Ash Wednesday

The Madeleine Church, Paris

Blessèd sister, holy mother, spirit of the fountain, spirit of the garden,

Suffer us not to mock ourselves with falsehood

Teach us to care and not to care 

Teach us to sit still 

Even among these rocks, 

Our peace in His will 

And even among these rocks Sister, mother 

And spirit of the river, spirit of the sea, 

Suffer me not to be separated 

 And let my cry come unto Thee.

— from "Ash Wednesday" by T.S. Eliot

Read the whole poem here