O Victim Dear - O Divi Amoris Victima (Catholic Prayer)
O victim dear of heavenly love, impurpled by thy fivefold sign, Saint Francis, father of the poor, of Jesus’ Cross a living shrine.
Thou, burning with the glowing flames of love of God and love of man, dost yearn for Christ to shed thy blood and thrice dost try the seas to span.
Although denied thy heart’s desire, thou lettest not thine ardor wane; but kindled still with love divine to stir new fires thou strivest amain.
Still living in thine Orders three, thou art found in many a savage clime; and frozen hearts, warmed at thy flame, grow fervent with thy fire sublime.
So shalt thou crush the powers of hell, thy conquering arms our foes dismay; when Holy Church doth seem to fail, still is thy mighty strength her stay.
Come, help us, father, while we pray, thy love within our hearts inspire, thy boundless love, that spreads abroad the glowing brightness of its fire.
Praise we the Father and the Son, praise we the Holy Paraclete: He grant us grace to emulate Our father’s spirit, as is meet.
O divi amoris victima quino cruenta vulnere, Francisce qui vivam Crucis Christi refers imaginem.
O divi Tu caritatis fervidis flammis adustus, sanguinem Christo daturus, barbara ter cogitasti littora.
Voti sed impos, non sinis languere flammas desides: et excitas caelestia, flagrans amore incendia.
In prole vivens efferas pervadis oras; algida gelu soluto, ut ferveant ardore sancto pectora.
Sic pertimendis lividum armis Avernum conteris; virtutis et firmum latus templo labanti subiicis.
Adsis, Pater, precantibus ignemque, late quo tua exarsit ingens caritas, accende nostris mentibus.
Sit laus Patri et Filio, sit inclyto Paraclito, qui nos Parentis optimi det aemulari spiritum.
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