On Dec. 8 1944, Patton turned to the "Almighty and most merciful Father' to clear the skies of the heavy rains. He asked Chaplain James H. O'Neill if he knew of a "good prayer for the weather... We must do something about these rains," Patton said, "if we are to win the war."
After some thought and research, O'Neill came up with the following:
"Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies, and establish Thy justice among men and nations. Amen."
Read the full article 'A 1944 Christmas miracle for Gen. Patton' in the L.A. Times.
