Father Gilbert in Devotion

Through the church the dawn light glinted,
Splashing forth in rainbow hue,
Pink and purple, rosy tinted,
Orange sun turned lilac blue,

Glassy panes to paint God’s people,
Characters from Bible verse,
St. Thérèse, the “Little Flower”,
Praying for the universe,

Another one with sweet St Francis,
Standing with the birds and beasts,
Then the martyr, brave St Lawrence,
Patron saint of cooks and feasts,

On his knees before the altar,
Greying hair and robes of brown,
Father Gilbert prayed in earnest,
For the people in the town…

Lady Mary, send thy favour!
Send the hope of heaven down,
Bring a swathe of gifted graces,
To dispel my bitter frown!

Pray enlarge our hearts with sunlight—
My people sink in sore malaise,
Anger, fear and trepidation,
Trample on our precious days,

Send the holy spirit racing,
Like a charm that breaks the curse,
Carving through the shades of sorrow,
Putting sadness in reverse,

I am but your humble servant!
You the Stella Maris light,
Beaming like a star in blackness,
Setting hope against the night,

See the shape of my devotion!
I keep myself for naught but You,
Prithee call the saints to battle,
Put their strength within my view,

As the oak outside gives acorns,
Below the sun, upon its arc,
Set a seed of hope within me,
Coaxing me from dungeons dark,

I will gift the service to you!
Sunday’s singing — all is Yours,
Every uttered prayerful whisper,
Rising true to heaven’s shores…

Then a tear upon his eyelid,
Gleaming in the morning light,
Dappled shadows on the altar,
Grieving for his painful plight,

Nay, my faith will not be sullied,
I will trust that God is true,
Yea, my prayers are straight as arrows,
As I kneel before the pew,

The merry light of stained glass windows,
Here in play upon this floor,
Leads me to believe I’m welcome,
Up at heaven’s mighty door,

Father Gilbert in devotion,
Seeking Mother Mary’s way,
Fueled by racing, raw emotion,
Praying for a brighter day…

AD Lovkis, 08/06/25