# The universal prayer of Pope Clement XI
*2016-08-02*

> Bill Young reflects on the feast of St. Peter Julian Eymard and leads a recitation of the Universal Prayer by Pope Clement XI, dedicated to God the Father.

## St. Peter Julian Eymard

Today is Monday, August 3rd, the feast day of St. Peter Julian. Living in the 19th century, he was known as the priest of the Eucharist. For those seeking more information on this great saint, I recommend visiting Franciscan Media.

## A Sign of Devotion

This month of August is dedicated to God the Father. On a personal note, I recently received a brown scapular at my parish and have been wearing it nearly every day. My wife asked why I was wearing it, wondering if it was to keep off evil spirits or demons. I explained that it is a sign of devotion to Mary. Interestingly, just before that conversation, a friend named Bernie tweeted me to say that he wears one as well. It is a reminder that God and Mary protect us.

## The Universal Prayer

In honor of God the Father, we pray the Universal Prayer by Pope Clement XI: 

Lord, I believe in you; increase my faith. I trust in you; strengthen my trust. I love you; let me love you more and more. I am sorry for my sins; deepen my sorrow. I worship you as my first beginning; I long for you as my last end. I praise you as a constant helper and call you as my loving protector. Guide me by your wisdom, correct me with your justice, comfort me with your mercy, and protect me with your power. 

I offer you, Lord, my thoughts to be fixed on you, my words to have you for their theme, my actions to reflect my love for you, and my sufferings to be endured for greater glory. I want to do what you ask of me, in the way that you ask, for as long as you ask, because you ask it. 

Lord, enlighten my understanding, strengthen my will, purify my heart, and make me holy. Help me to repent for my past sins and to resist temptations in the future. Help me to rise above my human weaknesses and to grow stronger as a Christian. Let me love you, my Lord my God, and see myself as I really am: a pilgrim in this world. As a Christian, call me to respect and love all those I touch—those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends, and my enemies. 

Help me to conquer anger by gentleness, greed by generosity, and apathy by favor. Help me to forget myself and to reach out to others. Make me prudent in planning and courageous in taking risks. Make me patient in suffering and humble in prosperity. Keep me, Lord, attentive in prayer, tempered in food and drink, diligent in my work, and firm in my good intentions. Let my conscience be clear, my conduct without fault, my speech blameless, and my life well-ordered. 

Put me on guard against my human weaknesses. Let me cherish your love for me, keep your law, and come at last to your salvation. Teach me to realize this world is passing and that my true future is the happiness of heaven. The life of earth is short, and the life to come is eternal. Help me to prepare for death, not with a proper fear of judgment, but with a greater trust in your goodness. Lead me safely through death and to the endless joys of heaven. Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

*By centering our thoughts, words, and actions on God, we can navigate our earthly pilgrimage with prudence and patience while preparing for the eternal joys of heaven.*