As 2009 Ends

Come thou, O Mary, reign in the world!
Let new impulses of filial devotion to thee come from the Chair of Peter.
that thy most radiant light may dispel errors.
In thee didst the fallen world find salvation
and the apostate world cannot find it apart from thee,
for thou art the Queen of grace and of mercy.
Frightening is our condition;
false prophets have deceived us
and iniquity has lied to itself.
Those who promised tranquility have gone by,
passing like cyclones of destruction,
and those who promised peace,
like whirlwinds in a storm.
Fallen are the idols raised high on the limits of our eternal aspirations;
they have burned us in the impure flames of their filthy holocausts.
The leaders of the new stupidities have been unmasked,
they have been scattered.
O Mary, O sweetest Queen, O Virgin Mother of God, save us!
The universe calleth upon Thee, O Mother of tender mercy,
and asketh for Thy help.
Come then, and rescue Thy servants, O Blessed One!
Come, and for the new mercy that Thou outpourest upon the world,
be endless glory to the Father,
equal glory to the Son,
and sovereign glory to God the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Don Dolindo Ruotolo, priest (1882-1970)