O Christ, our Lord,
Who didst beautify the most blessed Andrew
with the grace of apostleship,
and the crown of martyrdom,
by granting to him this special gift,
that by preaching the mystery of the cross,
he should merit death on the cross;
grant us to become most true
lovers of Thy holy cross,
and, denying ourselves, to take
up our cross and follow Thee;
that by sharing Thy sufferings in this life,
we may deserve the happiness of
obtaining life everlasting.
Amen.