Nativity of St. John the Baptist

O glorious Saint John the Baptist,
greatest prophet among those born of woman,
although you were sanctified in your mother's womb
and lead a most innocent life,
nevertheless it was your will
to retire into the wilderness,
there to devote yourself
to the practice of austerity and penance;
obtain for us of Our Lord
the grace to be wholly detached,
at least in our hearts,
from earthly goods,
and to put to death our sinful ways
with the spirit of holy prayer.