THE ACS HYMN

1. O Lord God, give us priests

to shepherd young and old,

to tend and guide, to feed and seek

the sheep lost from the fold.

2. O Lord God, give us priests

to bless and break the bread,

that we may share Christ’s flesh and blood

by which our souls are fed.

3. O Lord God, give us priests

to teach and to baptise,

to call to holiness and bid

the contrite sinner ‘Rise!’

4. O Lord God, give us priests

to pray for those forlorn,

to strengthen us in our last hour

and comfort those who mourn.

5. O Lord God, give us priests,

your gospel to proclaim,

to edify your church today

and glorify your name.

..

Words © Geoff Lyon (Copyright Free)

(The copyright holder has chosen to allow free use of this text.)

Suggested tune: CARLISLE (C Lockhart)

Metre: 6 6 8 6 SM (Short Metre)

Almighty God, give us priests:
to establish the honor of your holy name;
to offer the holy sacrifice of the altar;
to give us Jesus in the holy sacrament;
to proclaim the faith of Jesus;
to baptise and to teach the young;
to tend your sheep; to seek the lost;
to give pardon to the penitent sinner;
to bless our homes; to pray for the afflicted;
to comfort our corners;
to strengthen us in our last hour;
to commend our souls;
Almighty God, give us priests!

Holy Father, you gave us Christ
as the shepherd of our souls;
may your people always have priests
who care for them with his great love.

We make our prayer, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen