Invictus
​by William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
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In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
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It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

My Captain
​by Dorothy Day

​Out of the light that dazzles me,
Bright as the sun from pole to pole,
I thank the God I know to be,
For Christ – the Conqueror of my soul.
​
Since His the sway of circumstance,
I would not wince nor cry aloud.
Under the rule which men call chance,
My head, with joy, is humbly bowed.
​
Beyond this place of sin and tears,
That Life with Him and His the Aid,
That, spite the menace of the years,
Keeps, and will keep me unafraid.
​
I have no fear though straight the gate:
He cleared from punishment the scroll.
Christ is the Master of my fate!
Christ is the Captain of my soul!

Our Way Out
by Alma Turner
​​
out of the blight that captured me
bleak as a pit from pole to pole
I thank the Way that came to me
for the Path that has saved my soul.

moved past the grip of circumstance
()
shows under pain the Master's dance
my soul, with joy, sings out while bowed.

beyond this world of ups and downs
is life with God whose love's appeared
in Him, in those who us surround
in midst of troubles brought each year.

we share a trust, as straight's our path
secure that witness does reveal
through Grace we rose, defeated wrath,
His Body's live, love's wonder real.




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