Prayer for a Recidivist

Father in heaven,
how grateful I would be
if I could be rid of this thing.
But if I must bear it to my end,
I am ready.

It is not a beautiful cross,
but your Son's cross was hard as well.

I want to endure this
that I cannot clearly distinguish
what is illness and what is sin.

I only ask you this:
Help me
to overcome this sin.

I want to patiently bear my cross.

 

(Fr. Benedikt Holota OFM /* 1922/,
notes from conversations with Fr. J. E. Urban OFM)