PRO MILITIA

ORATIO PRO PERSEVERANTIA

Prayer for Perseverance

Compiled from collects of the Roman Missal, this prayer asks for the supreme grace of final perseverance - dying in the state of grace. The Council of Trent teaches that perseverance cannot be merited but must be humbly petitioned. The prayer echoes St. Paul's words: 'I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith' (2 Timothy 4:7).

LATINE
Deus, qui diligentibus te bona invisibilia et aeterna praeparasti:
infunde cordibus nostris tui amoris affectum,
ut te in omnibus et super omnia diligentes,
promissiones tuas, quae omne desiderium superant, consequamur.
Praesta, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus,
ut qui infirmitatis nostrae conscii de tua virtute confidimus,
sub tua semper pietate gaudeamus.
Deus, qui sperantibus in te misereri potius eligis quam irasci:
da nobis digne flere mala quae fecimus,
ut tuae consolationis gratiam invenire mereamur.
Concede nobis, Domine, donum finalis perseverantiae,
ut qui in Spiritu coepimus, non in carne consummemur,
sed bonum certamen certantes, cursum consummemus, fidem servemus,
donec iustitiae coronam accipiamus.
Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
ENGLISH
O God, Who dost bestow on those who love Thee goods invisible and eternal:
pour into our hearts such love toward Thee,
that we, loving Thee in all things and above all things,
may obtain Thy promises which surpass all desire.
Grant us, we beseech Thee, almighty God,
that we who recognize our infirmity
may be strengthened by the power of Thy grace.
O God, Who dost never forsake those who hope in Thee:
grant us ever to fear and love Thy holy name,
for Thou never ceasest to govern those whom Thou dost establish in the solidity of Thy love.
Grant us, O Lord, the gift of final perseverance,
that we who have begun in the Spirit may not end in the flesh,
but that having fought the good fight, we may finish our course and keep the faith,
unto the obtaining of the crown of justice.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
NOTA
FONS
Missale Romanum (1962), Collectae variae; 2 Tim 4:7
USUS
Daily prayer for final perseverance, against discouragement
CONTEXT
Final perseverance—dying in the state of grace—is a gift that cannot be merited but can be prayed for. The Council of Trent teaches its importance.