Lord, it seems you have taken away

all the blessings that I once had from you.

In your grace, please give me now

that one gift which every dog

seems to have by nature—

that of being faithful to you in my distress,

faithful even when all comfort is gone.

This I desire more passionately

than anything else there is.

Amen.

– Mechthild of Magdeburg, 13th Century A.D.  1207-1294AD