Benedicite

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

Heavens, bless the Lord; angels of the Lord, bless the Lord.

All you waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord; let all powers bless the Lord.

Sun and moon, bless the Lord; stars of heaven, bless the Lord.

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord. All you winds, bless the Lord.

Fire and heat, bless the Lord; cold and chill, bless the Lord.

Dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord; frost and cold, bless the Lord.

Ice and snow, bless the Lord; nights and days, bless the Lord.

Light and darkness, bless the Lord; lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.

Let the earth bless the Lord; let it praise and exalt Him above all forever.

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; everything growing from the earth, bless the Lord.

Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; fountains, bless the Lord.

Whales and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord; all you fowls of the air, bless the Lord.

All you beasts and cattle, bless the Lord; sons of men, bless the Lord.

Israel, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.

Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.

Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; holy men of humble heart, bless the Lord.

Ananias, Azaria, and Misael, bless the Lord; praise and exalt Him above all for ever.

Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Spirit; let us praise and exalt Him above all for ever.

Blessed art Thou, Lord, in the firmament of heaven; and worthy of praise, and glorious above all for ever. Amen. --- A prayer composed by Pope Pius XII, for vocations:

O Lord Jesus Christ, sublime model of all perfection, Thou art ever urging onward all privileged souls in the high aspiration towards the goal of religious life; and, moreover, Thou dost also strengthen them through the powerful force of Thy example and the efficacious influence of Thy grace so that they may be able to follow Thee in such a noble way of life; grant then that many, recognizing Thy sweet inspirations, may have the will to correspond with them by embracing the religious state and so enjoy in it Thy special care and tender predilection.

Grant in like manner that there may never be wanting those angels of Thy charity, who will represent Thee day and night at teh cradle of the orphan, at the bedside of the suffering, be the side of the aged and the sick, who perhaps have no one on earth to whom they may look for sympathy and a helping hand. Grant that humble schools, like lofty pulpits, may ever re-echo Thy voice, teaching the way to heaven and the duties proper to each one's state in life. May no land, ever so wild and remote, be deprived of the preaching of the Gospel, whereby the invitation is extended to all peoples to enter into Thy Kingdom. Increase and multiply the flames which are to spread throughout the world that fire in which the immaculate holiness of Thy church is to shine forth in all its splendor. May there flourish in every place gardens of chosen souls who by contemplation and penance make reparation for the sins of men and invoke Thy mercy upon them.

Grant that the continuous selfsacrifice of these hearts, the snow-white purity of these souls and their eminent virtues may keep ever alive the perfect example of the children of God which Thou didst will to make manifest to men by The coming into this world.

To these armies of Thy dearly beloved souls send a large number of good vocations, souls steadfast and firm in their resolve to make themselves worthy of their high calling and to become a credit to the holy institute to which they aspire, by exact religious observance, by diligence in prayer, by constant mortification and by the perfect conformity of their will with Thine in all things.

Enlighten, O Lord Jesus, many generous sousl with the fiery glow of the Holy Spirit, who is substantial and eternal love, and by the powerful intercession of Thy most dear Mother Mary, stir up and preserve in them the fire of Thy love, unto the glory of the Father and the same Holy Spirit, who together with Thee live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

+ Indulgence - 10 years; plenary on usual conditions said daily for one month.

Imprimatur: Francis Cardinal Spellman, Archbishop of New York, Dec



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