Bless those who suffer,
the broken-minded,
the heavy solitude of people,
the restless being,
the suffering that no one
ever shares with another.
Bless that crowd
of night dreamers,
who are not afraid
of the hardships of unknown paths.
Bless the anguish of those
who are just dying.
Grant them, Lord,
a good end.
Bless the hearts, Lord,
those that are bitter.
Above all,
grant the sick
relief.
Teach those,
whom you have taken
what they hold dearest,
to forget.
Do not leave anyone on earth
in distress of spirit.
Bless the joyful, Lord,
protect them. -
You have never taken my sorrow from me.
Sometimes it weighs heavily on me.
And yet you give strength,
so I endure it.
(Teresa Benedicta of the Cross /1891–1942/,
Poems and Prayers from the Estate,
translation Vladimir Petkevič)
