You, who are my Lord

You, who are my Lord,
you, whose will I prefer to my own,
I can no longer pray just with words:
Hear my cry rising to you like an immense thunder …

You, whose servant I have made myself,
with perseverance I pray you,
and will pray to you again,
to deserve to get you.
For it is not a possession of the earth that I seek;
I ask only what I must ask: You alone!

Have, then, pity on me.
And since your mercy is immense
and great is my sin,
have pity on me greatly
to the full extent of your mercy!

Then, I will be able to sing your praises
in contemplating you, Lord.
I will bless you with a blessing
that will last throughout the centuries.
I will praise you with praise and contemplation,
in this world and in the other,
like Mary of Bethany, whom the Gospel tells us
chose the best part.