O Thou who art Love and dwellest in love, teach us herein to be followers of Thee, as dear children. Never may we shut our hearts against the sorrows of even the unthankful and the evil. Make us organs ofThy tender mercy, to soothe the wretched, to lift the penitent, to seek and to save the lost; till all shall at length know themselves Thy children, and be one with each other and with Thee—Amen.

James Martineau.

O God, who dost bring men out of darkness and the shadow of death, such as are bound in affliction and iron, free us, we beseech Thee, from the chains of our sins, and in Thy great mercy deliver us from all evil, through Jesus Christ—Amen.

Roman Breviary.