Adoration of the Shepherds by Friar Juan Bautista Maíno
(Someone remind me next year to focus on the shepherds all twelve days.)
Pope Francis told the Curia at Christmas that he prays this prayer of St. Thomas More daily as a means of remaining cheerful. Oh, man, now I REALLY see why More is a fit patron for politicians. He should be patron of internet apologists, too.
Grant me, O Lord, good digestion, and also something to digest. Grant me a healthy body, and the necessary good humour to maintain it. Grant me a simple soul that knows to treasure all that is good and that doesn’t frighten easily at the sight of evil, but rather finds the means to put things back in their place. Give me a soul that knows not boredom, grumbling, sighs and laments, nor excess of stress, because of that obstructing thing called ‘I’. Grant me, O Lord, a sense of good humour. Allow me the grace to be able to take a joke and to discover in life a bit of joy, and to be able to share it with others.
