Deus, qui Ecclesiam tuam beati Patris nostri Francisci meritis fœtu novæ prolis amplificasti, exaudi preces famulorum tuorum (vel famularum tuarum) vota renovantium et in nomine tuo congregatorum (vel congregatarum) tribue illis ex ejus imitatione terrena mundi despicere, et cœlestium bonorum semper participatione gaudere. Per Dominum nostrum, &c. O God, who by the merits of our blessed Father Francis hast increased Thy Church by a new progeny; graciously hear the prayers of Thy servants, who now renew their vows and are assembled in Thy name; and grant to them, by imitating him, to despise earthly things, and ever to rejoice in the participation of heavenly gifts. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. At the conclusion of these prayers, the Father Director ascends the step of the altar, where he takes his seat, and the choristers chant: Ant. Induite vos, sicut electi Dei, sancti et dilecti, viscera misericordiæ, benignitatem, humilitatem, modestiam, patientiam. Ant. Renovamini Spiritu mentis vestræ et induite novum hominem, qui secundum Deum creatus est in justitia et sanctitate veritatis. Ant. Put ye on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience. Ant. Be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new man, who, according to God, is created in justice and holiness of truth. Whilst these antiphons are being chanted, the Brothers (or Sisters) light the candles, which they ought to hold in the hand during the renewal of their profession. After this, the Father (or Mother) Superior goes to his (or her) place at the foot of the altar, and, kneeling before the Father Director, repeats aloud and distinctly the form of Profession; the other Brothers (or Sisters) also kneeling and repeating it at the same time and in the same manner. VOW AT RENEWAL OF PROFESSION. Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, one only God in Three Persons, I present myself before Thee to adore Thee, and to render Thee thanks for all the blessings and mercies Thou hast bestowed upon me with so much bounty, ever since I came into the world. I thank Thee principally, O my God, for having made me a member of the Third Order of Thy servant St. Francis. I confess that the yoke of Thy holy service is neither heavy nor difficult, and that I do not find myself oppressed with my bonds; on the contrary, I desire to bind more tightly the sacred knots. I embrace, then, anew, the holy Rule of our glorious Father St. Francis; I ratify my profession, and renew it with all my heart, promising again to Thy Divine Majesty, to the blessed Virgin Mary, to our blessed Father St. Francis, and to all the Saints, to keep Thy commandments all my life, and to fulfil the penances imposed upon me by my Superiors for my transgressions against the Rule. I make an inviolable resolution to be always faithful to this. Deign to bless my resolution, O my God; kindle in my heart the fervour of Thy love, that, glowing with the warmth of charity, I may be a true child of our Seraphic Father, and never cease to praise and to love Thee. N.B. If the vow of chastity has been taken, this is to be added: O Eternal God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, I, N., Thine unworthy creature, prostrate before Thine Infinite Majesty, in the presence of the whole celestial court, relying on the hope of Thy succour, renew my vow, and promise to preserve chastity of soul and body for the remainder of my life. Henceforth, Thou alone shalt be my portion, Thou alone shalt be my God, and the God of my heart. I renounce, then, all that is contrary to holy purity and modesty. I take my loving Jesus for my Spouse, and I attach myself entirely to Him for ever. Deign, O my God, to accept this irrevocable vow; heap upon me Thy benediction and graces, that I may stand unshaken under all temptations, and may be victorious over all the efforts of my enemies. Grant that by the consecration I make anew to Thee this day of all that I am, I may become a new and perfect victim of Thy divine love. Amen. The Director replies: If you observe these things, I promise you, on the part of God, life everlasting; in the name of the Father, + and of the Son, + and of the Holy Ghost. + Amen. All the Brothers or Sisters answer: The Father Director then descends to the foot of the altar, and, being seated, intones the Te Deum, which the Brothers (or Sisters) continue. Afterwards, the following are recited: V. Sit nomen Domini benedictum. R. Et hoc nunc et usque in sæculum. V. Benedic, anima mea, Domino. R. Et omnia quæ intra me sunt, nomini sancto ejus. V. Qui replet in bonis desiderium tuum. R. Renovabit ut aquilæ juventus tua. V. Confirma hoc, Deus, quod operatus es in nobis. R. A templo sancto tuo, quod est in Jerusalem. V. Domine, exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus. Deus, cujus misericordiæ non est numerus et bonitatis infinitus est thesaurus; piissimæ majestati tuæ, pro collatis donis, gratias agimus, tuam semper clementiam exorantes, ut qui petentibus postulata concedis, eosdem non deserens, ad præmia futura disponas. Protector in te sperantium, Deus, sine quo nihil est validum, nihil sanctum; multiplica super nos misericordiam tuam, ut te rectore, te duce sic transeamus per bona temporalia, ut non amittamus æterna. Deus, qui diligentibus te bona invisibilia præparasti, infunde cordibus nostris amorem tui nominis, ut te in omnibus et super omnia diligentes, promissiones tuas, quæ omne desiderium superant, consequamur. Deus, cujus est totum quod est optimum, insere pectoribus nostris amorem tui nominis, et præsta in . nobis religionis augmentum; ut quæ sunt bona nutrias, ac pietatis studio Thy clemency, that as Thou grantest the petitions of them that ask Thee, Thou wilt never forsake them, but wilt prepare them for the rewards to come. O God, the protector of all that hope in Thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy, increase and multiply Thy mercy upon us; that, Thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not those which are eternal. O God, who hast prepared invisible good things for them that love Thee; pour into our hearts such love towards Thee, that we, loving Thee in all things, and above all things, may obtain Thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire. O God, to whom belongeth all that is perfect; graft in our hearts the love of Thy name, increase in us true religion, nourish us in all goodness, and by Thy great mercy |