Collects

Yesterday was St Nicholas Day. I've always liked his collect in the Roman Rite. It gets right to the point:

O God, Thou didst make blessed Nicholas famous by countless miracles; deliver us, we pray Thee, by his merits and prayers, from the flames of hell. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Indeed.

This one isn't quite so successful but I like the way it ticks off a few of his patronages:

Almighty God, who in Thy love didst give to Thy servant Nicholas of Myra a perpetual name for deeds of kindness both on land and sea: Grant, we pray Thee, that Thy Church may never cease to work for the happiness of children, the safety of sailors, the relief of the poor, and the help of those tossed by tempests of doubt or grief; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today's St Ambrose is a bit unusual for me. Under present circumstances, the Novus Ordo collect calls for a louder and more heartfelt Amen than the N.O. usually inspires:

Deus, qui beatum Ambrosium episcopum catholicæ fidei doctorem at apostolicæ fortitudinis exemplum effecisiti, excita in Ecclesia tua viros secundum cor tuum, qui eam fortiter et sapienter gubernent. Per Dominum nostrum. Amen.

"- - - Raise up in Thy church men after Thine own Heart who will govern her wisely and courageously - - -".

What's the Latin for sooner rather than later?