Oratio Universalis
Universal Prayer

Credo Dómine, sed credam fírmius;
Lord, I believe in You:
spero, sed sperem secúrius;
but let me believe more strongly.
amo, sed amem ardéntius;
I love You: but let me love You more ardently.
dóleo, sed dóleam veheméntius.
I sorrow, but deepen my sorrow for my sins.


Adóro te ut primum princípium;
I adore You as my first beginning,
desídero ut finem últimum;
I long for You as my last end,
láudo ut benefactórem perpétuum;
I praise You as my constant benefactor,
invóco ut defensórem propítium.
I call on You as my loving protector.


Tua me sapiéntia dírige,
Guide me by Your wisdom,
iustítia cóntine,
hold me with Your justice,
cleméntia soláre,
comfort me with Your mercy,
poténtia prótege.
protect me with Your power.


Offero tibi, Dómine cogitánda, ut sint ad te;
I offer You, Lord, my thoughts,
dicénda, ut sint de te;
my words, to be fixed on You,
faciénda, ut sint secúndum te;
my actions, to be according to You,
ferénda, ut sint propter te.
my sufferings and to be endured for You.


Volo quidquid vis,
I want to do what You want,
volo quia vis,
in the way You want,
volo quómodo vis,
for as long as You want,
volo quámdiu vis.
because You want.


Oro, Dómine; intelléctum illúmines,
I pray, O Lord, enlighten my understanding,
voluntátem inflámmes,
inflame my will,
cor emúndes, ánimam sanctífices.
purify my heart, and sanctify my soul.


Défleam prætéritas iniquitátes,
May I weep for my former iniquities,
repéllam futúras tentatiónes,
repel future temptations,
córrigam vitiósas propensiónes,
correct my faults,
éxcolam idóneas virtútes.
and cultivate suitable virtues.


Tríbue mihi, bone Deus,
Grant me, O God, love of You,
amórem tui, ódium mei,
hatred of myself,
zelum próximi,
zeal for my neighbor,
contémptum mundi.
and contempt for the world.


Stúdeam superióribus oboedíre,
May I be eager to obey my superiors,
inferióribus subveníre,
be courteous to my inferiors,
amícis consúlere,
faithful to my friends,
inimícis párcere.
and to forgive my enemies.


Vincam voluptátem austeritáte,
Help me to conquer sensuality with austerity,
avarítiam largitáte,
greed with generosity,
iracúndiam lenitáte,
anger with gentleness,
tepiditátem fervóre.
apathy with fervor.


Redde me prudéntem in consíliis,
Make me prudent in planning,
constántem in perículis,
steadfast in danger,
patiéntem in advérsis,
patient in adversity,
húmilem in prósperis.
and humble in prosperity.


Fac, Dómine, ut sim in oratióne atténtus,
O Lord, make me attentive in prayer,
in épulis sóbrius,
temperate in drink,
in múnere sédulus,
diligent in my duties,
in propósito firmus.
and firm in purpose.


Curem habére innocéntiam interiórem,
May I take care to have an innocent interior,
modéstiam exteriórem,
a modest exterior,
conversatiónem exemplárem,
exemplary speech,
vitam regulárem.
and a well-ordered life .


Assídue invígilem natúræ domándæ,
May I be ever-watchful in guarding against my weaknesses,
gratiæ fovéndæ,
cherishing Your grace,
legi servandæ,
keeping Your laws,
salúti promeréndæ.
and coming to salvation.


Discam a te quam ténue quod terrénum,
May I learn from You the passing nature of this world,
quam grande quod divínum,
the grandness of heaven,
quam breve quod temporáneum,
the shortness of this life,
quam durábile quod ætérnum.
and the life to come eternal.


Da ut mortem prævéniam,
Grant that I may prepare for death,
iudícium pertímeam,
fear judgment,
inférnum effúgiam,
flee from Hell,
paradísum obtíneam.
and obtain paradise.
Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.
Grant this though Christ our Lord. Amen.