Give us cool heads, stout hearts,
strong muscles
an instinct for prudent investigation
and
wise judgment.
Make us the terror of arsonists,
the friendsof
law-abiding citizens, kind to
the frightened,
polite to the bores, strict with
lawbreakers,
and obstinate to temptations.
In troubles give us strength to
be efficient,
in times of great danger, give
us the ability
to be calm and enable us to impart
assurance
to those who verge on panic.
You know, beloved St. Florian,
from the
sacrifice of your own life for
the sake of
your faith, that the fireman's
lot on earth
is not always a pleasant one,
but your
sense of duty that so pleased
God, your
courageous strength that so over-whelmed
the devil and your saintly self-control,
give us inspiration.
Make us as fearless in practicing
the laws
of God as we are brave in protecting
the
lives and property of our fellowmen,
and
when we answer our final alarm,
enroll
us in your Heavenly force, where
we will be
as proud to protect the throne
of God as
we have been to protect the city.
amen