WDTPRS Wednesday 5th Week of Lent: “a gracious hearing when they cry out to you”

COLLECT:
Sanctificata per paenitentiam
tuorum corda filiorum, Deus miserator, illustra,
et, quibus praestas devotionis affectum,
praebe supplicantibus pium benignus auditum.

The Redactors drew this from a prayer in the Gelasian on the Saturday (Feria VII, yes, 7^th) of the Fifth Week of Lent: Sanctificata hoc ieuinium tuorum corda fidelium, deus miserator, inlustra et quibus deuotionis praestas affectum, praebe supplicantibus pium benignus auditum: per. We have seen constant substitution of the word ieiunium with other terms.  In the pre-Conciliar Missale Romanum this was a prayer for Wednesday in Passiontide.  In the Veronese this was in the month of September, for the fast of the seventh month: Sanctificata ieiunio tuorum corda filiorum, deus, habitator inlustra; et quibus prestas deuotionis affectum, praebe supplicantibus pium benignus auditum.

In Blaise/Dumas we get for this context “sentiment”.  The editor of Blaise, Dumas, in his notes on p. remarks, “ut… piae devotionis erudiamur affectu (or. m. «Dilexisti», Leon. 1186).  Here affectus is paired with devotio, itself a very hard word.  In many contexts, devotio does not simply transfer into devotion, but in this case it probably can.

SLAVISH RENDERING:
O God, merciful one, enlighten the hearts
of Your children sanctified by penance,
and graciously grant a compassionate hearing to supplicants
to whom you are giving the sentiment of fervent devotion.

LAME-DUCK ICEL:
Father of mercy,
hear the prayers of your repentant children
who call upon you in love.
Enlighten our minds and sanctify our hearts.

NEW CORRECTED VERSION:
Enlighten, O God of compassion,
the hearts of your children, sanctified by penance,
and in your kindness
grant those you stir to a sense of devotion
a gracious hearing when they cry out to you.

You decide.