A Novice's Prayer to the Sacred Heart

Today is the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To honor Him, I would like to post this sonnet, which I wrote during my novitiate, just four months before I left the monastery.

The Lesson

Upon Thy Heart pray suffer me to rest,

That as Thou lovest I may humbly learn;

Bequeath this gift which of all Thine is best;

Imperfect loves of earth and flesh I spurn!

O Heart, Whose wound such wondrous love hath shewn,

And whence elixir sweet doth copious flow,

Grant Thou that this Thy purging deluge drown

My sin; and then with perfect love bestow

My shriven heart.  Thou Teacher of all hearts,

To master well Thy lesson do I pray;

Thy loving art doth shame such earthly arts

As once I learnt, ere came this precious day

Thou dost vouchsafe to give Thy lesson free

To one who thirsteth deep to learn of Thee.

(07/06)

<