The Responsory of St. Peter

[Dawn Marie]

The Responsory of St. Peter

Seek ye a patron to defend
Your cause?--then, one and all,
Without delay upon the Prince
Of the Apostles call.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


By penitential tears thou didst
The path of life regain;
Teach us with thee to weep our sins,
And wash away their stain.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


The angel touch'd thee, and forthwith
Thy chains from off thee fell;
O, loose us from the subtle coils
That bind us fast to hell.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


Firm rock whereon the Church is based,
Pillar that cannot bend,
With strength endue us; and the faith
From heresy defend.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


Save Rome, which from the days of old
Thy blood hath sanctified;
And help the nations of the earth
That in thy help confide.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


O, worshipp'd by all Christendom,
Her realms in peace maintain;
Let no contagion sap her strength,
No discord rend in twain.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


The weapons which our ancient foe
Against us doth prepare,
Crush thou; nor suffer us to fall
Into his deadly snare.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


Guard us through life; and in that hour
"When our last fight draws nigh,
O'er death, o'er hell, o'er Satan's power,
Gain us the victory.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.


All glory to the Father be;
Praise to the Son Who rose;
Praise to the Spirit Paraclete;
While age on ages flows.

Blest holder of the heavenly keys,
Thy prayers we all implore;
Unlock to us the sacred bars
Of heaven's eternal door.

Ant. Thou art the shepherd of the sheep, Prince of the Apostles; to thee were given the keys of the kingdom of heaven.


V. Thou art Peter,
R. And upon this petra (rock) will I build My Church.

Let us pray:

Lord, we beseech Thee, raise us up by the Apostolic might of blessed Peter Thine Apostle; that the weaker we are in ourselves, the more powerful may be the succours whereby, through his intercession, we are strengthened; and that thus, ever fortified by the protection of Thine Apostle, we may never yield to sin, nor be overwhelmed by adversity. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Pope Pius VI in order to increase the devotion of the faithful to Peter Prince of the Apostles granted by a Rescript of the Sacred Congregation of Indulgences January 19th 1782.

1. The Indulgence of 100 days to all who shall devoutly say daily the following Responsorium.

2. The Plenary Indulgence on the Feast of St Peter's Chair in Rome January 18th and also on the Feast of St Peter's Chains August 1st under the usual conditions.