Lord Jesus, accept the pact that we present to you through the hands of St. Paul and of Mary, Queen of the Apostles.
We must acquire a very high degree of perfection, greater than that attained by religious of the contemplative life, and yet our practices are less numerous. We must have a broader knowledge than that required by any other profession, and yet our hours of study are fewer. We must succeed in the work for the press more than any other publisher, and yet we work less than the others and with imperfect teachers. We need to be materially well provided for—as regards food, clothing, etc.—and yet our resources are almost nothing.
Therefore, convinced that you want all this from us, we make a pact with you, which springs from the confidence we have in these your words: “Whatever you shall ask in my name, you will receive.”
For our part we promise and oblige ourselves:
- to do all we possibly can in study, work, prayer, and in the practice of poverty;
- to do all only for your glory;
- to work for the Institute of the Good Press.
We beg you to give us the knowledge we need, the sanctity you expect of us, the ability we need to work, and to attain what is useful for our natural needs in this manner: by making us learn four hours for every one hour, by increasing sanctity in us ten to one, the ability to work five to one, and material goods six to one.
Most certain that you accept this pact, even through the experience of these several years, we ask you pardon for our little faith and for our infidelity, and we beg you to bless us and to make us faithful and constant until death.