What Does The Prayer Really Say?
W D T P R S

St. Paul Miki was the son of the Miki Handayu, a military leader. He joined the Jesuits in 1580 and was educated by them. He was successful a propgating the Faith. Even when the persecutions of Christians began, he continued his work. He was arrested. Miki and the those imprisoned with him were then marched 600 miles to their death. Along the way they were terribly abused. As they marched they they sang the Te Deum. He was crucified with his companions on 5 February 1597 at Nagasaki, Japan

COLLECT:
Deus, omnium fortitudo sanctorum,
qui beatos martyres Paulum eiusque socios
per crucem ad vitam vocare dignatus es,
praesta, quaesumus,
ut, eorum intercessione, fidem quam profitemur
usque ad mortem fortiter teneamus.

The is a connection, obviously, between fortitudo and fortiter. Fortitude is the cardinal virtue, contrary to sloth (acedia) which resists the fear that would deter a person from strenuous action under difficulties. It also checks the excesses of foolhardy audacity, and prevents, for example, someone from gratuitously courting martylrdom in a time of persecution.

LITERAL TRANSLATION:
O God, might of all the saints,
who deigned to call the blessed martyrs Paul and his companions
to Life through the Cross,
grant, we beg You, that, through their intercession,
we may mightily grasp all the way unto death the Faith which we profess.

May we all pray for the virtue of fortitude in these difficult times.