Clarence Eugene Woodman

“ Suffer the little children to come to Me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of heaven, and their Angels always behold the face of My Father: look down, we beseech Thee, upon the innocence of these little ones here present, and upon the devotion of their parents, and graciously bless ✠ them this day by our ministry; that in Thy grace and mercy they may ever grow in the knowledge, love, and fear of Thee, and in the keeping of Thy Commandments, and may happily attain unto their wished-for end. ”

“ Defend, we beseech Thee, O Lord, through the intercession of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, this Thy family from all adversity; and as in all humility they prostrate themselves before Thee, do Thou graciously protect them against all the snares of their enemies. ”

“ We have sinned, and are become as unclean: and we have all fallen as a leaf, and our iniquities like the wind have carried us away: Thou hast hidden Thy face from us, and hast crushed us in the hand of our iniquity. ”

“ Confer salutem corporum,
Veramque pacem cordium.
Quench Thou in us the flames of strife,
From passion's heat preserve our life,
Our bodies keep from perils free,
And give our souls true peace in Thee. ”

“ Intende quas fundunt preces
Tui per orbem servuli.
Immortal Hope of all mankind!
⁠In whom the Father's face we see,
Hear Thou the prayers Thy people pour
⁠This day throughout the world to Thee. ”

“ Flammescat igne caritas,
Accendat ardor proximos.
By every power, by heart and tongue,
By act and deed, Thy praise be sung;
Inflame with perfect love each sense,
That others' souls may kindle thence. ”

“ Vos prima Christi victima,
⁠Grex immolatorum tener,
Aram sub ipsam simplices
⁠Palma et coronis luditis.
First to bleed for Christ, sweet lambs!
⁠What a simple death ye died!
Sporting with your wreath and palms
⁠At the very altar-side! ”

“ Ut collocet eum cum principibus, * cum principibus populi sui.
Qui habitare facit terilem in domo, * matrem filiorum lætantem.
Gloria Patri, etc.
Blessed be the name of the Lord: from this time forth, for evermore.
From the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same: the name of the Lord is worthy to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations: and His glory above the heavens.
Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: and regardeth the things that are lowly in heaven and on earth?
Who raiseth up the needy from the earth: and lifteth the poor out of the dunghill ”

“ Verbum caro factum;
Venite adoremus, etc.
Amen.
Yea, Lord, we greet Thee,
Born this happy morning:
O Jesus, now to Thee be glory given,
Word of the Father,
In our flesh appearing:
O come, let us adore, etc. ”

“ O ROOT of Jesse, which standest for an ensign of the people, at whom the kings shall shut their mouths, whom the Gentiles shall seek: come to deliver us, make no tarrying.
Antiphon for the 20th of December.
O CLAVIS David, et sceptrum domus Israel: qui aperis et nemo claudit: claudis et nemo aperit; veni, et educ vinctum de domo carceris, sedentem in tenebris, et umbra mortis.
O KEY of David, and Sceptre of the house of Israel; that openeth and no man shutteth ”

“ Sinite parvulos venire ad me, et nolite prohibere eos, talium est enim regnum cælorum, et Angeli eorum semper vident faciem Patris mei; respice, quæsumus, ad puerorum præsentium innocentiam, et ad eorum parentum devotionem, et clementer eos hodie per ministerium nostrum bene✠dic; ut in tua gratia et misericordia semper proficiant, te sapiant, te diligant, te timeant, et mandata tua custodiant, et ad finem optatum feliciter perveniant: per te, Salvator mundi, qui cum Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et regnas Deus in sæcula sæculorum.
R. Amen.
V. Suffer the little children to come to Me. ”

“ O ORIENS splendor lucis æternæ, et sol justitiæ: veni, et illumina sedentes in tenebris et umbra mortis.
O DAYSPRING, Brightness of the everlasting light, Son of Justice, come to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death! ”