My life is but a fleeting moment, a second that vanishes,
like
a dream slipping away.
For the
love I have for You, Lord,
as You know,
I only have this one day left!
I long only for You, beloved Jesus,
be my support in this single day,
smile, and reign in my soul at
least for today!
Even if the future that awaits me
seems dark,
I do not ask for
tomorrow. My Lord, please only
cover my
life with your shadow, and protect the pure heart within me
at least until today is over!
When I think of tomorrow, I fear
uncertainty,
pain and sorrow seep into my
heart;
my God, about trials, about pain
I still stand,
at least for this day!
Soon I will see you on the
eternal shore, Lord, my Divine Helmsman, in
whose hands I am; keep my little
boat peacefully unbound from the storm at least for today.
Allow me, my Lord, to hide in
You;
Let no noise that reigns over
the world reach me here,
Grant me
to live in Your love and favor,
At least for this day!
Before Your Divine Heart, I forget all
earthly concerns,
and the fear of troubled
nighttime dreams is banished by peace.
Grant
me a place in this Heart, I desire no other,
at least for today!
Divine Eucharist, living Bread from heaven,
a
mystery whose origin is conditioned by love,
Jesus, white Host, I want only You
in my heart for this day!
Grant me this: that I may be forever
united with you, my vineyard. Remain my vine,
which I would like to adorn with a
golden cluster for the first time today.
In that grapevine of love, human souls
are like seeds, and I have only
this day to contribute to the making
of the grapevine…
May I be ignited by fire, like an apostle, at least for this one day!
You, Immaculate Virgin, my beloved Star, who
gives me the Son so that I
may be one with Him, may you,
Mother, cover me with your veil at least for this day.
My guardian angel, cover me with your wings,
shine so that the path of my journey
remains illuminated,
I call upon you, guide me
and help me with your insights,
at least for this day.
Lord, I long to see Your face unveiled,
In this distant exile, I wither without You;
May it not be forbidden for me
To
gaze upon Your countenance, even just for today.
My soul will soon rise in praise,
on a day that will forever be
illuminated above it. Then I will sing
songs with the lyre of angelic skins for all eternity! ...
(This poem was written by Saint Therese of Lisieux on June 1, 1894. From the book "Poems of Saint Therese of Lisieux," translated by Anděla Janoušková, KNA, 1995.)
