, one soul, one continued homage of praise to God. Thither I direct my eyes. To that abode on high and to you, I lift up my heart. To you, O ye saints of Cod, I direct my prayers. Oh! that they may be directed in one everlasting alleluia with you! And to your Creator and mine, to your Redeemer and mine, to your Sanctifier and mine, to the most Blessed Trinity, to God and to the Lamb, be glory, praise, and benediction for all eternity. Amen.
Taken from “The Dominican Manual: A Selection of Prayers and Devotions” Dublin: Browne and Nolan. 1913.