Keep them we pray thee dearest Lord

Keep them we pray thee dearest Lord
Keep them for they are Thine
Thy Priests whose life burns out before
Thy consecrated shrine
Keep them Thou knowest, dearest Lord
The world, the flesh are strong
And satan spreads a thousand snares
To lead them into wrong

Keep them for they are in the world
Though from the world apart
When earthly pleasures tempt allure
Shelter them in Thy heart
Keep them and comfort them in hours
Of loneliness and pain
When all their life of sacrifice
For souls seems but in vain

Keep them and O, remember, Lord
They have no one but Thee
Yet they have only a human heart
With human frailty
Keep them as spotless as the host
That daily they caress
Their every thought and word and deed
Deign dearest Lord to bless. Amen