As I venerate the hosts of heaven today

I am consumed by a loving desire

To be with them

And to enjoy to the full

Their most blessed company

In the heavenly realm

As I celebrate the feast of All Saints today

I pray Lord

That you would preserve me

And grant me the grace of striving

To be a fellow citizen

In the kingdom of the blessed

Give me the faith

Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Lord

That one day I may take my place

In the gathering of these patriarchs

Touch my lips with the fire of your truth

That on that day I may be counted

Among the ranks

Of such prophets as Isaiah and Jeremiah

And Amos and John the Baptist

Make me docile to your will Lord

That when this pilgrimage is over

I may be at home

In the assembly of your apostles:

Peter and Andrew, James and John

Matthew and Batholomew

And Simon and Jude

Embolden me with courage and fortitude

In my Christian discipleship Lord

That at the end of the day

I may be welcomed into the college

Of martyrs and confessors

Like Stephen, Cornelius and Cyprian.

Heal me of all defilement Lord

And cleanse my thoughts and desires

Make me pure today

That at the end of my sojourn here

I may be worthy of singing your praises

In the choir of virgins

Along with Francis and Bernard

And Lucy and Agatha

Manifest yourself to me Lord

As you did to the holy ones

Whose praises we sing today

Take my hands into your own

And with your Holy Spirit

Shake me off my torpor

Shed your powerful light upon my way

As you did to Paul on his way to Damascus

That my life may forever be transformed

Show me how to die to sin, Oh Lord

And make me rise to new life in Christ

Teach me to recognise as vanity

The wealth and pleasure and power

Of this world

And help me to seek

The things that are above

Yes Lord

As I venerate your saints today, I pray:

Fill me with your love and your peace

While I make my way through this life

And implant within me the passionate desire

And blessed ambition

For the joy and the glory

In the communion of saints

Amen.