Prayer in Celebration of God's Perfections

Prayer in Celebration of God's Perfections
by St. Alfred the Great

We pray to you, O Lord, who are the supreme Truth, and all truth is from you. We beseech you, O Lord, who are the highest Wisdom, and all the wise depend on you for their wisdom. You are the supreme Joy, and all who are happy owe it to you. You are the Light of minds, and all receive their understanding from you. We love, we love you above all. We seek you, we follow you, and we are ready to serve you. We desire to dwell under your power for you are the King of all. Amen.

Psalm 65
of the Psalter of the Blessed Virgin Mary
by St. Bonaventure

Shout with joy to Our Lady, all the earth:
sing ye a psalm to her name:
give honor to her majesty.

Blessed be thy heart, O Lady:
with which thou hast ardently and sincerely loved the Son of God.

Look upon my poverty, O glorious Virgin:
delay not to remove my misery and my difficulties.

Take away my tribulations:
sweeten my weariness.

Let all flesh bless thee:
let every tongue glorify thee.

O Glory of Virgins
(o gloriousa virginum)
by St. Venantius Fortunatus

Where troops of virgins follow the Lamb
Through the streets of the golden city,
Who is she walks in the lily throng
Clothed with the sun
Her mantle flowing like an azure wave
To the jewel pavement?
High in her arms for all to adore
She holds a Man-Child.
She leads the mystic song that swells and soars
Like the noise of many waters,
With the voice of her own Magnificat.
The glory of virgins is she, a maiden mother.
O Mary, where your Jesus leads, you follow,
The first of pearl-pure human souls.
The prize that reckless Eve has tossed away,
You stretch a generous hand to give again,
And draw the earth's sad exiles
To their promises land of joy.
O doorway of the mighty King!
O radiant threshold of His light!
Life-giving Virgin!
Nations redeemed praise you with jubilation.
Jesus, Son of Mary,
Father and loving Spirit,
Glory to You forever and ever. Amen.