Day of spite and petty malice!
When a document most callous
Came forth from the papal palace.
Oh, what nuisance it inventeth,
And what rancor it fermenteth,
As the faithful it tormenteth.
Loud complaints will be resounding
Every chancery surrounding
Bishops with a headache pounding.
To what end this persecution?
Whom enriched by diminution?
For what is this the solution?
See, the faithful are divided
By the place where they resided
Some shepherds took, while some provided.
Lo, the ones whose loss is graver
Traded for a tyrant’s favour
May God send them leaders braver!
When the figures are recorded
They will tell a tale most sordid
Enemies of faith rewarded.
Those with modern ways complying
Parishes once vibrant, dying
Gone, the sound of babies crying.
Long neglected, yet deep-rooted
Ancient vineyard richly fruited
Might for envy be uprooted.
Prayers that pestilence averted
Rites that continents converted
Shall such treasures be subverted?
May we never take for granted
Beauty sculpted, written, chanted
Save, O Lord, what Thou hast planted!
See, the sacred incense rising
Michael’s sword the foe surprising
Smoke of Satan exorcising.
Those with rigor still sustaining
And the older fasts maintaining
Will stand firm, their strength not waning.
Those the narrow way pursuing
Those to purity yet hewing
Will not here find their undoing.
Though it may not soon get better
With each poison papal letter
May God yet His Mass unfetter.
Like the Church of old, forbidden
Underground, in places hidden
Spreading though with troubles ridden
Spiteful day, of harvest rotten
Better to be soon forgotten
For this purge, O Lord, prepare us
(Though we’d rather You would spare us!)
Lord, we ask on this dark day
Make this nuisance go away
Amen