An Irish Welcome

Céad Míle Fáilte friend and rover ...
Wherever you come from and whosoever you may be.
That's an Irish greeting and it means

you are welcome
a thousand times over.

Thursday, March 4, 2010

With sadness of heart ...

I retreat into your embrace,
most Holy Queen and Mother of God,
save me.


Encompassed about with strifes and wars on every side
from visible foes and them that are invisible,
I cry out with fervour to you:
O Lady, You who are Quick to Hear,
break these darts with your mighty strength
and grant me thy supplicant a peaceful life.

Worthless though I am,
how, O Quick to Hear and Queen of all,
shall I dare to look on your all-spotless form
with these sinful eyes defiled by gazing on ungodly things?

Yet, this wretched and worthless servant has no one else,
no protection, help or refuge besides You;
With all my heart, O pure Lady,
I am crying to You: Deliver Thy sacred and holy flock
and all with faith who flee to you,
from all danger, distress and adversity.

O immaculate Mary Quick to Hear;
so wondrously now open
our ears of soul and body,
that we also might sing the praise
of all thine august and wonderful works.

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