“I beg you, by the column where Our Lord Jesus Christ was attached, not to harm me, nor to shed my blood – I beg you, by the three nails which pierced the hands and feet of Our Lord Jesus Christ, do not harm me. me nor mark no in any way
“I beg you, near the iron gate on which S. Lawrence, martyr, was burned, not to harm me, nor to wound me, nor to shed my blood.
“I beseech you again, by the sword with which Saint Paul was beheaded, not to wound me nor to shed my blood.
“I also beg you, by the iron bonds with which Saint Agatha was held, by the iron instrument from which she was suspended, not to hurt me or shed my blood.
I beseech you, swords, knives, double-edged tools and generally all kinds of weapons, by the seventy-two names of God that we know, by this unchanging God, who governs heaven and earth and all that they contain, eternal glory to him now and forever. I beg you, through all the joys and sorrows of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin.
“I beseech you, by all the apostles, evangelists, martyrs, doctors, confessors, monks and hermits, by all the virgins and widows, by all the saints of God, that my enemies have no power nor power to offend, to injure or shed blood.
Thus strengthened, I will pass among them and say: “This is the Cross of the Lord; disappear, enemies and flee.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the race of David, triumphed. Alleluia! Free us, Lord, from our enemies, by the virtue of the sign of the Cross. “Precious cross, I beg you to protect me from my enemies, through him who has been linked to you. Spirit of Wisdom and Spirit, Spirit of Counsel and Strength, Spirit of Knowledge and Piety, Spirit of Fear of God, defend me and protect me from all weapons, wounds, spears, blows, arrows, and generally from all weapons, whatever they may be; I beg you to preserve me, who am your creature N…; “Save me, bless me, sanctify me, and protect me from every wound, by the sign of your holy cross, and by your five wounds, and by your resurrection.
Gospel according to St. John. Number two. See page 143. Prayer Word made flesh. See page 269. See page 262. Number three. – Prayer Elijah. Number four. – See Adversities, Prayer no., page 367. Artists no. 1. Psalm 32.
The PSALMS presented in these texts are stripped of the metaphors that surrounded them, like blankets to protect them from any clumsy intrusion.