Prayer for God’s Church

O Athanasius,
Protector of Christ the man,
Proclaimer of Christ our God.
You stood firm against this world,
Held fast against its powers.
Your body you cast down,
To save a church confused.
Purged by you was She,
The Sacred Bride of Christ.
Though Hell shall not prevail,
Against His Sacred Body;
The members of that Body
Falter yet again.
To rocks the seed has strayed,
Yet on rock the base is built.
To you our hearts now turn
For prayers to God Most High.
That He strengthen now the men
Who stand upon your shoulders.
Those sacerdotal shepherds
Whose torch is yours still lit.
Pray He send them now
A leader true as you.
A saintly man of God,
To cleanse our Mother Church.
To clearly teach the truth
His Revelation has bestowed,
And lift Her up on high
As the city on the hill.