Draw near to me, and nearer still, O magnificent Spirit of Truth. Draw near, and enter into me deeper than light and air enter. Behold, without light I can pass the whole night, but without Thee I cannot even lie down in my bed. And without air I can walk ten paces, but without Thee not a single one.
Take up Thy dwelling in my soul deeper than my thought can follow Thee. The whole universe cannot embolden my soul to persevere in virginity, if Thou dost not embolden her.
The world unceasingly woos my soul, to take her in marriage. The world offers my soul all its treasures, if only she will abandon her waiting for Thee. The world whitewashes all its tombs, only to entice my soul. The world carries all its ashes out into the sun and gilds them with flattery and glorification, only to seduce my soul.
Show forth, O Holy Spirit, all Thy radiance, that my soul may know whose bride she is.
Draw near to me, and nearer still, O Power of the Holy Trinity. Enter deeper into my consciousness than the thoughts and images of the world can enter. As a wise mother, when she conceives, prepares and adorns a cradle for her son, so do Thou also, O Beauty and Purity, prepare and adorn my mind for that which shall be born in it of Thee.
Many evil thoughts, serpent-like, lie hidden around the cradle of Thy son. And many wicked desires rise up from my heart and seek out the cradle of Thy royal child, to poison him with their arrows.
Defend the cradle of my mind, and teach my soul how birth is given and how the infant is nurtured.
Wrap in deep darkness the journey of all evil-minded visitors to my newborn one. And raise the most radiant star over the path of the wise men from the East, the first wise men, who with abiding gifts—faith, hope, and love—come to visit my dearest one.
Draw near to me, and nearer still, O magnificent Son of God. Descend deeper into my heart than any feeling, or desire, or passion of this world can descend into it. Guard my heart from the numberless merchants, from the many buyers and sellers, who always swarm in legions around a young and inexperienced heart. And teach my heart not to run mad after the motley deceptions of men and things.
In the depths of my heart make Thy dwelling, as a master in his own house, O my beloved Son, and be its inexorable judge and wise counselor.
When purity of soul and wisdom of mind take possession of my heart, truly the evil spirits will circle about it in vain to set foot within it.
And my heart will be filled with ineffable heavenly peace, and will glorify God in choir with the Cherubim and Seraphim. And it will richly repay its loan to soul and mind, for it will reward them, as their equal, with equal measure.
And my heart will be filled with sweet love toward its Lord, and with compassion and good will toward the suffering souls in the world and in hades.
Draw near to me, and nearer still, O my magnificent Master.