The prayer and closed comment are courtesy of the great Fr. Z.
O God, who are rich in mercy [a reference to Dives in misericordia]
and who willed that the Blessed John Paul II
should preside as Pope over your universal Church,
[like the classic collect for a Pope]
grant, we pray, that instructed by his teaching,
we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ,
[Echoing his "Be not afraid" sermon.]
the sole Redeemer of mankind.
[reference to Redemptor hominis, 1st encyclical]
Who lives and reigns...
Traditional English usage for the collect of Pope JP II can go like this
ReplyDelete"O God, thou art rich in mercy
and who hast willed that the Blessed Pope John Paul II
should preside as Pope over thy universal Church
grant and we beseech thee, that edified by his teaching
we may open our hearts to the saving grace of Christ,
the only Redeemer of men
Who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and fore ever more, Amen."
Note that the Traditional English is very much closer to the Latin in meaning and nuance. I like to use the word "edify" rather than Father Z's "instruct" since the Latin root for this word implies a divinely revealed teaching that is learned in a holy place. Since the Pope has the grace of teaching infallibly in faith and morals, "edify" is more appropriate.
I agree Doc Ben.
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