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O God, You raised up Saint John the Baptist
to prepare a perfect people for Christ.
Fill Your people with the joy of possessing his grace
and direct the minds of all the faithful
in the way of peace and salvation.
Grant us, as Saint John was martyred for truth and justice,
so we may energetically profess our Faith in You,
and lead others to the Way, the Truth, and Eternal Life.
Amen.
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Love and Do What You Will
Prayer of Saint Augustine of Hippo (340-430 A.D.)
Therefore once for all this short command is given to you:
“Love and do what you will.”
If you keep silent, keep silent by love;
If you speak, speak by love;
If you correct, correct by love;
If you pardon, pardon by love;
Let love be rooted in you,
and from the root nothing but good can grow.
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Prayer to Saint Monica,
Patroness of Mothers
Blessed Monica, mother of St. Augustine,
we give thanks to our Father in Heaven
Who looked with mercy upon your tears
over your wayward son.
His conversion and heroic sanctification
were the fruit of your prayers.
Dear St. Monica
we now ask you to pray with us
for all those sons and daughters
that have wandered away from God,
and to add your prayers to those of all mothers
who are worried over their children.
Pray also for us that,
following your example, we may,
in the company of our children,
one day enjoy the eternal vision
of our Father in Heaven.
Amen.
