The Suscipe of Catherine McAuley

The following is the correct wording of the prayer Catherine McAuley composed, as it is found in the Limerick Manuscript (1), which we call her "Suscipe", and which Mary Clare Moore in 1868, in her edition of the 'Practical Sayings', called Catherine McAuley's " Act of Resignation". "Thy", "Thine" and "Thee" have been replaced by "Your", "You" and "Yours" and "dost" removed from before "ordain" in order to conform with contemporary usage.

In Clare Moore's text one word is different: she uses "unbounded" where the Limerick MS has "unlimited". Otherwise the two texts are identical.

(1) See 'Catherine McAuley and the Tradition of Mercy', p.188

My God, I am yours for all eternity.
Teach me to cast my whole self
into the arms of your Providence
with the most lively, unlimited confidence in your compassionate, tender pity.
Grant, O most merciful Redeemer,
that whatever you ordain or permit may always be acceptable to me.
Take from my heart all painful anxiety;
suffer nothing to afflict me but sin,
nothing to delight me,  but the hope of coming to the possession of You
my God, in your own everlasting kingdom.

Amen.

Words by Catherine McAuley (adapted). Music composed by Elaine Deasy rsm (Americas). Sung by Marie Cox rsm (The Congregation)

My God,
I am yours for time and eternity,
Lord, I am yours forever.
It is you who must teach me to trust in your Providence, Loving Lord.

You are a God of love and tenderness.
I place my trust in you,
And I ask that you grant me acceptance of your will,
Loving Lord.

Refrain

Take from my heart all painful anxiety.
Let nothing sadden me but sin.
And then let my delight be hoping to see your face,
God, my all.

Refrain

Words by Catherine McAuley (adapted). Music composed by Erica Marshall. Sung by Erica Marshall.

My God, I am yours forever,
For time and eternity,
I am yours forever.
It's you who must teach me how to trust
in your providence, Loving Lord.
You are a God of love,
A God of tenderness.
I will live with confidence in you.
And I ask that your will be done in me,
Loving Lord.
Take from my heart all painful anxiety.
Let nothing sadden me but sin.
Let me delight in the hope of coming home to you,
To see your face, God, my all.

These versions of the Suscipe are available on the album 'Circle of Mercy', a collection of  Mercy inspired compositions written by Mercy Sisters and Associates from different parts of the world. The album can be purchased from the Mercy International Centre Gift Shop.

Words by Catherine McAuley (adapted). Music composed by Teresa Martin rsm (The Congregation). Sung by Teresa Martin rsm

This version of the Suscipe is available on Sr Teresa's album, Cothú agus Iomlánú (Nurturing and wholeness), a collection of her Mercy inspired compositions. Contact Sr Teresa for purchasing details.

Words by Catherine McAuley (adapted). Music composed by Elaine Deasy. Arrangement by Val Goldsack. Soloist Monica Butler rsm (GB Institute). From the Album Morning and Evening Prayer

My God,
I am yours for time and eternity,
Lord, I am yours forever.
It is you who must teach me to trust in your Providence, Loving Lord.

You are a God of love and tenderness.
I place my trust in you,
And I ask that you grant me acceptance of your will,
Loving Lord.

Refrain

Take from my heart all painful anxiety.
Let nothing sadden me but sin.
And then let my delight be hoping to see your face,
God, my all.

Refrain

'All the really good prayers last a lifetime', writes Cynthia Serjak rsm. 'This is because they are always applicable to our lives, no matter whether we are young or old, comfortable or in trouble, at peace, in distress, in sadness, in joy. The Suscipe of Catherine is in this category. It offers to anyone who prays it a challenge to trust God completely, and to know that what happens every day is in God’s plan.'

Read and hear more of Sr Cynthia's interpretation of the Suscipe in her article 'Composing Music for the Suscipe'.

Words by Catherine McAuley. Composed by Katerina Masek rsm and sung by the Sister Novices.