Blessed Adrian prayer

Blessed Adrian Fortescue, a Third Order Dominican, courtier to King Henry VIII, was also first cousin of Henry’s second wife, Anne Boleyn. Loyal to Rome, he was supportive of Pope Clement VII’s refusal to annul Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon so he could marry Anne. In 1539, Sir Adrian was arrested, convicted of high treason without trial, one of 50 persons similarly convicted, and beheaded the same year. As with St. Thomas More and St. John Fisher, he had refused to take the 1534 Oath of Succession. The personal piety of Blessed Adrian was attested by his Book of Hours, which had been left to decay over many centuries but was repaired and rebound in 1903. The book was recently loaned it to the Order of Malta, and which has since returned it to Bosworth Hall, where it is exhibited with other artifacts. In it I came across a beautiful prayer written by Blessed Adrian. It’s written in old English, but I am paraphrasing it here:

Above all things, love God with your heart. Desire His honor more than the health of your own soul. Be sure to cleanse your mind with frequent confession and stay away from lustful and earthly desires. Avoid any grudges and control your tongue. Pray often. Create a peaceful atmosphere around your home. Speak to God from time to time – He listens. Be a good example of the virtues you treasure.  Be kind to the poor and help them any way you can, as this way you are pleasing God. Pray for perseverance and that the Holy Spirit will inspire you constantly. Renew daily the resolve to always do good. If you commit sin, don’t despair, because ultimately the Holy Spirit will strengthen you. Doing this, you will be in Heaven with Jesus, to give Him glory, praise and everlasting honor.