A faith that shows
On 13 January Catholics remember St Hilary of Poitiers (315–367), bishop and doctor of the Church, so it seems appropriate to include one of his prayers here. Hilary (Latin name ‘Hilarius’) is noted especially for his defence of Christianity against the so-called Arian heresy, which downplayed the status of Christ in relation to God and thus undermined the doctrine of the Trinity. Labelled ‘the illustrious doctor of the churches’ by none other than Augustine of Hippo, his name lives on in ‘Hilary term’, a name given to the second academic semester in certain universities. In this prayer, taken from my book A Calendar of Classic Prayer, his concern for true faith takes centre stage.
Father, keep us from vain strife of words.
Grant to us constant profession of the truth!
Preserve us in a true and undefiled faith
so that we may hold fast to that which we professed
when we were baptised in the Name of the Father,
Son and Holy Spirit –
that we may have thee for our Father,
that we may abide in thy Son
and in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.