"How canst thou, O Mary, refuse to relieve the miserable, since thou art the Queen of Mercy? (St. Bernard)"
O Turn to Jesus, Mother, turn,
And call Him by His tenderest names;
Pray for the holy souls that burn
This hour among the cleansing names.
Ah! they have fought a gallant fight;
In death s cold arms they persevered;
And after life's uncheery night
The harbor of their rest is neared.
In pains beyond all earthly pains,
Favorites of Jesus! there they lie,
Letting the fire wear out their stains,
And worshipping God's purity.
Spouses of Christ they are, for He
Was wedded to them by His blood;
And angels over their destiny
In wondering adoration brood.
They are the children of thy tears;
Then hasten. Mother! to their aid;
In pity think each hour appears
An age while glory is delayed.
See, how they bound amid their fires;
While pain and love their spirits fill;
Then with self-crucified desires
Utter sweet murmurs and He still.
O Mary, let thy Son no more
His lingering spouses thus expect;
God's children to their God restore,
And to the Spirit His elect.
Pray, then, as thou hast ever prayed,
Angels and souls all look to thee;
God waits thy prayers, for He hath made
Those prayers His law of charity.
And call Him by His tenderest names;
Pray for the holy souls that burn
This hour among the cleansing names.
Ah! they have fought a gallant fight;
In death s cold arms they persevered;
And after life's uncheery night
The harbor of their rest is neared.
In pains beyond all earthly pains,
Favorites of Jesus! there they lie,
Letting the fire wear out their stains,
And worshipping God's purity.
Spouses of Christ they are, for He
Was wedded to them by His blood;
And angels over their destiny
In wondering adoration brood.
They are the children of thy tears;
Then hasten. Mother! to their aid;
In pity think each hour appears
An age while glory is delayed.
See, how they bound amid their fires;
While pain and love their spirits fill;
Then with self-crucified desires
Utter sweet murmurs and He still.
O Mary, let thy Son no more
His lingering spouses thus expect;
God's children to their God restore,
And to the Spirit His elect.
Pray, then, as thou hast ever prayed,
Angels and souls all look to thee;
God waits thy prayers, for He hath made
Those prayers His law of charity.
