Keep them, I pray thee, dearest Lord,

Keep them, for they are thine —

Thy priests whose lives burn out before

Thy consecrated shrine.

Keep them – Thou knowest, dearest Lord —

The world – the flesh are strong.

And Satan spreads a thousand snares

To lead them into wrong.

Keep them for they are in the world

Though from the world apart,

When earthly pleasures tempt, allure –

Shelter them in thy heart.

Keep them, and comfort them in hours

Of loneliness and pain

When all their life of sacrifice

For souls seems but in vain.

Keep them, and oh, remember Lord,

They have no one but Thee

Yet they have only human hearts,

With human frailty.

Keep them as spotless as the Host –

That daily, they caress –

Their every thought and word and deed,

Deign dearest Lord, to bless.