Nov 22, 2023
O father of holy monasteries
who dug deeply in the earth,
in the heart of man,
and laid their foundation
on the Rock that is Christ
that they might be made in His image,
in the image of Him who created us –
pray we shall love the Lord as He commands
and so be holy as He is holy,
truly reflecting the image of our God
and living in His surpassing peace.
Pray austerity serve well
to make us in the Lord’s image,
to purge from us all that is not of Him;
may we be blessed to serve
with untiring devotion and care
the will of our Lord in all things,
in worship of Him, in prayer,
and in genuine love of our neighbor,
that the Gospel may go forth
to the ends of the earth
not just in words
but in our very flesh and blood.