Hymns and Sermons of Saint Ephrem the Syrian, Volume 1

those who build the Church for me on earth. If they wish to build anything reprobate, may you hold back those who lay the foundation. You are the head of the fountain from which my doctrine is drawn; you are the head of my disciples; through you I will water all nations. Yours is that saving sweetness which I bestow. I have chosen you so that you might be as a firstborn in my institution and be made heir to my treasures. I have given you the keys of my kingdom. Behold, I have appointed you prince over all my treasures.”

But what pressed upon me most was that supreme benevolence and ready will which you declared at the very beginning of your pontificate toward all the faithful of Belgium, and not once since then—indeed, most recently you repeated it to the Belgian pilgrims. Most especially, your peculiar love toward the Catholic University of Leuven pressed upon me, in which I serve the office of professor and rector of the College of Mary Theresa. Finally, that most sagacious zeal for spreading and defending the truth pressed upon me, with which you strive to foster all sciences, but especially philosophical ones, in our Academy.

Therefore, prostrate at the feet of Your Holiness, I earnestly ask for the apostolic blessing for myself, for my works, and for the college over which I have presided for twenty-three years.

THOMAS JOSEPHUS LAMY.