My good Angel,
you come from heaven;
God has sent you to take care of me.
Oh, shelter me under your wings.
Lighten my path, direct my steps.
Do not leave me,
stay quite near me
and defend me against the spirit of evil.
But above all come to my help
in the last struggle of my life.
O my Jesus, forgive my ungratefulness
if I loved You too little, after so many graces.
You gave all Yourself to me;
I give all myself to You.
You love those that love You. I love You;
do You also love me.
If I love You only a little,
give me the love You require of me.
What have You not done to oblige me to love You?
O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary,
I offer you all my prayers, works,
and suffering of this day:
for all the intentions of your Sacred heart,
in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass
throughout the world,
in reparation for all my sins,
for the intentions of all our associates,
and in particular,
As Morning breaks I think of you, O Lord,
and my desire is to serve You joyfully.
With gladness, I consecrate this day to Your Sacred Heart,
and offer whatever joys and sacrifices may come my way.
Thank You for the graces You will send,
all the love, all the beauty,
and the ways You will answer my prayers.
My only contact with the Columbans before going to the seminary in Suva, Fiji, was when Columban Fr. Frank Hoare visited my home in Tonga to interview me about becoming a Columban missionary priest.
Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph, an earthly father.
Bless all fathers
as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
O my Jesus! I am entirely spent for You,
as You spent Yourself entirely for me!
If I had died while I was in sin,
I could no more have loved You;
now that I can love You,
I will love You as much as I can.
To You I consecrate all the remainder of my life.
I wish only, and I wish in all things,
that which You desire.
My Jesus, You alone are sufficient for me.
My love, do not permit me to separate myself from You.
When shall I be able to say,
"My God, I cannot lose You any more?"
The year 1993 was full of Columban historical milestones. The U.S. Society was celebrating its 75th anniversary and the Columban Fathers were marking 60 years of their mission in Korea.
My holy Angel Guardian,
ask the Lord to bless any journey which I undertake,
that it may profit the health of my soul and body;
that I may reach its end,
and that, returning safe and sound,
I may find my family in good health.
Guard, guide and preserve us.
Amen.