Forgiven Christians (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Prayer of Fr. Titus Brandsma, O. Carm.

Father Titus Brandsma was a Carmelite Priest who was an outspoken critic of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis during World War II. Eventually he was imprisoned and later murdered by lethal injection in the Dachau concentration camp. This is a prayer he composed while in prison.

Before A Picture Of Jesus In My Cell

A new awareness of thy love

  Encompasses my heart:

Sweet Jesus, I in Thee and Thou

  in me shall never part.

No grief shal fall my way but I

  Shall see thy grief filled eyes;

The lonely way that Thou once walked

  Has made me sorrow-wise.

All trouble is a white-lit joy

  That lights my darkest day;

Thy love has turned to brightest light

  This night-like way.

If I have Thee alone,

  the hours will bless

With still, cold hands of love

  My utter loneliness.

Stay with me Jesus, Only stay;

  I shall not fear

If, reaching out my hand,

  I feel Thee near.