Si vis Patronum quaerere

Seek ye a Patron to defend
Your cause?—then, one and all,
Without delay upon the Prince
Of the Apostles call.

Blest Holder of the heavenly Keys!
Thy prayers we all implore:
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of Heaven’s eternal door.

By penitential tears thou didst
The path of life regain;
Teach us with thee to weep our sins,
And wash away their stain.

The Angel touch’d thee, and forthwith
Thy chains from off thee fell;
Oh, loose us from the subtle coils
That bind us fast to Hell.

Firm Rock whereon the Church is bas’d!
Pillar that cannot bend!
With strength endue us; and the Faith
From heresy defend.

Save Rome, which from the days of old
Thy blood hath sanctified;
And help the nations of the earth,
That in thy help confide.

Oh, worshipp’d by all Christendom!
Her realms in peace maintain;
Let no contagion sap her strength,
No discord rend in twain.

The weapons, which our ancient foe
Against us doth prepare,
Crush thou; nor suffer us to fall
Into his deadly snare.

Guard us through life; and in that hour
When our last fight draws nigh,
O’er Death, o’er Hell, o’er Satan’s power,
Gain us the victory.

All glory to the Father be;
Praise to the Son who rose;
Praise to the Spirit Paraclete;
While age on ages flows.