"Before a Picture of Jesus in My Cell"
by Titus Brandsma
February 12-13, 1942

"A new awareness of Thy love
encompasses my heart:
Sweet Jesus, I in Thee and Thou
In me shall never part.

No grief shall fall my way but I
Shall see thy grief-filled eyes;
The lonely way that Thou once walked
Has made me sorrow-wise.

All trouble is a white-lit joy,
That lights my darkest day;
Thy love has turned to brightest light
This night-like way.

If I have Thee alone,
The hours will bless
With still, cold hands of love
My utter loneliness.

Stay with me, Jesus, only stay;
I shall not fear
If, reaching out my hand,
I feel thee near.

Translation by Gervase Toelle, O.Carm. Portrait of Titus Brandsma by fellow Carmelite, Berthold Plumm, drawn in 1922.

 

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