on the perennial glaciers
on every cliff of the Alps
that Providence gave us as a cradle
and created as a safe bulwark
for our lands
in the heat of summer
or in the cold of winter
always and everywhere
our soul
purified by dangerously accomplished duty
is turned to Thee
O Lord, that Thou may protect our far-away families
and help us to be worthy of our ancestors.
Savs us
O Almighty God
Lord of all the elements
from every spiritual evil
save us from the destructive frost
from the furious storms
from the cataclysmic avalanches.
Let our feet
pass safely
on the vertiginous ridges
on the straight walls
on the treacherous crevasses.
Let our weapons be infallible
against anyone who dares to offend our Fatherland
the rights of our millennial civilization
and our blazing flag.
Protect
O Lord
our Duce
and grant Roman arms
guided by his genial wisdom
the just reward of victory.
Christmas at War 1944–XXIII.
(Signed)
Padre Claudio Enrico Bianchini, S.J.
Military Chaplain of the "Tirano" Alpini Battalion
