"Stay with me Lord" by St Padre Pio of Pietrelcina
«Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have you present so as not to forget you. You know how easily I abandon you.
Stay with me, because I am weak and I need your strength so that I do not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, because you are my life, and without you I am without fervour.
Stay with me, because you are my light, and without you I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I may hear your voice and follow you.
Stay with me, Lord, because I want to love you very much and always be in your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if you want me to be faithful. Stay with me, Lord, because however poor my soul may be, it desires to be for You a place of consolation, a nest of love.
Stay with me, Jesus, because it is getting late and the day is waning… that is to say, life is passing, death, judgement and eternity are approaching and I need to regain my strength so that I don’t stop on my way, and for that I need You. It is getting late and death is approaching. I fear the darkness, the temptations, the droughts, the crosses, the sorrows and how much I need You, my Jesus, in this night of exile.
Stay with me, Jesus, because in this night of life and danger, I need You. Make me recognise you as your disciples in the breaking of the bread, that is to say, make Eucharistic Communion the Light that dispels the darkness, the Strength that sustains me and the only Joy of my heart.
Stay with me, Lord, because at the hour of my death, I want to remain united to You, if not by Communion, at least by Grace and Love.
Stay with me, Jesus, I am not asking you for divine consolations because I do not deserve them, but for the gift of your presence, oh yes, I am asking you for that.
Stay with me, Lord, it is You alone that I seek, your Love, your Grace, your Will, your Heart, your Spirit, because I love You and ask for no other reward than to love You more. With a firm, practical love, to love You, with all my heart, on earth, to continue to love You perfectly for all eternity. So be it.”
Saint Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1887-1968)