The Suscipe

Take, Lord, and receive all my liberty,
my memory, my understanding,
and my entire will,
All I have and call my own.

You have given all to me.
To you, Lord, I return it.

Everything is yours; do with it what you will.
Give me only your love and your grace,
that is enough for me.

This is a well-known prayer called (in Latin) The Suscipe. It’s pronounced soo-SHEE-pay, and it means “receive.” Some sources say the emphasis is on the first syllable, but the Latin sources say it should be on the second.

This simple prayer of relinquishment was popularized by St. Ignatius of Loyola, and I became aware of it about two years ago. I wrote it in my journal and wept.

I cannot honestly say I dwell in this kind of surrender, but my heart’s desire is to move closer to this each day. Because on my deathbed, I know with certainty that my heart and soul will be crying out, “Give me only your love and your grace, Jesus! That is enough for me!”

Are you familiar with this prayer?