Saint Benedict

Brilliant star in the Western sky,
Herald of a calmer, Christian age –
Absorbing Anthony, absorbing Moses,
You conveyed the spiritual riches
Of the Desert Fathers
To poor pagan peoples
Through your well-wrought rule,
Raised up houses of holiness
Amongst the idol-plagued,
Bequeathed peace and order
To war-beleaguered nations –
Blessèd Benedict, in your abbeys
Paradise could be glimpsed again.
But we, like the unwise son,
Have squandered all this wealth.
For mercy’s sake, good father,
​Guide the prodigals home.