who adorned Saints Timothy and Titus
with apostolic virtues,
grant through the intercession of them both,
that, living justly and devoutly in this present age,
we may merit to reach our heavenly homeland.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
– Amen.
In some translations, the word "integrity" is used. Justice, righteousness, integrity are all words which indicate that a man or woman lives as to how they speak. A unity exists in a person of integrity.
To be integrated means that the soul, the mind, the imagination, and the will as well as the body, work together for the same purpose in life.
Our purposes are to worship and serve God in this life and to be happy with Him in the next, thoughts from the catechism, echoed in this prayer today.
We must merit heaven. Merit includes prayer, fasting, mortification, the joyful acceptance of suffering and the participation in the sacraments.
Timothy and Titus as bishops needed to be integrated, whole in the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Christ gives us focus through the Church. Let us thank Him daily for good bishops.