Window to Truth

St. Alphonsus’s Prayer for Zeal

O my Lord Jesus Christ,
how can I thank Thee enough for having
called me to the same work Thou
didst Thyself on earth – that is,
to labor for the salvation of souls?
How have I deserved this honor, the reward
after having so grievously offended Thee,
and caused others also to do so?
Thou dost, indeed, O my Lord,
call me to help Thee in this great undertaking.
I will serve Thee with all my strength.
Behold, I offer Thee all my labor,
and even my blood, in order to obey Thee.
Nor do I by this aspire to gratify my
own inclination, or to gain applause of esteem;
I desire nothing else than to see Thee
loved by all men as Thou deservest.
I prize my happy lot and consider myself
fortunate in having been chosen by Thee
for this great work, in which I protest
that I will renounce all the praises
of men and all self-satisfaction,
and will seek only Thy glory.
To Thee be all the honor and satisfaction,
and to me only all the hardships,
the blame, and the reproaches.
Accept, O Lord, this offering that I,
a miserable sinner, who wish to love Thee
and to see Thee loved by others,
make of myself to Thee,
and give me strength to execute it.

Most holy Mary, my advocate,
who so greatly lovest souls, help me.  Amen.