- Most
loving Father, the example of
- parenthood,
you have entrusted our children
- to
us to bring them up for you and prepare
- them
for everlasting life.
Assist us with
- your
grace, that we may fulfill this sacred duty with
- competence
and love.
Teach us what
- to
give and what to withhold.
Show us when
- to
reprove, when to praise and when to be
- silent.
Make us gentle and considerate, yet
- firm
and watchful.
Keep us from the weakness
- of
indulgence and the excess of severity.
- Give
us the courage to be disliked sometimes
- by
our children when we must do necessary
- things
which are displeasing in their eyes.
- Give
us the imagination to enter their world
- in
order to understand and guide them.
- Grant
us all the virtues we need to lead them by
- word
and example in the ways of wisdom and
- piety.
One day, with them, may we enter into
- the
joys of our true and lasting home
- with
you in heaven.
- Amen.
