{"collection":"scripture-revelation","full_text_available":true,"graph_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/api/page/gutenberg_50739/graph","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/v2/page/gutenberg_50739","id":"gutenberg_50739","license":"Public Domain (US)","rights_basis":"gutenberg_metadata_copyright_false","source":"gutenberg","source_url":"https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50739","summary":null,"tags":["Category: Religion/Spirituality","Catholic Church -- Prayers and devotions"],"text":"Our Monthly Devotions\n\n                                    By\n\n                        Very Rev. Dean A. A. Lings\n\n     Author of \u201cOur Favorite Devotions,\u201d \u201cOur Favorite Novenas,\u201d etc.\n\n                            Benziger Brothers\n\n                      New York, Cincinnati, Chicago\n\n                                   1899\n\n\n\n\n\nCONTENTS\n\n\nPreface.\nJanuary. The Holy Infancy.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010first Day.\n   Mass in Commemoration of the Holy Infancy of Jesus Christ.\n   Litany of the Holy Name of Jesus.\n   Litany of the Infant Jesus.\n   The Mysteries of the Sacred Infancy.\n   Communion Prayers in Honor of the Infant Jesus.\nFebruary. The Holy Family.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n   Litany of the Holy Family.\n   Memorare To Mary.\n   Form Of Renewing The Baptismal Vows.\n   Act Of Consecration.\nMarch. St. Joseph.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010first Day.\n   Efficacious Prayers.\n      Thirty Days\u2019 Prayer To St. Joseph.\n      Choice Of St. Joseph As A Patron.\n      Virginum Custos.\n      Sorrows and Joys of St. Joseph.\n      Responsory To St. Joseph.\n      Litany of St. Joseph.\nApril. The Passion: Meditations for Every Day of Lent.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010first Day.\n      Thirty\u2010second Day.\n      Thirty\u2010third Day.\n      Thirty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Thirty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Fortieth Day.\n   A Method of Hearing Mass by Way of Meditation.\n   Litany of the Passion of Our Lord.\n   A Prayer to Jesus Suffering.\n   Prayers to the Five Wounds of Our Lord.\nMay. The Blessed Virgin Mary.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day. Mary\u2019s Immaculate Conception.\n      Second Day. Mary\u2019s Nativity.\n      Third Day. Mary\u2019s Presentation.\n      Fourth Day. The Annunciation.\n      Fifth Day. The Visitation.\n      Sixth Day. The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.\n      Seventh Day. The Purification.\n      Eighth Day. Simeon\u2019s Prophecy.\n      Ninth Day. The Flight into Egypt.\n      Tenth Day. The Three Days\u2019 Loss.\n      Eleventh Day. Meeting Jesus with the Cross.\n      Twelfth Day. The Crucifixion.\n      Thirteenth Day. The Taking Down from the Cross.\n      Fourteenth Day. The Burial of Jesus.\n      Fifteenth Day. Help of Christians.\n      Sixteenth Day. Our Lady of Mercy.\n      Seventeenth Day. Our Lady of Perpetual Help.\n      Eighteenth Day. Confidence in Mary.\n      Nineteenth Day. The Love of Mary.\n      Twentieth Day. Imitation of Mary.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Faith.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Piety.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Hope.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Humility.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Charity.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day. The Virgin Mary the Model of Advancement in\n      Virtue.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Patience.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Poverty.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Obedience.\n      Thirtieth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Modesty.\n      Thirty\u2010first Day. The Assumption.\n   Mass in Union with Mary Immaculate.\n   Litany of the Blessed Virgin.\nJune. The Sacred Heart.\n   Considerations and prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day. The Love of the Sacred Heart for Us.\n      Second Day. The Heart of Jesus My Friend.\n      Third Day. The Heart of My Jesus the Heart of My Father.\n      Fourth Day. In Thy Heart I Shall Find Peace.\n      Fifth Day. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Teaching Charity.\n      Sixth Day. The Heart of Jesus My Comforter.\n      Seventh Day. The Heart of Jesus My Helper in Trials.\n      Eighth Day. In the Heart of Jesus I Shall Find Rest.\n      Ninth Day. The Heart of Jesus an Ocean of Love.\n      Tenth Day. The Ingratitude of Men to the Heart of Jesus.\n      Eleventh Day. The Gratitude Due to the Heart of Jesus.\n      Twelfth Day. In the Heart of Jesus is Found the Way, the Truth, and\n      the Life.\n      Thirteenth Day. To the Heart of Jesus Alone I Turn.\n      Fourteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Asks for Our Hearts.\n      Fifteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus at the Hour of Death.\n      Sixteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus for all Eternity.\n      Seventeenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Sorrowful unto Death.\n      Eighteenth Day. O Heart of Jesus, Thou Art All Mine and I Am All\n      Thine.\n      Nineteenth Day. God is Charity and He Who Lives in Charity Lives in\n      God.\n      Twentieth Day. The Sacred Heart is a Most Patient Rewarder.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day. The Heart of Jesus will Glorify us in Heaven.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day. The Heart of Jesus Opened.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of All Happiness.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day. The Love of the Saints for the Heart of Jesus.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day. The Agony of the Heart of Jesus.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day. The Heart of Jesus in the Tabernacle.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day. The Heart of Jesus is My Hope.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day. All Graces Come from the Heart of Jesus.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of Sanctity.\n      Thirtieth Day. The Heart of Jesus in Holy Communion.\n   Litany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.\n   Mass in Union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.\nJuly. The Precious Blood.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010first Day.\n   Mass in Honor of the Precious Blood.\n   Three Offerings of the Precious Blood.\n   Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood of Jesus.\n   Daily Offering.\n   Plenary Indulgences For Members of the Confraternity of the Most\n   Precious Blood.\n      Other Plenary Indulgences.\n      Indulgences for all the Faithful, even Such as are not Members.\n   Chaplet of the Precious Blood.\nAugust. The Holy Ghost.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010first Day.\n   Litany of the Holy Ghost.\n   Hymns to the Holy Ghost.\n      Veni, Creator Spiritus.\n      Come, Holy Ghost.\n   Act Of Oblation To The Holy Ghost.\n   The Office of the Holy Ghost.\n   Novena to the Holy Ghost.\nSeptember. The Immaculate Heart of Mary.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n   Exercise in Honor of the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.\n   Rosary or Chaplet of the Seven Dolors.\nOctober. The Angels.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n      Thirty\u2010first Day.\n   Litany of the Holy Guardian Angel.\n   Special Prayers.\n      Prayer To The Guardian Angel.\n      Prayers To St. Michael, St. Gabriel, And St. Raphael.\n      Act Of Consecration To Our Guardian Angel.\n      Prayer To The Holy Angels During The Month Of October.\nNovember. The Souls in Purgatory.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fifth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010sixth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010seventh Day.\n      Twenty\u2010eighth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010ninth Day.\n      Thirtieth Day.\n   Mass for the Souls in Purgatory.\n   The Litany of the Saints.\n   The Seven Penitential Psalms.\n   Efficacious Prayers for the Souls in Purgatory.\n   Prayers for Each Day for the Souls in Purgatory.\n   An Invocation of the Most Holy Trinity for the Souls in Purgatory.\n   Litany of the Faithful Departed.\n   Psalm CXXIX.\nDecember. Advent.\n   Considerations and Prayers for Every Day.\n      First Day.\n      Second Day.\n      Third Day.\n      Fourth Day.\n      Fifth Day.\n      Sixth Day.\n      Seventh Day.\n      Eighth Day.\n      Ninth Day.\n      Tenth Day.\n      Eleventh Day.\n      Twelfth Day.\n      Thirteenth Day.\n      Fourteenth Day.\n      Fifteenth Day.\n      Sixteenth Day.\n      Seventeenth Day.\n      Eighteenth Day.\n      Nineteenth Day.\n      Twentieth Day.\n      Twenty\u2010first Day.\n      Twenty\u2010second Day.\n      Twenty\u2010third Day.\n      Twenty\u2010fourth Day.\n   Special Devotions to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, during the Time of\n   Advent.\n   Mass for Advent.\n   To Be Said Throughout Advent.\n   Litany for Christmas.\n   Crown of the Twelve Stars, Or Rosary of the Immaculate Conception.\n   The Salve Regina.\n   Novena In Preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.\n   Novena In Preparation For Christmas.\nThe Ordinary of the Mass.\nVespers for Sundays.\nExposition and Benediction of the Most Holy Sacrament.\nDevotions for Confession and Communion.\n   Confession.\n   Communion.\nFootnotes\n\n\n\n\n\n\n                               [Cover Art]\n\n[Transcriber\u2019s Note: The above cover image was produced by the submitter\nat Distributed Proofreaders, and is being placed into the public domain.]\n\n\n\n\n\n                              [Illustration]\n\nHe was wounded for our iniquities, he was bruised for our sins.\u2014Is. liii.\n                                    5.\n\n\nNihil Obstat.\n\nTHOMAS L. KINKEAD,\n\n_Censor Librorum_.\n\nImprimatur.\n\n\u2020 MICHAEL AUGUSTINE,\n\n_Archbishop of New York_.\n\nNEW YORK, May 10, 1899.\n\nCopyright, 1899, by BENZIGER BROTHERS.\n\n\n\n\n\nPREFACE.\n\n\nThe Church, desirous of filling our minds with pious thoughts from the\nbeginning to the end of the year, has encouraged, and in some cases\ndesignated, certain devotions to be practised, and sets aside a whole\nmonth in which the prevailing thought ought to be centred on a certain\ndevotion. Not that the Church has by any decree appointed a special\ndevotion for any particular time, except in the cases of Advent and Lent;\nbut the universal piety of the people has adopted them; and each month has\nits particular devotion.\n\nThe Church celebrates the feast of the Sacred Heart in June, and during\nthis month we may offer our prayers in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus,\nthat our souls may be thoroughly imbued with the beauty of this devotion.\n\nThe Church celebrates the feast of the Holy Rosary on the first Sunday of\nOctober, and our Holy Father Leo XIII. has ordered that the Rosary be\nrecited each day during the month.\n\nThe feast of the Guardian Angel is celebrated on the second of October;\nthus two devotions are practised during this month. The Church has\narranged some special devotion for each month by which our confidence in\nGod is increased, and our love of holy Church intensified. What a rich\ntreasure of piety and love for God may a good Catholic not gather from one\nyear of such holy practices!\n\n\n\n\n\nJANUARY. THE HOLY INFANCY.\n\n\nThe month of the holy infancy of Our Lord is January. The Lord was born in\nDecember as we know, but so late in the month that we must take the\nbeginning of the new year and consecrate the first part of the year to\nGod. We begin with the childhood of Our Lord in our devotions, that we may\ngrow as He did in grace before God and man. The holy Infant is laid in our\narms this month, that we may contemplate Him and learn holy lessons. What\nare these lessons? The goodness of God towards us\u2014the mercy and kindness\nof the Child Jesus for us; for His infancy is infinitely meritorious\nbefore God, and all grace comes to us on account of Christ, Who has been\nan Infant among us. We should be like children in our confidence in God,\nWho has created us and will not make us stand greater trials than we are\nable to bear. We should not care over much for the things of this world;\nwe should not depend so much on our own efforts; but with filial\nresignation we should say to God: \u201cYou want this done, and you want one to\ndo it. Well, then, give me the grace, the intelligence, the will, and I\nwill do it in such a manner as will be worthy of God.\u201d The whole month can\nbe spent in meditating on these virtues; be assured they are worth being\nlearned, and will repay you for the trouble of practising them.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nConsider the Holy Family on this day. They rise early to make preparations\nto proceed to the Temple to fulfil the law of God given to Moses, that\nevery male child of the Jewish nation should be circumcised. Let us\naccompany them in spirit to the Temple, and witness God\u2019s providence\nworking plainly in behalf of His divine Son. To\u2010day the Child Jesus is\ncircumcised. A painful operation is performed on the body of the pure and\nholy Babe which was formed in the womb of the Virgin Mary. Jesus knew that\nby this ceremony He subjected Himself to the Law, and the observance of\nall the dictates of a life regulated by it. Be you also subject to the law\nof God, hard though it may be to man\u2019s corrupt nature. The life of a\nChristian will be a difficult one if you are not good and pious. It will\nbe hard for you to pray, to fast, to go to Mass, or confession. Only by\nsubmitting to the law of God will you learn to bear your burdens\npatiently, willingly, and joyfully. Remember you are not carrying your\ncross alone, for the great Bearer of the cross, Our Lord Jesus Christ,\nwill help you: He Who has said, \u201cMy yoke is sweet and My burden light.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary, hast bestowed on\nmankind the rewards of eternal salvation, grant, we beseech Thee, that we\nmay experience the intercession of her through whom we have had the\nhappiness to receive the Author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nJesus underwent the circumcision as an act of redemption. He was carried\nforth by His holy Mother to begin the way of the cross, and from that\nmoment until the day of His death He suffered physical pain. You may here\nform many thoughts on this period in the life of this holy Child, which\nwill console you in your sufferings. Be not cast down in your struggle\nafter a livelihood, be not impatient in poverty and suffering, for by\nthese Jesus has redeemed the world. These crosses will one day bring you\nto heaven. All humanity from childhood has the vicissitudes of nature and\nfortune to combat. Cruel indeed is the fate of some children: poverty,\nneglect, sickness, the death of parents, and other misfortunes, leave them\noften in a deplorable state. But there is a Providence watching over them;\nnot a sparrow falls from the housetop without the will of the heavenly\nFather. At the same time those who have the means should be interested in\nGod\u2019s poor, and seek to help them in all their necessities.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Jesus, when Thou givest me such touching proof of Thy love, could I\nremain cold towards Thee? No! it is not possible. I will love Thee, then,\nO my God, with a love which nothing will daunt or repel.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nAt the presentation of the Lord in the Temple were present Simeon and\nAnna; they were faithful people, and were permitted to witness the solemn\nentry of Our Lord into the Temple. They were old and had served the Lord\nGod with faithfulness all their days, and were now waiting for the coming\nof the Messias. On this day their fidelity was partially rewarded. It was\ncertainly a great grace to be allowed to witness the presentation of Jesus\nto God, His Father, and this great reward for a good life was followed\nafterwards by eternal happiness in heaven. Be faithful, then, to the\nteachings of God in His holy Church. Begin in your youth, or at least when\nthe grace of God visits you. Never cease to trust in God during your whole\nlife, so that you, too, may be received into the heavenly kingdom as a\nreward for your fidelity. Pray always, as Simeon and Anna did, who never\nleft the Temple but remained there in prayer and fasting, waiting for the\nconsolation of Israel.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO my God, how Thou didst love me on the day of Thy presentation! Oh, how\nwell Thou dost teach me thereby what love is when it burns the heart! O my\nGod! come and consume me, come and take possession of my whole being, so\nthat I may belong entirely to Thee. Let Thy good pleasure dispose of me as\nThou willest. Amen.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nOn the occasion of the circumcision, the name of Jesus was given to Our\nLord. He was called Jesus, the Redeemer: a name which was given to Him by\nHis Father and announced to man by an angel. Let this holy name be on your\nlips\u2014it will be to you a light, guiding you on your way through this\nvalley of darkness. Let it be your food, to strengthen you on your journey\nto your heavenly home. Let it be a watchword at the end of your life, by\nwhich you may open the gates of heaven. The name of Jesus is a powerful\none; it is the conqueror of death, the victor over hell. You are a\nfollower of Jesus, therefore you ought to show yourself an enthusiastic\nfollower, and love to repeat that sacred name. The name of Jesus piously\nsaid will strengthen our good resolutions, and our resistance against\ntemptations. When the end of life approaches, and the darkness of despair\ncomes over us because we have done so little in the hours of daylight,\nwhen we should have worked, the merits of Jesus will give us hope, for He\ncame to this earth to suffer for us, to give us hope, and to supply the\ndeficiency of our efforts.\n\nPrayer.\n\nOh, may the adorable name of Jesus be the sweet and daily music of my soul\nand the seal of my heart; and when, in the agony and cold sweat of death,\nI shall give the last look for mercy, may the parting sigh of my soul be\nJesus. Amen, sweet Jesus, Amen.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nThe name of Jesus must not only be on our lips, but it must also be\nindelibly engraven in our hearts. You have heard perhaps in the life of\nthat blessed Dominican, Suso, that he cut over his heart the name of\nJesus. In this name you can overcome all things. In this name you will be\nrich in grace and strength, you will be victorious over all temptations\nand successful in all your labors. Why should you not have the name of\nJesus in your heart? St. Paul has said: \u201cWhosoever shall call upon the\nname of the Lord, shall be saved.\u201d You remember the exclamation of the\ngreat Apostle, \u201cIf any man love not Our Lord Jesus Christ, let him be\nanathema.\u201d There is great peace and comfort in the name of Jesus; it is\nthis which enables pious people to remain faithful for long years in\ndryness of the spiritual life. It is this which gives us courage to do\ngood actions, not for an earthly gain, but for Jesus, and the reward of\nHis society for all eternity. Let us never pronounce it except with\nconfidence, respect, love, and delight.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO sweet Jesus! O loving Jesus! O Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, full of\npiety and of love! O sweet Jesus, according to Thy great mercy have mercy\non me; blot out my iniquities, and look with tenderness upon me, a\nmiserable sinner invoking Thy holy name, Jesus. Amen.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nThe Lord has commended His holy name to every Christian as a precious\njewel which he is to use to obtain mercy and grace. \u201cThat whatsoever you\nshall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you.\u201d We all belong to\nthe army of the Lord, stand under His banner, and are supposed to be ever\nready to make battle in His cause. How often have not you received the\nbody and blood of the Lord? Think, then, what efficacy your prayers have\nwhen you appear before God, with the sign of the blood of Jesus on your\nsoul; you then pray with a power to which nothing is equal, for not only\ndo you pray, but Christ prays in and by you. By this holy name God is\nhonored, as He is honored in His adorable Son. \u201cGod hath given Him a name\nwhich is above all names.\u201d\u2014Phil. ii. 9. The Lord is always an intercessor\nfor us\u2014it is His office of Redeemer and Saviour that has merited this\nname, by His life on earth and His death on the cross. To\u2010day is the feast\nof the Epiphany, the manifestation of the Lord Himself to the Gentiles.\nLet us thank God during the day by frequent outbursts of love, for our\nvocation to the faith in the person of the Magi.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO God! Who didst this day reveal Thy only\u2010begotten Son to the Gentiles by\nthe guidance of a star; grant in Thy mercy, that we, who already know Thee\nby faith, may be brought to contemplate the beauty of Thy majesty, through\nthe same Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nThe Lord has shown Himself to you also, as He did to the three Wise Men\nfrom the East who represented you on the feast of Epiphany. You have had\nmercy shown you on this day because now you have the right to choose the\ntrue faith, and you should be thankful for this grace. You have had a\nsingular privilege extended to you, which all Christians do not enjoy to\nthe fulness. There are among us many who have not the consolation of dying\nin the arms of Jesus. They cannot claim that He said to them, \u201cI am the\nResurrection and the Life.\u201d We know that they, too, are hastening with us\nto the Last Judgment, but with what a difference! When a misfortune\nbefalls these men in life they have no peace of mind; when a humiliation\nmeets them, the ungentle spirit of nature is aroused in them at being\ndespised. They are unhappy in privations, impatient in disputes, and they\nare selfish. The life of those who think not of Christ is full of misery,\ndisappointment, and dissatisfaction; they sit in the darkness of\nheathenism; but you who have the faith find relief in all your ills. Be\nnot one of those who by their sinfulness deserve to be deserted by God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nGrant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, in Thy heavenly mercy, the prayers of Thy\nsuppliant people; that they may perceive where their duty lies, and be\nenabled to accomplish whatsoever tasks are necessary for their salvation.\nAmen.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nOur faith ought to be pure and precious as the gold which the wise kings\noffered at the throne of God. You ought, then, to hold fast the faith of\nJesus Christ, which is preserved in the Catholic Church. Learn your faith,\nlearn the proofs of it; you will be a more fervent adherent to the chair\nof St. Peter and be well instructed in everything that concerns the\nChurch. You will pray for our Holy Father, the Pope, and for holy Mother\nChurch in these troublous times. If love is a part of that purity of\nfaith, read nothing, listen to nothing which is against your faith; do not\nbelong to societies that are condemned by the Church, for they are enemies\nof God\u2019s religion. Your faith must be a lively one; give signs of it in\nyour actions. Sweet\u2010smelling as the incense in the hands of the kings must\nbe our faith. Every one should see that we are good and stanch Catholics;\neducation or riches or social standing should not be an obstacle to our\nhumble practice of our religion. What is there more beautiful than a well\u2010\neducated man practising the Catholic faith according to the laws of the\nChurch? Unhappily the rich and the learned are sometimes ashamed of the\nChurch, leaving it to the poor and ignorant to be good Catholics.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO my God, I thank Thee for the inestimable gift of faith which Thou hast\nbestowed upon me. Grant that I may always acknowledge this Thy mercy with\nthanksgiving; and this not only in words, but in making a good use of it.\nThis grace I ask through Thy sweet name, Jesus. Amen.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nIn trying to lead a good Christian life you will often meet with\ncontradictions and persecutions, even from your associates. But the Wise\nMen included the myrrh of mortification among their gifts. He who wants to\nlead a life of purity will necessarily meet with many persecutions and\ncrosses, and only when he has taken up the cross can he follow the divine\nRedeemer. The faith of Christ cannot exist without the bitter herb of\nmortification. This faith is the power that conquers the world, and the\nworld\u2019s insults. Let us then be firm in our faith as the three kings were\nin all their trials, for they had many a one to encounter before they\nfound the cave of Bethlehem. Let us show our appreciation then by our zeal\nand our holy lives. \u201cHe is my God, and I will glorify Him: the God of my\nfather, and I will exalt Him.\u201d\u2014Exod. xv. 2. The holy man Job will be an\nexample to us as to how we should serve God in trials and tribulations.\nThough the Lord allowed great sufferings to come upon him, and precisely\nbecause he had been good, still he remained true and firm and would not\nmake a compromise with the devil, his persecutor. Job was thankful for\neverything that came from the hands of God. He praised God for it all his\ndays.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO my God, how good it is to serve Thee thus, and to give ourselves wholly\nto Thee. Give to me as Thou didst to the Magi the spirit of wisdom, of\nprayer, and of sacrifice, so that, following Thee through all my life, I\nmay reach a happy eternity. Amen.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nIt is a singular fact that the star disappeared at Jerusalem, though that\nwas not, as yet, the place where the new\u2010born King of the Jews was to be\nlooked for. Herod was the temporal king of Jerusalem; the high priest and\nthe doctors of the Law were also there. As this was the seat of the\nreligion of the people of God, here were made many prophecies that were to\nbe accomplished. We should have thought that here also the star would have\nbeen seen. Jerusalem, however, remains in darkness, the people that were\nto be the recipients of God\u2019s promises are passed over, and the great\ngrace of vocation was given to men who knew nothing of the testament of\nGod\u2014to pagans. The star appears to them and illuminates the darkness in\nwhich they find themselves, and calls them to a heavenly light. Our Lord\nexplained this Himself afterwards, when He said that from the rising to\nthe setting of the sun would come those who would sit at His banquet,\nwhile the \u201cchildren of the kingdom\u201d should go out empty\u2010handed, for they\ndeserved no better treatment because of their infidelity and presumption.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO God, Who didst permit the children of Israel so often to sink under the\ntrials which Thou didst send them, and so often to offend by yielding\nunder temptation: have regard, I beseech Thee, to Thy servant, and assist\nme with heavenly strength that I may have patience and courage under all\nthe trials of life. Amen.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nWe are similar in condition to Jerusalem: We have the promise of God, we\nhave the Messias in our midst, on our altars. Jerusalem was the gay\ncapital of the Jewish nation, and it had no time to attend to the call of\nGod. We also will meet the same fate that overtook that unfortunate city,\nwhich knew not the day of its visitation. Our Lord \u201ccame unto His own, and\nHis own received Him not.\u201d We are too busy with the things of this world\nto give a few thoughts to God; we do not realize the precious gifts of Our\nLord, or of His sacred presence, and so we will be allowed to go forth\nempty\u2010handed; strangers will take our places in the heavenly kingdom,\nwhile we shall sit in darkness for all eternity. The Lord will find\nfaithful followers among strangers who have not our knowledge; they are\nguided only by a star that does not speak. They follow it and are\nrewarded; they follow it because they acknowledge the fact that they stand\nin need of a leader and guide.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHelp me, O my God, and defend me from all dangers; let Thy heavenly light\ndart upon my soul amidst all its darkness; let faith be its guide, and\nsupport it with hope. Behold, I now protest that I renounce all kinds of\nsuggestions that are injurious to that faith and hope which I am bound to\nhave in Thee. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nMary was found with the Child by the Magi; she it was who received the\ngifts for the Lord. There sat Mary as on a throne, having the Infant Jesus\nin her lap, and the Wise Men fell down and adored Him. How kingly seemed\nto them the poverty of that Babe! how right royal that sinless Mother\u2019s\nlap, on which He was enthroned! We, too, have arrived at the stable of\nBethlehem in our meditations. Mary is there, holding out towards us also\nher divine Son. Through her He has become ours in holy communion, ours\nwhen we are faithful servants of this good Master. Mary is always with\nJesus; we cannot think of the sacred humanity of Christ without thinking\nalso of the Mother who gave Him birth. How far removed is the Mother from\nthe Son? Let us then bow down in humility and adoration before the Child\nwho is Our God; but let us also look up to Mary. She teaches us God as we\nnever could else have learned Him. The Child Jesus seems to understand\nbetter than we that the caresses which are poured out to Him are also\nintended for us. Let us look with gratitude at this good Mother of Jesus,\nwho is to be our Mother because she has taken us under her protection, and\npresents our petitions to the divine Infant, her sweet Son.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mary, my good Mother, I cast myself into thy arms: obtain for me from\nthy divine Son the virtues of humility and charity, great purity of heart,\nof body, and of soul, final perseverance in good, the gift of fervor in\nprayer, a pious life, and a happy death. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nMary is present at our visit to Jesus, to receive the gifts that we are\nabout to bring to the Infant at this sacred season, when we celebrate the\nfeast of Epiphany. We are going to offer to Jesus, through Mary, a gift of\ngold. Gold is the most precious and the most sought after possession in\nthe world. Whatever we have most precious, then, we will give to Him: our\nattachment to our family, our inclinations, our prejudices, our\npossessions, we will lay at the feet of Jesus, so that Mary may point them\nout to this sacred Babe, and show Him how generous we have been to make a\nsacrifice of the dearest things we have on earth. The man of the world\nmakes supreme efforts to gain gold, so we will make supreme efforts to\nbring our whole being, with all its energies, as a sacrifice to Him; our\nhearts with all their inclinations will be consecrated to the service of\nJesus Christ. We will love Him not only in Himself, but in our neighbor;\nwe will succor Him in the person of the poor, and in those even of whom we\nhave to complain; and that on account of His words, \u201cAs long as you did it\nto one of these, My least brethren, you did it to Me.\u201d\u2014Matt. xxv. 40.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO my Mother, give me Jesus as thou didst give Him to the holy Wise Men.\nObtain for me a fervent heart to desire Jesus; a pure and humble heart to\nreceive Jesus; a constant heart, that I may never, by the least wilful\nsin, sadden His loving Heart. Amen.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nDuring these days make the sacrifice of your heart a persevering, loving,\npatient sacrifice. You are not going to retain anything of this heart, you\nare not going to divide your love. Jesus has given Himself entirely to\nyou; He has been presented to you by the hands of Mary. He has made you a\nChristian, that you may take advantage of this privilege of enjoying Him\nas often as you please. You can be on familiar terms with Him, you can\nunite Him to your heart in holy communion, when He will enter your soul\nand be such a gracious, noble guest. By your Christian character He has\nprivileged you to participate in all the sacraments of the Church. He\nconfirms you in your Christianity; He pardons your transgressions when you\nhave fallen, and when, with sorrow in your heart, you wish to rise again;\nHe claims you as His at the end of your life by anointing you in your last\nsickness: He claims you in fact, body and soul, for His own glory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nMost sweet Infant Jesus, I acknowledge Thee my benefactor. I return Thee\nthanks for whatever I possess, and I heartily beg Thy grace, that I may\nmake good use of the benefits which through Thy great mercy I enjoy. Amen.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nYou are going to appear before Jesus and Mary during these days with the\nincense of the Magi, which they presented to Him as a tribute of praise;\nthey acknowledged Jesus as their God. Incense is offered to God alone; it\nis a prayer in itself, and ascends with a pleasant odor. You are going to\nstand before Jesus offering your incense of prayer and adoration. You have\nyour daily prayers to say; in fact the whole day should be a prayer, which\nshould insert itself into all your actions. How noble will not such a day\nappear to you when you look back on it! Oh, that all your days were like\nthis one, full of holy joy, peace and happiness; such a happiness as you\ncannot find in earthly pleasure and enjoyment. Mary will receive this gift\nof prayer for her divine Son, and point out to Him the pious Christian\nthat has brought the same sacrifice as did the kings of the East\u2014the\nincense of prayer. How pleased will be our sweet Jesus to receive this\ngift from our hands, and in exchange He will give us the gift of piety,\nthus enabling us to love God alone and to despise all else.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHail, most sweet Jesus, Son of God and of Mary, I love Thee with my whole\nsoul, and above all things, because Thou art infinitely worthy of all\nlove. I firmly resolve by Thy grace to sin no more, and henceforth to\navoid all occasions of sin. Amen.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nMary is found with Jesus, too, in order to accept another gift, which you\nmust not forget and which the Magi brought also, i.e., the bitter myrrh of\nmortification. We have seen that we should offer a pure heart to the Lord\nand a life full of prayer\u2014but we must also add to these gifts the virtues\nof self\u2010denial, self\u2010abnegation and mortification. Mary offered this great\ngift of generosity in its fulness. She is the Queen of martyrs, the\nsorrowful Mother. Mourn with her over your own ingratitude and the sins of\nthe world; follow her in the way of the cross of her life; condole with\nher. It is a precious gift to God to mortify one\u2019s self, and one can find\ndaily opportunities of doing so. As a Christian you are not to look\nbackward. Give the same gifts as the Magi did; put some little privation\non yourself, no matter what it may be, or how insignificant it may appear.\nGod will look upon it with eyes of love, and in return will enrich you\nwith the spirit of mortification and of sacrifice, which will make you\napostles and martyrs.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! grant me, as Thou didst to the Magi, the spirit\nof wisdom, of prayer, and of sacrifice; so that following their example of\nsteadfast faith, I may one day receive the reward of eternal happiness.\nAmen.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nWe read that the Lord accompanied His parents on a visit to the Temple in\nJerusalem, and remained there unknown to them, when they had departed for\ntheir own home. It was His Father\u2019s house, and He expressed a kind of\nwonder that He was expected to be anywhere else at any time. We might\napply this to ourselves as well. God is Our Father; the church is Our\nFather\u2019s house, and we should be found at home. Besides, Jesus is in the\ntabernacle; He, our Brother, is in His Father\u2019s house, and the whole\nfamily should be gathered there. You should make frequent visits to the\nchurch, and should any one be surprised at your conduct, and ask you the\nreason, you can answer with justice: \u201cAm I not to be about the things that\nare my Father\u2019s?\u201d Go to your work, be in your home, but also love to pass\nsome time in the presence of the Lord in the church. The angels are there,\nsilently praying before their God in the tabernacle; join them in their\ndevout occupation. You like to visit a friend; no nearer nor dearer friend\nwill you ever find than Jesus, your loving Saviour.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Jesus, Thou knowest my desire of serving Thee with the purest intention\nof living but for Thee. Thou art my hope, my strength, and my life. I will\nseek not so much for consolation as for the grace of a greater love\ntowards Thee, my sweet Saviour, and for strength to suffer bravely for Thy\ngreater glory and my own sanctification. Amen.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nFrom your early childhood you have been brought to the church. Even before\nyou knew what church meant you trotted along with the other children, and\nsat in your pew and knelt with the rest, not knowing how to pray, not\nknowing what you were about. But afterwards you began to understand that\nyou were going to a holy place, where sacred things were performed: things\nthat reminded you of heaven, even while you were still on this earth. When\nyou were made a Christian by Baptism, then you were introduced into the\nmystic body of the Church, and you also received the right to stand in the\nmaterial temple of the Lord, and take your place among the many members of\nthe Christian people. The Church has become your home, a place of\nhappiness and consolation in all your afflictions. But do we use it as\nsuch? Do we go with all our trials and temptations to our sweet Lord,\nhidden in the tabernacle, Who is there waiting and anxious to console us\nin our miseries?\n\nPrayer.\n\nMy dearest Jesus, how much hast Thou not done to oblige me to love Thee,\nand how much hath it cost Thee to gain to Thyself my love? Pierce my poor\nsoul, O dearest Jesus, with the sweet dart of Thy love, so that I may ever\nlanguish with desire of Thee. Amen.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nWhen the shepherds were told to seek for the Child Jesus, they were sent\nto look for a child. When we set out to look for the Redeemer we expect to\nsee something remarkable; with fear and trembling we approach the spot,\nand find only a helpless Child lying on some straw in a manger. Man looks\nfor great and startling works, and God meets him by showing things which,\nin his consideration, are insignificant. We think that God should choose\ngreat things and He chooses small ones. This is the difference between\ndivine and human reasoning, between the ways of God and the ways of man.\nGod has become man in the form of a child, and human wisdom thinks that\nnow, over the whole world, a great clamor, noise, and wonderment should be\nraised; that all nations should be astounded. Instead the Lord is a child\nthat does not talk, does nothing wonderful, even cries like other\nchildren, and so He remains, or rather grows, gaining by degrees the use\nof human faculties the same as other children. These are the ways of God;\nwe think we should have ordered all things differently.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO sweet Babe of Bethlehem, I adore Thee in Thy humility. Mayest Thou be\never reverenced and adored by all creatures. May we with the angels ever\nadore Thee, and may the hearts of all the faithful ever breathe out in Thy\nhonor a most sweet perfume. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nWhat a difference! Adam was placed in paradise, a most beautiful garden;\nthe second Adam, Jesus, is placed in the manger. The former was but a\nsimple human being, while this One is the true God. And why was this\ndifference made? Through Adam\u2019s sin paradise, that beautiful place, had\nbeen desecrated: God, the Author of our being, forgotten. In punishment of\nthis rebellion the second Adam had to atone for this defection. We had\nlowered ourselves to the level of the animals, we had sought our joy among\nthe natural inclinations, and thither Our Lord had to descend in order to\nfind us. Paradise is again to be brought to this earth. We, too, should\nshow by our faith, our devotions, and our magnificent churches, where our\nhappiness is. We may enjoy this paradise even on earth by doing the will\nof God in all things, and receiving frequently the body and blood of\nChrist, in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus, behold here a poor petitioner who wants Thy\naid; but such is my unhappiness, the more I want the less able I am to ask\nfor relief. Have regard, therefore, to my distressed condition, and\naccording to the multitude of Thy tender mercies have compassion on me.\nAmen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nThe angels announced the glad tidings of the birth of Christ to the\nshepherds, who heard the words and acted on them promptly and with joy,\nignorant though they were. The promise of the coming of a Redeemer was\nclearly placed before their minds, so that they were as prepared for this\nstartling announcement as if they had been waiting for it for many years.\nSo they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the Infant. How\nbeautiful is Our Lord\u2019s attraction to the lowly, represented in the call\nof these poor men. Such are the men that the Babe called first. We should\nallow the glorious truths of the incarnation to sink deeply into our\nsouls, that we may celebrate the month of the holy childhood with profit\nto ourselves and to the glory of God. We should be interested also in\nspreading the Gospel among Protestants and Jews, and by our lives lead bad\nCatholics back again to the Infant Babe. Lay people can sometimes do more\ngood than they imagine, and in some cases even more than a priest, because\ntheir advice and good example may have an effect where a priest could not\nreach.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most sweet Babe of Bethlehem! what praise, love, and thanks shall I\nreturn Thee for all Thy mercies? Let my body, soul, and all that is within\nme bless Thee eternally, and let heaven, earth, and all that is within\nthem say Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nGod\u2019s glory was the object of the angels who came to announce the birth of\nOur Lord. Glory to God in the highest! Infinite glory accrues to God the\nFather by sending His divine Son to this earth to become man. We are His\nintelligent creatures, to whom He was sent, and we must give to God a\nrational worship. When we do not give glory and thanks to God, and are\nungrateful, we rob the Creator of that recognition which He should have\nfrom His creatures. But the same must be said of all our works; we must\nhave the glory of God before our minds; we should do nothing but with the\nexpress or implicit motive\u2014the honor of God. Our maxim should be, \u201cAll for\nthe greater glory of God.\u201d When the angels reported the birth of the Lord\nthey did not refer to their own greatness but sang out, \u201cGod has done this\nfrom His throne in heaven,\u201d to Him is due the glorification of His\ncreatures; so also we, after a good action, do not think complacently of\nour own sanctity or excellence, but say it was the inspiration of God, and\nGod\u2019s work, which has been done by us unworthy instruments in His hands.\nMary referred all her glory and graces to God: \u201cMy soul doth magnify the\nLord.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nAlmighty and everlasting God! Lord of heaven and earth, Who dost reveal\nThyself to little ones, grant us, we beseech Thee, to honor meetly the\nholy mysteries in the life of Thy Son, the Child Jesus, and to follow Him\nhumbly in our lives, so that we may come to the eternal kingdom promised\nby Thee to little ones, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nAgain the angels said, \u201cPeace on earth to men of good\u2010will.\u201d How precious\nis the peace of the soul! Peace is the fruit of a good conscience, which\nproduces peace with God and with one\u2019s self. Seek to purify your will,\nmake it conformable to the will of God, for then you enjoy peace more and\nmore; you will taste the happiness of that peace which surpasses all the\njoys of the world, and which the world cannot give. In the contemplation\nof the joyous feasts which we celebrate, during this month of the\nmysteries of the divine infancy of the Lord, we will find the happiness of\nour soul. Continue in your adoration of the Infant Jesus, bring Him the\ngrateful thanks of a pure heart, pray with earnestness, with perseverance,\nfor the mercy of God, which He can extend to you in answer to your\nsupplications if you are sincere. Remember the words of the angels, \u201cGlory\nto God in the highest, and on earth peace to men of good\u2010will.\u201d It is a\nsaying which is worth repeating to yourself.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most amiable Jesus, who for my sake and instruction didst vouchsafe to\nconceal Thy eternal wisdom under the weakness of childhood! I most humbly\nthank Thee for having shown me in Thy own sacred person how I should\nsanctify my youth, and thereby draw a blessing on my future life. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\n\u201cMary kept all these words, pondering them in her heart.\u201d\u2014Luke ii. 19.\nTwice do we read that Mary did this. The Holy Ghost certainly wished to\nattract our attention to this fact, that we might imitate the action. All\nthat was done and all that was said made a great impression on Mary\u2019s\nheart. She merited more and more the eulogiums which God Himself bestows\non those who hear the word of God and keep it. The facts and the words of\nthe incarnation must be the same to us\u2014precious thoughts and gifts which\nwe know how to value and appreciate. At certain times we should give\nevidence of our belief in the joy of our heart. God\u2019s glory must be\npublished externally, we must not bury it in our hearts only, for Mary\npreserved all these words in her heart so as to make them public at some\nfuture time, for the welfare of the Church. With greatest devotion and\nzeal she had heard the revelations of God; with liberality she made\nmanifest the fulness of her heart for the glory of God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Wisdom, Who didst proceed out of the mouth of the Most High, reaching\nfrom end to end, with might and with sweetness disposing all things, come\nand teach us the way of prudence. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nMary not only kept all these words in her heart, but she also meditated on\nthem. In fact the meaning of the words, \u201ckept in her heart,\u201d is that they\nwere ever fresh there; she kept the eyes of her soul on them, and thought\nof them; she was part of the workings of God\u2019s providence, and had no\nother thought than that the will of God should be done in all things,\nespecially just now, in this instance of the childhood of Christ. Men and\nangels had brought her the testimony of their admiration of the wonderful\nworks of God; and Mary was consoled and confirmed in her willingness to\nsuffer everything for her divine Infant Son. To us also the meditation and\nthe consideration of God\u2019s infinite goodness, and the facts of revelation,\nare the very centre\u2010post around which the Christian life should move. Be\nnot a passive Christian that is borne along in the crowd; go a little\nfarther, and become an intelligent worshipper, who has reflected well on\nreligious tenets, and to whom they have given a great deal of consolation\nand hope of future happiness.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Adonai and leader of the house of Israel! Who didst appear to Moses in\nthe fire of the flaming bush, and didst give him the Law of Sinai: come\nand save us with a stretched\u2010forth arm. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nWe are often solicitous about temporal affairs: our eating, drinking,\nclothing, and that which is dependent on us. We are right in making all\nnecessary efforts, but we must not forget God, or lose confidence in Him.\nThe Magi left their kingdoms, palaces, families, their great comforts of\nhome, and went on a long journey, led by the star, without being clearly\ntold how far their journey was to carry them. They had to travel through\nunknown lands, under a burning sun, exposed to wild beasts, and the enmity\nof wandering tribes. Still they persevered until they were rewarded by the\nsight of the Messias, the Redeemer of the world. Then \u201cthey rejoiced with\nexceeding great joy.\u201d This is also a lesson to us to quiet our fears. God\nknows what we have done for Him, and a thousand\u2010fold will He reward our\ngenerous actions, and at the same time our families will be protected and\nour wants supplied. \u201cBut seek ye first the kingdom of God and His justice:\nand all these things shall be added unto you.\u201d\u2014Luke xii. 31.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Root of Jesse! Who art a signal to the people, in Whose presence kings\nshall be silent, and to Whom the Gentiles shall pray: come and deliver us\nnow and delay not. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nThe revelation which you have received from God ought to enter deeply into\nyour soul. Mary\u2019s heart was full of grace. You should receive God\u2019s word\ninto your hearts, that it may be the nourishment of your souls, that it\nmay fill you with holy sentiments and desires, and model you according to\nthe life of Christ. During these days you have given much thought to the\nbirth of Our Lord. Be careful in your prayers not to keep it on your lips\nonly, but let it take deep root in your hearts, so that Christ may be born\nagain in your souls. Pray to Mary, to the angels, and to the saints, that\nthey may assist you; that you may preserve the deposit of faith with\nfidelity as they preserved it, for the nourishment of the spirit and the\nsanctification of your soul, and of others that may be intrusted to your\ncare. Your piety and love of the Lord should increase with these\nmeditations. \u201cThy word is exceedingly refined: and Thy servant hath loved\nit.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxviii. 140.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Key of David and sceptre of the house of Israel! Who openest, and no man\nshutteth: Who shuttest, and no man openeth; come and take out of prison\nhim that is in fetters, and who sitteth in darkness and in the shadow of\ndeath. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nThe obedience of Our Lord to His parents is an admirable lesson. Jesus\nChrist is obedient, and submits His infinite wisdom to the commands of\nhuman beings. Not only was He obedient to His heavenly Father even unto\nthe death of the cross, but He exactly fulfilled all the requirements of\nthe Fourth Commandment without a murmur, without deferring the execution\nof His parents\u2019 wishes to a time more suitable to Himself. St. Bernard\nsays that he is obedient who fulfils a command without delay, and with a\ncheerful heart. Our Lord fulfilled this law so scrupulously because He\nwished to leave us an example. Remember the fact that the Boy Jesus was\nnot only obedient to His heavenly Father, but also to His superiors\naccording to the order of things. The Lord left, without delay, the\nperformance of a holy action when He was called away from it. Our\nobedience to the Church and its lawful pastors is also an obligation\ndevolving upon us. Children, obey your parents, servants, your masters,\ncitizens, the State and all constituted public authority. Religious fulfil\nthis law of obedience because they make a vow of obedience.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Orient brightness of eternal light, and Sun of righteousness! come and\nenlighten those that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\n\u201cJesus advanced in wisdom and age, and grace with God and men.\u201d\u2014Luke ii.\n52. From the first instant of His sacred life on earth there were hidden\nin the Lord all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. He constantly\ndeveloped these before the sight of men. The sun has always the same\nabundance of heat and light, yet it still increases as the day wears on\nuntil it stands in the zenith in all its glory and power, and as the day\nwanes it, as it were, draws its power to itself. The older Jesus, the Sun\nof justice, grew, the brighter became the light of His holy life, and it\nillumined more and more the lives of those who observed Him. The growing\nolder is inevitable; as time passes we grow older, but we do not\nnecessarily grow in wisdom before God and men. Our piety before God is not\nincreased, and we frequently give scandal to men by our impiety. When we\nwere young we loved God, but as we grew older we were so implicated with\nthe things of this life that we lost a great deal of our simplicity. Why\nshould this be so?\n\nPrayer.\n\nO King of the Gentiles, and their desired One, the corner\u2010stone that joins\nthe two walls! come and save man, whom Thou didst form out of dust. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nJesus was filled with grace and truth from the very beginning of His life.\nWe have seen His glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father, full of\ngrace and truth. More and more did His virtues, however, shine forth with\never increasing splendor; men wondered at this glorious Being, loved Him,\nand afterwards followed Him when He began His mission. We, too, were full\nof grace at our Baptism, and long afterwards, in our childhood, we were\npleasing in the sight of God, because we were innocent children whom God\nloved. We were then modest, pious, obedient, but in course of time we\nsought to please men more than God. To please men is often to displease\nGod. We should have hungered and thirsted after justice, and this would\nhave kept alive in us the desire to grow in grace, wisdom and truth. But\nnow let us arouse ourselves, and even though we are old, let us strive to\nbecome like the divine Infant. Let us, with the grace of God, renew in\nourselves the graces that were in us. Let us examine our conscience, and\nsee whether we have remained faithful to our good resolutions, if we have\never made them before. It is not too late yet to resolve to do better in\nthe future.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Emmanuel, King and Lawgiver! the expectation of the Gentiles and their\nSaviour; come and save us, O Lord, Our God. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nOn this last day of the devotion of the holy infancy, let us endeavor to\nmake permanent the pious sentiments that have passed through our souls. We\nwish to have Jesus in our hearts, not only for the present but also for\nthe future. It is not enough to find Jesus as the shepherds and the Magi\ndid, but we should try to keep ourselves always in His sacred presence.\nThe means to retain Jesus are no other than to keep ourselves in grace, to\navoid sin, to preserve His love in our hearts, and lastly to be watchful,\nwhen temptation assails us, against sensuality, pride, avarice, and want\nof charity, and any other vice. Let us remain close to Our Lord,\nremembering our promises of fidelity, in a humble confidence that He will\nassist us with His grace. Let us remember the words of the Royal Prophet\nDavid: That a soul that fears God will not be affected by infidelity. Let\nus repeat with the spouse in the Canticles: \u201cI found Him Whom my soul\nloveth: I held Him: and I will not let Him go.\u201d Who will separate me from\nthe love of Christ?\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Infant Jesus! grant that each moment of our lives, we may pay homage to\nthat moment in which Thou didst begin the work of our salvation. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nMass in Commemoration of the Holy Infancy of Jesus Christ.\n\n\nPreparatory Prayer.\n\nDeign, O almighty God, to give me the grace to remember, with devotion and\nlove during the holy sacrifice, the sacred birth, the Passion and death of\nThy Son, Jesus Christ. I offer to Thee, Thy divine Son by the hands of\nMary, His Virgin Mother, to the honor of Thy holy name, and in grateful\nthanksgiving for the numberless graces and blessings which Thou hast\nbestowed upon Thy poor creature. I offer Him also for the joy of the\nheavenly court, as a victim of propitiation for my sins, for the living\nand the dead, and for my special intention, which, with all confidence, I\nrecommend to Thee. Permit me to feel Thy sacred presence, to be immersed\nin Thy pure light, and to be comforted by it, so that I may always, but\nespecially on this day, serve Thee faithfully, and bear the trials which\nThou sendest me with love and courage. In consideration of the tears and\nthe precious blood of Thy divine Son, by Whom I knock at the gates of Thy\nmercy and kindness, grant that all misfortunes of body and soul may be\naverted from me, through Christ Our Lord, Who is ever praised with Thee\nand the Holy Ghost, for all eternity. Amen.\n\nIntroit.\n\nO my God, I should be holy as Thou art holy, fountain of all sanctity; and\nstill Thou seest in me nothing pure. I am full of iniquity. Have mercy on\nme, make manifest in me Thy mercy. I present to Thee, in sorrow and\nhumility, the Infant Jesus as my intercessor. Look upon Him, O heavenly\nFather, the brightness of Thy own glory, now lying in a crib in a wretched\nstable. And from that lowly bed He raises up His little hands, begging for\npardon, in order that we, His erring brothers and sisters, may be brought\nback to Thy paternal Heart, and to ward off the punishment which we so\nrichly deserve. O divine Redeemer, despise not our confidence! Stretch out\nThy almighty right hand and draw us forth from the floods of our sins,\nmiseries, and iniquities, so that we may gratefully thank Thee and the\nFather for all eternity. Amen.\n\nGospel.\n\nWe render Thee, O loving Jesus, our everlasting thanksgiving for having\ndescended from Thy unspeakable happiness in heaven to this miserable\nearth, where Thou dost wish to console Thy needy creatures and to teach us\nby Thy holy Gospel the way to heaven. Who would not approach Thee with\nconfidence, when he sees Thee, the infinite God, wrapped in swaddling\u2010\nclothes, resting on the bosom of the purest and tenderest of Mothers, with\nhands full of graces and a Heart full of love! Even though untold misery\nshould overwhelm our hearts, and innumerable desires consume our souls,\nstill we would take confidence from this kindness and love, and our souls\nwould be filled with happiness and peace. Look upon me, then, O gracious\nInfant! and by that look of kindness may my intellect be enlightened to\nunderstand the divine truths; may my will be inflamed to fulfil Thy\ncommands and inspirations, and my memory continually suggest Thy promises\nand Thy goodness. So that on the altar of my heart may be placed a triple\nsacrifice of faith, hope, and charity, and then I can claim from Thy\nmajesty new graces and benedictions upon myself, upon those in whom I am\ninterested, and upon all those on whom the light of the Gospel has not\nshone, that we may become vessels to Thy honor and love, and may praise\nThy mercies for all eternity. Amen.\n\nOffertory.\n\nAs I kneel in spirit at the crib of Bethlehem, and see the divine Infant\noffering Himself to the heavenly Father for my sins, so I bring, as an\noffering with the priest, my poor heart which thirsts for Thee. Oh, that I\ncould offer Thee as gifts many virtuous acts! but bowed down in the dust\nof my own nothingness, I cannot offer anything more than an empty,\nsorrowful heart. Look upon it with mercy, and send upon it the dew of Thy\ngrace and love, which will quickly bear fruit of humility and meekness.\nAdorn my soul with the flowers of devotion, that my whole life may become\na song of praise and petition for mercy. Amen.\n\nSanctus.\n\nUnfathomable, O Lord God, are the depths of Thy mysteries, and wonderful\nthe inventions of Thy mercy. Faith teaches me that He Who is in the crib,\nand weeps and trembles, is the One Whose thunder rolls in the clouds, at\nthe sound of Whose voice cherubim and seraphim veil their faces with their\nwings. What a manifestation of humility and love do I contemplate in this!\nCome, O Lord, with Thy all\u2010conquering love, and enkindle my cold heart and\nthe hearts of all careless Christians with the flames of love! Come to me\nin the fulness of Thy graces and blessings, and stir up my sluggish humor;\nenlighten all needy souls with the abundance of Thy eternal brightness,\nthat we may now, and for all eternity, sing the angelic anthem: Holy,\nholy, holy, is Our God! Amen.\n\nThe Secret.\n\nO kind Father! in humility I beg of Thee, through Our Lord Jesus Christ,\nThy Son, may our sacrifice and prayers please Thee. Bless me, bless those\nwho are here present at this sacrifice, and bless also all who are needy\nand suffering. I pray Thee especially for the holy Catholic Church and her\nministers, that Thou mayest keep them in peace and harmony; that Thou\nmayest protect and govern them, and mayest pour into their souls that\npeace which the divine Infant brought to this earth\u2014Who alone is the cause\nof the happiness which we enjoy here below. I wish to join the angels in\nexclaiming, \u201cPeace to my soul, peace to all men of good\u2010will.\u201d\n\nConsecration.\n\nLook down, O Lord God the Father! on this altar where Thy divine Son\nadores Thee as He did from the stable of Bethlehem, and offers Himself as\na spotless lamb as He did on Calvary. We unite our prayers with His, and\nwe beg of Thy unlimited mercy that Thou wouldst listen to the pleading of\nthis divine Heart and of this precious blood, and grant us what is\npleasing to Thee. Grant that we may grow in the odor of sanctity of Our\nLord Jesus Christ, and share with Him eternal happiness in heaven. Amen.\n\nAfter The Consecration.\n\nO divine Infant Jesus, give me the grace to realize the wonders of Thy\nholy love! In all humility I consecrate myself to Thee as a holocaust to\nThy holy condescension. Oh, that I were able to adore Thee with that\nsincere and heartfelt devotion with which the holy Virgin, St. Joseph, the\npious shepherds, the Magi, and all the fervent adorers of Thy divine\ninfancy adored Thee. With all my soul I will love Thee. All the movements\nof my heart shall be directed towards Thee; my soul shall be Thy dwelling.\nWith Thy grace I will fulfil all the duties of my state in life. Change\nthis sinful man into a new being by Thy almighty love, by the same love\nwith which Thou hast changed the bread and wine into Thy adorable body and\nblood. May Thy profound humility restrain the pride of my heart; may Thy\nwonderful purity transform me into a lily of purity for the heavenly\ngarden, and Thy love guide me through the storms of this wretched life to\nthe habitation of bliss: to Thy throne, where ever and ever springs forth\nlife without end. Amen.\n\nCommemoration Of The Dead.\n\nRemember, also, O most merciful Jesus! all Thy servants who have departed\nthis life, marked with the seal of faith and charity, and who sleep the\nsleep of peace. Let them all feel, according to their burning desire, the\npower of the holy sacrifice of the Mass. Open to them the gates of heaven,\nthe abode of light and peace, that they may join the innumerable chorus of\nangels and saints, who praise and love Thee for all eternity. Amen.\n\nAgnus Dei.\n\nO immaculate Lamb of God, suffering all human tribulations! teach me to\ntear myself away from the affections of earthly things, which still keep\nme from adhering solely to Thee. O gracious Lamb of God, Who didst descend\nfrom heaven to bring grace and light into my needy soul! let the dew of\nThy kindness descend upon this barren land of my heart, to enrich it with\nmany virtues. O pure Lamb of God, Prince of peace and love! calm in my\nsoul all disquiet, and let it be inflamed with the flames of Thy holy\nlove, whence all my words and actions derive their merit. Amen.\n\nCommunion.\n\nO dearest Jesus, my Redeemer! from the stable of Bethlehem Thou callest to\nme, \u201cCome to Me, all you that labor and are burdened, and I will refresh\nyou.\u201d\u2014Matt. xi. 28. Pressed and overwhelmed with many trials, my soul\nlongs for Thee, and desires to partake of the heavenly banquet of Thy\nflesh and blood, and to be united to Thee most intimately. Come, O Lord,\nto comfort my languishing spirit! strengthen my weak resolutions; change\nmy whole being into something more pleasing to Thee. What heart is not\nsoftened by Thy loving glance, and desires not to be one with Thee? Admit\nmy heart to a union with Thine, that both may be consumed together. As dry\nwood easily takes fire from flames, so may my heart begin to burn\nbrightly, and whatever is displeasing to Thee be consumed by Thy holy\nlove. Let me find rest in the enjoyment of Thy divinity; and let me have\nno earthly attachments, so that when I shall be loosed from the ties of\nthis world, I may fly to Thee, and rest in Thy bosom.\n\n\n    Soul of Christ, sanctify me:\n    Body of Christ, save me:\n    Blood of Christ, inebriate me:\n    Water from the side of Christ, wash me.\n    Passion of Christ, strengthen me:\n    O good Jesus, hear me:\n    Within Thy wounds hide me:\n    Permit me not to be separated from Thee.\n    From the malignant enemy defend me:\n    In the hour of my death call me,\n    And bid me come to Thee,\n    That, with Thy saints, I may praise Thee\n    Forever and ever. Amen.\n\n\nConclusion.\n\nAccept, O Blessed Trinity! my grateful thanks for the graces which Thou\nhast poured upon my soul during this holy sacrifice, which I have attended\nin honor of the holy infancy. And then, O divine Infant! permit me to\nremain with Thee whilst I am engaged in the duties of my state in life.\nMake me ever mindful of that gratitude which I ought to have for Thy holy\nlove; let me feel the truth of the words, \u201cI have found Him Whom my soul\nloveth\u201d; I will never be separated from Him. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Holy Name of Jesus.\n\n\n    (Form to which an indulgence of three hundred days was granted by\n    Pope Pius IX., who suppressed all other forms.)\n\n    Lord, have mercy on us.\n    _Christ, have mercy on us._\n    Lord, have mercy on us.\n    Jesus, hear us.\n    _Jesus, graciously hear us._\n    God the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\n    God the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._\n    God the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._\n    Holy Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, Son of the living God, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, splendor of the Father, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, brightness of eternal light, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, king of glory, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, sun of justice, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, Son of the Virgin Mary, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus amiable, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus admirable, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, the powerful God, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, father of the world to come, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, angel of the great council, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, most powerful, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, most patient, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, most obedient, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, meek and humble of heart, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, lover of chastity, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, lover of us, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, God of peace, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, author of life, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, model of all virtues, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, zealous for souls, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, our God, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, our refuge, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, father of the poor, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, treasure of the faithful, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, good shepherd, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, true light, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, eternal wisdom, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, infinite goodness, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, our way and our life, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, joy of the angels, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, king of the patriarchs, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, master of the apostles, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, teacher of the Evangelists, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, strength of martyrs, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, light of confessors, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, purity of virgins, _Have mercy on us._\n    Jesus, crown of all saints, _Have mercy on us._\n\n    Be merciful. _Spare us, O Jesus!_\n    Be merciful, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    From all evil, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    From all sin, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    From Thy wrath, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    From the snares of the devil, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    From the spirit of fornication, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    From eternal death, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    From the neglect of Thy inspirations, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, _Graciously hear us,\n                O Jesus_!\n    Through Thy nativity, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy infancy, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy most divine life, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy labors, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy agony and Passion, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy cross and dereliction, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy languors, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy death and burial, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy resurrection, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy ascension, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy joys, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Through Thy glory, _Deliver us, O Jesus._\n    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O\n                Jesus!_\n    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously\n                hear us, O Jesus!_\n    Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on\n                us, O Jesus!_\n    Jesus, hear us.\n    _Jesus, graciously hear us!_\n\n    _Let Us Pray._\n\n    O Lord Jesus Christ, Who hast said, \u201cAsk, and it shall be given\n    you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to\n    you,\u201d grant, we beseech Thee, to us who ask the gift of Thy divine\n    love, that we may love Thee with our whole heart, in word and\n    work, and never cease from showing forth Thy praise.\n\n    Grant, O Lord, that we may have a perpetual fear and love of Thy\n    holy name, for Thou never failest to direct and govern those whom\n    Thou hast instructed in Thy true and solid love, through the same\n    Christ, Our Lord. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Infant Jesus.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nLord, have mercy.\n_Lord, have mercy._\nChrist, have mercy.\n_Christ, have mercy._\nLord, have mercy.\n_Lord, have mercy._\nInfant Jesus, hear us.\n_Infant Jesus, graciously hear us._\nGod, the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant Jesus, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, very God, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, Son of the living God, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, Son of the Virgin Mary, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, begotten before the morning star, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, Word made flesh, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, wisdom of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, purity of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, only Son of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, only\u2010born of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, image of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, Creator of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, splendor of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, honor of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, equal to Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, subject to Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, joy of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, riches of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, gift of Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, offering of Thy Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, precious fruit of a Virgin, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, Creator of man, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, power of God, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, our God, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, our Brother, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, perfect man from Thy conception, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, ancient in wisdom from Thy childhood, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, father of ages, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant of days, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, giving life and nourished at the breast, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, Eternal Word, and making Thyself dumb, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, weeping in Thy crib, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, thundering in the heavens, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, terror of hell, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, joy of paradise, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, dreaded by tyrants, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, desired by the Magi, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, exiled from Thy people, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, king in exile, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, destroyer of idols, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, vindicator of the glory of God, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, strong in weakness, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, powerful in abasement, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, treasure of grace, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, fountain of love, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, author of the blessings of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, repairer of the evils of earth, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, head of the angels, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, stem of the patriarchs, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, word of the prophets, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, expectation of nations, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, joy of the shepherds, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, light of the Magi, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, salvation of children, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, hope of the just, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, teacher of doctors, _Have mercy on us._\nInfant, first\u2010fruits of the saints, _Have mercy on us._\nBe merciful, _Spare us, O Infant Jesus_!\nBe merciful, _Graciously hear us, O Infant Jesus_!\nFrom the bondage of the children of Adam, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom the slavery of the devil, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom the corruption of the world, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom the lust of the flesh, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom the pride of life, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom an immoderate desire of knowledge, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom blindness of mind, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom perversity of will, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom our sins, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy most pure conception, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy most humble birth, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy tears, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy most painful circumcision, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy most glorious epiphany, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy most devout presentation, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy most innocent conversation in the world, _Infant Jesus,\n            deliver us._\nThrough Thy most holy life, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy poverty, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy sorrows, _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy labors and trials. _Infant Jesus, deliver us._\nLamb of God. Who takest away the sins of the world. _Spare us. O Infant\n            Jesus!_\nLamb of God. Who takest away the sins of the world. _Graciously hear us. O\n            Infant Jesus!_\nLamb of God. Who takest away the sins of the world. _Have mercy on us. O\n            Infant Jesus!_\nInfant Jesus, hear us,\n_Infant Jesus, graciously hear us_!\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO Lord Jesus Christ, Who didst vouchsafe so to annihilate the greatness of\nThy incarnate divinity and most sacred humanity, as to be born in time,\nand become a little child; grant that we may acknowledge infinite wisdom\nin the silence of a child, power in weakness, majesty in abasement: so\nthat adoring Thy humiliations on earth, we may contemplate Thy glories in\nheaven. Who with the Father and the Holy Ghost, livest and reignest, God,\nforever and ever. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nThe Mysteries of the Sacred Infancy.\n\n\n(For every day of this month and each 25th day of every month during the\nyear.)\n\n_V._ Incline unto my aid, O God.\n\n_R._ O Lord, make haste to help me.\n\n_V._ Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\n_R._ As it was in, etc. Our Father, etc.\n\n1. The Incarnation.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who for our salvation didst descend from the\nbosom of the eternal Father, into the womb of the Virgin Mary, where,\nconceived by the Holy Ghost, Thou didst take upon Thee, O Incarnate Word,\nthe form of a servant, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ Have mercy upon us, O Lord.\n\n_R._ Have mercy upon us. Hail Mary, etc.\n\n2. The Visitation.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who by means of Thy Virgin Mother didst visit\nSt. Elizabeth, and filling Thy forerunner, St. John the Baptist, with the\nHoly Spirit, didst sanctify him from his mother\u2019s womb, have mercy upon\nus.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n3. The Expectation of the Birth.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who for nine months enclosed in the womb, didst\nwait for the time of Thy birth, and didst meantime inflame the hearts of\nthe Virgin Mary and St. Joseph with most ardent longings, and didst offer\nThyself to God the Father for the salvation of the world, have mercy upon\nus.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n4. The Holy Nativity.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, wrapped\nin poor swaddling\u2010*clothes, and laid in the manger, glorified by angels,\nand visited by shepherds, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n\n    O Jesu! born of Virgin bright,\n      Immortal glory be to Thee;\n    Praise to the Father infinite,\n      And Holy Ghost, eternally.\n\n\n_V._ Christ is at hand.\n\n_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Our Father, etc.\n\n5. The Circumcision.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! circumcised when eight days old, called by the\nglorious name of Jesus, and proclaimed both by Thy name and by Thy blood\nto be the Saviour of the world, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n6. The Adoration of the Kings.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who wast manifest to the three kings, who\nworshipped Thee as Thou didst lie on Mary\u2019s breast, and offered to Thee\nthe mysterious presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, have mercy upon\nus.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n7. The Presentation.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! presented in the Temple by the Virgin Mary,\nembraced by the holy old man Simeon, and revealed to the Jews by Anna the\nprophetess, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n8. The Flight Into Egypt.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Whom Herod sought to slay, carried by St.\nJoseph with Thy Mother into Egypt, saved from death by flight, and\nglorified by the blood of the holy innocents, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\nO Jesu! born of Virgin bright, etc.\n\n_V._ Christ is at hand.\n\n_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Our Father, etc.\n\n9. The Sojourn In Egypt.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who didst dwell as an exile in Egypt for seven\nyears, where Thou didst utter Thy first words, and, loosed from Thy\nswathing\u2010bands, didst first begin to walk upon this earth, and, in the\ndestruction of the idols, didst work, in a hidden manner, Thy first\nmiracles, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n10. The Return From Egypt.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who when Herod was dead, wast recalled out of\nEgypt into the land of Israel, and didst in the journey suffer many\nfatigues and hardships, and wast carried back by Mary and Joseph to the\ncity of Nazareth, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n11. The Life in the Holy House.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who in the holy house of Nazareth didst dwell\nmost holily, and didst pass Thy life in obedience, poverty, and toil, and\nas Thou didst increase in years didst manifest to God and men signs of\nwisdom and grace, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\n12. The Disputing With The Doctors.\n\nO most sweet Infant Jesus! Who wast taken to Jerusalem when twelve years\nold, wast lost by Thy parents, and sought for by them with sorrow, and\nafter three days wast found, to their exceeding joy, with the doctors in\nthe Temple, have mercy upon us.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Have mercy, etc.\n\nO Jesu! born of Virgin bright, etc.\n\n_V._ Christ is at hand.\n\n_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Our Father, etc.\n\nDuring the year:\n\n_V._ The Word was made flesh.\n\n_R._ And dwelt amongst us.\n\nAt Christmas and during the octave add Alleluia.\n\nAt the Epiphany and during the octave:\n\n_V._ Christ hath manifested Himself unto us. Alleluia.\n\n_R._ O come, let us worship Him. Alleluia.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO almighty and everlasting God, Lord of heaven and earth! Who didst reveal\nThyself to little ones, grant, we beseech Thee, that whilst we duly\ncelebrate and honor the most holy mysteries of Thy Son, the Infant Jesus,\nand worthily strive to imitate them, we may arrive at that heavenly\nkingdom which Thou hast promised to little children, through the same\nJesus Christ, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of\nthe Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nCommunion Prayers in Honor of the Infant Jesus.\n\n\nPreparation for Holy Communion.\n\n1. I believe most firmly, my dear Jesus, that in the consecrated Host is\ncontained Thy humanity and Thy divinity, together with Thy sacred flesh\nand blood. I believe in this mystery of our faith, because Thou, Who art\ninfinite wisdom, hast announced, \u201cMy flesh is meat indeed, and My blood is\ndrink indeed.\u201d I believe as firmly as Thy holy Mother Mary believed in all\nthe sacred truths which Thou camest to preach. With the heart of Mary, O\ndivine Infant Jesus, I would love Thee! I would wish to receive Thee into\nthe shelter of my heart, as Mary didst receive Thee into her arms with\ndevotion and tenderness, and Thou didst find a resting\u2010place. Cold and\ndreary was everything about Thee, that night of Thy birth, but Thou didst\nfind a warm heart in Thy holy Mother. Let me embrace Thee with the same\nfervor with which Joseph and Simeon welcomed Thee into their arms. Give me\nnow, O divine Infant Jesus, through the participation in Thy body and\nblood, the burning love of Thy holy spirit, which induced Thee to become\nmy Brother. Thou didst institute this Holy Sacrament that I might be\nunited to Thee and Thou to me. I am heartily sorry that I have, hitherto,\npreferred creatures to Thee, and so far have done nothing to deserve Thy\nmercy. Forgive the sins for which I have had only a superficial sorrow,\nand which I, perhaps, have confessed in the same spirit. Clothe me with\nthe garb of innocence of Thy holy childhood; by Thy adorable blood purify\nme, by Thy holy spirit enliven me, that from the present I may no longer\nlive, but Thou, my Jesus, live in me forever.\n\nO Holy Ghost, Who didst prepare the body of the Blessed Virgin Mary, by\nthe infusion of sanctity, to be a worthy habitation of the body of the\ndivine Infant Jesus, prostrate before Thee I beg that Thy grace may also\nrender my soul and body worthy to receive the body of Christ, that I may\nreceive Him with purity and faith, and may through the reception lay a\nfoundation of sanctity, which will entitle me to enter the glorious\nkingdom of heaven.\n\nO my good Jesus, my whole confidence is in Thee; Thy wounds and Thy sacred\nblood encourage me to hope in the Lord.\n\nO Son of the almighty God, Son of the Virgin Mary, hear me, and be\nmerciful unto me. My heart desires to receive Thee with the same joy and\ndesire with which Mary conceived Thee and gave Thee birth.\n\nCome, then, dear Lord, and fashion my heart according to Thy will; and,\noh, holy saints, devout adorers of the Infant Jesus, St. Francis, St.\nAnthony, St. Stanislaus, pray that my faith may be strong, that my hope\nand confidence in the Infant Jesus may increase, that my love for Him and\nHis good Mother may burn with an inextinguishable flame.\n\nAnd thou, my guardian angel, as well as arch\u2010*angels and angels, cherubim\nand seraphim, accompany me to the holy table of the Lord; cover me with\nthy wings, for I am not worthy to receive this heavenly food.\n\n2. O my God, my Lord, is it possible that Thou lovest me, a miserable\nhuman being, so tenderly, that now Thou dost feed my soul with Thy\nprecious blood, with the bread of angels? By this sacred food Thou dost so\nfirmly unite me to Thee as to make us one; Thy soul unites itself with my\nsoul, and Thy body with my poor human nature. Rejoice, then, O my soul,\nfor no longer can it be said, \u201cMy tears have been my bread day and night:\nwhilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?\u201d\u2014Ps. xli. 4. For my food\nis the bread of angels and my God is not far from me and my God is in my\nsoul! O dear Jesus, how liberal art Thou towards him that seeks Thee! How\ncan I make return for this great kindness?\n\n3. Consider, O my soul, that as often as you receive communion, you\nbecome, as it were, like Mary, the Mother of God, and a spouse of Jesus\nChrist: for in holy communion you may consider that the Lord comes to you\nas the little Child of Bethlehem. He becomes your Spouse because He loves\nyou, takes care of you, and caresses you. O my soul, with what energy you\nought to seek to acquire the virtues of our dear Mother Mary. She was\nadorned with every virtue when the incarnation took place in her, and she\nenjoyed the presence of her God.\n\nPut yourself exclusively into the hands of God, and have the same\nsentiments that Mary had when she said, \u201cBehold the handmaid of the Lord,\u201d\nor with the spouse in the Canticles: \u201cMy Beloved is a bunch of myrrh which\nrests in my bosom.\u201d And with Simeon, the prophet, exclaim, \u201cNow Thou dost\ndismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace: Because my\neyes have seen Thy salvation.\u201d\n\n4. Permit me, my dear Jesus, to use Thy words in the Gospel: \u201cI am come to\ncast fire on the earth, and what will I but that it be kindled?\u201d\u2014Luke xii.\n49. Why is it that I receive so often, and approach this fire of divine\nlove, and am not ignited? Let, then, this fire of love, which burns in\nthis Sacrament, communicate its flames to me, that I may rise from the\nthings of this world. I will now endeavor to love Thee above all things\nand no creature shall hinder me from Thy love. I will love Thee with my\nwhole strength.\n\n5. Dear Infant Jesus, Thy love has conquered my heart! I know now that\nThou givest Thyself to me as my food, and as a ransom to free me from the\nslavery of Satan. My servitude to the devil, the flesh, and the world has\nbeen hard, but being once liberated from these chains, I hate my former\ncruel masters, and wish to belong entirely to Thee. There is no joy or\nhappiness in anything in this world, but in Thee, my God, Who callest to\nme: \u201cCome to Me all you that labor, and are burdened, and I will refresh\nyou. Take up My yoke upon you ... and you shall find rest to your\nsouls.\u201d\u2014Matt. xi. 28, 29. Yes, I will willingly subject myself to Thy\nyoke, by obedience to Thy holy commandments, which I will keep with the\ngreatest exactitude. Permit me to approach Thy sacred banquet, for which I\nam now preparing.\n\n6. In Jesus you may find all that you seek, and all that you need. Why,\nthen, do you turn to other consolations? Seek that only Good which\ncontains all good. Consider Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the greatest\nGood, and stir up in yourself a desire for Him. He will not despise you,\nthough you are unworthy of the favor. When Jesus dwelt on earth, and\ntravelled through cities, towns, and country, He always had compassion on\nmisery, and rejected none that came seeking relief from the ills of body\nand soul. And now that same Jesus is in heaven, and He can refuse no one.\nThe woman who touched the hem of His garment was healed of a long standing\ninfirmity. Magdalen, the sinner, kisses His feet, and her sins are\nforgiven. The pagan woman of Chanaan obtains the cure of her daughter. The\nsisters Mary and Martha obtain the resurrection of their brother Lazarus.\nThose possessed by the devil are freed.\n\nMy heart will not hesitate, but will boldly and humbly approach the Lord\nand ask the cure of my soul. He gives me His sacred body and blood, and\nall other needful things will be added unto me.\n\n7. Yes, my God, my Lord, will come to me! I will not fear; I will approach\nwith a joyful heart; I will not lose courage because I am sinful, as I\nknow the Lord invites the sinner. He has eaten and drank with them, and\ntreated them as His friends. He will also eat with me, and entertain me at\nHis own table if I am only sorry for my sins. He will give me the kiss of\npeace and welcome me to His house. With His own flesh and blood He will\nfeed me.\n\n8. Come, O dear Jesus, wash my feet as Thou didst the apostles\u2019. St. Peter\nrefused, but when he was told that unless he complied he would have no\npart with Jesus, he gladly consented. Purify me also that I may have share\nwith Thee in Thy glory. I am full of impurities in body and soul, my lips\nare unclean, because they utter many reprehensible words, my eyes and ears\nare impure, because they see and hear impurities. Who can purify me but\nThou, O Lord, O crucified Redeemer, by Thy sacred blood which flows from\nthe cross?\n\n9. Who shall give me the wings of a dove, that I may fly to Thee, my rest,\nmy peace? Give me two wings: one the firm confidence in Thy goodness, that\nThou wilt allow me to claim some of Thy merits for my salvation; the other\nthe wing of love, that I may soar beyond this world, and remain with Thee.\nPrepare me for Thy sacred banquet with the virtues which Thou Thyself\nwould have in me. Teach me how I am to serve Thee. Give me a real thirst\nafter Thy sacred blood, and a real hunger after Thy sacred flesh, that I\nmay really desire it.\n\n10. O consolation of my soul, dear Infant Jesus, I beg of Thee to root out\nof my heart all the sins and vices to which I am so much inclined; spare\nme not in removing them, even though it may hurt, even though I may be\nunwilling. Piety, humility, sincerity, modesty, and love are necessary.\nThen plant these virtues in my soul, and give me grace to practise them.\n\n11. The Bridegroom is coming! I hear this cry, and I am to go forth to\nmeet Him. Am I prepared? Have I oil in my lamp? Bestir yourself then, O my\nsoul: it is not an angel that is coming, or a great prophet. No, it is God\nHimself Who is approaching: the Son of God, the King of glory. Rise, my\nsoul, and prepare a resting\u2010place in your heart, where the Lord may\nremain.\n\nAfter Communion.\n\nEjaculations To The Dear Infant Jesus.\n\nHow great is Thy love, sweet Heart of Jesus, Who hast given Thyself to me\nas a celestial food! Thou deservest to be loved with an infinite love, and\nnot with the love of ordinary creatures.\n\nO Jesus, I am heartily sorry for having hitherto loved Thee so little! Why\ndid I not love Thee sooner?\n\nWould that I could redeem that time in which I did not love Thee! Where\nwill I find hearts that are going to help me to make up for the glory that\nI should have given Thee up to this time?\n\nWould that I loved Thee with that tender love with which Mary loved Thee.\nThe angels and saints loved Thee, my Jesus; let me also join them in their\nlove.\n\nOffering.\n\nI offer Thee my whole being; let it be unreservedly Thine. Thou hast taken\npossession of my heart, Thou art its Master; my whole life shall be used\nfor Thy greater honor and glory. Wherever my influence may reach, there\nwill I carry the name of Jesus. Wherever the word of God may be announced,\nI will glory in Thy name.\n\nThou, O Lord, art so full of love, and still Thou art so little loved! O\nwould that I could enkindle all hearts with the fire of Thy love! Thou, O\nLord, art the Master of all hearts; we belong to Thee because Thou hast\ncreated us, and when we rebelled from Thee and became slaves of Satan,\nThou didst redeem us. What greater right have we than to belong to Thee,\nto be subject to Thee, and to announce Thy holy name to all, so that by\nour mutual example we may be encouraged to live lives of sanctity?\n\nO that all of us would have the love of the Infant Jesus in our souls, and\nmake earnest endeavors to spread Thy love among all men! When, O Lord,\nwill I be dissolved, to live only with Thee? To Thee my sighs and desires\ngo up day and night. When will I see Thy blessed countenance? When my time\ncomes to die, let me die in Thy love, so that I may love Thee for all\neternity. Thy will, O Jesus, be done in all things, and let me delight to\nwalk in Thy footsteps.\n\nDo with me what Thou wilt; I am willing to submit to joy or sorrow, life\nor death, fortune or misfortune. It is all indifferent to me as long as it\nis Thy will, only give me the grace to endure adversity with resignation.\nIt will be a joy to me to fulfil Thy holy will in all things.\n\nThanksgiving After Communion.\n\n_Adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, according to St. Francis de\nSales._\n\nHow can I, O Lord Jesus Christ, praise Thee sufficiently for having\nvisited my soul in Thy infinite goodness, by Thy divinity and Thy sacred\nhumanity, with Thy body and blood? I give Thee, my Lord and my God, a\nloving welcome, Thou Who art my Redeemer, my last end, my consolation, my\nsweetest rest, my all. A thousand welcomes to Thee, my dear Jesus, my good\nshepherd. In the abyss of my nothingness I humbly adore Thee. I adore Thy\nsacred flesh and blood, which Thou hast given me for my food, and the\npledge of my eternal union with Thee. I adore Thy sacred head crowned with\nthorns; I adore Thy eyes that have shed so many tears for me; I adore Thy\nmouth, with which Thou didst teach me eternal truths; I adore Thy sacred\ncountenance, which has been beaten for me by cruel soldiers; Thy feet,\nthat have been pierced by the nails and fixed to the tree of the cross;\nThy arms, which were outstretched for me, for a loving embrace; Thy side\nwhich the lance pierced, and from which blood and water issued forth, the\nwitnesses of my redemption; Thy Heart, which loved me even unto the death\nof the cross. My dear Redeemer, I adore Thy sacred body, covered with\ninnumerable wounds which Thou didst suffer for me. I adore Thy most holy\nsoul, which was saddened unto death in the Garden of Olives that I might\nreach eternal life.\n\nMy dear Jesus, with great love I embrace Thee, and I will remain faithful\nto Thee until my last hour. Bless these feelings of a good heart: grant\nthat no storm of temptation may lead me again to be unfaithful as I have\nrepeatedly been heretofore.\n\nA Pious Salutation To The Infant Jesus.\n\nHail, holy and adorable Infant Jesus, source of mercy! Thou art the life\nof the sinner, unfathomable ocean of divine sweetness, our hope, our joy.\nTo Thee, born in the dreary stable of Bethlehem, we cry, poor children of\nEve, to Thee we send forth our sighs, to Thee we send up our lamentations\nin this valley of tears. Turn then, O incarnate love, Thine eyes of mercy\ntowards us, O blessed fruit of Thy Virgin Mother. As Thou didst show\nThyself full of kindness in the stable of Bethlehem, so show unto us,\nafter this miserable life, Thy divine mercy, when Thou shalt come in the\nglory of Thy Father. O sweet, O loving, O clement Infant Jesus! Amen.\n\nPious Invocation To The Infant Jesus.\n\n(_Father Elias Avillon._)\n\nHail, Infant Jesus, Thou fountain of mercy, Thou life of the sinner dead\nin sin, Thou unfathomable ocean of divine consolation, our hope and our\njoy. Hail, to Thee, born in the desolate stable of Bethlehem, do we cry,\npoor children of Eve. To Thee do we sigh and bewail our misery from this\nvalley of tears. Turn then, O incarnate love of God, Thine eyes of mercy\nupon us, Thou blessed fruit of the womb of the Virgin Mary. As Thou didst\nshow poor humanity unbounded mercy from the manger, so also continue Thy\nkindness during our life, until after this miserable existence we arrive\nin the glory of heaven, where we shall meet Thee, to praise and glorify\nThee for all eternity. O sweet, O pious, O merciful Infant Jesus! Amen.\n\nA Prayer To The Holy Name Of Jesus.\n\nEternal God, Father in heaven, daily do we pray that Thy sacred name be\nsanctified, that Thy kingdom come and Thy will be done. It is also Thy\nholy will that the name of Thy beloved Son should be glorified. Thou hast\ngiven Him a name at which every knee should bend in heaven, on earth, and\nunder the earth. I pray Thee with all my heart that Thou give us the grace\nto pronounce that holy name with the greatest devotion, and to serve the\nLord with a good and willing heart. Engrave this holy name on my heart,\nthat I may never forget it. Place it as a sign on my forehead, that I may\never be faithful to it. O holy name of Jesus! my heart rejoices when I\nhear thee mentioned. I feel great consolation as often as I hear that holy\nname. Angels of heaven, who are gathered in ecstasy about the throne of\nGod, praise with us on earth the sacred name of Jesus; sing its praises\nworthily, as we cannot sing it; invoke it for us also, that when our\nfeeble powers fail, thy holiness and zeal will supply our deficiency. Thy\nholy name, O Jesus, be praised forever!\n\nAdoration of the Child Jesus in the Twelve Mysteries of His Divine\nInfancy.\n\nDear Jesus, divine Infant of incomparable beauty, of infinite goodness, I\nadore Thee, because Thou art my Redeemer, and I love Thee. I make a\nsacrifice to Thee of all my intellect, and of my heart, and I thank Thee\nfor having become a child for my sake. I adore Thee in all the mysteries\nof Thy holy childhood, and pray Thee to let me enter into the spirit of\nit. Give me the grace to honor Thy childhood all my life, and that I may\nimitate the virtues which Thou dost inculcate by Thy example.\n\nI adore Thee, O God of purity, at the moment when the Holy Ghost formed\nThy sacred body in the bosom of the Virgin Mary, and beg of Thee the grace\nto be always pure.\n\nI adore Thee, O hidden God, hidden for nine months in the womb of the\nBlessed Virgin, and I desire to honor Thee by my perfect life.\n\nI adore Thee, O Child of grace, in Thy visitation to John the Baptist in\norder to sanctify him. Visit also my soul, that I may live a saintly life\nand remain faithful to the impulses of Thy grace.\n\nI adore Thee, O Child Jesus, at the moment of Thy birth, and I desire,\nwith Thy help, that no other fire burn in my heart than that which Thou\ncamest on this earth to kindle.\n\nI adore Thee, O Spouse covered with wounds, in the painful mystery of the\ncircumcision. I conjure Thee by the sacred blood which Thou didst then\nshed for the first time for our salvation, that Thou wilt give me the\nvirtue of meekness, with which I am to go through life, for Thy glory and\nthe edification of my neighbor.\n\nI adore Thee, O Lord Jesus, with the Magi, who came from the distant\norient to adore Thee lying in the crib in the stable. Give me the grace to\nbe in earnest in the work of my salvation.\n\nGreat God, Author of all sanctity, I adore Thee in the Temple, where Thou\ndidst present Thyself according to the Law of Moses, to be offered to Thy\nFather as His first\u2010born Son. Give me grace to subject myself to every\nlaw, even though it would imply that I am a sinner, which I really am.\n\nI adore Thee, humble Jesus, in Thy flight into Egypt, and beg of Thee to\ngive me the grace, by this holy mystery of Thy life, of perfect humility\nof heart.\n\nI adore Thee, O Child Jesus, in Thy poverty, which afflicted Thee in Thy\nstay in Egypt. Give me the grace also to be poor in spirit, and endure\nactual poverty with resignation.\n\nI adore Thee, O Child Jesus, in Thy joyful and triumphal return from Thy\nexile in Egypt to Nazareth; give me the grace to overcome the enemies of\nmy salvation.\n\nI adore Thee, O obedient Child Jesus, in Thy exact compliance with the\ncommands of Mary and Joseph; give me the grace joyfully to obey my\nsuperiors.\n\nI adore Thee, O Child Jesus, in the midst of the doctors in the Temple of\nJerusalem, when Thou didst enlighten their minds on the sacred prophecies\nof the Old Testament. Give me a Christian simplicity, that I may believe\nall that Thou teachest me through the holy Catholic Church.\n\n\n\n\n\nFEBRUARY. THE HOLY FAMILY.\n\n\nWhat a beautiful sight is the Holy Family dwelling on earth! God could not\ncreate anything more beautiful than this Holy Family; He reached the limit\nof possibilities in creation when He had accomplished this. It is indeed a\ngreat example to us, and a model which we ought to hold before our eyes\nduring this month, in order that we may study the foundations of what a\nholy family ought to be; what a life that should be, where the holiest are\nbound together in ties of most affectionate friendship and relationship.\n\nOur Holy Father Leo XIII. has seen the great importance of the Christian\nfamily: the family established by the laws of the Church and the country,\nwhere marriages are legalized and solemnized; where continence and modesty\nreign; where children, under kind and parental subjection, are brought up\nto be good men and women, good for religion and for society. When poverty\nstrikes such a family there is patience and forbearance shown; when\nsickness and death come, there is resignation to the will of God. In the\nChristian home there is surpassing peace, and not that crazy restlessness\nthat looks for satisfaction in grasping at possessions, never satisfied\nday nor night.\n\nI do not think that this devotion has been appointed for this month by any\nauthority, except the idea that after having adored the divine infancy\nduring the month of January, the devotion to the Holy Family may follow as\na natural sequence. Should any one desire to make this devotion during\nanother month, it would certainly not be out of the way, for save only in\na few cases has a certain devotion been assigned to a particular time. The\ndevotion to the Holy Family is a beautiful and instructive one; the\nChristian family should be built on this great model. The Holy Family\nconsisted of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; the father, Mother, and Child. All\nother families are made up of the same constituents.\n\nThose who are actually in a family, or who intend to choose that mode of\nlife by which they may get to heaven, will love this devotion and find\ninstruction and consolation in it.\n\nOne of the greatest works of God in this world is the Holy Family at\nBethlehem and Nazareth. He sent down upon the earth His only Son, Jesus\nChrist; prepared a most holy Mother for Him, Mary immaculate, and selected\nfor Him a foster\u2010father and a protector. He held them together in the most\ntender family ties of father, Mother, and Child. He kept them in that\nrelation until St. Joseph died a blessed death, and the Lord Jesus went\nforth on His sacred mission of teaching and redeeming mankind.\n\nWhat a beautiful sight to us poor human beings! what a glory to God was\nthat Holy Family, dwelling in the humble abode of Nazareth! We find here\nthe model on which we shall reflect for this month of February. We will\nconsecrate this month to praising God with the members of the Holy Family;\nwe will study the ways by which they were so pleasing to God, and we will\ndraw from these considerations many valuable lessons for our own conduct.\n\nOur Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII., with an ever\u2010watchful eye to the\nnecessities of our time, has seen the importance of a devotion to the Holy\nFamily, and has recommended it to the faithful, and with his own authority\nestablished a sodality of the Holy Family; he has invested it with many\nindulgences in order to encourage the faithful in taking the Holy Family\nas their model. Here is, then, a practical way to teach ourselves the way\nof salvation by the example of others.\n\nIt is therefore a most useful practice of piety to become members of the\nsodality of the Holy Family; you will then place yourselves under its\nspecial protection, and choose Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for your particular\nadvocates before God. Look upon the members of the Holy Family as the most\nperfect models for imitation, whose examples will teach you what to\ncorrect and what to avoid, what to do for your temporal and eternal\nwelfare, and that of your families.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nIn an apostolic brief of June 14, 1892, the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIII.,\ndemonstrates how the welfare of the family and of the State depends\nchiefly on education, and that it is of the utmost importance that a\nreligious spirit be fostered in the Christian family. From the first\nfamily, God so arranged the method and order of such a life as to exhibit\nto the world a form of a divinely ordered association, in which all human\nbeings might behold a most complete model of family life, and of all\nvirtue and holiness. The devotion to the Holy Family, a holy and a\npowerful institution before God and man, has increased very much within a\nfew years, and it is worth our while to think of this on the first day of\nour monthly devotion, and appreciate it as we ought.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, Who didst hallow by Thy surpassing virtues, and the\nexample of Thy home life, the household Thou didst choose to live in\nwhilst on earth, mercifully look down upon this family, whose members,\nhumbly prostrate before Thee, implore Thy protection. Remember that we are\nThine, bound and consecrated to Thee by a special devotion. Protect us in\nThy mercy, deliver us from danger, help us in our necessities, and impart\nto us strength to persevere always in the imitation of Thy Holy Family, so\nthat, by serving Thee and loving Thee faithfully during this mortal life,\nwe may at length give Thee eternal praise in heaven. O Mary, dearest\nMother, we implore thy assistance, knowing that thy divine Son will\nhearken to thy petitions; and do thou, most glorious patriarch St. Joseph,\nhelp us with thy powerful patronage, and place our petitions in Mary\u2019s\nhands that she may offer them to Jesus Christ. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nWithin our own time the devotion to the Holy Family has grown under the\nfostering care of the Supreme Pontiff, who has authorized the\nestablishment of associations throughout the world, by which men and\nwomen, married and unmarried, are gathered into one fold from the\nstandpoint of the family. The Holy Father desires that all the faithful of\nthe Catholic Church should consider this association as a consecration to\nthe Christian life, and that they will feel that they are bound to lead a\nholy life because their association is established and legalized by God.\nFor what is the Sacrament of Matrimony but the legalizing of the family\nbefore God and man? Let us consider the family as a special institution of\nGod\u2019s providence for the preservation of the world, and the propagating in\nit of sound principles of learning and religion.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nWe are to consecrate ourselves to God under the union of a family. That is\nthe pretence with which we come before God, to claim His kindness and\nmercy because we belong to a family. We are not isolated creatures,\nlooking for our selfish ends, but we are a union of individuals\nconstituted under a certain authority, which gives us a claim to the\nrespect of God and man; for God has said, \u201cWhere there are two or three\ngathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.\u201d\u2014Matt.\nxviii. 20. The formula of consecration of a Christian family has been\ngiven us by the Sovereign Pontiff himself; rules, regulations, and by\u2010laws\nhave been given to this society under the same authority of the Holy\nFather. The whole Christian family should be so united among themselves,\nthat there be but one family under one head, set over all to rule them by\nits supreme power. We belong to this Christian family of the Church; let\nus then unite for the common good of all.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nThe scope of the pious association of the Holy Family is that all\nChristian families be consecrated to the Holy Family of Nazareth, placing\nit before themselves for veneration and imitation; offering up every day\nbefore its image prayers in its honor, and practising in their lives the\nsublime virtues which the Holy Family offered for imitation to every grade\nof society. The rich will find a model before them, the learned and highly\neducated will know exactly what to do according to the dignity of their\nposition, the working class, especially, will find here the guidance and\nfriendship needed in their temptations and troubles. The Holy Family is a\npoor, working, humble family, as poor as the poorest, as laborious as the\nmost hard\u2010working, as humble as the most lowly.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nThe picture of the Holy Family should be in every household; it is a\nperpetual reminder, placed in tangible form, of our dear Lord, our blessed\nLady, and our friend, St. Joseph, who were the members of the Holy Family.\nWe often are interested in the pictures of great persons, and take delight\nin representations of angels and holy people. What is the secret of this\ninclination? Why, we can see those whom we wish to imitate, and grow to\nknow their good and holy lives through their pictures. The Holy Father has\napproved one special picture which is to be the emblem of this\nassociation: Mary and Joseph, holding the youth Jesus between them by the\nhand. Jesus is not an infant, for this picture is to bring to mind the\nfact that His parents had to suffer care and anxiety in order to bring Him\nto this stage of boyhood, for which noble duty they were fitted by special\nprovidence and by special faithfulness.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\n\u201cWe have good hopes,\u201d says the Holy Father, concluding his encyclical\nletter, \u201cthat all to whom the salvation of souls is committed, especially\nthe bishops, will make themselves partners and sharers of our zeal in\npromoting this pious association. For those who recognize and deplore with\nus the change and corruption of Christian morals, the extinction of the\nlove of religion and piety in families, and the passion for earthly goods,\nenkindled beyond measure, will desire exceedingly to apply suitable\nremedies for so many grievous evils. Since nothing can be more salutary\nand efficacious for Christian families than the example of the Holy\nFamily, let care be taken that as many families as possible, especially\nthose of the working classes, against which insidious forces are more\nstrongly exercised, enroll themselves in this association. Let the\nassociation be on its guard, lest it swerve from its purpose, or change\nits spirit\u2014rather let the practices of piety and the prayers which have\nbeen determined on to be preserved intact. May Jesus, Mary, and Joseph,\nthus besought within the family circle, be graciously present! May they\nfoster charity, regulate morals, incite all that imitate them to virtue,\nand alleviate and render more bearable the hardships which oppress\nmankind!\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nA plenary indulgence after a sincere confession and a worthy communion,\nand praying for the intentions of His Holiness, may be gained by the\nmembers of the association on the following days: First, on the day of\ntheir entrance into the association, after they have recited the act of\nconsecration. Second, on the day of a general meeting, when all go to\ncommunion in a body, and renew their promises. Third, on the feasts of the\nNativity (Christmas), the Circumcision, Epiphany, Easter and Ascension.\nFourth, on the feasts of the Blessed Virgin: Immaculate Conception,\nNativity, Annunciation, Purification, Assumption. Fifth, also on the\nfollowing days: feast of St. Joseph in March, Patronage of St. Joseph,\nThird Sunday after Easter, Espousal of the Blessed Virgin on the twenty\u2010\nthird of January. Sixth, on the feast of the Holy Family, and Seventh, at\nthe hour of death.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nPartial indulgences may be gained when visiting a church where the\nassociation is established, provided the members pray for the prosperity\nof Christendom, and for the intention of the Holy Father. Seven years and\nseven quarantines may be gained on the feasts of the Visitation,\nPresentation, and the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin. The same\nindulgences may be gained by the family in the reunion in prayer among\nthemselves, if they pray before a picture of the Holy Family. The same\nalso, whenever the members attend a public meeting of the association.\nThree hundred days\u2019 indulgence is granted as often as a member of the\nassociation recites, before a picture of the Holy Family, the prayer \u201cO\nmost loving Jesus,\u201d etc., etc. The members may gain an indulgence of two\nhundred days when they make the salutation: \u201cJesus, Mary, and Joseph,\nenlighten us, aid us, save us. Amen.\u201d One hundred days for every new\nmember that is brought to the association, and sixty days for every good\nwork done in honor of the Holy Family. All these indulgences are\napplicable to the souls in purgatory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nThe Catholic Christian has the true faith which comes to him from Jesus\nChrist, the Founder of the true Church. He ought, then, to show by his\nconduct that his faith has made him better than so many others, who have\nnot had the graces and advantages which came to him. In other words, it is\nnot enough to believe the truths that God has revealed; it is not enough\nto belong to the true Church by the internal adhesion of the mind; it is\nindispensably necessary to manifest our faith in exterior works. Our faith\nshould so have penetrated our whole being, that the profession of religion\nshould show itself in all our actions. Faith without works is dead, and at\nthe Last Judgment the almighty Judge will demand of us an account of all\nour actions, and then will He render to every one the merited reward or\npunishment. Let it be our aim in life to fill the days of our stay on\nearth with many good actions, the outcome of our faith, so that when we\nstand before the throne of God, we may have many glorious deeds to our\ncredit.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nA Christian considers his faith as a gift of heaven, a priceless treasure\nfar surpassing any earthly wealth, because it raises man to a true\nknowledge of God and secures for him his eternal salvation. He rejects\nwith horror the maxims of our modern infidels, who say, \u201cOne religion is\nas good as another\u201d; \u201cHell is only a bugbear\u201d; \u201cThe faith of the heart is\nenough for salvation,\u201d and many others of the same nature. He rejects them\nbecause he knows that God is one, that the truth that comes from God is\none, and that therefore faith must be one, and religion one. He knows that\nreligion cannot be framed according to the whims of man, but only can come\nfrom the authority of God in His holy revelation. He will not associate\nwith those who hold the above false doctrines; he will be an enemy of bad\nbooks, which teach errors of faith and which drag those who read them into\nthe mire of immorality, and he will caution his friends against them.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nThe Catholic Church was founded by Jesus Christ as a perfect society, with\nauthority to make laws, with power to punish the guilty, and to expel\nrebellious subjects from her midst. This power was given to the Church by\nChrist when He said, \u201cAnd whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall\nbe bound also in heaven.\u201d It is clear that Christ intended His Church to\nbe our guide in all our actions, as an authority to teach us what the\nrevelation is concerning our future state. We should, therefore, be\nobedient and faithful children of the Church. We should be grateful to\nGod, Who in His mercy has established certain fountains of grace, which\nare found in the Church, and are guarded by her. These fountains of grace\nare the sacraments, which point out the holy states of life, and the true\nmanner of pleasing God. We should use the Sacraments of Penance and Holy\nEucharist for the remedy of our faults, and the strength of our weakness.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nConfession is the correction of our faults, and if we have sinned let us\nremember we have an advocate in heaven, to Whom we wish to return in the\nsincerity of our hearts. The Holy Eucharist is the body and blood of\nChrist and communion the partaking of it.\n\nWe should not, therefore, be deterred from frequenting these sacraments by\nhuman considerations, or by the mockery of the people of this world. We\nshould have these words of Christ deeply engraven in our hearts: \u201cExcept\nyou eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not\nhave life in you.\u201d\u2014John vi. 54. A devout Catholic is easily distinguished\nfrom the crowd of careless ones, when we see him humbly and frequently\ngoing to confession and to holy communion.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nBe also reverent and devout in the house of God; not brought there by vain\ncuriosity, or by fashion, but by unfeigned piety, rendering to God an\nexternal tribute of dependence and adoration. Look upon priests as the\nambassadors of God, treat them with respect, listen to their teaching, and\nput it into practice. Reverence the bishops as divinely constituted\nguardians and teachers in the Church: especially the see of St. Peter, the\nVicar of Christ, the Roman Pontiff, the Father and teacher, in whom is\nintrusted the plentitude of power to rule the whole Catholic family.\nReverence the infallible authority of the Pope, which guides you in\nmatters of faith, in form of worship, and morality.\n\nAccept with docility and obedience the decisions of the Holy See, and\nconform to them your opinions and thoughts. Do not follow the changeable\nand novel opinions of our infidel age.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nThe true Christian must not only profess the faith, but also the laws of\nChrist. He is anxious to observe them exactly and to observe them all,\nknowing that he is guilty of damnation who violates the law in one\nimportant point. This law bids us to love all men as fellow creatures, to\nlove our relatives, our country, but above all, and before all, we must\nlove God, the Author of our being, the great loving Father of heaven. The\nhonor of God is the very first duty of man, who as a rational being knows\nGod and His infinite goodness; we wish to serve Him as His subjects,\nrender Him the homage due to His immensity, a worship which our infinite\nlittleness renders to God. Never profane the word of God yourself, and\nprevent curses and oaths in others as far as possible. By acts of praise\nand benediction let us repair the offences against God when we cannot\nprevent them. At least pray for those who use the name of God in vain, and\nthus endeavor to ward off from them the eternal punishment due to that\nwicked practice.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nContribute your share towards the glorification of the name of God, by\nobserving the Sundays and festivals of the Church. God has expressly\nreserved these days to Himself, and has pointed them out by the authority\nof the Church. In the Old and in the New Law, God has had days of rest and\nof religious practices; and for the observances of these He has promised\npublicly that there should be many rewards. Every good, God\u2010fearing man\nwill give a just tribute of respect to God, because God wills it, and\nbecause he is looking for some benefit from God. Abstain then from servile\nworks on those days, no matter what temporal gains may be expected, and be\ncareful that others, too, keep holy the Sabbath of the Lord, particularly\nthose who are intrusted to your care and command. Do not have work done on\nSunday, and allow none to be done about your premises.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nRespect your parents, superiors, and masters, and all those who hold\npositions of trust towards you. They hold the authority of God, and he who\ndespises them despises God Himself. Honor and respect those superiors as\nrepresentatives of God, and obey them in all things that are not against\nHis law; and so we come to that great second commandment, which is like\nunto the first: \u201cThou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.\u201d We should do\nunto others as we would wish that others should do unto us; that is, we\nshould look upon one another as children of one great family, of which God\nis the heavenly Father. \u201cBy this shall all men know that you are My\ndisciples, if you have love one for another,\u201d not showing this love\nthrough politeness only, but through a real, downright feeling of interest\nin others, and without a selfish regard of our own interests. Try to\nperform spiritual and corporal works of mercy for your neighbor.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nIn all your intercourse with others respect their persons and property; do\nnot look for unjust gains; be faithful to your bargains and contracts;\nnever look to your own selfish interests solely. Never speak ill of\nanybody, nor circulate detractions, nor reveal secrets and defects that\nmight lessen the esteem in which any one is held; excuse the faults of\nothers, and find some excuse for the intention with which even an evil\naction is committed. We are all temples of the Holy Ghost, sanctified and\nennobled by the blood of Christ. We are the dwellings of the Holy Trinity,\ncalled to a heavenly inheritance. Do not desecrate this sacred temple by\nimpurity; guard against impure thoughts and immodest desires, flee from\ndangerous occasions. Avoid foolishly pursuing the luxuries and vanities of\nthe world, improper company, and bad conversation. Do not enter theatres\nor places of amusement where your morals are endangered, and from which\nyou carry nothing but pictures of immoral objects. Arm yourself most\neffectually against the approach of evil by the powerful shield of prayer,\nand walk in the presence of God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nSo far we have considered the law of God practically interpreted in our\nevery\u2010day life; let us go still further and endeavor to learn the laws of\nthe Church, for the Lord has said: \u201cHe that heareth you, heareth Me; and\nhe that despiseth you despiseth Me,\u201d and \u201cIf he will not hear the Church\nlet him be to thee as the heathen and publican.\u201d On Sundays and holydays\nof obligation, we ought to hear Mass. We should observe the feasts of the\nChurch and the restriction from flesh meat on Fridays and other days of\nabstinence. Remember that these little acts of mortification are a great\nbenefit to us, since the Lord has commanded, \u201cThat we should bring forth\nfruits worthy of penance.\u201d Make your Easter duty, for the Church has laid\ndown the law that you should fulfil those duties, not from routine or\nhuman respect, but with the knowledge of the needs of your soul.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nWhat an exalted opinion we should have of Christian piety! It inspires the\nChristian man and woman with lofty ideas, and prepares them for noble\nundertakings. These lessons of piety should be planted early in the hearts\nof the young, that they may take root and grow up to a magnificent fruit\nof mature virtue. Serve God as a loving and dutiful child, cherish a great\ndevotion to the Blessed Virgin, and have recourse to her in all your\nwants, being sure that all your petitions will meet with a ready and\nhearty response. Never forget these three truths, which should be the main\nconsiderations of the true Christian on every occasion: First, That sin is\nthe only evil which should be feared; Second, The grace of God is the real\ngood for which we should strive with all our heart; Third, The salvation\nof the soul is the all\u2010important business of our lives, for which we were\ncreated, and which should be looked after with that care which it\ndeserves.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nThe husband, as head of the family, owes to his wife fidelity, love, and\nsupport. Fidelity is that constancy of affection which he has promised at\nhis marriage, and which must be preserved inviolable until death; it means\nthat purity of soul and body which will not permit itself to be degraded\nby impurity and adultery. Conjugal fidelity is a great and holy duty, in\nwhich matrimony is held sacred. There you find peace, happiness, and the\nblessing of almighty God. Our Lord was very stringent upon this point, for\nHe says: \u201cWhosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already\ncommitted adultery with her in his heart.\u201d\u2014Matt. v. 28. Whosoever then\ncommits adultery transgresses a most important divine commandment. In the\nOld Law this crime was punished by stoning the guilty person to death, and\nin the primitive Church by a severe public penance of many years\u2019\nduration. What fidelity does not the husband demand of the wife! With the\nsame strictness is he obliged to be faithful to her whom he has chosen as\nhis life companion.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nThe second duty of the husband and wife is conjugal love. The word\nconjugal means joined together, because husband and wife are united to\nbear the same burden. The Apostle says: \u201cHusbands, love your wives, as\nChrist also loved the Church, and delivered Himself up for it.\u201d\u2014Ephes. v.\n25. Husband and wife are individuals whom God has joined in inseparable\ncompanionship. The greatest bond between mankind, and the sweetest one, is\nconjugal love, of which we are thinking on this day consecrated to the\nHoly Family. Keep this great duty before your eyes and never forget it,\nfor it is easily destroyed. It is from that love, too, that should spring\nyour children, who are to grow up to take your place in the Church and the\nState. These children you are to bring up in the fear and love of God,\nfaithful to the Church and their fatherland. A tremendous responsibility!\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nThe husband is the main worker in the family, so that his duty is to\nprovide for his family by his industry and economy. He must look for\nemployment and strive to keep it, so as to have a never\u2010failing source of\nincome, by which his people may live in comparative comfort. There are\nhusbands who will allow their wives and children to work, while they\nthemselves live idle lives, which is the fashion of the untutored Indian.\nNot only must the husband work, but he must live in economy, and not throw\nhis money away foolishly in gaming or in drunkenness. The most frequent\ncause of a husband and father\u2019s failure to provide for his family is\ndrunkenness. Drunkenness causes woe, sin, sorrow and shame. Drunkenness\nbesots the mind, and makes of an intelligent being a brute in his\npassions, and a fool in his actions; it extinguishes the spirit of God in\nhim, all sentiments of religion are lost, the Church of God is despised\nand disgraced. Drunkenness does as much harm as the greatest vices,\nbringing ruin with it whenever indulged in.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nThe husband has to share the care of the children and he should look after\nthe instruction of the child. Children are a great treasure, worth more\nthan all the wealth of the world. The Lord said of them to the apostles:\n\u201cSuffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of\nsuch is the kingdom of God.\u201d And why is the Lord so anxious for the\nwelfare of the innocent child? Because it is a weak human being, unable to\nhelp itself, destined for heaven, redeemed by the blood of Jesus, and a\ntemple of the Holy Ghost, more fitted to be such on account of the purity\nof its soul. Now the care of this child is given to the father and the\nmother, under whose care it is to grow up a true Christian, an exemplary\nmember of the Church of God; to live on until it has fulfilled its days\nand the duties of its state of life, when, like yourself, having come to\nthe fulness of maturity, it is gathered in to render an account of its\nlife work to almighty God. The success of the child\u2019s life depends chiefly\non the manner in which its parents fulfil their duty.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nIn what special duties are you to instruct your children? First of all,\nlet the young children learn early to pray, make them think of God, speak\nto them of His love for mankind, teach them to adore Him, because He has\ncreated them, to thank Him for all His benefits which flow to them so\nabundantly, to ask Him with confidence for all the graces that they need.\nCorrect the children for their faults: Lying, stealing, cursing,\nstubbornness, disobedience, fighting, and cruelty. Have an eye very early\non their morals, for little children learn to do wicked things, by which\nthey lose the love and grace of God. Be not a tyrant, but a sensible,\nreligious father or mother, and see to it that the children are free from\nthese vices. Give them no bad example, especially by using profanity, or\nby getting intoxicated. All this presupposes perpetual vigilance; remember\nyou will have to render a strict account of these things before God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nHaving considered the husband\u2019s duties, we must now look at the duty of a\nwife. The Scriptures say of the wife: \u201cA good wife is a good portion; she\nshall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good\ndeeds.\u201d\u2014Eccles. xxvi. 3. There is nothing in the whole world more precious\nthan a good wife. \u201cA wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish will\npull down with her hands that also which is built.\u201d\u2014Prov. xiv. 1. A wife\nmust love her husband, and she owes him the most scrupulous fidelity; if\nthe first duty of the husband is to love his wife, so also is there a\ncorresponding duty to return that love. She must be patient with him when\nhe comes home murmuring against his fate; she must make the home agreeable\nto him by cleanliness and cheerfulness. She must bear the burdens of this\nlife with her husband, and encourage him, that he may not be despondent.\nThe wife must be sober, not given to scolding and fault\u2010finding. \u201cLet\nwomen be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord; because the husband is\nthe head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church.\u201d\u2014Ephes. v. 22.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nThe conscientious observance of the marriage vows is to be a supreme law\nto the wife. Purity must be the virtue principally looked to in marriage,\naccording to the laws of the Sacrament of Matrimony; the wife\u2019s motto must\nbe that of Susanna of old, who said: \u201cI will rather die than sin before\nGod.\u201d The wife owes her husband a compliance at least to his wishes; not\nexactly an abject obedience, but that the husband and wife consult with\neach other, and that she comply in all lawful and sensible things. This\nsubjection is founded on the Scriptures. God Himself said to Eve, \u201cThou\nshalt be under thy husband\u2019s power, and he shall have dominion over thee\u201d\n(Gen. iii. 16), and St. Paul declares, \u201cLet women be subject to their\nhusbands as to the Lord.\u201d\u2014Ephes. v. 22. The loving, true, and obedient\nwife exerts an unbounded influence for good over her husband. She will\nmake him great in the eyes of men, she will make him respectable and\npresentable in society; in short, she will make the married life a truly\nhappy one from beginning to end.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nThe wife has a sublime calling to be a mother. What is more beautiful than\nmotherhood? what is more useful to the new\u2010born humanity than the mother?\nAll the world recognizes her dignity, and respects her. A Christian mother\nwill consider the child a gift from God, which though given to her, still\nbelongs to God; hers is the first care of the newly\u2010born infant, her care\nand love will not relax for all time to come. She is always the mother.\nHave the child presented for Baptism at the very earliest moment; if it be\nin danger of death see that it receives private baptism. Then start out in\npatience and kindness to rear it, giving it a secular but above all a\nreligious training, as the child must be prepared to take its place as a\ngood member of society and of the Church. Hence prayers must be taught,\nand care must be taken that they are recited with piety and regularity;\nthe dogmas of the Church must be impressed on the child. At home it has to\nlearn all that pertains to the spiritual life of the holy Roman Catholic\nChurch, of which it is a member. Secular learning must be imparted, too,\nas much as possible in schools belonging to the Church, so that the very\nbest education may be secured for the child.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nThe mother must watch over the children, and be very careful of the\ncompany they keep. She must see that prayers are said morning and night,\nbefore and after meals, that they go regularly to church on Sundays, and\nto school every day. When they are able to go to work, give them an\noccupation so that they will not be idle. Keep a vigilant eye on your\ngrown\u2010up sons and daughters. They are forming acquaintances which perhaps\nare not good for them; their associations may not be the best.\nUnrestricted, unobserved meetings should not be allowed, for they excite\nthe passions. When the time of their marriage comes, pray to almighty God\nthat they may find such partners as will be a help to them for the rest of\ntheir lives, and lead them on in sanctity to their eternal salvation. As\nyou have been a good mother to your children, they will respect your\nmemory, will pray for you when you are gone, and will imitate your\nvirtues. The memory of a good mother lives forever.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nThe principal feast during the month of February is the feast of the\nPurification of the Blessed Virgin, or Candlemas. On that day Mary goes to\nthe Temple, because the days of her purification are over. For forty days\nshe was excluded from the Temple as being impure. Mary, as we know, was\nholy and good, and did not need to subject herself to the Law of Moses;\nbut she was obedient and permitted herself to be regarded as an ordinary\nwoman. There in the Temple she presented her first\u2010born Son to God. He\nbelongs to God already, He is God; He is the victim by whose atonement a\npermanent reconciliation is effected between God and man. The gates of\nheaven are opened, and the places made vacant by the fall of the angels\nare to be filled. Mary brings with her the offering of the poor, a pair of\nturtle\u2010doves as a ransom. God has accepted the sacrifice of His divine\nSon, made for Him by His holy Mother. O holy Virgin! do thou also make\npropitiation to the Father for us poor sinners, that we may be acceptable\nto God, may belong to God, and may spend our lives in His service.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most loving Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Holy Family.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Lord, have mercy on us._\nChrist, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Lord, have mercy on us._\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nGod, the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us_.\nGod, the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us_.\nGod, the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us_.\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us_.\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph, _Have mercy on us_.\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph, worthy subjects of our reverence and love, _We\n            all have recourse to you._\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph, by the voice of the ages called the Holy Family,\n            _We all have recourse to you._\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph, names forever blessed, of the father, the Mother,\n            and the Child, who compose the Holy Family, _We all have\n            recourse to you._\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph, pure husband, pure spouse, and divine Child,\n            restorers of the family, degraded before Christianity, _We all\n            have recourse to you._\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph, image of the august Trinity on earth, _We all\n            have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, whose chaste union was prepared for by an innocent and\n            virtuous youth, _We all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, tried by great contradictions, _We all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, afflicted in the journey to Bethlehem, _We all have recourse\n            to you._\nHoly Family, repulsed by all, and forced to take refuge in a stable, _We\n            all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, greeted by the concert of angels, _We all have recourse to\n            you._\nHoly Family, visited by the poor shepherds, _We all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, extolled by holy Simeon, _We all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, persecuted and exiled to a strange land, _We all have\n            recourse to you._\nHoly Family, hidden and unknown at Nazareth, _We all have recourse to\n            you._\nHoly Family, faithful to the law of God, _We all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, model of the Christian family, _We all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, in which reign peace and concord, _We all have recourse to\n            you._\nHoly Family, whose head is a model of paternal vigilance, _We all have\n            recourse to you._\nHoly Family, whose spouse is a model of maternal solicitude, _We all have\n            recourse to you._\nHoly Family, whose Child is a model of obedience and filial piety, _We all\n            have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, who led a poor, laborious, and penitent life, _We all have\n            recourse to you._\nHoly Family, who earned your bread by the sweat of your brow, _We all have\n            recourse to you._\nHoly Family, poor in goods of the earth, but rich in goods of heaven, _We\n            all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, despised by men, but great in God\u2019s eyes, _We all have\n            recourse to you._\nHoly Family, our support during life and our hope at the hour of our\n            death, _We all have recourse to you._\nHoly Family, patron and protector of our associates, Jesus, Mary, and\n            Joseph, _We all have recourse to you._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Lord_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O\n            Lord_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O\n            Lord_!\nJesus, hear us. _Jesus, graciously hear us._\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God of goodness and mercy, Who hast vouchsafed to call us to this pious\nassociation of the Holy Family, grant us the grace always to honor and\nimitate Jesus, Mary, and Joseph; that having pleased them on earth we may\nenjoy their company forever in heaven. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord.\nAmen.\n\n\n\n\nMemorare To Mary.\n\n\nRemember, O most loving Virgin Mary! that no one ever had recourse to thy\nprotection, implored thy aid, or sought thy mediation without obtaining\nrelief. Confiding, therefore, in thy goodness and mercy, we cast ourselves\nat thy sacred feet, and do most humbly supplicate thee, O Mother of the\nEternal Word! to adopt us as thy children and to take upon thyself the\ncare of our salvation. O let it not be said, our dearest Mother, that we\nhave perished, where no one ever found but mercy, grace, and salvation.\nAmen.\n\n\n\n\nForm Of Renewing The Baptismal Vows.\n\n\nHumbly prostrate before Thee, O my God! and before the Holy Family, Jesus,\nMary, and Joseph, I return my grateful thanks for the inestimable benefit\nbestowed upon me, of being born and educated in the Catholic Church, of\nwhich I was made a child by Baptism. I thus received a right to the graces\nwhich Jesus Christ dispenses through the sacraments, the happiness of\nbeing admitted into the number of the children of the true faith, and the\nhope of one day entering paradise. I come to renew and ratify the promises\nmade at my Baptism. Yes, O my God! I desire to belong entirely to Thee, to\nserve Thee all my life, and strive always for the end for which I was\ncreated. Therefore I renounce Satan and all his works, sin and its\noccasions. I renounce the world, its maxims and vanities. I renounce the\nflesh and its concupiscences, all irregular desires, and whatever may be\ndispleasing to Thee. I renounce human respect, which for so long kept me\nfrom Thee. Formerly I feared the world and its ridicule, now I have but\none fear, that of forgetting my religious duties. I will henceforth\nfaithfully perform them, I will live according to the precepts and maxims\nof Jesus Christ, I will be a good Christian. O Jesus, Mary, and Joseph!\nmake me more and more worthy of the name. Through the help of your\npowerful protection, may I be a respectful child of God, submissive to the\nChurch, faithful to my duties, that I may one day have the happiness of\nthanking and glorifying you in the heavenly country. I am resolved to live\naccording to the precepts and maxims of Jesus Christ; yes, I desire to\nlive a good Christian life, that I may die the death of the elect. I\npromise to remain faithful to my obligations as an associate of the Holy\nFamily, and hope to persevere until death. And at that moment what\nhappiness it will be for me to pass from the arms of Jesus, Mary, and\nJoseph on earth, to the arms of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost in heaven,\nfor all eternity. This is my hope. Amen.\n\nAn indulgence of forty days.\n\n\n\n\nAct Of Consecration.\n\n\nO Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I, N. N., in sight of the whole celestial court,\nchoose you this day for my patrons and protectors. I offer, and solemnly\nconsecrate to you in this association, my body and soul, all I have and\nall I am. I promise to live as a good Christian, that I may die the death\nof the predestined. What happiness for me to pass one day from the arms of\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph on earth, to the arms of the Father, Son, and Holy\nGhost in heaven, for all eternity. This is my hope. Amen.\n\n\n\n\n\nMARCH. ST. JOSEPH.\n\n\nWe can easily imagine that the foster\u2010father of the Infant Jesus must have\nbeen a great man in the eyes of God. His duties were very important; they\ncalled for such a self\u2010sacrificing character. We wish to imitate his\nvirtues this month; we wish to praise almighty God for all the\ndistinctions which He has showered upon St. Joseph; we want to belong to\nSt. Joseph, to be associated with him in heaven, and even now while we are\nstill on earth, for prayer associates us here with those whom we address\nabove. The saints hear our prayers by God\u2019s favor, and they reply at once.\nWe need many things, and so we are going to pray to St. Joseph, especially\nduring this month, for whatever we want. Go confidently and make out a\nlist of your necessities, write them down, and look over them occasionally\nto see whether your petitions have been granted.\n\nSt. Joseph is all\u2010powerful before God; whatever we ask of him we are sure\nto obtain; this has been the experience of many good Christians; it will\nalso be your experience if you sincerely try it.\n\nSt. Joseph sanctified labor, poverty, and privations, by bearing them with\npatience, humility, and resignation to the will of God. We have many\ntrials in life to endure, we have need of these virtues; let us look to it\nthat we acquire them for our own spiritual comfort. Let us bear with\npatience all these trials; patience makes things bearable, for without\nthis virtue we would sink in despair.\n\nThe feast of St. Joseph is celebrated on the nineteenth of March, and for\nthis reason the month of March is dedicated to honor, venerate, and pray\nto this great friend of God. The Church has in various ways encouraged\nthis devotion. Her devout children have taken it up, so that we find the\nmonth of March as much dedicated to St. Joseph as the month of May to the\nBlessed Virgin. Catholics hold St. Joseph in high veneration, and\ndeservedly so, as we will see in the following meditations on his life.\nThey have great confidence in his power before God, they know that he is a\ngreat saint, and a great favorite with the Almighty. Many examples of\nvirtue has this loved saint given to us: his love of poverty, his\nassiduous labors, his resignation to the will of God in the most trying\ncircumstances, are practical virtues, which we may endeavor to acquire for\nour own spiritual as well as temporal welfare. The affairs of human life\nare such, that we often find ourselves having to sustain hard trials, in\nwhich we need precisely those same virtues which made him a great saint.\n\nLet us then enter upon this month with great joy, and continue to honor\nthis saint, that we may love him, and become particularly devoted to him.\nLet us pray especially for our eternal salvation, in which he is greatly\ninterested being the patron of a happy death, and then we will be sharers,\nafter this life, in the same glory which he enjoys in heaven.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nAfter the adoration of the Lord, and the veneration of the Blessed Virgin,\nnext in order of importance comes the devotion to St. Joseph. Among all\nthe saints of God in heaven, there is none more powerful, none has more\nclaim on our confidence and love. Almighty God encourages us to look up to\nSt. Joseph, for to him were intrusted the greatest treasures that the\nworld ever saw, Jesus and Mary. Our Lord from the first moment recognized\nSt. Joseph as the one who took the place of His heavenly Father, and He\nobeyed him in all things. Mary respected this saintly man as the head of\nthe family, as her spouse whom God had sent to her for her protection.\nShe, before whom the angels bowed in respect, willingly served St. Joseph\nin the necessities of this life. The Church of God, the custodian of\ntruth, revelation, and tradition, has encouraged this devotion by many\nindulgences. St. Francis de Sales said to his confessor on the eve of his\ndeath: \u201cDo you not know, venerable father, that I belong to St. Joseph?\u201d\nSt. Teresa called him her father and master.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, be mindful of me, pray for me, watch over\nme. Guardian of the paradise of the new Adam, provide for my temporal\nwants. Faithful guardian of the most precious of all treasures, I beseech\nthee to bring this matter to a happy end, if it be for the glory of God\nand the good of my soul. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nThe devotion to St. Joseph, when well understood and faithfully practised,\nis undoubtedly a great means of increasing piety. We know well that we\nhonor the saints most by imitating their virtues, therefore we will\nendeavor to acquire these virtues which most distinguished our saint, and\nthe chief virtue of St. Joseph was piety. We will learn to love Jesus\ntenderly; to do all our actions with the intention of pleasing Him, to\nremain faithful to the teachings of the Church; all this is piety. The\nwhole life of St. Joseph was a life of poverty, humility, retirement,\nrecollection and prayer. When the Egyptian people were starving, and\nclamoring for food, Pharao said to them, \u201cGo to Joseph,\u201d who had gathered\nthe superfluous grain of seven abundant years, and kept the keys of the\ngranaries in his possession. So now, also, can we say confidently, \u201cGo to\nJoseph,\u201d who holds the keys of the graces and blessings of God. We need\nnever fear the poverty which may stare us in the face, knowing that all\nour needs will be supplied by him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nWhen Mary was chosen to be Mother of God, the old judgment of God was re\u2010\nechoed: \u201cIt is not good for man to be alone.\u201d God gave her a chaste\nspouse. The honor of the Son of God required that He should be born of a\nvirgin, but He needed a man to protect Him and His Mother. A man worthy of\nthis trust had to be chosen, and such a one was found in the person of St.\nJoseph. He was a man of angelic purity and he would guard the purity of\nhis bride. He was to be the reputed father of Jesus before the Jews, lest\nMary be stoned for having broken her marriage vows; his purity was to be\nin every way similar to that of the purest of virgins. All those who were\nimmediately connected with the great work of our salvation, were to be\npure and spotless, their sanctity was to be unquestioned. It was the will\nof God that the divine origin of His adorable Son should be hid from human\neyes, and Joseph was chosen to become the cloak with which this mystery\nwas enshrouded. Only in the secrecy of his family life did he manifest his\nadoration of the \u201cWord made flesh,\u201d and there, as in a sanctuary, he\nadored his Lord and Saviour.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nJoseph is that wise and provident servant, who was set over his family to\ndistribute to it the necessary food at stated times. He is the visible\nphysical means which God employed for the work of the salvation of\nmankind. God chooses, it is true, humble instruments to accomplish His\nholy designs, but at the same time He furnishes them with suitable graces,\nthat His work may be gloriously and effectively performed. Such a servant\nwas chosen by God in the person of St. Joseph, who was a humble and\nsaintly man. To him He gave His graces, for He refuses them to the proud.\nWe too ought to be disinterested and humble in the service of God, using\nour natural talents to the fullest extent because they belong to God, and\nhave been given to us for the special purpose of performing the duties of\nour vocation in this world. Disinterestedness and humility are the great\nsources from which all good proceeds.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nAll the saints were filled with the spirit of the Lord, and in consequence\nthey esteemed the virtue of humility as the foundation of perfection. St.\nBernard considered this virtue as the corner\u2010stone of the edifice of\nfaith; the perfection of Christian virtues; the tower of safety, into\nwhich the soul could retire before the insidious attacks of Satan. And St.\nAmbrose calls this virtue the first one, and the source of all other\nvirtues\u2014all other virtues must be combined with humility to give them\nvalue. To no other virtue does God give so many graces. Just because St.\nJoseph thought nothing of himself, and lowered himself in the eyes of\nothers, did Jesus select him as His foster\u2010father. This great virtue of\nhumility appears in all the circumstances of his life. Though of the royal\nhouse of David, still he did not disdain to labor at the humble trade of a\ncarpenter. He was perfectly resigned to the providence of God; God\u2019s will\nwas his will, and he never repined at the trials God sent him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nJoseph consented to become the spouse of the Blessed Virgin, because he\nknew he could preserve the chastity which he had vowed to keep, and\nbecause he could be the guardian of the virginity of Mary. Little did he\nsuspect that he was to become the spouse of the Mother of God. St. Bridget\nhad a vision, in which the sentiments of St. Joseph were made known to her\nby the Blessed Virgin herself. She said: \u201cWhen Joseph, who was given to me\nby the Most High as my protector, knew of the mystery of the incarnation,\nwhich was operated in me by the power of the Holy Ghost, he was filled\nwith astonishment, and conceived not the least suspicion against my\npurity. He believed firmly in the prophecies which proclaimed that the Son\nof God would be born of a Virgin, and therefore he considered himself\nunworthy to serve such an exalted Mother.\u201d St. Joseph learned the virtue\nof humility still more profoundly in his association with Jesus and Mary,\nfor how could it be otherwise when he hourly observed their self\u2010\nabnegation? Daily did he see the Mother of God engaged in the most lowly\nservices.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nWhat must have been the feelings of the holy patriarch in witnessing the\nhumiliation of the Son of God! What must have been his astonishment, when\nthe divine wisdom of the Child Jesus asked him his counsel, obeyed him in\nall things, and was for many years his fellow\u2010laborer at his humble trade!\nThe Lord taught him the great lesson: to be meek and humble of heart.\nSurely we may suppose that St. Joseph was in a constant ecstasy of\nadoration as he contemplated the Son of God, lowered to the condition of a\nhelpless child, and afterwards by natural growth becoming a man and\nlaboring at such humble employment. How could he have within himself one\nspark of pride or vanity in the knowledge that he was a descendant of King\nDavid? Therefore he humbled himself all the more, and only considered\nhimself great in the thought that he was allowed to imitate the\nhumiliation of the Son of God. Let us learn from St. Joseph the value of\nthis virtue, and practise it all our lives. Let us often enter the Sacred\nHeart of Jesus to learn from Him meekness and humility.\n\nPrayer For Humility.\n\nGlorious patron, St. Joseph, let me understand the deep feeling with which\nthou didst witness the humble lives of Jesus and Mary. How far am I from\nbeing able to say that I have acquired this virtue! Thou seekest only to\nhide from the gaze of the world the divine gifts with which thou art\nenriched, whilst I seek to draw the attention of the world on myself, to\nshine before the world, and to be much thought of. O my loving protector,\nmy patron, my father, obtain for me the virtue of humility, which is the\nfoundation of all perfection. Obtain for me the great grace to know\nmyself, to despise myself, to look for humiliations from others, to feel\ninferior to all, that in the future I may desire no other witness of my\nactions but God, and no other reward but God. Amen.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nWhen God had created Adam, and made him strong and intelligent, He found\nthat one great thing was wanting. Adam needed a companion; he could not\ncontent himself in all the superabundance that was around him. Then God\ntook a rib out of the first man, and built a woman upon it. The same thing\nseems true in the case of the Blessed Virgin. She was all alone in the\nspiritual order among men. She was endowed with many graces, yet in all\nher abundance she would be desolate, only God said, let us make her a\ncompanion like unto herself, one who would also be the favorite creature\nof God, and would be the recipient of many extraordinary graces. He\ntherefore chose a great saint, and gave him special gifts. A prince of\nthis world does the same thing when he desires to make a lowly subject his\ncompanion; he first makes him a noble, then enriches him with much wealth\nin order that the favorite may make a good appearance before the world.\nGod united in St. Joseph all the virtues and graces of the other saints,\nthat he might be greater than they. From all eternity it had been ordained\nthat St. Joseph was to be the foster\u2010father of Jesus.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nGreat must have been the terror of Mary when the angel of God appeared to\nher, and announced that she was to be the Mother of God. She was troubled,\nbut the angel encouraged her, saying, \u201cFear not, Mary.\u201d The angel\nannounced the incarnation to St. Joseph, and he was greatly troubled; the\nangel assured him, \u201cFear not, Joseph, Son of David.\u201d Mary gave life to the\nLord and brought Him up. Joseph, on his part, labored day and night to\nscrape together what was necessary for their existence. Both Mary and\nJoseph were equally, according to their position, contributing to the\nrearing of Jesus. Like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, St. Joseph is powerful\nwith her divine Son. St. Joseph is called, by the Holy Ghost, a just man.\nHe was the first to be exposed to the persecutions of the Jews for the\nLord. In all things then, is Joseph like unto Mary; similar also are his\nvirtues, and like also his eternal reward.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nWe may trace other phases of similarity between the Blessed Virgin and St.\nJoseph. Mary is the Queen of angels, high above them, because she is the\nMother of the Creator; she is then all\u2010powerful, and she can use these\nheavenly spirits for the glory of God. St. Joseph is not inferior to the\nangels in purity; his mind was always careful to guard against any\npollution; he was a guardian angel to Jesus, Our Lord. This office made\nhim a great being in the sight of Jesus Himself, for He acknowledged His\nguardian angel and was on the most intimate terms with him. St. Joseph\nserved Our Lord as a throne. The choir of thrones are the angels on whom\nGod is carried about in majesty, and Jesus was carried about in the arms\nof St. Joseph. The seraphims, in a certain degree, were inferior to St.\nJoseph. The angels have no paternity, but St. Joseph is called the father\nof Jesus. The angels could then bow down before St. Joseph, and\nacknowledge and call him their superior, because he had received a\ncommission which no angel had ever yet received, and because he had a name\nwhich had never been given to any of these holy choirs.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nIt was the privilege of the father to give a name to the child, and this\nprivilege St. Joseph exercised at the circumcision of the Lord. It was he\ntoo who usually performed the painful operation of the circumcision. Thus\nit was that St. Joseph shed the first drops of the adorable blood which\nwas to redeem mankind. The name of Jesus had been predestined for the\nSaviour, and given by God Himself; but Joseph, the father on earth, was\ncommissioned to declare it publicly. O great saint! you cannot give to\nthis divine Child a greater dignity than He possesses, for He is your\nCreator and Lord; but you do the next greatest thing, you give him a name\nwhich publishes Him to the world in His character of Redeemer\u2014this great\nhonor is reserved for you. Holy name of Jesus, the greatest of all names,\nbefore the mention of which all heaven and earth shall bow their knees in\nadoration, be to me a source of heavenly joy, and a consolation in all the\ntrials of life.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nJoseph, no doubt, understood all the importance and meaning of the name of\nJesus. He therefore knew all the obligations which this holy name imposed\non the divine Child, as well as the obligations which it imposed on\nhimself. He understood that Jesus must be the man of sorrows and derision,\nand that he must share His destiny. St. Joseph always had the image of the\ncrucified Lord before his eyes. If the faith of the great Apostle of the\nworld was such that he carried the image of the crucified Redeemer always\nbefore his eyes, much the more can this be said of our saint, for he had\nJesus always with him. When he embraced His sacred head, he had before him\nthat head crowned with thorns, and bowed on His breast in His last agony;\nhe could see that little body covered with wounds from the scourging. God\ntreated St. Joseph as His most intimate friend, and filled him with His\nshare of sorrow. Do we wish to enter into the glory of the Lord, then we,\ntoo, must suffer patiently. The closer we follow the Lord, the more\nintimate we are with Him, the more we will look for sufferings, and love\nthem because they make us resemble the Lord more closely.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nSt. Joseph was a man of faith. We read in St. Paul, \u201cthe just man lives by\nfaith.\u201d It is the foundation of sanctity, it is the fountain of our\nspiritual life. All the works of St. Joseph were done in a spirit of\nfaith. Were it not for this spirit of faith, he would never have consented\nto become the spouse of the Blessed Virgin, for he desired to preserve his\nown chastity; and the spirit of faith taught him how he might do this.\nWhen he had entered upon his duties as spouse, he noticed that the Virgin\nwas with child, and he fell into deep sorrow and concern, until an angel\nappeared, dispelling all his doubts: \u201cJoseph, son of David, fear not to\ntake unto thee Mary, thy wife: for that which is conceived in her, is of\nthe Holy Ghost; and she shall bring forth a Son: and thou shalt call His\nname Jesus: for He will save His people from their sins.\u201d\u2014Matt. i. 20, 21.\nThe spirit of faith made him believe in these words, whether he understood\nthem or not. He subjected his will to the manner in which God wished to\nredeem mankind, and he was forever afterwards without solicitude.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nThen came a new trial to the faith of St. Joseph. In due course of time\nthe Lord was born, a little helpless Child, in the humble stable at\nBethlehem: where He was wrapped in swaddling\u2010clothes, and laid on a little\nstraw in a manger. Joseph became the first adorer, after the Blessed\nVirgin. But it required great faith to recognize in this weak Infant the\nSon of the most high God; still the grace of God sustained him, and he\nhumbly adored. The angel had promised a wonderful Child. He was to be a\npowerful being, Who would conquer the demons of hell, and free the people\nof Israel. Now Joseph beholds a small, weak Infant, beginning life in\npoverty and distress. Far from being a powerful creature He even needs the\nhelp of Mary and Joseph. St. Joseph carried the Child in his arms, and yet\nat the same time acknowledged that the same Child in heaven was carried\nabout on the shoulders of the holiest angels, and governed the universe\nwith His will. He heard the wailings of the Child, but knew that He was\nthe joy of paradise. He taught Him the praises of His heavenly Father,\nknowing at the same time that He was eternal wisdom.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nJoseph is eminently the just man who lives by faith. No sooner is the\nChild Jesus born, than, as if an unforeseen accident had happened, which\nmade it necessary to fly, as if there were no God to protect that Babe, an\nangel appeared to Joseph in his sleep, and bids him arise, and take the\nChild and His Mother, and fly into the land of Egypt. The enemies of the\nChild will be on your heels, and all depends on your rapid flight, to save\nHim from their hands. \u201cFly into Egypt,\u201d a far\u2010off foreign country. He gets\nup, and hastily gathering the few necessary articles, makes off in the\ndead of night, so that the people of Bethlehem may not know where he has\ngone. But Joseph performs his duty in a spirit of faith: he does not doubt\nthe omnipotence of God. He feels that such is the command of God, and he\nmakes no objections, but goes with alacrity into the poverty and suffering\nwhich he knows are inevitable.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nJoseph remained in Egypt until the time of Herod\u2019s death. The angel again\nappears to him, and bids him return to Judea, as if the divine Infant were\nnot sure of His life until His enemies had disappeared. What frailty, what\nmeekness in this little Child! Can this be a God? Without the least\nhesitation, Joseph treats the Child with the same reverence, and adores\nHim, as if he had seen Him working miracles. Never was such a faith found\nin Israel. Nowadays we could not find such a faith. \u201cFrom a want of this\nnoble faith,\u201d St. Teresa says, \u201cthe world is full of sin.\u201d Ask St. Joseph\nto obtain for us a faith similar to his. Faith is a gift and a virtue. By\nthis gift our intellect is enlightened, we know God, and confide in Him.\nBy the virtue of faith we use this light, and let it shine on all our\nactions. Let us not be satisfied to bow down our intellect under the\ninfluence of the great grace of the gift of faith; we should regulate all\nthe actions of our life according to the dictates and laws of this faith,\nand live according to it. St. Joseph can obtain such graces for us, if we\npray to him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nSt. Joseph possesses another great virtue: it is his obedience. From his\nchildhood he observed with conscientious exactitude all the laws of God.\nWithout a murmur he accompanied Mary to Bethlehem in a severe time of the\nyear, and with Mary so soon to give birth to the Child Jesus, to fulfil\nthe command of a heathen prince. When the command was given to take up the\nChild and flee into Egypt, he was ready. But one word is necessary: he\ndoes not consider any plans for flight, but executes the command without a\nmoment\u2019s delay. In many cases he could have alleged causes of\ninconvenience, or of his not understanding how it could be accomplished;\nhe might have asked the angel for an explanation, saying, how comes it\nthat a few days ago you announced that this Jesus is to be the Redeemer of\nHis people, and now He is to fly before His enemies? He will not be able\nto free His people afterwards, when now He cannot hold His ground. But he\nsubjected his reason to his faith, and obeyed.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nThrough our faith God leads us to the knowledge of His goodness and His\npromises, that so the desire and hope of enjoying God may be born in us.\nSt. Joseph\u2019s faith and knowledge of God effected in him a great\nconfidence; he had been peculiarly confirmed in hope. It is a fact that\nour confidence in God grows with grace when our hope is strengthened by\nthe infinite merits of Jesus Christ, and when we have great devotion and\nlove for the Blessed Virgin; so we must certainly conclude that Joseph\u2019s\nlove of Jesus, Whom he daily carried in his arms, should lay a greater\nfoundation of hope than that of any of the saints. The flight into Egypt\nis an example of it. His confidence in the providence of God is so\nimplicit that he makes no preparation. There is Jesus, the Son of God, Who\nis to go with Him; there is Mary, the Virgin Mother of God, who is to be\nof the party. These are the two strongest pillars of our hope, and why not\nto the hope of St. Joseph? God the Father will provide. Is He not the God\nWho, with a strong arm, led the Israelites out of Egypt, and, after forty\nyears of wandering, introduced them according to promise into the land\nflowing with milk and honey?\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nIn Joseph\u2019s flight into Egypt, he knew that Jesus was a more powerful\nprotector of a perilous journey than the Ark of the Covenant which was\ncarried before the tribes of Israel, or the column of smoke that led them\nduring the day and the pillar of fire that protected them at night. He\nwould be the manna, the inexhaustible food, in a desert and strange land.\nAccompanied by this treasure, St. Joseph is content to suffer for Jesus,\nand under the eyes of Jesus. We can imagine the sympathy of Joseph for his\ncharge, when he relieved the Blessed Virgin of her burden, and had Him to\nrest on his bosom. Good and faithful Christian, in all the trials of life\nkeep Jesus close to your heart, and when the world storms and frets, be\nfaithful to your promises made in Baptism, and often repeated during your\nChristian life by receiving the sacraments.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nThe providence of God knows what our destiny is, and what is the best for\nus. Then let us be resigned to His will. All our anxieties would disappear\nif we were thoroughly convinced of the goodness of God in our behalf; but\nbecause we want to do everything without God, not only do we feel anxiety\nfor the future, but disaster will really overtake us. Let us trust in\nProvidence and give Him entire control of all that concerns us. In all our\nnecessities let us pray and wait, until it is God\u2019s pleasure to step in,\nand do away with our troubles, if it be to His greater glory; or if not,\nthen let us patiently bear them. We know that Providence so watches over\nus, that not a hair falls from our head without His approval. God has His\nreasons for all that He does, and for all the evil that He permits, though\nwe may not be able to see them. In this way the Christian soul sleeps\nsoftly and peacefully in the arms of God, as a child in the arms of its\nmother. As David, the prophet king, sang in his psalms: \u201cI will sleep and\nrest in peace because Thou, O Lord, hast founded my hope on Thy\nprovidence. Thy mercy shall accompany me all the days of my life.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nJoseph lived in Egypt for eight years, among a pagan people, without\nrepining, without being distressed at the prolonged stay, an exile from\nhis own country and relatives. There, far from the sacred Temple of God,\nhe remained in seclusion, serving God in his soul. Who can tell the\nsuffering he underwent among the barbarians, amid their shocking practises\nof religion, which were abhorrent to him who was so closely united to God?\nGood people are in the same condition in the wickedness of the world: it\nis a cross to them. But crosses are to be met with everywhere; you cannot\nescape. If you get rid of one cross, another is waiting for you, and\nperhaps a far heavier one; but your consolation should be the knowledge\nthat Jesus, Mary, and Joseph endured the same sufferings. Joseph lived in\nthe Holy Family with the greatest recollection. This should also be the\ncase with those who live in the world, that fiery oven of the trials of\nGod; they should sing the praises of God in the very midst of\ndistractions, and be perfectly recollected, serving God without being led\naway from the path of duty.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nSo greatly did Jesus love poverty, that, not finding it in heaven, He came\nupon the earth to practise it. All those principally associated with Our\nLord in the salvation of mankind were obliged to endure poverty. Since the\nLord loved poverty so much, St. Joseph, too, had to practise this virtue.\nEven before St. Joseph was selected to become the foster\u2010father of Our\nLord, he was poor according to the will of God, but afterwards he learned\nthe virtue still more from the example of Our Lord. If one single sentence\nthat he had heard from the Gospel, induced St. Antony, abbot and patriarch\nof monks, to give all his wealth to the poor, how much more did the\nexample of Our Lord act effectively on Joseph, so that he renounced all\nexpectation of worldly advancement. Often in their communing with each\nother, the question of their destitution must have been the topic; but it\nwas not to find ways and means to avoid it; on the contrary that they\nshould be patient in the trial. Joseph possessed nothing; hence he\nwitnessed the Lord in His poverty laid in a manger after His birth. At the\npresentation he could make no other offering but that of very poor people,\na pair of pigeons which could be bought for very little money. He also had\nto undergo many hardships on his journey to Egypt.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nIn Egypt, so tradition has it, Joseph had to labor for others in order to\nbring in the means of a livelihood for himself and the Holy Family. Even\nthen their income was by no means superfluous, and according to St.\nLiguori they often had to suffer actual want. In this manner Joseph spent\neight years in Egypt. When he was recalled by the voice of the angel, he\nsettled in Nazareth; though his circumstances there were probably better,\nthey were by no means luxurious. Bossuet says: \u201cImagine a poor laborer,\nwho had no other fortune than the labor of his willing hands, no other\nmeans of subsistence but his work. Every day he saw the end of his\nprovision, and he had to begin again on the following day, like our poor\nworking people. Still he was rich in contentment; he had enough, because\nhe had nothing which might be coveted by others; he possessed all because\nhe stood in need of everything; he was happy, quiet, secure, although he\nhad no place whereon to rest his head. He was continually constrained to\nlabor with the sweat of his brow. He divided all his income with Jesus and\nMary. Was it not a consolation for him to do this? even according to our\nweak reason, guided by religion.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nWhen we have contemplated the willing poverty of Joseph, the thought\nnaturally comes to us to imitate him in the practise of this virtue.\nPoverty makes us like to the Lord. Our Lord walks before us with giant\nstrides in the practise of this virtue. The rich, burdened with the goods\nof this world, can hardly follow Him. Let us consider that, after all, our\nhappiness is not to be found in the possession of wealth. He is happy,\naccording to St. Augustine, who possesses what he wants, and who wants\nnothing beyond what God has sent him. The rich are frequently unhappy,\nbecause they are carried along to desire the things which they cannot\nreach. Not only is poverty a source of virtue and of peace; but also it is\na means by which we can make progress in our perfection. For as avarice is\nthe source of all evils, so also poverty is the power by which all our\nvices are corrected, and held in check. This virtue watches over humility:\na virtue so very necessary to our perfection, and it preserves chastity by\nreason of the mortification of our senses.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nThe interior life of the Holy Family in Nazareth must have been a most\nbeautiful one. They were joined so closely to God, that there was no\nearthly distraction which could separate them from contemplating and\ncommuning with Him. They formed a kind of trinity on earth, a\nrepresentation of the Trinity in heaven. These three were one, because\nthey were united by the bond of union, Jesus Christ. The people of\nNazareth did not know the adorable person of the Lord, nor the dignity of\nthe Mother of God. They knew Joseph by sight, for he had often gone out to\nlook for work, and necessarily came more in contact with his neighbors.\nThat holy house of Nazareth was a perfect paradise, full of peace, of\norder, recollection, unity, and happiness. Their conversation was about\nGod and the best means to comply with His holy will. Joseph and Mary\nadored the Lord because He was God; but they exacted His obedience because\nHe was their Son.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nLet us think to\u2010day, of the social life between Joseph and Mary. St.\nJoseph was a very great saint, and Mary was unstained by sin: so pure, so\nholy, that no created being could be compared to her. What can we suppose\nwas the conversation of these heavenly beings? When Mary visited her\ncousin, St. Elizabeth, John, in his mother\u2019s womb, leaped for joy. In\nother words, the presence of the God\u2010man in the womb of the Blessed Virgin\nscattered graces about her with god\u2010like profusion, and certainly St.\nJoseph, too, was affected by it. With as lively a faith as we have before\nthe tabernacle on the altar, St. Joseph must have recognized the presence\nof the Lord, for he was acquainted with the mystery of the incarnation, as\nit had been revealed by the mouth of the angel. We are silent, and sunk in\ndeep devotion in church, where God dwells. Was St. Joseph less impressed\nthan we, when he recognized Him Who was the Son of God, and Who was to\nredeem His people Israel from their sins? How great was their devotion to\nthe hidden Lord, how fervent their prayers! Still St. Joseph was the\nmaster in that house; he was the head of the family, and was obeyed in all\nhis instructions.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nJoseph was obedient to the Law of Moses; scrupulously exact in following\nthe instructions of the Jewish ceremonial, as all good Jews were. Poor as\nhe was, and notwithstanding the loss of time it necessarily entailed, he\nstill went every year, as was the custom, to Jerusalem to celebrate the\nfeast of the Passover. He did this because it was a law of Moses. The\nBlessed Virgin and the Child Jesus were equally anxious to fulfil the law.\nAnd when the feast was over, all went back to Nazareth, but Jesus remained\nbehind, and hid Himself from Joseph for three days, making him feel\nwretched, because he thought that he had been delinquent in his trust of\nthe divine Jesus. But Jesus wants to be looked for, not with an ordinary\ndesire, but with a real love, and the longer we are separated from Him the\nmore loving should we become, because our heart is desolate without His\nholy presence. O my God, I have sought Thee all my life! but I have not\nfound Thee because I do not look for Thee where Thou art to be found.\nIndeed Thou art in my heart, but I go out and look for Thee in\ndistractions where Thou shalt not be found.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nSt. Joseph, as we have seen, earned his livelihood by the sweat of his\nbrow. When Jesus grew up and was stronger, He helped His father, and\ntradition tells us that the Blessed Virgin was not idle. She sewed and\nembroidered in order that they might live. The lot of the laborer is\nalways hard, and St. Joseph\u2019s life, beyond the consolations of religion,\nwas no exception. Day after day work was necessary, and pleasures and\nrecreations few. That Joseph was of the royal house of David was forgotten\nbecause he was poor; had he been rich people would have honored him, would\nhave given him political prominence. Let us also sanctify our labors;\nJoseph\u2019s work made him holy, because it was honest work, done with a good\nintention and in the spirit of prayer. Prayer and work were the constant\nemployment of St. Joseph; this is the way that God wishes us to spend our\ntime. He wishes us to pursue an active, laborious life, while we keep our\neyes on Him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nThe whole life of St. Joseph is a perfect model of a Christian life, a\nlife which we must necessarily lead in order to go to heaven; a life of\npiety and faithful fulfilment of the duties of our station, and the\nperformance of our daily actions in the best manner. In this way St.\nJoseph reached heaven, and we cannot choose another road. Joseph did\nnothing extraordinary in a worldly sense; he was no king, with great\ncommand of men; he was not a literary man; but he was great, because he\nmade himself, with the grace of God, a great saint. He lived a simple life\nas far as possible, he strove to perfect himself more and more in the\npresence of Jesus, his daily companion, and consequently he was always\nimpressed with the omnipresence of God, before Whom he walked in the\nsimplicity of his heart all the days of his life. He is the best model of\nobedience to Jesus and Mary. In his life we can find a great example of\nall Christian virtues.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nAs the life of St. Joseph was such a perfect one, the seal of approval\nfrom almighty God was placed upon it by the grace of a happy death. For\nthirty years St. Joseph was the head of the Holy Family, and now Jesus was\nto go forth on His public mission. By the disposition of divine\nProvidence, when his course had been completed and the purpose of his life\nwas over, he was called away to another world to be rewarded for his holy\nlife. What death was ever more precious in the sight of God, than that of\nSt. Joseph! St. Paul exclaimed that the grace of God was not ineffectual\nin him, and it gave him great joy. But much more did Joseph co\u2010operate\nwith the graces received, so that he was sure that every moment of his\nlife was spent for the greater glory of God. Holy Scripture describes the\ndeath of the just as a peaceful falling asleep in the Lord. Precious in\nthe sight of God is the death of His holy ones. They can exclaim, \u201cI know\nthat my Redeemer liveth and mine eyes shall behold Him on the Last Day.\u201d\nSt. Joseph died in peace and happiness in the embrace of Jesus and Mary;\nhis soul was sent forth to the abode of the patriarchs at the bidding of\nJesus, Who had created him. What words can describe the consolations that\nfilled this noble breast, and with what confidence he looked up to his\nRedeemer! And so St. Joseph has become the patron of a happy death.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nOn this last day of the month, let us consider the power of St. Joseph for\nour good in heaven, so that we may draw from it confidence in his\nwillingness to use it for our spiritual and temporal welfare. The general\nprinciple is, the greater the saint the greater friend he is of almighty\nGod; and the greater is the power given him by God for the benefit of\nthose who live in this vale of tears. We may with reason assert that after\nthe Blessed Virgin, St. Joseph is the greatest saint in heaven. He has\nbeen distinguished by God with the greatest privileges on earth, which\ncertainly did not cease in heaven but rather increased. The heavenly\nFather loved him, because he represented the paternity of His divine Son\non earth. God the Son loved him because he was the protector of His\ninfancy and youth, and the faithful guardian and spouse of the Blessed\nVirgin. The Holy Ghost loved him, because he complied so faithfully to His\ninspirations. In this predilection for him by the Holy Trinity, lies the\nsecret of his great power. Who will say, if he asks for anything from God,\nthat his prayer will be rejected? Let us turn with confidence to the\npatronage of St. Joseph, and entreat him to pray for us in all our\nnecessities.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHoly St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nEfficacious Prayers.\n\n\n\nThirty Days\u2019 Prayer To St. Joseph.\n\n\n_To Obtain a Happy Death and Other Good Intentions._\n\nEver\u2010blessed and glorious Joseph, kind and indulgent father, and\ncompassionate friend of all in sorrow, through that bitter grief with\nwhich thy heart was saturated, when thou didst behold the sufferings of\nthe Infant Saviour, and in thy prophetic view didst contemplate His most\nignominious Passion and death, take pity, I beseech thee, on my poverty\nand necessities, counsel me in my doubts, and console me in all my\nanxieties. Thou art the good father and protector of orphans, the advocate\nof the defenceless, the patron of those who are in need and desolation. Do\nnot, then, disregard the petition of thy poor child; my sins have drawn\ndown upon me the just displeasure of my God, and hence I am surrounded\nwith sorrows. To thee, O amiable guardian of the poor neglected family of\nNazareth, do I fly for shelter and protection. Listen, then, I entreat of\nthee, with a father\u2019s solicitude, to the earnest prayer of thy poor\nsupplicant, and obtain for me the objects of my petition. I ask it by the\ninfinite mercy of the eternal Son of God, which induced Him to assume our\nnature and be born into this world of sorrow. I ask it by the grief which\nfilled thy heart when, ignorant of the mystery wrought in thy immaculate\nspouse, thou didst fear thou shouldst be separated from her. I ask it by\nthat weariness, solicitude, and suffering which thou didst endure when\nthou soughtest in vain at the inns of Bethlehem a shelter for the sacred\nVirgin and a birthplace for the Infant God, and when, being everywhere\nrefused, thou wert obliged to consent that the Queen of heaven should give\nbirth to the world\u2019s Redeemer in a wretched stable. I ask it by that most\nsad and painful duty imposed on thee when, the divine Child being eight\ndays old, thou wert obliged to inflict a deep wound on His tender body,\nand thus be the first to make flow that sacred blood which was to wash\naway the sins of the world. I ask it by the sweetness and power of that\nsacred name, Jesus, which thou didst confer on the adorable Infant. I ask\nit by that mortal anguish inflicted on thee by the prophecy of holy\nSimeon, which declared the Child Jesus and His holy Mother the future\nvictims of their love and our sins. I ask it through that sorrow and\nanguish which filled thy soul when the angel declared to thee that the\nlife of the Child Jesus was sought by His enemies, from whose impious\ndesigns thou wert obliged to fly with Him and His blessed Mother into\nEgypt. I ask it by all the pains, fatigues, and toils of that long and\nperilous pilgrimage. I ask it by all the sorrows thou didst endure when in\nEgypt thou wert not able, even by the sweat of thy brow, to procure poor\nfood and clothing for thy most poor family. I ask it by all the grief thou\ndidst feel each time the divine Child asked for a morsel of bread, and\nthou hadst it not to give Him. I ask it by all thy solicitude to preserve\nthe sacred Child and the immaculate Mary during thy second journey, when\nthou wert ordered to return to thy native country. I ask it by thy\npeaceful dwelling in Nazareth, in which so many joys and sorrows were\nmingled. I ask it by thy extreme affliction in being deprived three days\nof the company of the adorable Child. I ask it by thy joy at finding Him\nin the Temple, and by the ineffable consolation imparted to thee in the\ncottage of Nazareth with the company and society of the little Jesus. I\nask it by that wonderful condescension by which He subjected Himself to\nthy will. I ask it through that dolorous view, continually in thy mind, of\nall thy Jesus was to suffer. I ask it by that painful contemplation, which\nmade thee foresee the divine little hands and feet, now so active in\nserving thee, one day to be pierced with cruel nails; that head which\nrested gently on thy bosom, crowned with sharp thorns; that delicate body\nwhich thou didst tenderly fold in thy mantle and press to thy heart,\nstripped and extended on a cross. I ask it by that heroic sacrifice of thy\nwill and best affection by which thou didst offer up to the eternal Father\nthe last awful moment when the Man\u2010God was to expire for our salvation. I\nask it by that perfect love and conformity with which thou didst receive\nthe divine order to depart from this life, and from the company of Jesus\nand Mary. I ask it by that exceeding great joy which filled thy soul when\nthe Redeemer of the world, triumphant over death and hell, entered into\nthe possession of His kingdom, and conducted thee also into it with\nespecial honors. I ask it through Mary\u2019s glorious assumption, and through\nthat interminable bliss, which with her, thou wilt eternally derive from\nthe presence of God. O good father! I beseech thee by all thy sufferings,\nsorrows, and joys, to hear me and to obtain the grant of my earnest\npetitions. (_Here name them or reflect on them._) Obtain for all those who\nhave asked thy prayers all that is useful to them in the designs of God;\nand finally, my dear protector, be thou with me and all who are dear to me\nin our last moments, that we may eternally chant the praises of Jesus,\nMary, and Joseph. Amen.\n\n\n\nChoice Of St. Joseph As A Patron.\n\n\nO blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ,\nprotector of thy chaste spouse, the Virgin Mother of God, I choose thee\nthis day to be my special patron and advocate, and I firmly resolve to\nhonor thee from this time forth. Therefore I humbly beseech thee to\nreceive me as thy client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in\nevery affliction, to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of\nthe Heart of Jesus, and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of\ndeath. Amen.\n\n\n\nVirginum Custos.\n\n\nGuardian of Virgins, and father, holy Joseph, to whose faithful care\nChrist Jesus, Innocence itself, and Mary, Virgin of virgins, were\ncommitted, I pray and beg of thee, by these dear pledges, Jesus and Mary,\nfree me from all uncleanness, and make me with spotless mind, pure heart,\nand chaste body, ever most chastely to serve Jesus and Mary all the days\nof my life. Amen.\n\n\n    An indulgence of one hundred days, once a day.\n\n\n\nSorrows and Joys of St. Joseph.\n\n\n1. O glorious St. Joseph, most pure spouse of thy most holy Mary, even as\nthe trouble and anguish of thy heart was great in the perplexity of\nabandoning thy most chaste and stainless spouse, so, too, inexplicable was\nthy delight when by the angel was revealed to thee the sovereign mystery\nof the incarnation.\n\nThrough this sorrow and this joy of thine, we pray thee, now and in our\nlast agony, to comfort our soul with the joy of a good life, and of a holy\ndeath, like unto thine between Jesus and Mary.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.\n\n2. O glorious St. Joseph, most blessed patriarch, who wast selected for\nthe office of reputed father of the Word made man, the grief which thou\ndidst feel at seeing the Child Jesus born in such great poverty was\nsuddenly changed for thee into heavenly exultation at hearing the angelic\nharmony, and seeing the glories of that most resplendent night.\n\nThrough this sorrow and this joy of thine, we beseech thee to obtain for\nus that, after the journey of this life is over, we may pass hence to hear\nthe angelic praises, and to enjoy the splendors of the glory of heaven.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.\n\n3. O glorious St. Joseph, who didst fulfil most obediently all God\u2019s\ncommands, the most precious blood which the Child Redeemer shed in the\ncircumcision struck death into thy heart, but the name of Jesus revived\nit, and filled it full of joy.\n\nThrough this sorrow and this joy of thine, obtain for us that, all vices\nhaving been taken from us during life, we may expire in exultation with\nthe most holy name of Jesus in our hearts and upon our lips.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.\n\n4. O most glorious St. Joseph, most faithful saint, who wast a partaker in\nthe mysteries of our redemption, if Simeon\u2019s prophecy of that which Jesus\nand Mary were to suffer caused thee a mortal pang, it filled thee also\nwith a blessed joy at the salvation and glorious resurrection of\ninnumerable souls, which he at the same time foretold would thence\nproceed.\n\nThrough this sorrow and this joy of thine, obtain for us that we may be of\nthe number of those who, through the merits of Jesus, and at the\nintercession of the Virgin Mother, are to rise again in glory.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.\n\n5. O glorious St. Joseph, most watchful guardian and familiar attendant of\nthe incarnate Son of God, how much didst thou suffer in supporting and in\nserving the Son of the Most High, particularly in the flight which thou\nhadst to make into Egypt; but how much again didst thou rejoice at having\nalways with thee that same God, and at seeing the idols of Egypt fall to\nthe ground.\n\nThrough this sorrow and this joy of thine, obtain for us that, by keeping\nfar from us hell\u2019s tyrant, especially by flying from dangerous occasions,\nevery idol of earthly affection may fall from our hearts; and that, wholly\noccupied in the service of Jesus and of Mary, we may live for them alone,\nand die a happy death.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.\n\n6. O glorious St. Joseph, angel of the earth, who didst marvel at\nbeholding the King of heaven subject to thy commands, if thy consolation\nat bringing him back from Egypt was disturbed by the fear of Archelaus,\nyet, assured by the angel, thou didst with Jesus and Mary dwell in joy at\nNazareth.\n\nThrough this sorrow and this joy of thine, obtain for us that our heart,\nunclouded by hurtful fears, may enjoy peace of conscience, and that we may\nlive secure with Jesus and Mary, and with them may also die.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.\n\n7. O glorious St. Joseph, model of all holiness, when, without fault of\nthine, thou hadst lost the Child Jesus, thou didst seek Him for three days\nin the greatest sorrow, until with joyful heart thou didst possess again\nthy life, finding Him in the Temple, among the doctors.\n\nThrough this sorrow and this joy of thine, with fervent sighs we\nsupplicate thee to interpose in our behalf, that so it may never befall us\nto lose Jesus by mortal sin; but that, if unhappily we ever lose Him, we\nmay seek Him again with unwearied sorrow, until once more we find His\nfavor, especially at the moment of our death, that so we may pass to the\nenjoyment of Him in heaven, and there, with thee, sing His divine mercies\nfor all eternity.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Glory be to the Father.\n\n_Ant._ Jesus Himself was beginning about His thirtieth year, being (as it\nwas supposed) the son of Joseph.\n\n_V._ Pray for us, O holy Joseph.\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Who by Thy ineffable providence didst vouchsafe to choose the\nblessed Joseph for the spouse of Thy most holy Mother; grant, we beseech\nthee, that he whom we venerate as our protector on earth may be our\nintercessor in heaven; Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.\n\n\n    Indulgences: One hundred days each time, three hundred days on\n    Wednesdays, three hundred days on each day of the two novenas\n    before St. Joseph\u2019s feast and his patronage; plenary on those two\n    feasts; plenary once a month for daily recital; three hundred days\n    for each Sunday when recited seven Sundays running. Applicable to\n    the dead.\n\n\n\nResponsory To St. Joseph.\n\n\n    Ye that would live and die secure,\n    In merit strong, of mercy sure,\n    Choose Joseph for your heavenly friend\n    To guide your steps and bless your end.\n\n    He was sweet Mary\u2019s consort dear,\n    And Jesus\u2019 sire, when exiled here;\n    Just, true, of purity untold,\n    Say, shall he ask and God withhold?\n\n    He worshipp\u2019d at the manger\u2010bed,\n    And then the exile comforted;\n    And sought his Son, and joyous found,\n    While on His Father\u2019s business bound.\n\n    He through sweet toil and patient pains\n    The world\u2019s Artificer sustains;\n    And Whom th\u2019 angelic legions praise\n    Obedience to His creature pays.\n\n    And now he waxes old, and dies;\n    But first beholds with loving eyes,\n    Jesus and Mary, gracious sight\u2014\n    Then sleeps entranced in deep delight.\n\n\n_Ant._ Behold the faithful and prudent servant whom the Lord set over His\nhouse.\n\n_V._ Pray for us, holy Joseph.\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n\n\nLitany of St. Joseph.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\nJesus hear us.\n_Jesus, graciously hear us._\nGod the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us_.\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us_.\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us_.\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us_.\nHoly Mary, spouse of St. Joseph, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, confirmed in grace, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, guardian of the Word Incarnate, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, favorite of the King of heaven, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, ruler of the family of Jesus, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, spouse of the ever\u2010blessed Virgin, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, nursing\u2010father to the Son of God, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, example of humility and obedience, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, mirror of silence and resignation, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, patron of innocence and youth, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, exiled with Christ in Egypt, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, intercessor for the afflicted, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, advocate for the humble, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, model of every virtue, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, honored among men, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, union of all Christian perfection, _Pray for us._\nSt. Joseph, patron of the dying, _Pray for us._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Lord_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O\n            Lord_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O\n            Lord_!\n\n_V._ Pray for us, O holy St. Joseph.\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nGrant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, by the merits of the spouse of Thy most\nholy Mother, that what our unworthiness cannot obtain may be given us by\nhis intercession with Thee, Who livest and reignest with God the Father in\nthe unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.\n\n\n\n\n\nAPRIL. THE PASSION: MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY OF LENT.\n\n\nDuring the month of April we generally celebrate Holy Week, and so this\nmonth is dedicated to the Passion of Our Lord. The followers of Christ\nshould be acquainted with the history of their leader, Jesus, the Master;\nthey should know what He has endured for His followers, and they should\nthink frequently of His sufferings, especially in Lent, when the Church,\nin all her offices, keeps the commemoration of the Passion foremost in her\nmind. There are many things to be done during this month. You ought to\nrecite the stations of the cross privately, or be present when they are\npublicly performed; hear sermons on religious topics, practise a little\nfast or abstinence. This last is not so much to do, yet God takes note of\nit, and makes a great fuss over it, like a father that has received an\ninsignificant present from his child. Take from any book the meditations\non the Passion, read them slowly, and with sympathy; slowly, so as to be\nable to follow the recital and to be able to realize it; with sympathy,\nthat you should bring to it a feeling for Our Lord, and show that you are\ntouched with all that He endured for you. The God\u2010man going to a\ndisgraceful death, after a most apparently unsuccessful life, should make\nus feel for the loving Jesus. St. Augustine remarks that nothing is so\nuseful to our advancement in the spiritual life, as daily to meditate on\nthe Passion of Our Lord. Certainly the most appropriate time for these\nconsiderations and prayers is during Lent, which happens about this time.\n\nWe shall give forty short considerations for every day in Lent. They can\nbe begun upon Ash Wednesday; we will then strive to gain spiritual benefit\nfrom these considerations, by perusing them with piety and with a great\nlove for our crucified Lord. Before the time of Augustine, Origen writes\nthat it is impossible for a man to remain in sin, as long as he often\nremembers the sufferings of Our Lord, and nothing will so inflame our\nhearts with love for Christ. Father Alvarez said that so many Christians\nare lost, because they ignore the treasures that are concealed in the\nPassion of Our Lord; and he led his penitents to perfection by enjoining\non them frequent contemplation of the Passion. St. Francis de Sales tells\nus, \u201cThat every wound of Our Lord is a tongue, which teaches what the Lord\nsuffered for us.\u201d What flames of love will naturally burn in our hearts,\nwhen we see the love with which Our Lord regarded us! Happy, therefore,\nthe soul who will find leisure for this holy exercise of the mind and\nheart. \u201cYou will draw water with joy from the fountains of the Saviour.\u201d\nThe sinner will receive confidence in the mercy of God, and know that his\ncase is not so desperate as long as he has the wounds of the Lord to plead\nto the Father for mercy and forgiveness\u2014for all our transgressions have\nbeen laid upon the shoulders of Jesus.\n\nHow, then, can we have any fear, says St. Paul, that God will refuse us\nHis graces? \u201cHe that spared not even His own Son, but delivered Him up for\nus all.\u201d\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nBefore Our Lord\u2019s suffering took place, He disclosed to His disciples the\nstory of the cross. It was good for them to understand and to remember\nwhat the sufferings of Jesus were to be. The prophets of the Old Testament\nhad declared that the Son of man must suffer. Daniel, especially,\ndescribes the Passion of Our Lord very minutely. This was the future that\nwas before Our Lord, and it was well that the disciples should know it and\nthink of it. So it should be with ourselves. We, too, are the disciples\nand followers of Christ, and we, too, must make the Passion a subject of\nserious thought. The Church has chosen the Lenten time as the most\nappropriate for this exercise. She joins penance with this meditation, as\nbeing the most efficacious means of stirring ourselves up to a pious life.\nLet us approach these meditations with a conviction that we are really\nunworthy to be admitted to the graces of this holy contemplation; but\nJesus will help us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, whilst before Thy face I humbly\nkneel, and with burning soul pray and beseech Thee to fix deep in my heart\nlively sentiments of faith, hope, and charity, true contrition for my\nsins, and a firm purpose of amendment; the while I contemplate with great\nlove and tender pity Thy five wounds, pondering over them within me,\nwhilst I call to mind the words which David, Thy prophet, said of Thee, my\nJesus: \u201cThey pierced My hands and My feet; they numbered all My\nbones.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxi. 17, 18.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nIt is not hard to understand why the Lord desires us to think of His\nPassion. St. Francis Xavier is said to have gone over the Passion once\nevery month; but we know, too, with what love he was attached to the Lord,\nwith what wonderful patience and perseverance he continued to labor. It\nwas the effect of the meditation on the Passion. We, too, should grow in\nthe love of Our Lord. But how will we grow, unless by contemplating all\nthat Jesus has done for us in His Passion, until He died on the cross? As\nthe Apostle says, \u201cHe loved me, and delivered Himself up for me.\u201d In this\nway the Lord wants us to study His Passion, so that we may learn how\nintensely He loved us; that although He was God, and we poor miserable\ncreatures, still He did not hesitate to sacrifice His life in order to\nredeem us from eternal perdition.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nOur Lord desires that we should think of His Passion, in order that we may\nimitate Him in our own sufferings: for we have many things to endure in\nthis life on account of the original fault of our first parents. You will\nlearn to die with Christ, and your sympathetic heart will avoid sin. By\nthe frequent thought of the Passion the Lord will have you love the\nsacrifice of the Mass, where in an unbloody manner the Passion of Our Lord\nis repeated, and we begin to appreciate it the more the better we\nunderstand their relation to each other. The Lord will have you show\nsympathy for Him in His sufferings; for you must remember that it was for\nyou that He suffered, that you caused His suffering by your sins. Now, if\nyou have inflicted these punishments on the Lord, would it not be an act\nof horrible ingratitude if you were not to show your sympathy for Christ?\nAnother effect of the contemplation of the Passion will be that you shall\nbe stirred up to do great things for Christ. Your time of labor will be\nsanctified, and your life will be given to the service of Jesus.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nWe should think often of the Passion of Our Lord, but not with coldness or\nrepugnance. It is a sad subject, and not at all pleasing to the human\nfeelings, but when we have learned to love Jesus it will be an exercise\nthat will make us very happy. We are dreadfully poor spiritually, and\nnowhere will we be able to find more spiritual wealth than in the Heart of\nJesus in His Passion. \u201cThere flow living fountains of blessed waters,\nthere is the bread of life.\u201d Approach, then, with a lively faith to the\nfoot of the cross, and remain there faithfully; let the blood of the Lord\nflow upon your body and soul, realize that Jesus died for you, see Mary,\nour dear Mother, beneath the cross; St. John and Mary Magdalen, with some\nother faithful followers of Christ at a short distance from it; associate\nyourself with them and study what were their sentiments; try to bring them\nhome to yourself, and your heart will surely fill up with love, gratitude,\nand confidence.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nThe feeling of love towards Our Lord must be specially aroused. We are\nsupposed to have the faith: but we need more love, so that we may\nunderstand why Our Lord underwent such terrible sufferings for poor\nhumanity. Let us look upon the Lord: He is an innocent, holy person, an\nuntiring benefactor, a true friend, a wonderful consoler, a man of peace\nand of blessings, the noble Son of the great King, the Son of God Himself.\nThis good Jesus has saved you from eternal damnation. He descended from\nheaven and did the work of a miserable slave. And the worst and bitterest\nconsideration is that you really, individually and personally, are the\ncause of the sufferings of Christ. You have struck Him in the face and\nspit upon Him, you have crucified Him, you have mocked and derided Him,\nand cried out, \u201cVah; if Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.\u201d\nThe Lord, reflecting upon all His sufferings, declared that all this\nhappened in the house of His beloved ones. What did the Lord do to you,\nthat you should treat Him in this manner? Now then return Jesus love for\nall this, and He will be satisfied.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nThe Jews now began to consult among themselves how to catch Jesus by some\nintrigue or other. Our Lord could have avoided the Passion; He might have\nprolonged His life, but He wanted to die just then. The machinations of\nthe Jews could only furnish an occasion for the death of Our Lord, but it\nwas His own divine will that regulated time, place, and circumstance.\nJudas the disciple makes a contract with the high priests that on a\ncertain night, when the Lord would go out to Gethsemani to pray according\nto His custom, the high priests would be ready with their guards to bind\nHim. For the miserable price of thirty pieces of silver was the Lord sold,\nby a man whom He had befriended so much in His career of public\nministration.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nLet us consider the case of Judas in another reflection and apply it to\nourselves. Judas began as well, perhaps, as any of the other disciples;\nbut now he is approaching the dreadful abyss of sin into which he fell, as\nwe know from the Gospel. How much the Lord did for that disciple! By kind\nwords and patience, He made him understand that though He knew of his\nimpending fall, still He did not cast him off, but tried to win him back.\nWhen Judas had eaten the morsel which Our Lord had presented to him, the\ndevil seemed to have entered into him. It was only then that the Lord gave\nhim up, and bade him go and do quickly what he had in his mind. Now His\nmercy is at an end, and with terrible severity Our Lord speaks of the\nscandal, and says it would have been better that Judas had never been\nborn. All this shows that unless we co\u2010operate with the grace which God\nalmighty offers us, we, too, shall fall into sin, notwithstanding all the\ngood instruction and good example given us. It shows that if we follow our\nown bent of evil intentions, we will go from bad to worse in spite of all\nthat God has done. There are times of grace that are all\u2010important for us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nWhen the Lord sat at the Last Supper He made all the apostles aware of\ntheir future infidelity. Simon Peter spoke for himself rather than for\nall, when he said: \u201cAlthough all should be scandalized in Thee, I will\nnot: I am ready to go with Thee, both into prison and to death.\u201d Our Lord\nforesaw his frailty and corrected him for his presumption, though no doubt\nit was well meant at the time, and said to him, \u201cSimon, Simon, behold\nSatan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat.\u201d Peter\nfollowed the Lord from afar, to see what the end would be, and entering\nthe courtyard of the prison, he was accosted by a maid\u2010servant, and before\nher and the bystanders he cursed and blasphemed that he \u201cdid not know the\nman.\u201d As in the case of Peter, so Our Lord knows our frailty\u2014that we\ncannot stand by ourselves. We ought to distrust ourselves, and remember\nhow sinful we have been, and now that we stand be careful lest we fall.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nThe Lord called His disciples together in order to eat the Pasch with them\nfor the last time on earth, and also take a long farewell of them. They\nwould not meet again until after the resurrection. St. John the Evangelist\ngives us much of the discourses which the Lord held with His disciples.\n\u201cLet not your heart be disturbed,\u201d He says, \u201cat what is going to happen to\nMe.\u201d The sorrow at parting, and the dreadful suffering which the Master\nwas to undergo, acted in a most depressing manner on their spirits. No\nwonder they felt so downcast. He was their great friend, the joy of their\nheart, and now He is about to leave them. It is related that when Jesus\nwas a boy, His companions felt such consolation in His presence that when\nany of them were distressed, they would say, \u201cLet us go to the Son of\nMary; He will console us.\u201d Even now Jesus is our great joy and\nconsolation; now that He is to be found in the Blessed Sacrament, now that\nHe is in heaven at the right hand of the Father, to Him we can always go,\nand find refuge in His kindness.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nAt the Last Supper Our Lord continued His discourse, consoling and\nencouraging His disciples by telling them: \u201cIn My Father\u2019s house there are\nmany mansions; if not, I would have told you: that I go to prepare a place\nfor you.\u201d\u2014John xiv. 2. Lift up your eyes, My beloved disciples, from this\nvale of tears to heaven, where you are to dwell for all eternity. My\nseparation from you will be but short. I will go to heaven, and where I\nam, My faithful servants shall be. This earth is a desert for the one that\nloves God; there is no hope of peace and perfect happiness. Eternal joys\nare reserved for us in heaven if we are faithful to Jesus, and confide in\nHim. Though our sins may be many and great, we will be washed clean in the\nblood of the Lamb, and we may still hope to enter the realms prepared for\nus by Christ Himself. Resolve now to be noble\u2010hearted in the service of\nGod, and shrink not from work or suffering.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nAfter the discourse at the Last Supper Jesus takes off His outer garments,\ngirds Himself with a towel, pours water into a vessel, and approaches\nPeter to wash his feet. For this purpose the Lord kneels down and prepares\nto wash Peter\u2019s feet. Peter is really shocked at this self\u2010abasement; he\nrevolts at the thought that he should allow this to be done to him by his\ndivine Master, Whom he had acknowledged, and Whom he knew to be God. Our\nLord practised this out of humility, at this solemn moment just before\nparting from His disciples, to show how important this humility is, and to\nmake a great impression on all of us. We, too, must be humble, and\nhumiliate ourselves as did Our Lord. We cannot practise virtue without\nhumility; we cannot enter heaven unless we possess this virtue. He washes\nthe feet of the apostles just before the two great acts of His life: the\ninstitution of the Blessed Sacrament and the beginning of His sacred\nPassion.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nOur Lord was determined to perform the ceremony of the washing of the feet\nof St. Peter and the apostles. He advised Peter to be obedient, and to\nallow the washing to take place, otherwise he would have no part with Him.\nWhen Peter heard this he became very much afraid, and with his usual ardor\nhe cried out: \u201cLord, not only my feet, but my head, my whole body.\u201d Our\nLord answered: \u201cHe that has his feet washed is entirely cleansed. You are\nwashed clean, still not all.\u201d By this, reference was made to the condition\nof Judas. Why does the Lord make reference to the washing of the feet?\nBecause it is the feet that are soiled when we come in contact with the\nworld; but if our feet do not touch the world, if our hearts are above the\nthings of this world, we may be sure that we have not contracted any filth\non the soul.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nAfter the ceremony of the washing of the feet, Our Lord concludes His\ndiscourse by telling His apostles that now He will not say much more to\nthem, for the prince of this world, Satan, is about to approach to claim a\nshare in His sacred humanity: but in that He has no part. This He tells\nthem, that the world may acknowledge that the Son loves His Father, and\nthat He does all that is required of Him.\u2014John xiv. 30. There are many who\nlove to sit at the table of the Lord, to be filled with consolation, and\nto enjoy the spiritual luxury of His company. But few there are who would\nfollow Christ to the cross. We must not only love the table of the Lord,\nbut we must also be with Him in His Passion. We should suffer the trials\nsent to us, as good followers of the Lord Jesus. Remain then with the Lord\nunder all circumstances, whether it be for consolation or bitterness of\nsuffering. Some of the saints understood this so well that they prayed for\nafflictions.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nAnd now, after the Last Supper, the Lord goes forth with His disciples to\nthe Garden of Gethsemani, where He is so overcome with fear and sorrow,\nthat He seems to cling to the society of the apostles for consolation.\nFalling down on His face, He prays that the chalice might pass, yet not as\nHe would, but as the Father willed it. The disciples slept as if they had\nlost all sympathy for the Lord. But why is Our Saviour so distressed? Why\nis He so downcast? The sins and the consequences of sin appear before Him\nso vividly, and He is so overwhelmed with them, that He feels His soul\noppressed unto death. He sees all the misery of humanity, all the cruelty\npractised by man, all the ignorance and degradation of the world; and for\nthis He must suffer, to bring God\u2019s mercy again to man. He is to take upon\nHimself all the sins of mankind. He is to be degraded to the level of a\nslave, to die the same death, and all for us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nIn the terrible agony of Our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemani, the Lord\nsaw all the sins of mankind. He sees the injustice of man in comparison to\nthe eternal justice of God. He beholds their ingratitude to His\neverlasting love, their obduracy against the sweet mercy of God. This\nleprosy of sin has been laid on the Lord, so that, as the Psalmist says:\n\u201cThe confusion of my face hath covered me.\u201d\u2014Ps. xliii. 16. He is filled\nwith the confusion of shame, because sin is so horrible. His soul is\noverwhelmed with bitterness, because sin is so full of malice and insult\nto God. Thus covered with our shame, He appears before His heavenly\nFather, prone on His face on the ground. The heavenly Father does not\nrecognize His Son; Jesus prays, but is not heard. The justice of God casts\nHim away. He begs the Father for help, but He will not bend His ear to the\nsupplication of His Son. Jesus waits for consolation, but instead receives\nHis death sentence. He must drink the cup of sorrow to the very dregs.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nThe Lord bade His disciples watch and pray, but hardly has He left them to\nthemselves than they fall asleep. Judas is not asleep; he is actively\nengaged in getting his company together, giving them instructions how to\nproceed, so that they might elude the power of the Lord. But the disciples\nsleep, and are careless of the Lord\u2019s interests. No wonder that the\nindifference of the disciples gave Him an additional pang. We, too, are\nthe disciples of the Lord. Why do we sleep while the enemy is sowing the\nseed of error and irreligion? What effect has the instructions, the\ncounsels of the divine Master, had upon us? They are all forgotten, and we\nlook to our own comfort and to our pleasures; we go after the world, money\nand honors, but think little of God. Let us then watch and pray; the\nspirit is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak. The soul would act\notherwise, if the body had not been allowed an almost limitless freedom\nwhile the soul is dying of spiritual starvation. Give your soul an\nopportunity to rise above the low necessities of the body, and the spirit\nwill then be strong to compel the body to obey.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nWhen Our Lord had prayed and struggled in this mortal agony, He arose and\nassembled His disciples about Him, and awaited the coming of the traitor.\nAnd as He was yet speaking, behold, the crowd arrived, and Judas, one of\nthe twelve, was with them; coming up to Jesus, he kissed Him, and the Lord\nsaid: \u201cJudas, with a kiss you betray the Son of man.\u201d Judas thus betrays\nthe Lord with the sign of friendship. He comes up to Him as of old, when\nreturning from a missionary tour, he was met by the Lord with open arms,\nand he, as well as the other disciples, would tell of their labors, their\nsuccesses, and the good they had done. And now, as if to throw the Lord\noff His guard, he pretends to have the same spirit within his breast. O\nLord Jesus! with what kindness didst Thou not even then receive Judas,\nthat he might see that Thou didst still love him. In our frequent\ninfidelities the Lord comes to us with the same sweetness and goodness. He\nwould lead us back to our duties and the recognition of our faults. O that\nwe would listen to the words of Our Lord!\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nWhen Judas had given that traitorous sign, the kiss of peace, the\ndisciples all fled. Our Lord had commanded, \u201cIf therefore you seek Me, let\nthese go their way.\u201d No sooner had the disciples seen that the Lord\npresented His hands to be tied, than they ran off in the greatest hurry.\nThey had forgotten the assurance they had given that they would remain\nfaithful. They whose feet had been washed in all humility by Our Lord, Who\nhad fed them a short time before with His sacred body and blood. We are\nnot far inferior in infidelity to the disciples. In the morning we have\ngone to communion, and before the day is over we have fallen into grievous\nsin. We had made many resolutions at our last confession, and at the\napproach of the first temptation we have fallen into the same sins again.\nWe leave, without much concern, Jesus, the best friend we have in this\nworld. Oh, let us remain faithful to the good Master of our souls, Who,\nafter this life is over, promises us eternal rewards.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nThen the soldiers came up, and bound the Lord\u2019s hands as He willingly\noffers them. He makes no opposition whatsoever. He might have continued\nthe exhibition of His power by which they fell back three times, and He\nmight have walked away. But the time of the Passion had come, and He\nallows the soldiers to have the mastery over Him. Christ has dissolved our\nbonds, and He is bound Himself; in fact, by that binding Christ has\nmerited to loosen us from the slavery of Satan. But Christ was also bound\nthat we, too, may bind ourselves in the law of God, and be faithful to its\nobservance all the days of our life. Tie your will to the chains of the\nLord Jesus; honor those chains, yes, even love them, as they are the bonds\nof the union between you and Him. Make up your mind to follow Christ, to\nbe united to Him, and never desire to be freed from this close friendship.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nThe priests, the high priests and the Pharisees, the great enemies of the\nLord, had held a meeting in expectation of bringing the prisoner for\naccusation and condemnation. This was the court to which the innocent\nJesus was dragged; these were all His enemies. They all tried to destroy\nHim, and now the opportunity seems to present itself, and they are going\nto make the best of it. They are going to condemn Jesus; they encourage\nfalse witnesses, that they may make a show, at least, of the justice of\nthe condemnation. It is considered necessary to put Jesus out of the way.\n\u201cIt is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that\nthe whole nation perish not.\u201d\u2014John xii. 50. In all this Our Lord is\nsilent; not a word does Jesus utter in self\u2010defence. How easily could the\ndivine wisdom confound human ingenuity, the skill of the lawyers, and the\nmalice of the high priests. But Jesus held a mysterious silence, in which\nwe must adore Him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nPeter, the great disciple of Jesus, he to whom the Lord had given so much,\nwhom He had brought to Mount Thabor, for whom He paid taxes as for\nHimself; this Peter denied His Master. When Our Lord had been apprehended,\nPeter followed from afar, to see what would be the end of all this\ntragedy. He went on at some distance from Our Lord, until he reached the\ncourtyard, where he could see all that was passing. There, among the\nsoldiers, servants, and curiosity\u2010seekers, he stood, as if he had no\ninterest in the affair except that which would bring any stranger there.\nThey would not have known him, only for a woman who sat in such a way that\nthe light fell on Peter\u2019s face, and she immediately declared, \u201cThis man\nwas with Him.\u201d But Peter denied that fact; another and a third asserted\nthat Peter was with Christ, for he was a Galilean\u2014but Peter denied the\naccusation with an oath.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nWe ought, right here, to think of the reasons of the terrible treason of\nPeter. We may suppose that his crime was no smaller than was that of\nJudas. We know what was the fate of Judas\u2014what will be the fate of Peter?\nThe cause of Peter\u2019s fall was his presumption. He imagined that he was\nstrong enough to go to heaven, and to lead a good life without watching or\npraying\u2014of course he would go to prison or death with Jesus. Instead of\nfollowing the Lord closely, right among the soldiers who apprehended Him,\nhe followed a long way off, giving as an excuse that he wished to see the\noutcome of the affair. He follows, and places himself in the very occasion\nof sin. He knew he could not be there long without being detected, but he\nresolved to deny, and even to take false oaths to secure himself.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nWhen Peter had thus, with indescribable meanness, denied Our Lord, Jesus\nturned and gave him a look of compassion. Then Peter recollected the words\nof Jesus, that before the cock would crow he would have denied Him thrice.\nGreat was the sorrow in the heart of Peter after this look; he remembered\nhimself, and filled with shame walked out and wept bitterly. This look\nwhich the Lord gave Peter was merciful and kind; so loving that it drew\nhim back again from the sin into which he had fallen; it encouraged him to\nlook for forgiveness, and did not drive him to despair. Judas too\nacknowledged his sin, but he felt no repentance; he despaired of the great\nkindness of God. Instead of throwing himself at the feet of Jesus, he\ncommitted another crime\u2014that of suicide. To Peter came a flood of tears.\nThere is no doubt that his sorrow for this great offence lasted all his\nlifetime; he could not think of the circumstance but the picture of his\ninfidelity arose before him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nThe infidelity of Peter should lead us to think of our own condition. How\noften have we sinned? how often have we been unfaithful to Jesus Christ?\nhow often have we betrayed Him? Did we ever feel the tears of sorrow\ngushing from our hearts? and if we did have sorrow and repentance in the\nSacrament of Penance, did we not soon forget it all, as if our faults were\nless serious than they really are? Often the Lord looks at us when we are\nin sin, often have we felt that His eyes were on us, full of love, of\nmercy and goodness; but we were in sin, in the occasion of it, and we\nwould not give it up even though we added more sorrow to that which Our\nLord was already suffering. Set your hope, however, in the Lord; look up\nto Him with pleading eyes, that He may give you the strength, the will,\nand the grace to rise from your fall. Say to your sins, and your\ncompanions in sin, go away from me. Yes, our sins more than any other\nmisfortune should make us despise the world, with all its sinful\nallurements.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nPilate put the question to the Lord, \u201cArt Thou the King of the Jews?\u201d He\nwanted to hear from Christ\u2019s own lips whether He pretended to the earthly\ncrown of a kingdom, over which the Roman power held sway. But Our Lord had\nno kingdom on this earth, and He answered, \u201cFor this was I born, and for\nthis came I into the world, that I should give testimony to the truth.\u201d\nPilate did not want to be convinced of the truth, and he answered\nindifferently, \u201cWhat is truth?\u201d The Lord came into this world to spread\nthe truth of the Gospel; He wished to teach us that truth which makes us\ntruly free. The Lord wishes to show us the way in which we should walk in\norder to reach Him. But the world is not anxious for such enlightenment,\nany more than Pilate. For nineteen hundred years the Church of God has\nbeen teaching truth. But the world does not accept the teaching of Jesus\nas truth; the world is too proud to receive this humble teaching. And yet\nOur Lord\u2019s voice rings clear, \u201cEvery one that is of the truth, heareth My\nvoice.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nPilate went out to consult with the Jews, the accusers of Christ, and he\ntold them that he found no cause of death in Christ. He admitted that\nthere might be some rebellion which ought to be punished, and that he\nwould administer a severe punishment and then would set Him free. See Our\nLord, humbly standing before this unjust judge; see the soldiers, as soon\nas the order was given, tear off His garments, drag Him over to the column\nof marble, and there bind Him. Then they take the stout cords, on the ends\nof which are leaden balls with spikes, and whirling them over their heads,\nthey let them fall cruelly on Christ\u2019s shoulders. The blood spurts from\nevery wound, and soon the place about the column is covered with blood.\nThe crime of that flagellation was so great that no human words can\nexpress it. In what a dreadful state Our Lord was left after it was\nover\u2014how exhausted! From the soles of His feet to the crown of His head\nthere was no sound spot in Him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nWhen the Lord had been scourged, the soldiers platted a crown of thorns\nand placed it on His head, pressing it down, striking the crown with\nsticks that they might save their hands from wounds, and then they put a\npurple garment on Him. All this was done to mock Him, because He said He\nwas a king: the crown of royalty He bore on His head, and the purple\ngarment which kings generally wore covered His body. They carried out\ntheir derision still farther; they bent their knees before Him, and having\nblindfolded Him, they struck Him in the face, asking Him to point out who\nwas the one that had given Him the blow. O loving face of Jesus! upon\nwhich the angels desired to gaze; look with pity on poor humanity that\ndost treat Thee so cruelly; look with pity on our inordinate desires to\nsatisfy the demands of our passions. Ah, Thou knowest who hast heaped\nthese insults upon Thee! In Thy omnipresence Thou seest the sins which we\ncommit. The Jews, indeed, treated Thee as a mock king, and like a fool,\nwhilst poor mankind in its ignorance hast prepared all these torments for\nThee.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nPilate must have witnessed much of this cruelty, as it was inflicted right\nin his court, with his consent, perhaps even by his orders. What a\nfrightful spectacle it was to look upon this figure of a man, scourged\nalmost beyond recognition, with a crown of thorns on His head, bound, and\na cloak thrown over His shoulders. Pilate thought that this spectacle\nwould render the Jews merciful, that the punishment had been sufficient.\nSo he led Our Lord over an archway and placed Him in full view of the\nassembled multitude, saying: \u201cBehold the man!\u201d Yes, O Christian heart,\nlook at the Lord exhausted after the scourging, the crown of thorns on His\nhead, clotted blood in His face, burning with a fever heat, ready to die\nfrom loss of blood. O my Jesus, what sufferings didst Thou not endure to\nsatisfy the cruelty of man! Thou hast become a spectacle before God and\nthe world. But the Jews were hardened. The sight of Christ in this\ncondition did not move them. They cried, \u201cAway with Him, away with Him,\ncrucify Him.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nWhen the Jews demanded the death of Christ so vehemently, Pilate had water\nbrought to him, in which he washed his hands, as a sign that he was\ninnocent of the great crime of condemning Our Lord to the death of the\ncross. Still he condemned Him, and wrote the inscription of the cross\nhimself. The Lord was led out to be crucified. St. Catharine of Emmerich\nsaw in a vision the rapture with which Jesus received the cross. That He\nknelt down and addressed the wood with loving words. It was the\nconsummation of the Lord\u2019s desires. His whole aim in life was that He\nshould die on the cross, so now He stretches out His arms to receive that\nprecious burden, the seat of His love, the instrument of His mercy, and\nthe sign of triumph. Dear cross! no longer are you the wood of disgrace on\nwhich malefactors are to die; you are now the sign of glory. No longer are\nyou the accursed wood, but the glory of the elect. Cross and altar are now\nthe same thing to us; the altar is our joy and happiness, so also is the\ncross. The Christian who has no love for the cross is to be pitied.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nThe Lord takes the holy cross on His shoulders, at the foot of Calvary,\nand carries it up to the summit. What a journey that was, full of sorrow\nand pain! He falls several times; He meets His holy Mother on the way and\nexchanges some words of consolation with her. He meets the weeping women\nof Jerusalem, and bids them weep over themselves and over their children.\nSimon the Cyrenean is compelled to help carry the heavy weight of the\ncross. Veronica, a devout woman, offers a handkerchief, that the Lord may\nwipe His sacred countenance. Two malefactors are also to be crucified with\nthe Saviour. He does not despise their company: He wished to be numbered\namong the most abject of sinners, for He carries in His cross all the sins\nof mankind. He has to make reparation to the heavenly Father for them all.\nAt this sight let us no longer grumble at our crosses, but let us bear\nthem lovingly and cheerfully.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nAfter terrible exertion in consequence of His exhaustion, loss of blood,\nwant of food and rest, Our Lord arrives at the summit of Mount Calvary,\ncalled Golgotha, the place of execution, the mount of skulls. Our Lord\nwould have died in consequence of the terrible punishment He had received,\nonly the power of His heavenly Father kept Him alive. Arriving on the\nspot, His clothes are cruelly torn off His sacred body, the wounds are\nreopened and bleed afresh. He kneels down, and at the command of His\nexecutioners He extends His arms and feet to the places to which they were\nto be attached. The soldiers take nails and hammers, and drive nails into\nthe palms of His hands, fixing them to the cross; then His feet are nailed\nalso. When all this has been done they raise the cross to an erect\nposition and set it in the ground. Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is present;\nshe hears the strokes of the hammer\u2014every sound pierces her heart. O\nMother of sorrows! make me feel the dreadful crucifixion in my soul;\ndivide thy sorrows with me. Mary Magdalen, the penitent woman, hastens to\nthe foot of the cross. St. John, the beloved disciple, is there also.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nThe executioners then sat down before the cross, and watched Our Lord.\nThey played dice for His garments; it was their sinful perquisite to take\npossession of anything that a dying criminal left. Our Lord was poor and\nhad nothing but His garments, and these were accordingly distributed. Our\nLord hung on the cross; not a word had so far passed His lips;\nuncomplaining, sunk in deep prayer, the sacrifice of the cross was going\non for our sins, the Lamb of God was on the slaughter bench, pouring forth\nHis blood without giving a sign of pain. He hangs between two murderers.\nHe is not distinguished from them in misery, except that He prays and they\nblaspheme. The Jews now celebrate their triumph; they are gathered about\nin knots, mocking and laughing. They invite Him to descend from the cross:\nthat then they would believe in Him. Jesus still wears the crown of\nthorns, and over His head, attached to the wood, are the words: \u201cJesus of\nNazareth, King of the Jews.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nThe first words which Our Lord utters after a long silence, are words of\nmercy, and a prayer for forgiveness: \u201cFather, forgive them, for they know\nnot what they do.\u201d Jesus prays for His enemies, for His executioners,\nbefore He speaks a word of comfort to His holy Mother. He looks for no\nrevenge, casts no threats at them, does not complain of their inhuman\nconduct. He only thinks that by His prayer He may save them. In the\nmeantime the thief on His right acknowledges his faults, defends the Lord,\nand begs for mercy, which he receives on the spot with a promise of being\nwith Christ in paradise on that very day. The centurion also acknowledges\nthe divinity of Christ, and many who are around the cross strike their\nbreasts, and are converted. Now that the sacrifice had been offered Jesus\nsees His Mother at the foot of the cross, and the disciple whom He loved.\nTurning to Mary He said \u201cWoman, behold thy son,\u201d and to the disciple,\n\u201cbehold thy Mother,\u201d and from that hour John, as a dutiful son, took Mary\nunder his protection.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nAfter Our Lord had hung on the cross for three hours, a great darkness\ncame over the whole universe. The sun refused to give light. Amid this\nweird darkness and silence Our Lord completes His sacrifice. When the\nworld seems to desert you, and the horror of God\u2019s vengeance appears to\nsurround you, take heart, raise your eyes to Jesus crucified, and pray Him\nto strengthen you in patience and endurance until the darkness is over,\nand you can again find comfort in God\u2019s mercy. The Apostle Paul tells us\nthat Jesus, in the days of His flesh, poured forth prayers and\nsupplications with a great cry, and was heard out of reverence.\u2014Heb. v. 7.\nSo the sacrifice of Christ was accepted, and the debt which you owed for\nyour sins was expiated on the cross. You need no longer be afraid that\nyour wretchedness will bring on you eternal damnation; by the merits of\nthis sacred Passion you have a hope that you may enter into eternal glory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\n\u201cI thirst.\u201d The greatest affliction Our Lord had to endure on the cross\nwas the thirst. The fever after loss of blood and the severe and cruel\nsufferings, the torments of a whole night, had dried up the moisture of\nHis body. \u201cMy strength is dried up like a potsherd,\u201d was said of Him by\nthe Prophet: \u201cand My tongue hath cleaved to My jaws.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxi. 16. We\nhonor this holy thirst by abstaining during Lent from all intoxicating\ndrink, and many souls have received great blessings from God for this\nveneration. It is the intention that ennobles the act, and the smallest\noffering accompanied by a good will pleases God. Our Lord suffered this\nthirst to atone for our sins, that we might not go to hell, where we would\nthirst for all eternity. Remember Dives in the Gospel, who begged for one\ndrop of water to be placed on his tongue. Our Lord, dying with thirst,\nyearned for the salvation of your soul. This was the thirst symbolized by\nHis bodily thirst.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nAt last the hour has come, in which Jesus considers that He has made\nreparation to His heavenly Father for all the sins of mankind. The chalice\nhas been drained\u2014all possible humiliation had been heaped upon Him. Jesus\ncried, \u201cIt is consummated.\u201d All the work of salvation is now at an end.\nAll the sufferings that the Father has ordained in His eternal providence\nhave been undergone. \u201cThe work which Thou gavest me, I have performed.\u201d\nThe work of grace is accomplished. About the ninth hour, Our Lord cried\nout, with a loud voice, \u201cMy God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?\u201d The\nFather had demanded the death of the Son. He must be exterminated with the\nmost cruel torments; nothing less than death will satisfy the Father. He\nturns to the Father for one look of kindness, but He receives none, until\nthat hated human flesh has been punished.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nO my dear Jesus, Thou art altogether forsaken; there is nothing from which\nThou canst gather consolation and support. Even in the hour of death Thou\ndost enter the portals of the other world without one friendly face before\nThine eyes. Yes, Thou art forsaken; Thy strength, the assistance of Thy\nFather, the light of Thine eyes, Thy holy Mother, hath no consolation for\nThee. The people that stood around the cross did not know what that great\ncry meant. Only Jesus knew it. He felt it. How few people understand the\nlanguage of divine love! Who could think that the Father would desert His\nSon, and would not be satisfied but with the most extreme punishment! We\nshould sympathize with Our Lord in His cruel abandonment, we who have been\nthe cause of this agony. Our Lord suffers the same feeling of desertion\nwhen we do not visit Him in the Blessed Sacrament. Let it be our joy, our\npastime, our recreation, to go to Him, and to thank Him for His great love\nfor us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nThe last words which Our Lord uttered were, \u201cFather, into Thy hands I\ncommend My spirit.\u201d Again Jesus calls God His Father. God has accepted the\nsacrifice, and has taken His divine Son to His bosom, hence the Lord calls\nHim Father. The sacred countenance of Jesus takes on the pallor of death,\nthe lips are parted and the last breath is gone. His soul has flown to the\nFather; the adorable spirit of Jesus has entered the realms of eternal\nbliss, where He is joyfully received. Jesus is dead, but by the infinite\nmerits of His death and Passion He has freed us from death. Jesus is dead,\nbut by His death we have become children of God. Jesus is dead, but we\nacknowledge Him to be our good Lord, our Master and our King. The death of\nChrist is our life, but we must exterminate sin, and let the love of Jesus\nflame up in our hearts.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\n\u201cIt is consummated.\u201d All the sufferings of Our Lord are now over. The\ndepth of humiliation has been reached, the bitter chalice has been\ndrained, the soul of Jesus has left the body, and the body is dead. How\noften, dear Jesus, have I tried to shake off the cross which God has\nimposed on me! I, too, ought to remain fixed to the cross, until all is\nover and the soul leaves my body. The fact is that I have not the virtue\nof perseverance, that sister virtue of patience, which protects our\nsanctity. I ought to be able to say with Our Lord, \u201cThe work which I was\nto do is completed.\u201d The day will come when I, and the whole world, will\nsee the mystery of my crosses: when I shall see clearly the purpose for\nwhich I had to bear them. Give me the grace, gracious Jesus, that I may\nwelcome that day, because I am conscious that I have done my duty. With\nthe consummation of the work will also come my reward.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFortieth Day.\n\n\nWhen Our Lord had given up the ghost great events took place, that struck\nterror to the hearts of those who witnessed them, and which were told from\nmouth to mouth. The great veil of the Temple, behind which stood the holy\nof holies, was rent. A terrible earthquake shook the earth, so that the\nrocks were burst asunder. The graves opened and men buried for years came\nforth and stalked about the streets of the city. Then the centurion, who\nstood beneath the cross and witnessed these supernatural manifestations,\nexclaimed to those who stood by him that truly this must have been the Son\nof God. The soldier saw that all was over, and he had but one duty more to\nperform before he could go away: that of piercing the Heart of Jesus with\nthe lance. Then they took the body of the Lord from the cross, and laid it\nfor a moment in the arms of Mary. Preparations were made by Joseph of\nArimathea and Nicodemus for the burial; hurried preparations, for it was\nthe eve of the Pasch. They laid the body in the tomb, whence, on Easter\nSunday, Jesus rose triumphantly.\n\nPrayer.\n\nLook down upon me, good and gentle Jesus, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nA Method of Hearing Mass by Way of Meditation.\n\n\nBefore The Service Begins, While Waiting For The Priest To Come In\n\n\n    call to mind the Last Supper, in which Christ instituted the\n    sacrifice of the Mass, and gave Himself to us all to be our food.\n    Oughtest thou not to acknowledge and give Him thanks for this\n    excess of love?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\nJesus, \u201chaving loved His own who were in the world, He loved them unto the\nend.\u201d\u2014John xiii. 1.\n\n\u201cFor Thou hast prepared a table before me, against them that afflict\nme.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxii. 5.\n\n\u201cI will sacrifice to Thee the sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon\nthe name of the Lord.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxv. 17.\n\nWhen The Priest Is Descending From The Altar Before Commencing The Mass,\n\n\n    consider Christ after the Last Supper going from Mount Sion, where\n    the Supper had been held, to the Garden of Gethsemani. \u201cAnd His\n    disciples also followed Him.\u201d\u2014Luke xxii. 39. And wilt thou forsake\n    thy God in the time of temptation and trial?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cIn what place soever Thou shalt be, my Lord King, ... there will Thy\nservant be.\u201d\u20142 Kings xv. 21.\n\n\u201cIt is good for me to stick close to my God: to put my hope in the Lord\nGod.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxxii. 28.\n\n\u201cLord, I am ready to go with Thee both into prison and to death.\u201d\u2014Luke\nxxii. 33.\n\nAt The Confession\n\n\n    contemplate Christ praying in His agony, when \u201cHis sweat became as\n    drops of blood trickling down upon the ground.\u201d\u2014Luke xxii. 44. Thy\n    sins forced out His blood; and wilt thou not grieve on account of\n    them?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cWho will give water to my head, and a fountain of tears to my eyes? and I\nwill weep day and night.\u201d\u2014Jer. ix. 1.\n\n\u201cFather, I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee. I am not now\nworthy to be called Thy son.\u201d\u2014Luke xv. 21.\n\n\u201cO God, be merciful to me a sinner.\u201d\u2014Luke xviii. 13.\n\nWhen The Priest Kisses The Altar, And At The Introit,\n\n\n    consider Judas betraying Christ with a kiss. And art not thou also\n    a traitor, whilst thou rejectest thy Saviour to embrace some\n    trifling pleasure?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cImpute not to me, my Lord, the iniquity, nor remember the injuries of Thy\nservant.\u201d\u20142 Kings xix. 19.\n\n\u201cI know my iniquity; and my sin is always before me.\u201d\u2014Ps. l. 5.\n\nLord, have mercy upon me, have mercy upon me.\n\nAt The Kyrie Eleison\n\n\n    reflect on the threefold denial of Peter, who did not repent until\n    the Lord looked upon him.\u2014Luke xxii. 61. How often art thou\n    ashamed of thy Lord Jesus, and deniest Him before men? When wilt\n    thou repent and return to Him with contrition?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cI have sinned against the Lord.\u201d\u20142 Kings xii. 13.\n\n\u201cCast me not away from Thy face.\u201d\u2014Ps. l. 13.\n\n\u201cLook Thou upon me, and have mercy on me.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxiv. 16.\n\nAt The Gloria\n\n\n    think of the exultation of the Jews at the mocking and sufferings\n    of Christ. And art not thou as one of them, if thou takest\n    pleasure in wicked things?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cWhat shall we answer ... or what shall we say?... God hath found out the\niniquity of [His] servants.\u201d\u2014Gen. xliv. 16.\n\n\u201cConvert us, O God, Our Saviour: and turn off Thy anger from us.\u201d\u2014Ps.\nlxxxiv. 5.\n\n\u201cI will be glad and rejoice in Thee.\u201d\u2014Ps. ix. 3.\n\nAt The Collect, Epistle, And Gradual\n\n\n    think of all the accusations, mockeries, blows, and spittings,\n    which Christ endured in the houses of Annas and Caiphas.\u2014John\n    xviii. 22. Christ was silent as a lamb before His shearers; but\n    how easily art thou made angry, and reproachest thine accusers!\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cWhere is thy fear, thy fortitude, thy patience?\u201d\u2014Job iv. 6.\n\n\u201cThou art my patience, O Lord.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxx. 5.\n\n\u201cSet a watch, O Lord, before my mouth: and a door round about my lips.\nIncline not my heart to evil words.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxl. 3, 4.\n\nAt The Gospel\n\n\n    meditate how Christ was hurried from Caiphas to Pilate, questioned\n    concerning His teaching, and rebuked.\u2014John xviii. Dost thou value\n    the precious doctrine of Jesus? Dost thou receive it carefully\n    thyself, and hand it on to others?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cDirect my steps according to Thy word: and let no iniquity have dominion\nover me.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxviii. 133.\n\n\u201cThy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxix. 105.\n\n\u201cI will teach the unjust Thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to\nThee.\u201d\u2014Ps. l. 15.\n\nAt The Credo\n\n\n    meditate upon Christ sent by Pilate to Herod, and by him sent back\n    again to Pilate (when he obtained not the signs he expected to\n    see), clothed in a white garment, as a silly person not worthy of\n    credit.\u2014Luke xxiii. Art thou among those who, before they will\n    believe, demand of Christ that they may see a sign?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cBlessed are they that have not seen, and have believed.\u201d\u2014John xx. 29.\n\n\u201cI do believe, Lord: help my unbelief.\u201d\u2014Mark ix. 23.\n\n\u201cI live in the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and delivered\nHimself for me.\u201d\u2014Gal. xi. 20.\n\nAt The Offertory\n\n\n    meditate upon the resignation of Christ and His offering Himself\n    to bear all things for the glory of His Father, and the redemption\n    of mankind.\u2014Ps. xxxix. Art thou prepared to endure adversity and\n    affliction?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cI am ready for scourges.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxxvii. 18.\n\n\u201cI will take the chalice of salvation: and I will call upon the name of\nthe Lord.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxv. 13.\n\n\u201cConfirm, O God, what Thou hast wrought in us.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxvii. 29.\n\nAt The Lavabo\n\n\n    reflect how Pilate sought to excuse himself for his most wicked\n    deed by washing his hands. But he did not escape the guilt\n    itself.\u2014Matt. xxvii. 24. How often dost thou seek to conceal thy\n    sins, and to make excuses for them? So doing thou dost rather\n    increase than diminish them.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cI will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxxi. 6.\n\n\u201cO God, Thou knowest my foolishness: and my offences are not hid from\nThee.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxviii. 6.\n\n\u201cMan cannot be justified compared with God. If he will contend with Him,\nhe cannot answer Him one for a thousand.\u201d\u2014Job ix. 2, 3.\n\nAt The Orate Fratres\n\n\n    meditate upon Christ about to be condemned by Pilate, presented to\n    the people crowned with thorns and in a purple robe.\u2014John xix. 5.\n    What will be thy state, O man, when thou shalt stand before Christ\n    the judge at the Last Day?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cWho will grant me this, that Thou mayst protect me in hell, and hide me,\ntill Thy wrath pass?\u201d\u2014Job xiv. 13.\n\n\u201cI will let go my speech against myself, I will speak in the bitterness of\nmy soul. I will say to God: Do not condemn me.\u201d\u2014Job x. 1, 2.\n\n\u201cFor behold I was conceived in iniquities: and in sins did my mother\nconceive me.\u201d\u2014Ps. l. 7.\n\nAt The Preface\n\n\n    reflect that the very same Jews who, five days before, saluted\n    Christ with hosannas, now cry out, \u201cCrucify Him, crucify\n    Him.\u201d\u2014John xix. 6. Art thou guilty of similar inconstancy?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cPerfect Thou my goings in Thy paths; that my footsteps be not moved.\u201d\u2014Ps.\nxvi. 5.\n\n\u201cStrengthen Thou me in Thy words.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxix. 28.\n\n\u201cThy hand [shall] lead me: and Thy right hand shall hold me.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxxxix.\n10.\n\nAt The Canon\n\n\n    meditate upon Jesus bearing His own cross as He went up to\n    Calvary.\u2014John xix. 17. Dost thou not hear the voice of Christ? \u201cIf\n    any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his\n    cross, and follow Me.\u201d\u2014Matt. xvi. 24.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cDraw me: we will run after Thee to the odor of Thy ointments.\u201d\u2014Cant. i.\n3.\n\n\u201cGod forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of Our Lord Jesus\nChrist.\u201d\u2014Gal. vi. 14.\n\n\u201cLet us go forth therefore to Him without the camp, bearing His\nreproach.\u201d\u2014Heb. xiii. 13.\n\nAt The Elevation Of The Host\n\n\n    meditate on Christ nailed to the cross by His hands and feet, set\n    forth as a spectacle to the whole world.\u2014Luke xxiii. 33. Behold, O\n    man, thy Redeemer! With what affection hast thou hitherto embraced\n    Him, Who here, with extended arms, invites thee to His embrace?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cMy Beloved to me, and I to Him.\u201d\u2014Cant. ii. 16.\n\n\u201cTell Him that I languish with love.\u201d\u2014Ibid. v. 8.\n\n\u201cWho then shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation? or\ndistress, or famine?... For I am sure that neither death, nor life, ...\nnor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God,\nwhich is in Christ Jesus Our Lord.\u201d\u2014Rom. viii. 35\u201039.\n\nAt The Elevation Of The Chalice\n\n\n    reflect how profusely Christ poured forth His blood from His five\n    sacred wounds for the washing away of our sins. Run to Him, O\n    sinner, that thou mayest be cleansed, and \u201cdraw waters with joy\n    out of the Saviour\u2019s fountains.\u201d\u2014Is. xii. 3.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cSuffer me, therefore, that I may lament my sorrow a little, before I go,\nand return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of\ndeath.\u201d\u2014Job x. 20, 21.\n\n\u201cPerhaps darkness shall cover me.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxxxix. 11.\n\nAt The Memento For The Dead\n\n\n    reflect on the infinite mercy of God towards those who fear Him,\n    and pray for those holy souls who have departed this life\n    according to His justice, and in the one true faith.\n\n\n_Affection._\n\nO Jesus, \u201cenlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of\ndeath.\u201d\u2014Luke i. 79.\n\nAt The Pater Noster\n\n\n    meditate upon the seven words of Christ uttered by Him upon the\n    cross: 1, Christ prayed for His enemies; what dost thou do? 2, The\n    thief, repenting, obtained heaven; learn seriously to repent and\n    do penance, but delay it not to the last. 3, Christ commends His\n    Mother to St. John, and St. John to His Mother; to whom canst thou\n    better commend thyself? 4, Christ complains that He is forsaken;\n    and dost thou expect consolation as thy right? 5, Christ thirsted\n    for thy salvation; and dost thou turn away from it with loathing?\n    6, Christ announced that all His torments were finished; thus\n    shall all thy good and evil in this world be brought to a close.\n    7, Lastly, after the example of Christ, commend thy spirit into\n    the hands of thy heavenly Father.\u2014Luke xxiii. 46.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cAnd forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.\u201d\u2014Matt. vi. 12.\n\nMake me also to hear, \u201cThis day thou shalt be with Me in paradise.\u201d\u2014Luke\nxxiii. 43.\n\nO Mary, \u201cbehold thy Son!\u201d\u2014John xix. 26.\n\n\u201cForsake me not, O Lord my God: do not Thou depart from me.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxxvii.\n22.\n\n\u201cFor Thee my soul hath thirsted.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxii. 2.\n\n\u201cHappy is he who hath finished his course, who hath kept the faith.\u201d\u20142\nTim. iv. 7.\n\n\u201cInto Thy hands I commend my spirit.\u201d\u2014Luke xxiii. 46.\n\nAt The Division Of The Sacred Host\n\n\n    reflect upon the separation of Christ\u2019s soul from His body.\u2014Matt.\n    xxvii. 50. It is appointed unto men once to die.\u2014Heb. ix. 27.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cLet my soul die the death of the just.\u201d\u2014Num. xxiii. 10.\n\n\u201cWhether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord\u2019s.\u201d\u2014Rom. xiv. 8.\n\n\u201cBlessed are the dead who die in the Lord.\u201d\u2014Apoc. xiv. 13.\n\nAt The Agnus Dei,\n\n\n    when the priest strikes his breast, reflect how many of those who\n    saw Christ dying on the cross, striking their breasts\n    returned.\u2014Luke xxiii. 48. And dost not thou strike thy breast in\n    token of true sorrow for thy sins?\n\n\n_Affections._\n\nLord, I strike my breast with the publican, and say, \u201cBe merciful to me a\nsinner.\u201d\u2014Luke xviii. 13.\n\n\u201cAnd now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither\nremember my offences, nor those of my parents.\u201d\u2014Tob. iii. 3.\n\n\u201cLet Thy mercies speedily prevent us.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxviii. 8.\n\nAt The Communion Of The Priest\n\n\n    meditate upon the burial of Christ.\u2014John xix. 42. He asks from\n    thee thy heart as a sepulchre.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cMy heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.\u201d\u2014Ps. lvi. 8.\n\n\u201cArise, O Lord, into Thy resting\u2010place, Thou and the ark [of Thy\nholiness].\u201d\u2014Ps. cxxxi. 8.\n\n\u201cMy heart shall rejoice with Thee.\u201d\u2014Prov. xxiii. 15.\n\nAt The Last Collect\n\n\n    meditate upon Christ\u2019s joyful and glorious resurrection.\u2014Mark xvi.\n    6. \u201cFor you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in\n    God.\u201d\u2014Colos. iii. 3.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cWe look for the Saviour, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who will reform the body\nof our lowness, made like to the body of His glory.\u201d\u2014Phil. iii. 20, 21.\n\n\u201cWhen shall I come and appear before the face of God?\u201d\u2014Ps. xli. 3.\n\n\u201cI desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.\u201d\u2014Phil. i. 23.\n\nAt The Benediction\n\n\n    meditate how Christ, ascending into heaven, blessed His\n    disciples.\u2014Mark xvi. 19. \u201cUnto this are you called, that you may\n    inherit a blessing.\u201d\u20141 Pet. iii. 9.\n\n\n_Affections._\n\n\u201cSave Thy people, O Lord, and bless Thy inheritance.\u201d\u2014Ps. xxvii. 9.\n\n\u201cMay God, our own God, bless us. May God bless us.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxvi. 7, 8.\n\n\u201cBlessed are they that dwell in Thy house, O Lord: they shall praise Thee\nforever and ever.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxxxiii. 5.\n\n_Prayer at the Conclusion of Mass._\n\nAccept, O Holy Trinity, this sacrifice of the body and blood of Our Lord\nJesus Christ, which I have offered to Thy divine majesty in remembrance of\nHis Passion and death; and by His infinite merits I beseech Thee that all\nmy defects and negligences may be supplied, for He is the propitiation for\nour sins. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Passion of Our Lord.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nJesus Christ.\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nGod the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, made man to redeem us, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, Who, during Thy whole life, didst burn with desire to die for us,\n            _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, prostrate in prayer in the Garden of Olives, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, agonizing, and covered with a bloody sweat, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, comforted by an angel, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, betrayed by Judas with a kiss, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, tied and bound by Thy enemies, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, abandoned by Thy disciples, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, arraigned before Annas and Caiphas, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, struck on Thy face by a servant, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, accused by false witnesses, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, declared worthy of death, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, spit upon, blindfolded and buffeted, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, denied thrice by Peter, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, delivered in chains to Pilate, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, despised and mocked by Herod, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, to whom Barabbas was preferred, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, cruelly scourged with whips, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, wounded and bruised for our sins, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, clothed in derision with a purple garment, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, crowned with thorns, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, with a reed in Thy hand instead of a sceptre, derided and insulted\n            as a mock king, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, most unjustly condemned to the ignominious death of the cross,\n            _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, loaded with a heavy cross and carrying it to Calvary, _Have mercy\n            on us._\nJesus, led as an innocent lamb to slaughter, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, nailed to a cross, and elevated upon it between two thieves, _Have\n            mercy on us._\nJesus, Who hast loved us, and delivered Thyself for us, as an oblation and\n            a sacrifice to God, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, Who didst wash us from our sins in Thy blood, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, praying for Thy enemies, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, blasphemed by those who passed by, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, promising paradise to the penitent thief, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, giving Thy Mother to St. John for his Mother, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, complaining of being forsaken by Thy Father, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, drenched in Thy thirst with vinegar and gall, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, recommending Thy spirit into Thy Father\u2019s hands, _Have mercy on\n            us._\nJesus, bowing Thy head and expiring on the cross, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, Whose side was opened with a spear, whence issued forth blood and\n            water, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, taken down from the cross, wrapped up in a clean linen cloth, and\n            laid in a new monument, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, Whose soul after Thy death descended into hell, _Have mercy on us._\nJesus, Who, in judgment, will demand an account of the profit derived from\n            Thy Passion and death, _Have mercy on us._\n\nBe merciful, _Spare us, O Lord!_\nBe merciful, _Hear us, O Lord!_\n\nFrom all evil, _Lord Jesus, deliver us._\nFrom the snares of the devil, _Lord Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy most bitter Passion, _Lord Jesus, deliver us._\nThrough Thy infinite merits, _Lord Jesus, deliver us._\n\nWe sinners,\n_Beseech Thee to hear us._\n\nThat being dead to sin, we may live to justice, _We beseech Thee to hear\n            us._\nThat we do not glory but in Thy holy cross, _We beseech Thee to hear us._\nThat for the love of Thee the world may be crucified to us, and we to the\n            world, _We beseech Thee to hear us._\nThat we may always bear about in our body Thy mortification, _We beseech\n            Thee to hear us._\nThat we may crucify our flesh, with its vices and concupiscences, _We\n            beseech Thee to hear us._\nThat Thy sacred blood may cleanse our consciences from dead works to serve\n            the living God, _We beseech Thee to hear us._\nThat being partakers of Thy sufferings, we may be also of Thy glory, _We\n            beseech Thee to hear us._\n\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Jesus_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O\n            Jesus_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O\n            Jesus_!\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\n\n_V._ O Lord, hear our prayer.\n\n_R._ And let our cry come unto Thee.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO Lord Jesus! Who didst shed Thy precious blood for the remission of our\nsins, grant, we most humbly beseech Thee, that in the day of judgment we\nmay merit to hear from Thy adorable mouth these consoling words: \u201cCome, ye\nblessed of My Father, possess the kingdom prepared for you.\u201d Amen.\n\n\n\n\nA Prayer to Jesus Suffering.\n\n\nO spotless Lamb! O innocent Victim, Who, by Thy death and blood, hast\neffaced the sins of mankind, blot out my iniquities, and do not permit\nthat Thy sufferings should become useless to me. O Jesus, abandoned by\nevery one, sorrowful, desolate, and resigned to death! help me now to\nreceive with resignation like Thine, whatever afflictions Thou shalt\nplease to send me. O Jesus, calumniated, accused, despised! teach me to\ndisregard the judgments of men, and to suffer with patience the most base\ninjuries. O Jesus, torn with stripes, pierced with thorns, weltering in\nblood for my sake! teach me to endure for love of Thee, the anguish and\ninconvenience of ill\u2010health and sickness. O Jesus, abandoned to\nexecutioners, shamefully condemned to a cross! enable me to fly all\nvainglory, and embrace the most humbling confusion. O Jesus, sinking under\nthe weight of Thy cross! I unite myself to Thee, and my cross also to\nThine. May I ever carry it with the same strength and courage which Thou\ndidst. O Jesus, raised upon Thy cross! draw me now powerfully to Thee.\nThou art expiring for my sake. Oh, let me never live but for Thine! that\nbeing henceforth crucified with Thee, my whole occupation may be to love,\nto praise, and to adore Thee. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nPrayers to the Five Wounds of Our Lord.\n\n\nTo The Wound Of The Left Foot.\n\nO my divine Saviour! I humbly adore the sacred wound of Thy left foot, and\nI feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee\nfor the love with which Thou didst make Thy painful journey to Calvary,\nmarking every step of the way with Thy precious blood. I offer to the\neternal Father the love and sufferings of Thy holy humanity, in expiation\nof my crimes, which I detest with sincere and bitter contrition.\n\nOur Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nO holy Mother, impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified\nJesus.\n\nTo The Wound Of The Right Foot.\n\nO my divine Saviour! I adore the sacred wound of Thy right foot, and I\nfeelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee for\nthe love with which Thou didst suffer Thy sacred feet to be pierced, and\nwith barbarous cruelty nailed to the cross, to atone for my wanderings,\nand for the guilty indulgence of my disorderly passions. I offer to the\neternal Father the love and sufferings of Thy holy humanity. I beseech Him\nto grant me the grace to weep bitterly for my sins, and to persevere in\nvirtue to the end of my life, without ever straying from the obedience due\nto Thy holy commandments.\n\nOur Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nO holy Mother, impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified\nJesus.\n\nTo The Wound Of The Left Hand.\n\nO my divine Saviour! I humbly adore the sacred wound of Thy left hand, and\nI feelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee\nfor having thereby, with so much love, delivered me from the eternal\npunishments which my sins deserve. I offer to the eternal Father the love\nand sufferings of Thy holy humanity. I beseech Him to grant me the grace\nto profit by the remainder of my life, that I may bring forth fruits\nworthy of penance, and thus disarm the divine justice provoked by my\nrepeated sins.\n\nOur Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nO holy Mother, impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified\nJesus.\n\nTo The Wound Of The Right Hand.\n\nO my divine Saviour! I adore the sacred wound of Thy right hand, and I\nfeelingly compassionate the intense pain it caused Thee. I thank Thee for\nall the blessings which this bountiful hand has so abundantly bestowed on\nme, notwithstanding my ingratitude in refusing to correspond with Thy\ngracious designs. I offer to the eternal Father the love and sufferings of\nThy holy humanity. I beseech Him to change my heart and affections, and to\nrender all my actions conformable to His holy will.\n\nOur Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nO holy Mother, impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified\nJesus.\n\nTo The Wound Of The Opened Side.\n\nO my divine Saviour! I humbly adore the sacred wound of Thy opened side. I\nam exceedingly moved at this cruel outrage. I thank Thee for the love with\nwhich Thou didst suffer Thy side to be pierced and Thy Heart opened, to\ngive us even the last drop of Thy precious blood that our redemption might\nbe most abundant. I offer to the eternal Father both this outrage offered\nto Thy holy humanity, and the love with which Thou art always ready to\nreceive the greatest of sinners, that my soul may be received into this\nmost loving Heart and may abide therein forever. Amen.\n\nOur Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc. Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nO holy Mother, impress deeply on my heart the wounds of my crucified\nJesus.\n\n\n\n\n\nMAY. THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.\n\n\nWe are now on the eve of the beautiful month of Mary\u2014this blessed month so\nardently looked for by every true Christian. On its approach we see the\naltars of our blessed Mother in churches, chapels, and oratories\ndecorated, and everywhere during this lovely month exercises in honor of\nthe beloved Mother of Our Redeemer are performed with more or less pomp\nand ceremony. Mary is our heavenly Mother, and we are her children. What\nwell\u2010trained child but is anxious to express his love and gratitude\ntowards his mother, in order to make her happy? What mother so worthy of\nlove as Mary? Do you wish to please her? This month gives you an\nopportunity of so doing. Dedicate it to her, practise daily some little\nact of devotion in her honor, and be faithful in making these meditations.\nThen only will you deserve to be called a child of Mary. O immaculate\nMary, Mother of our Jesus, and our Mother! also obtain that we may give\nthee most fervent homage during this month, and by our words and example\ndraw all hearts to thee and thy divine Son.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day. Mary\u2019s Immaculate Conception.\n\n\n\u201cThou art all fair, O My love, and there is not a spot in thee.\u201d\u2014Cant. iv.\n7. These words are found in the Canticles of Solomon, and are applied to\nthe Blessed Virgin. From all eternity she had been predestined to be the\nMother of God, to give to the almighty God that body, that flesh and\nblood, which He was to assume for our redemption, and the creature that He\nselected for His Mother must have been all pure, all holy, and free from\nthe slightest taint of sin. A few saints, such as John the Baptist and the\nprophet Jeremias, were sanctified in their mother\u2019s womb. And if these\nmen, because of their predestination, were born without sin, surely it\ncannot be supposed that God did not bestow on Mary a greater\nprivilege\u2014that He exempted her from the necessity of being even for one\ninstant the slave of sin. O Mother mine, O Mother of the Church of God, I\nhail thee! Have pity on us, O Mary conceived without sin, and obtain for\nus the grace to struggle against our passions.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO holiest and purest of virgins, well dost thou merit this title! Thou who\nwast a virgin although a mother, pray for us. Take pity on us, thy\nchildren; intercede for us with Jesus, that He may have mercy on us, and\ngrant us the grace to walk worthy of our vocation, that we may be His\nthrough time and eternity. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day. Mary\u2019s Nativity.\n\n\nThe whole earth was filled with gladness at the birth of Mary, because of\nher was to be born Jesus Christ, Our Saviour and Redeemer, Who was to\ndeliver us from the slavery of the devil. How heaven must have rejoiced at\nthe birth of such a mother! A nation\u2019s joy at the birth of an heir to the\nthrone may give you some faint idea of the joy the angels experienced at\nMary\u2019s nativity. This is a day of jubilation for the entire world, for the\njust and the sinner, for time and eternity. Hell alone is afraid, for this\nis the woman destined to crush the serpent\u2019s head. Her appearance was the\nblessed dawn, announcing the rising of the Sun of righteousness. Made holy\nat her conception, the object of God\u2019s love at her birth, every step in\nMary\u2019s life was marked by new progress in virtue; no shadow of sin ever\ntarnished the beauty of her soul. Let us then praise our Mother and Queen,\nand implore her to take pity on us, whose lives are passed in a constant\nstruggle against the world, the flesh, and the devil. Let us beg her to\naid us in these combats, and to bring us to our eternal home.\n\nPrayer.\n\nWhat relief do I feel in my miseries, and what consolation in my sorrow!\nwhat strength do I not find in the midst of temptations, when I remember\nthee, and call thee to my aid! O my most sweet and holy Mother Mary, my\nown Mother, do thou console me! I see myself loaded with sins and\nsurrounded with enemies, without virtue, and cold in my love towards God.\nComfort me, and let me begin a new life, a life which will be pleasing to\nthy divine Son and to thee. Amen.\n\n\n\nThird Day. Mary\u2019s Presentation.\n\n\nWho is she that advances as the sun, beautiful as Jerusalem? It is Mary,\nthe well\u2010beloved daughter of the Father, who repairs to the Temple of\nJerusalem to consecrate herself to the service of God. Happy he who gives\nhimself to God in his youth, who offers Him a heart which has not been\nwounded by the thorns on life\u2019s weary way, a heart which has not known the\nstate of sin. He has not to struggle against the memories of the past,\nwhich strive to draw him from the service of God. How beautiful, how\nfilled with sweetest instruction for us, is every passage in the life of\nour beloved Mother! Let us look at the picture now presented to us of the\ninfant Queen of saints, on the day of her early entrance into the Temple\nof God. Let us follow her, and learn our first lesson from our little\nQueen, so full of grace. See her as she passes up the long flight of\nstairs, the little arms folded above the pure young heart, the upturned\nface glowing with heavenly joy\u2014a face where lies reflected the light of a\nsoul which never for a moment was shrouded in the gloomy shadow of sin.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord, Thou wilt not reject a contrite and humble heart! I come then to\nThee, O my Father. At the sight of my bruised and bleeding heart Thou wilt\nhave compassion on Thy child, and receive my offering. Blooming rose,\nMother of God all beautiful, Virgin most sweet, pray for us, that we may\nbe worthy to find eternal happiness in eternal light. Grant that by thy\nintercession our sins may be effaced. Amen.\n\n\n\nFourth Day. The Annunciation.\n\n\nGod sent His archangel, St. Gabriel, one of the great ones of His kingdom,\nto impart to the Blessed Virgin, Our Lady, His eternal counsel, and to ask\nher consent. The archangel went to Nazareth, and before the rising of the\nsun entered the oratory where the Blessed Virgin was, and beholding in her\nhis Queen, he saluted her with such reverence that she was overcome with\nfear, not knowing what to think. We know how the heavenly messenger bowed\nbefore his Queen and said, \u201cFear not, Mary; the Lord is with thee, for\nthou hast found grace before God. Behold thou shalt conceive and bring\nforth a Son, and thou shalt call His name, Jesus.\u201d And we know when that\nyoung maiden, bowing her head in her heavenly humility, consented, saying,\n\u201cBehold the handmaid of the Lord; be it done unto me according to Thy\nword,\u201d that the Holy Ghost overshadowed her, and \u201cthe Word was made\nflesh.\u201d Truly she is blessed among all women, blessed among all mothers.\nBy her blessedness all women are raised and ennobled. She is their honor,\ntheir glory, their model. Blessed Virgin and Mother, ever immaculate on\nearth as now in heaven, where she leads the army of virgins who follow the\nLamb whithersoever He goeth. Think of Mary raised above all women, and see\nher wonderful humility. God loved her for it. The one thought of her life,\nthe one end of her actions, was truly to be the handmaid of God. This is a\nlesson we all must learn, namely: to yield ourselves up to the will of Him\nWhose we are already by so many titles, wondering how He can forget the\nsins we have committed against Him, and how He can desire to pour His\ncelestial grace into so unworthy a vessel.\n\nPrayer.\n\nMay Thy will, O God, be done in us, through us, and by us, this day and\nalways, here and everywhere! Hail, glorious Mother of God; hail, Queen of\nheaven; hail, my patroness! To thy tender maternal love I commend myself,\nin order that all my actions may have for their end three things, namely,\nthe glory of thy Son, my own salvation, and my neighbor\u2019s good. In every\ntribulation and sorrow come to my aid and the aid of my friends. Amen.\n\n\n\nFifth Day. The Visitation.\n\n\nNo sooner had Mary heard the words of the angel, announcing that she had\nbeen chosen to be the Mother of the long expected Messias, and that her\nkinswoman Elizabeth was also with child, than she rose up and went with\nhaste into the hill country, and entering into the house of Zachary,\nsaluted Elizabeth. Her heart was full of unselfish love for God and man,\nand the very love of God which made her heart burn with joy at the coming\nof Jesus, made it also beat quickly with gladness at the great blessing\ngranted to Elizabeth. The angel had told Zachary that his son John was to\nbe the immediate precursor of the Messias, and Elizabeth had been\nconstantly thinking of all this, longing to know when and whence the\nMessias should come. Lost in these thoughts she sat on the day of Mary\u2019s\narrival, and the instant that sweet voice struck on her ear, it was made\nknown to her in a wonderful manner that this was the Mother of the\nMessias. Rising, she knelt before her, crying, \u201cBlessed art thou among\nwomen, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me,\nthat the Mother of my Lord should come to me?\u201d For a moment Mary stood in\nastonishment\u2014then she realized the greatness of her title of Mother of\nGod, and while the light of ecstasy transfigured her holy face, she\nexclaimed, \u201cMy soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in\nGod my Saviour. Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid: for\nbehold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. Because He\nthat is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is His name. And His\nmercy is from generation unto generations to them that fear Him. He hath\nshewed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the conceit of\ntheir heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted\nthe humble. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He\nhath sent empty away. He hath received Israel His servant, being mindful\nof His mercy. As He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed\nforever.\u201d The visit which occasioned this beautiful canticle preaches in\nevery line the great virtue of charity which marked Our Lady\u2019s life so\nclearly. The Holy Scripture tells us that Mary remained with Elizabeth for\nthree months, when she returned to her own home.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Virgin most fair, worthy of all praise and honor! Sanctuary consecrated\nto God, Virgin Mother, hidden treasure of innocence, splendor of\nvirginity! Thy prayers are favorably received on high. Address them for us\nto Him, Whom in thy virginity thou didst conceive, Who is true Lord and\nGod, the Author of all creatures. Amen.\n\n\n\nSixth Day. The Birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ.\n\n\nAnd when the fulness of time was come, \u201cGod so loved the world as to give\nHis only\u2010begotten Son,\u201d Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down\nfrom heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was\nmade man. The Emperor Augustus ordered that a great census should be taken\nin all the provinces of his empire, each family being enrolled in the city\nof its respective tribe. Thus, in obedience to the order, Mary came to the\ncity of David, and in all its length and breadth there was not room for\nher to lay her weary head. \u201cHe came unto His own, and His own received Him\nnot.\u201d Gold would doubtless have procured admission to an appropriate\nshelter, but Joseph had no gold. The evening wind fell cold and piercing\non the young virgin, who breathed not a word of complaint though she was\nscarcely able to support herself. The lonely travellers, seeing themselves\nrejected by all the world, quitted Bethlehem, and in a poor ruined stable\nMary brought forth her first\u2010born Son, the promised Messias, and laid Him\nin a manger. Great artists have striven to paint the rapture of Mary as\nshe laid her Jesus, her Son, her God, in the manger. Who can understand\nwhat it was to see Him, to adore Him as her God, to caress Him as her\nChild, to forget all her fatigue in her wonderful joy? We can adore Him\nand watch the movements of our beloved Mother, a model and example of\nresignation on this night of poverty and humiliation. Glory and praise to\nthee, O holy Mother, in this thy poverty in Bethlehem! Many a poor mother\nin sorrow and want will look to thee and find consolation, knowing thy\ntender heart will sympathize with her. For what are we that we should be\nbetter treated than the Mother of Our God?\n\nPrayer.\n\nImmaculate Virgin, Mother of God, receive my prayer. Help me in all my\nnecessities, intercede for me, O glorious one, with my Redeemer, even with\nHim, thy divine Son, Whom thou didst bear without spot of sin. Deliver me\nfrom every snare of the enemy, and from all carnal delights, that by thy\nintercession I may obtain the pardon of all my sins, steadfast resistance\nto all my enemies visible and invisible, and the amendment of my life.\nAmen.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day. The Purification.\n\n\nIt was ordered by the Law of Moses that all women should, at a stated time\nafter childbirth, repair to the Temple and present themselves to the\npriest, in order that they might be purified. Could she who had been\nimmaculately conceived, an immaculate Virgin and Mother, be made more\npure? No, certainly not; but obedience required that she should comply\nwith the conditions of the Law, and obedience was one of Mary\u2019s greatest\nvirtues. Should not her example fill us with confusion\u2014we who are apt to\nmurmur against any command that is in the slightest manner distasteful to\nour feelings? The Law also commanded that every first\u2010born son should be\noffered to God in the Temple, and then ransomed by some gift, according to\nthe condition of the parents. Mary and Joseph were poor, so they took\ntheir humble offering of two doves and set out for Jerusalem, to present\nthe Son of God in the Temple. As Mary walked on, with her precious Child\nclasped in her arms, how little the passers\u2010by suspected Who this first\u2010\nborn Son was! If they could have only known what He was to do for His\npeople, how they would have bowed before Him and adored Him, poor weak\nInfant as He was! But no, \u201cHe came unto His own, and His own knew Him\nnot.\u201d \u201cAnd behold there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man\nwas just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy\nGhost was in him. And he had received an answer from the Holy Ghost, that\nhe should not see death before he had seen the Christ of the Lord. And he\ncame by the Spirit into the Temple. And when His parents brought in the\nChild Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the Law: he took Him\ninto his arms, and blessed God, and said: Now Thou dost dismiss Thy\nservant, O Lord, according to Thy word in peace: Because my eyes have seen\nThy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples. A\nlight to the revelation of the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people,\nIsrael.\u201d As Simeon stands thus with the Babe in his arms, the Holy Ghost\nshows him the sad, sad future of the Child and Mother. Turning to Mary, he\nsaid: \u201cBehold this Child is set for the fall, and for the resurrection of\nmany in Israel.... And thy own soul a sword shall pierce.\u201d Oh, the awful\nsorrow that fell on her young heart! For a moment she bowed down under the\ncrushing burden of her coming pain, but only for a moment; then she\nstretches out her arms to receive her Child, and murmurs, \u201cThy will, not\nmine, be done; be it done unto me according to Thy word.\u201d What a lesson\nfor us to learn, we who are restless and impatient under every little\ntrial! What a contrast to our disobedience and pride when God wishes to\ntake some loved object from us! Oh, let the example of this most perfect\nof women sink deeply into our hearts, and may we learn from her the great\nvirtues of charity, obedience, humility, and purity.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mother of mercy, forsake us not in our hour of trial and temptation!\nNever allow us to lose courage, but cheer us with thy aid, make us patient\nunder suffering, and render our wills conformable to the will of thy\ndivine Son. Conduct us through the dawn of penance to the fulness of thy\nlight. Amen.\n\n\n\nEighth Day. Simeon\u2019s Prophecy.\n\n\nThe holy Simeon had foretold that Jesus should be a stumbling block to\nmany. By these words Mary understood that Jesus would suffer much\npersecution from the Jews, and her immaculate heart was deluged with\nsorrow. She saw Anna come into the Temple and heard her acknowledge Jesus\nas her God. She obeyed everything which the Law ordained, and then with\nJoseph and her Child returned to the city of Nazareth, with the sharp\nsword of sorrow within her heart. Oh, the constant grief that followed\neach ray of joy that lighted her soul! How she suffered at every insult\noffered to her divine Son\u2014she who loved Him as no other mother ever loved\na child! Every look at Jesus, every movement that He made, every word He\nspoke, brought to her mind the prophecy of Simeon and filled her heart\nwith bitterness. The memory of those words were always before her, and as\ntime passed on she saw Gethsemani and Calvary hourly drawing nearer and\nnearer. The words of the prophet Isaias came whispering to her heart, \u201cHe\nshall be led as a sheep to the slaughter, and shall be dumb as a lamb\nbefore His shearer, and He shall not open His mouth.\u201d Yet ever and anon\nshe murmured, \u201cThy will, not mine, be done.\u201d Oh, what an example of loving\nresignation to the will of God! It is astonishing how shallow all human\nconsolation is. Let Our Lady teach us how to suffer without seeking\nconsolation. She suffered in silence; we can make our sorrows in a measure\nlike hers by constantly uniting them to the sorrows of our dearest Lord.\nWith confidence then we may seek the Mother of sorrows, and ask her to be\nthe Mother of our sorrow, to help us bear our burdens to the very end\u2014to\nbe like her, loving and patient with those who cause us pain. It is a\nconsolation to those who mourn to know that our blessed Lady was a\nlifelong mourner. So let us take up our sorrow bravely, and following in\nthe footsteps of our dear Mother, walk cheerfully on.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mary, Mother of sorrows, my refuge, neglect not to pray for me in all my\ntribulations! First of all in the blood of Jesus Christ, then in thy\nprayers, do I trust for my eternal salvation. In thee, O Lady, have I\nhoped; I will say to thee with St. Bonaventure, \u201cI shall not be confounded\nforever.\u201d Obtain for me the grace to love my God in this life and in\neternity, and I ask for nothing more. Amen.\n\n\n\nNinth Day. The Flight into Egypt.\n\n\nFilled with joy and praising God, the Magi left the stable with the\nintention of going to Herod, so that he might share in the happiness. But\nan angel appeared to them, warning them not to return to Herod, for he\nsought to destroy the Christ, the new\u2010born Messias, so they turned their\ncamels\u2019 heads and went another way into their own country. Herod did not\nintend, however, to be deprived of his Victim, and lest he should miss\ntaking the life of the new\u2010born King, he gave orders that all the children\nof two years and under in and around Bethlehem should be killed. While\nHerod is thus plotting the Infant\u2019s death, an angel appears to Joseph in a\ndream, to warn him, saying, \u201cRise, take the Child and His Mother and fly\ninto Egypt: and be there until I shall tell thee. For it will come to pass\nthat Herod will seek the Child that he may destroy Him.\u201d Joseph and Mary\nimmediately obeyed the command, for poverty has but few preparations to\nmake. Not a murmur or complaint escaped their lips, though our hearts can\nimagine how difficult it must have been for Mary to leave home again, and\nto face the hardships of the wilderness. Trembling with apprehension from\nthe dread of Herod\u2019s followers, and suffering from heat and cold in their\nseverest forms, they travelled on for many a weary day. But God had so\nordained it, and they were ready to do His holy will. What a lesson of\nperfect obedience! They knew that they were carrying Jesus, yet they did\nnot look for miracles to lighten their burden. We may reverently follow\nthem on their journey in our meditations. Tradition tells us of trees that\nbowed down their leafy heads to shade with their fan\u2010like plumes the\nMother and her Child. It also tells us that the images of the heathen gods\nfell from their pedestals when the true God went by. And there, amid the\nEgyptian idolaters, Mary, the frail, girlish Mother, and Joseph, so\npatient and uncomplaining, with the holy Babe dwelt for seven years.\nJoseph pursued his trade of carpenter, and Mary no doubt contributed her\nshare to the support of the modest household, while Jesus grew in beauty\nday after day. When Herod died an angel came to Joseph, saying, \u201cArise,\nand return into Judea, for they who sought the life of the Child are\ndead.\u201d This was glad news to Mary and Joseph, and joyfully they returned\nto commence anew their life in Nazareth of Galilee.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHail, Mother of mercy, Queen of heaven, thou art our life, our sweetness,\nand our hope! Obtain for me the grace of the Holy Ghost, that He may\ndispose of me in all things according to His will, that He may direct my\nbody, elevate my soul, guide my life, rule my conduct, inspire my actions,\nmaintain within me holy thoughts, pardon my sins of the past, correct\nthose of the present, and preserve me from sin in the future. Amen.\n\n\n\nTenth Day. The Three Days\u2019 Loss.\n\n\nFrom the time of the return from Egypt, history is silent as to the life\nof the Holy Family, until the time when they went to keep the Easter\nfestival at Jerusalem. According to the Law, the Jews were obliged to go\nup to Jerusalem to worship God three times a year, unless they were\nlegitimately hindered. The first time was at the Pasch, instituted in\nremembrance of the exodus from Egypt, and corresponding to our Easter; the\nsecond time was the feast of weeks, which was Pentecost or Whitsuntide;\nthe third was the feast of tabernacles. St. Luke, in his gospel, gives us\nthis account of the occurrence: \u201cWhen Jesus was twelve years old, they\nwent up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast.\u201d Unknown and\nunnoticed, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph passed into the holy city. Mary\u2019s heart\nwas filled with joy at the thought that she was leading to the Temple\nGod\u2019s only Son made man. As she looked at the surging crowd around her\nboth within and without the Temple, she thought to herself, \u201cAh, if you\ncould but know that this Boy, Whom you think is only the son of a\ncarpenter, is the Son of the most high God! He is your King.\u201d But the week\nof unleavened bread came to a close. Thousands as usual had thronged the\nholy city to worship God. After the festival was over, the custom was that\nall the women should depart by one gate of the city, the men by another,\nin order to reunite at the halting\u2010place of the first night. The children\nmight go either with the father or with the mother. Thus it was that Mary\nand Joseph travelled on contentedly, Mary thinking that Jesus was with\nJoseph, while Joseph on his side supposed the Child to be with His Mother.\nThe night had fallen before the two bands of men and women met; imagine\nthe consternation of the holy parents when they discovered the absence of\ntheir precious charge. They asked among their kinsfolk and acquaintances\nif He were with them, but Mary knew it would be all in vain. She knew if\nHe were in the company He would long since have joined her; so in all\nhaste, alone and silent, Mary and Joseph retraced their steps to the holy\ncity. For three days they searched in sorrow for their loved Child; they\nmade inquiries everywhere, but all to no purpose. On the third day they\nheard of a wonderful Child Who sat daily in the Temple disputing with the\ndoctors. With eager steps Mary and Joseph went to the Temple; as they came\nalong Mary\u2019s ear has caught the sound of a voice which it is impossible\nfor her to mistake\u2014it is the voice of Jesus. What a sight greets their\neyes as they enter\u2014the great doctors of the Law sitting around, and her\nBoy in the midst of them answering questions! \u201cMy Son, my Son,\u201d Mary\ncries, \u201cWhy hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have sought\nThee sorrowing.\u201d The Son of God lifted His eyes and looked at her, saying,\n\u201cWhy have ye sought Me? Did ye not know that I must be about My Father\u2019s\nbusiness?\u201d Nevertheless, He went down to Nazareth and was subject to them.\nAnd His Mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced in\nage and grace with God and man. When we sin we too lose Jesus, Our Father\nand Friend; but do we, like Mary, search for Him until we find Him? We\nmust not wait for Him to come back to us; we must go and find out where He\nis. Sometimes Jesus permits us to suffer pain and anguish. When this is\nso, think of Mary, and how sweetly and patiently she suffered during those\nthree days when she was separated from Jesus. Let us also dwell on the\nobedience of Jesus; the Son of God, Our Creator, was subject to His\ncreature. Oh, my God, give us grace to understand this great mystery and\nstrength to follow it!\n\nPrayer.\n\nWhat relief do I feel in my miseries, and what consolation in my\ntribulation; what strength do I not find in the midst of temptations, when\nI remember and call thee, O my Mother, to my aid? O my most sweet and most\nholy Mother Mary, my own Mother, do thou console me! I see myself loaded\nwith sins and surrounded by enemies, without virtue, and cold in my love\ntowards God. Comfort me, and let me begin a new life, a life which will be\npleasing to thy Son and to thee. Amen.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day. Meeting Jesus with the Cross.\n\n\nWe have now come to the morning of Good Friday\u2014to Mary\u2019s meeting Jesus\nwith the cross, which is one of her seven dolors. It is twenty\u2010one years\nsince the three days\u2019 loss, and the heart of Mary has traversed a world of\nmysteries since then\u2014always in joy, yet always with her lifelong sorrow\nbefore her. It would be impossible to make any calculations of the sum of\nlove which these years produced in Mary\u2019s heart. But now the time has come\nwhen Mary must give Jesus up, to be scourged and to be put to death. The\nPassion may be said to begin on the Thursday in Holy Week. The first Mass\ntook place that night, Our Lord\u2019s first unbloody sacrifice, to be followed\non the morrow by the dreadful one of blood. By a miraculous grace Mary is\nenabled to go through all the dreadful tortures of that long night of\npain. She hears the sound of the scourging, and sees the cruel soldiers\ncrown Him with thorns, bandage His eyes, and dare to bend the knee in\nmockery before Him Who has one day to be their Judge. She has heard Pilate\nsay, \u201cBehold the man,\u201d and the cry of the people, \u201cCrucify Him, crucify\nHim!\u201d and when Pilate said, \u201cI am innocent of the blood of this just man;\nlook you to it,\u201d she heard the dreadful imprecation that was shouted by\nthe demons around her, \u201cHis blood be upon us, and upon our children!\nCrucify Him, crucify Him!\u201d Then they lead Him away to pronounce the final\nsentence. The streets are filled with a great concourse of people, all\ngoing in one direction towards Calvary. What a journey for Mary, yet she\nnever shrinks. Oh, how can we, when we look at our sinless Mother\nsuffering so patiently, how can we murmur at the petty trials that God\nsends us? Mary, with St. John and Magdalen, stands at the corner. She does\nnot even tremble. Hark, that hoarse shouting, that trampling and hurrying\nof feet! The procession comes in sight; the centurion leads the way, the\nsoldiers dragging Jesus and His heavy cross\u2014then the maddened crowd surge\naround, about and behind her. She approaches to embrace Him, but the\nsoldiers thrust her rudely back. He staggers, and falls with a dull, heavy\nsound upon the street. O God of heaven! He falls, and His sweet Mother\nmust stand and look on. Well may she say, \u201cLook and see if there be sorrow\nlike unto my sorrow.\u201d Men crowd around Him, and with curses and blows drag\nHim up, and sweep on again on the way to Calvary, to finish their impious\ndesigns. O my Mother, I too was one of the agents in that cruel work!\nSurely, when I see all that my most sorrowful Mother had to undergo, it\nwill cost me no great effort to have a loving devotion to her. Can we look\non this sinless, uncomplaining Mother, standing in the streets of\nJerusalem, gazing on her Son and her God torn and bruised, crowned with\ncruel thorns, bending under the heavy cross which we gave Him, and refuse\nto bear the little crosses which He gives us? Oh, no! Let us look at our\nMother, and like her see all the beauty of our Jesus in the blood\u2010stained\ncountenance of the God made man, and carry most gladly all trials that our\nloving Lord may send us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most holy Mary, in the great battle in which I am now engaged with hell,\ndo thou always help me! And when thou seest me wavering, and likely to\nfall, O my Lady, do thou extend thy hand and sustain me. Mary, my hope, my\nrefuge, my strength, do thou protect me, and never allow me to lose the\ngrace of God. And on my part, I resolve always and instantly to have\nrecourse to thee in all temptations, saying, \u201cHelp me, Mary, help me.\u201d\nAmen.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day. The Crucifixion.\n\n\nThe way of the cross is ended, and they have come to Calvary. They have\nstripped Jesus of His garments, and have laid Him on the hard bed of the\ncross. Now commences the dreadful work of nailing His blessed hands and\nfeet to the cross. The right hand is nailed to the cross first, but\nthrough some mistake the left hand will not reach; then a fearful scene\ntakes place. The brutal soldiers pull with all their force, until,\ndislocating the arm, they succeed in stretching the hand to its place.\nPicture Mary looking in mute agony on that dreadful scene! His legs are\nstretched out, one foot crossed upon the other, and through them the nail\nis driven. Now the cross is raised on high, and Jesus hangs upon it. In\nthe past few moments Mary has suffered a world of woe. The sacrifice of\nthe Mother was inseparable from that of the Son; it would have cost her\nmuch less to have given her own life, and for this reason she is justly\nstyled the Queen of martyrs. The first hour of the three long hours of\nagony has passed; still Jesus is silent. The second hour begins. There are\nfewer persons around the cross; all is silent, and then His lips move.\nMary listens with all her heart: \u201cFather, forgive them; they know not what\nthey do.\u201d Beautiful, beautiful prayer\u2014true of all sins and of all\nsinners\u2014\u201cthey know not what they do.\u201d Beautiful prayer also because it\ndiscloses the heart of a God. For God alone could teach such charity as\nthis, and Mary, joining her Son in His prayer, looks up to heaven and\nrepeats, \u201cFather, forgive them; they know not what they do.\u201d The third\nhour begins, and His first word in this last hour goes through her very\nsoul: \u201cI thirst.\u201d Well might He thirst. Since the night before nothing has\ncrossed His lips, and Mary, His Mother, is unable to give Him a drink to\ncool them, parched and swollen as they are; she cannot even reach to wipe\naway the blood that has congealed there. Thus for three long hours she\nwatches Him in His death\u2010agony, unable to afford Him the slightest\nalleviation; until at last He cries out with a loud voice, \u201cFather, into\nThy hands I commend My spirit.\u201d And bowing His head, Jesus dies. Such were\nthe sufferings endured by the Mother of that divine Son. Jesus dies for\nlove of us, and we live to torture and crucify Him afresh. What sublime\nlessons Mary here gives us, and how perfectly is she the model of those\nsouls whom God permits to be sorely tried in affliction! Their trials are\ngreat, but are they to be compared with hers? Ah, do not complain, but to\nenable you to endure your sufferings cast your eyes on this sorrowful\nMother, and ask her to obtain for you grace to imitate her firmness, her\nconstancy, and her generosity. After Jesus on the cross, the most\nbeautiful book one can study is Mary at the foot of the cross.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most tender Mother, it was I that covered thy divine Son with wounds,\nand put Him to death! It was I that pierced thy heart with the most bitter\nsword of grief! Oh, by those wounds and by that blood, by thy sorrows and\nby thy tears, I conjure thee, O Mary, to be my protectress and my\nadvocate. Pray for me, and for all sinners like me, that so many precious\nsufferings may not become useless to us. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day. The Taking Down from the Cross.\n\n\nThe sorrowful day is over. All have gradually dispersed, and now only Mary\nand the other holy women, with the disciples, remain at the cross. The\nbruised and mangled body is lifted down, and laid on the Mother\u2019s knee.\nWhen Our Lord dies we are tempted to think that Our Lady\u2019s dolors ought to\nhave ended there; but no, there is still more to be endured. Mary embraces\nthe lifeless body, washes the gaping wounds, smoothes the tangled hair,\nand bathes away the clotted blood that dims its glory. She wraps Him\ntenderly in a white linen cloth, and gives Him into the reverential arms\nof Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Both of these were disciples of our\nblessed Lord. Joseph was a good and just man, and Nicodemus was a man\nlearned in the Scriptures, who had come to Jesus by night, for fear of the\nJews, and had learned the doctrine of regeneration. Joseph had gone to\nPilate and had begged the body of Jesus, which had been granted to him.\nNow he takes Him in his arms, and with the help of Nicodemus places Him in\nhis own tomb. Well has our blessed Lord said, \u201cThe foxes have holes, and\nthe birds of the air nests: but the Son of Man hath not where to lay His\nhead.\u201d Mary found nothing strange even in the tremendous sorrows that\nalmost crushed the life out of her. She looks only to God\u2019s will. No\nmatter how uncommon, how exacting, or how apparently unreasonable, she was\nalways found prepared, always found with these words on her lips, \u201cO God,\nThy will be done.\u201d Let us look at our lives, and see if we, like Mary, are\never ready to do God\u2019s will; ever looking at Our Lord crucified, and\nwilling to bear all the disappointments, trials, and sorrows that He may\nsend us. Let us look at our immaculate Mother, standing patient and\nresigned at the foot of the cross, looking on the sufferings of her dearly\nbeloved Son, and we will never murmur\u2014no matter how heavy the cross which\nour good God in His divine providence may place upon our shoulders.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mary most sorrowful! words fail to express the gratitude we owe thee,\nfor the readiness wherewith thou didst consent to come to the rescue of\nour lost world. But do thou deign to receive our thanks, faint and\ninadequate though they may be. May the enjoyment of thy present bliss move\nthee to intercede with God in behalf of us, thy weeping, weary children.\nBe propitious to those who flee to thee for aid, and do thou ever\nintercede for those whom thy divine Son redeemed. Amen.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day. The Burial of Jesus.\n\n\nIt is now the evening of Good Friday, and Mary is sitting at the foot of\nthe cross with her dead Son upon her lap. It is here that mourners for\nfuture generations will come to find rest and peace. Here the widow, the\norphan, and the lonely will find how good a thing it is to have their\nhearts crushed with sorrow, because here they will find the loving arms of\ntheir new Mother Mary around them, and through their grief they will see\nGod. But now the time has come when Mary must give up her treasure. So\ngiving the signal to Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, they lift the body\nof the dead Creator and move towards the garden tomb. Mary arranges\neverything; she adjusts the winding\u2010sheet, and then takes her last look on\nthe lifeless body of Jesus. \u201cOh, look and see if there be any sorrow like\nunto my sorrow!\u201d Then her adopted son, John, comes to her, drawing her\naway, for she is half\u2010dead with the grief and anguish of the past night\nand day. Through the same gate by which she had left the city of Jerusalem\nin the morning, she re\u2010entered it that night. Poor Jerusalem, that city of\nGod, how often had Our Lord yearned and wept over it, longing to gather\nthose chosen ones to Himself! But no, they had rejected Him, and now their\ncup of iniquity is filled. They have crucified their King; their pavements\nare stained with His blood. Mary knows all this, still there is no room in\nher heart for bitterness. Oh, what a contrast to our spirit of revenge,\nsometimes for even a fancied wrong. We learn from this dolor of Mary that\nthere is no darkness like the darkness of a world without Jesus, and if\nHis absence is caused by our own fault, our own sin, then it is the\ngreatest of sorrows. O Mary, my Mother, keep us ever by thy side at the\nfoot of the cross! so that remembering all that thou hast suffered, we\nwill gladly accept all the sorrows that may come. Amen.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Virgin Mother most sorrowful, I detest my sins because they have\noffended God, and caused thee so much pain! I am sorry for them, and will\nbe sorry for them as long as I live, and according to the best of my power\nwill do penance for them. Forgive me, dear Lord, for Thy mercy\u2019s sake;\npardon me all that is past, and be Thou my keeper for the time to come,\nthat I may nevermore offend Thee. Amen.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day. Help of Christians.\n\n\n\u201cShe hath opened her hand to the needy and stretched out her hand to the\npoor.\u201d\u2014Prov. xxxi. 20. The whole life of our blessed Mother shows how ever\ndear to her has been the alleviation of the miseries that surround us.\nEverything in her proves to us how justly the Church gives to her the\ntitle of Help of Christians. Mary\u2019s desire to console us in our miseries\nis so immense, so vehement, that scarcely have we resolved to address\nourselves to her mercy than she immediately flies to our relief. If Mary\nis already inclined and prompt to aid us, even when we do not pray to her,\nwhat may we not expect from her when we lay our miseries before her, to\nbeseech her to deliver us from them? The Church urges us to apply\nunceasingly to her, to observe faithfully the pious practices which are\nauthorized to be observed in her honor. With this view the Church has\nestablished a great number of feasts in the course of the year, to show\nher children that they cannot pay too much honor to the Mother of God.\nHappy is he whose love for Mary is ever growing; he is enjoying in time\none of the choicest blessings of eternity. Let us then follow in the\nspirit of our holy Church, and have frequent recourse to the bounties of\nthe divine Mother. If we would only remember how anxious our dear Mother\nis to assist and help us, how eagerly we would turn to her in all our\nsorrows and joys. O holy Virgin, Help of Christians, come to our aid in\nthe midst of the miseries by which we are surrounded! We entreat thee,\nthen, O Mother of goodness, to supply our insufficiency and to bless our\nlabor. Imprint thy love in all hearts, so that having loved and honored\nthy Son upon earth, we may go to praise Him eternally in heaven.\n\nPrayer.\n\nMost loving Mother, no suppliant ever had recourse to thee in vain!\nWhatever our needs, thy ear is ever open to our cry. Thou art the Help of\nChristians! O good and powerful Mother, come to our aid, and deliver us\nfrom all our troubles. Show thyself our Mother, intercede for each one of\nus that we may lead a Christian life, and hereafter reign with Christ\nthroughout eternity. Amen.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day. Our Lady of Mercy.\n\n\nEverything in Mary recalls the august character of mercy. It is her\nessence, so to speak; so that whoever names Mary names mercy, as Mary\ncannot be without mercy. What could we not say to prove that Mary is all\nmercy, and that everything she does tends to clemency? But it may be that\nthe greatness or the sanctity of this powerful Queen alarms us, and makes\nus fear to present ourselves before her, we who are so guilty in the sight\nof God. Let us take courage, for the more holy and elevated Mary is, the\nmore gentle and affable she shows herself to the sinner. Mary welcomes all\nmankind without exception; no one leaves her presence with a disconsolate\nor sorrowful heart. Let our confidence in Mary have no bounds, since we\nknow that her power equals the extent of her mercy. That good Mother\nherself gave St. Bridget to understand as much when she told her, \u201cI am\nthe Queen of heaven, and the Mother of mercy. There is none on earth to\nwhom I refuse my pity; not one who has not obtained some grace through my\nintercession.\u201d Who can doubt that it is true to say that many who are now\nsaved would have been lost except for Mary? If it is true to say that he\nis happy who loves Mary, so it is also true to say that there will be woe\nfor all eternity to him who in this life is able to secure her mercy, but\ndoes not do so, and thus loses himself by his own fault. Flee then to\nMary, O my soul; beseech her to take pity on thee, and secure thy\nsalvation, which cost her Son so dear, and which is so priceless to her\nmaternal heart. Be assured that all will be well with thee if thou art not\nlacking in true devotion and love to Mary.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO blessed Mother, thou art the Mother of God, the Mother of sinners, the\nMother of the banished ones! Grant, O gracious Virgin, that I, thy sinful\nchild, may not be condemned by thy divine Son; but do thou intercede for\nme, that He, the divine Judge, may at last welcome me, a poor exile, into\nHis eternal home. Amen.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day. Our Lady of Perpetual Help.\n\n\nIt is impossible to study the history of Jesus and Mary without perceiving\na uniform law of Providence uniting them in the great events of their\nlives. Unless Mary had consented to become His Mother, Jesus would not\nhave been born. Divine grace, no doubt, disposed her to give assent, but\nthe act was not the less one of her own free will. As certain as man has\nbeen redeemed by the incarnation and Passion of Jesus, so surely did God\nmake the whole depend in the first instance on the co\u2010operation of Mary.\nIf, therefore, you believe that Jesus Christ came to us through Mary,\nbelieve also that the graces which He merited for us must come to us\nthrough His Mother. If you believe that without her you were not redeemed,\nbelieve also that without her you will not be saved. God wished that Mary\nshould be looked upon and honored as the perpetual help of sinners, to\nobtain their conversion. O Mother of perpetual help! thou art the\ndispenser of all those gifts which God granted to us wretched sinners. He\nhas made thee so powerful, so rich, and so beautiful, in order that thou\nmayest succor us in our misery. In thy hands I place my eternal salvation,\nand to thee I consign my soul. I wish to be remembered among thy devoted\nservants.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mother of perpetual help, take me under thy protection and I shall be\nsecure! I shall not fear Jesus Christ, my eternal Judge, for by one prayer\nof thine He will be appeased. What I fear is that in the hour of\ntemptation, I may neglect to have recourse to thee, and thus be lost.\nObtain for me, therefore, the pardon of my sins, final perseverance, and\nthe priceless gift to love Jesus Christ and to have recourse to thee, O\nMother of perpetual help. Amen.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day. Confidence in Mary.\n\n\nLet our veneration for Mary be full of confidence. Our first parents had\ndrawn upon us the greatest of miseries, but through the divine mercy a new\nAdam and Eve have more than repaired our misfortunes. God could have\nperformed the work of redemption by other means; but He preferred the very\nway by which man had lost his innocence. That is to say, that as Satan\nfirst deceived the woman, and through her means deceived all men, so by a\nwoman Satan in his turn should be confounded, and men be saved. Of course\nOur Lord is the true mediator between God and man, yet it is also true\nthat after having sinned, we dare not appear before God. His presence\nfills us with fear, so we have need of a mediatrix\u2014and this we have in\nMary. If you desire an intercessor with God, have recourse to Mary, all\npure, all powerful, and full of mercy. Oh, then, all you who are exposed\nto the temptations of the world, raise your eyes to this Star of the sea.\nCall on Mary, and you will soon experience the powerful effects of her\nintercession. Conducted by her, you will securely reach the port of a\nblessed eternity.\n\nPrayer.\n\nSweet and kind Virgin, full of dignity and bounty, Virgin sanctified in\nthe womb, Virgin powerful as thou art pure, most glorious Mother of God,\nMother most chaste, and Lady most reverently honored, I pray thee of thy\ngoodness to preserve my body and my soul from all sin, and take them both\ninto thy holy keeping. Amen.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day. The Love of Mary.\n\n\nO Mary most amiable, who can name thee and not be inflamed with love? What\nMother so worthy of love, so kind and generous to us as Mary? To her\nheaven is indebted for the countless number of the elect redeemed by the\nblood of her dear Son. As Mother of Our Redeemer, Mary regards us as her\nown possession. She knows how costly was the ransom paid for us, therefore\nshe never ceases to intercede that none may be lost. How then could we\nhelp loving this Daughter of the King, who interests herself so much in\nour behalf? If we love God we must love His holy Mother. It is our daily\ntask to love Jesus more and more, and experience tells us that we never\nadvance more rapidly in love of God than when we are accompanied by His\nMother. There is no time lost in seeking Jesus if we go at once to Mary.\nShe is the short road to Him, and speedy and full are the answers to the\npetitions which her hand presents. O Mary most admirable, obtain that we\nmay love thee with all the powers of our soul, with all the tenderness of\nour heart, and with all our strength.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mother most amiable and admirable! O wondrous Mother, thou art all\nlovely and glorious! Thou art the most blessed and most perfect of all!\nKind and gracious Mother, pray for us, win us grace to love thee with a\nmost tender love, that we may thereby grow in love for Jesus, thy Son.\nAmen.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day. Imitation of Mary.\n\n\nAll true love consists in the imitation of what we honor. If we love the\nimmaculate Mary, if we desire to please her, endeavor to imitate her\nvirtues, we must first imitate her in her life of prayer. To lead a life\nof prayer it is not necessary to spend hours on our knees in the church,\nfor every\u2010day duties would not admit of that. We find that Our Lady always\nleft her prayer to spend an allotted time at work. We should let the\nthought of God be the first object of our waking love, and the love of God\nbe the absorbing feeling of our heart. During the day we should every now\nand then cast a loving glance towards heaven, and make acts of love and\ngratitude. \u201cIf you imitate and follow Mary,\u201d says St. Bernard, \u201cyou cannot\nwander from the road. Our Blessed Lady will fill you with great confidence\nin God and in herself, because you will not be approaching to Jesus by\nyourself, but always by that good Mother.\u201d O Mary, Mother of the divine\nSaviour, Who from the height of His cross, seeing each one of us in the\nperson of the beloved disciple, pronounced the memorable words, \u201cBehold\nthy son!\u201d \u201cBehold thy Mother,\u201d obtain that we may love and imitate thee\nwith all the tenderness and strength of our will.\n\nPrayer.\n\nGlory and honor be to thee, O Mary! Thy throne is in the highest heavens!\nBe thou our loving Mother; from the throne of thy glory cast a glance on\nus, who are encircled with so many dangers and trials. Pray to thy Son\nJesus for us, that we may emulate the purity of the angels, so that we too\nmay one day enjoy the \u201cbeatific vision,\u201d and praise Our Creator throughout\neternity. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Faith.\n\n\nThe Blessed Virgin has left us examples of faith which are full of\ninstruction and consolation. She believed the mystery of the Trinity, that\nshe should conceive and bring forth a child; the words of the angel\nannounced this mystery to her. She believed that the Son of God the Father\nwas to take the form of man, thereby making Himself like unto us. She\nbelieved herself to be the Virgin chosen by God in whom this mystery was\nto be accomplished. The apostles had faith in Jesus Christ and\nacknowledged Him to be the Son of God, but in the hour of Our Lord\u2019s\nPassion they abandoned their divine Master. It was not so with our blessed\nMother; she followed Him even to Calvary. O Mary, may we understand well\nthe excellence of this fundamental virtue, without which it is impossible\nto please God. It is by faith that Jesus Christ comes into our hearts. By\nfaith we resist the devil, and put him to flight. Let us then love and\nvalue more and more the precious gift of faith, and endeavor, after the\nexample of Mary, our Mother, to be animated by its spirit. But the faith\nof the Blessed Virgin teaches us another lesson: namely, that after her\nexample we should make an open profession of our faith, even though by it\nwe should lose goods, fortune, honor, even life itself.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mary, thou art the Queen of heaven and Mistress of all created things!\nObtain for us the lively faith that animated thee, so that we may grow in\nlove, persevere to the end, and hereafter, in company with patriarchs,\nprophets, and all the elect of God, glorify thee, together with the\nFather, Son, and Holy Ghost through all eternity. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Piety.\n\n\nAccording to universal opinion, the Blessed Virgin dwelt in the Temple\ntill she was about twelve years of age. During those tender years of her\nlife she passed the greater portion of the night in the contemplation of\nheavenly things, giving but a very short time to repose. Chosen by the\nLord, adorned and enriched with His most signal favors, the immaculate\nVirgin corresponded thereto with constant and generous fidelity. The\ndevotion of Mary is worthy of imitation, especially in this, that she gave\nherself up to it from her early youth. Alas! how many souls have perished\nbecause they have not followed this example? On the other side how happy\nthose who have imitated the early devotion of the Blessed Virgin! Oh, how\nstrong and mighty we are with Jesus Christ, when we are armed with the\nworthy merits and intercession of the Mother of God! O Mary, vessel of\nsingular devotion, obtain for us that, after thy example, we may be\nentirely devoted to God!\n\nPrayer.\n\nMost loving Mother, no suppliant ever had recourse to thee in vain!\nWhatever our needs, thy ear is ever open to our cry. Thou art the\ncomforter of the afflicted, O good and powerful Mother. Come to our aid\nand deliver us from all our troubles; intercede for each one of us that we\nmay lead a Christian life, and hereafter reign with Christ throughout\neternity. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Hope.\n\n\nThe salvation of the just (as well of the body as of the soul) is from the\nLord. He is their help in time of tribulation, He will uphold them lest\nthey fall, He will bring them out of danger, deliver them from the hands\nof sinners, and will save them in the end. And why will God bestow such\nhonors on the just? Because, replies the Psalmist, they have hoped in Him,\nand put all their confidence in Him. At the marriage of Cana, Mary saw the\nsudden failing of the wine, and her tender charity caused her to have\nrecourse to the omnipotent power of her Son. Our Lord up to that period\nhad not worked any miracles, but knowing His tender Heart Mary hesitated\nnot to have recourse to Him, and her hope was not unfounded. Let us then,\nlike Mary, expose our wants to Jesus, and we shall obtain strength and\ncourage to aid us in the accomplishment of our duties. Let us labor by\nevery possible means to obtain this great gift of confidence by frequent\nprayer, almsdeeds, and penitential works, as well as by great purity of\nlife. \u201cWhatever you shall ask the Father in My name, I will grant it to\nyou.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nMother most amiable! By thy beauty and unsullied purity thou wast ever\nattractive in the divine sight. Entreat Jesus that He would grant us grace\nto love Him more and more fervently, and that by our purity and innocence\nof life we may spread abroad the sweet odor of Jesus Christ, and daily\nbecome more acceptable in His sight. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Humility.\n\n\nThe Blessed Virgin possessed the spirit of humility in a perfect degree.\nNot that she failed to know the gifts which God had bestowed upon her; on\nthe contrary she ever remembered that God had drawn her out of nothing,\nand she returned Him incessant thanks for the favors which He had given\nher. This virtue is most essential, since without it there is no grace for\nus, no recompense in heaven; while with it there is pardon, every\nblessing, and eternal salvation. Let us often meditate on these words of\nour blessed Mother when she went to visit St. Elizabeth: \u201cThe Lord hath\nregarded the humility of His handmaid.\u201d The archangel Gabriel had saluted\nher full of grace and blessed among women, but the holy Virgin only\nhumbles herself more and more, confessing aloud that she is but the\nhandmaid of the Lord. What a contrast to our pride and self\u2010sufficiency!\nIf, on account of some appearance of good, we are charged with some duty\nof importance, do we not immediately begin to consider ourselves\nsomething? while in reality we are but nothingness, misery, and sin. St.\nBasil says there are three things which will establish humility in the\nheart. First, a perfect conviction of our own nothingness. Second, the\nconstant consideration of the conduct of the good, who are better than\nourselves. Third, persevering obedience to those to whom we owe\nsubmission.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO tender Mother! despise not our petitions, receive our homage,\nveneration, and love. Be thou our Queen; in thee do we place our whole\ntrust, for thou art our gracious Mother. To thee do we commit ourselves,\nbody, soul, and spirit, with all we have and are. Show thyself our Mother\nboth in life and death, O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Charity.\n\n\nIt is truly Mary, who, after her divine Son, has given us the most\ntouching example of charity. Everywhere she appears full of grace, of\nmeekness, consideration, goodness, mildness, and tenderness. Her charity\nwas as boundless as her love of God. But now that she enjoys the clear\nvision of her Beloved, how great must be the increase of her love towards\nHim, and consequently of her charity towards mankind. All her person, her\nlooks, her actions, her movements, her whole life breathe nothing but\ncharity. In going to visit her cousin Elizabeth, the charity of Mary was\nmanifested. This charity caused her to leave her home to undertake a long\nand painful journey under circumstances that unfitted her for fatigue. The\nsame virtue shone forth at the marriage of Cana, when she saved the bride\nand bridegroom the mortification of telling their guests that the wine had\ngiven out. Her heart was one with her divine Son, Who loved His enemies so\nmuch that He gave Himself up for their salvation. Alas, how we shrink from\nforgiving the slightest offence that is offered to us! O my Mother, why am\nI not inflamed by at least a spark of the love of God! Then I would not\nfind it so hard to forgive all who have offended me.\n\nPrayer.\n\nWith deep humility do we exclaim, Pray for us, O holy Mother of God! Thou\nart the Mother of Him Who is Our Redeemer and Our God, but thou art also\nthe Mother of sinners, for whom thy divine Son shed His blood. Intercede\nfor us with Jesus, and beg for grace that we may love Him with all our\nheart and all our strength. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day. The Virgin Mary the Model of Advancement in Virtue.\n\n\nOur spiritual advancement consists, as we have often heard, in being well\npersuaded that we are far from the height to which we aspire, and on that\naccount we should make constant efforts to become better\u2014because not to\nadvance is to go back. Persons who are aiming ever so little at perfection\nare the choice portion of God\u2019s creation, and are dear to Him as the apple\nof His eye. Oh, that we could imitate Mary, who, full of grace from the\nfirst moment of her conception, corresponded thereto with such fidelity\nthat the angels exclaimed, \u201cWho is she that cometh forth as the morning,\nrising fair as the moon, bright as the sun?\u201d The most exact observance,\nnot only of precepts but of the lightest counsels, was the fruit of the\nlove that burned in the heart of Mary, so that she was never guilty of the\nleast imperfection. Ah, would that I too could speed more rapidly onwards\nin the heavenly road! How many graces would God then lavish upon me! O\nMary, my tender Mother, aid me to imitate thee in thy advancement in\nvirtue. O Mother most sweet, draw us more and more by the sweet odor of\nthy virtues to be a perfect disciple, imitator, and slave of the Incarnate\nWisdom, Jesus Christ, thy Son.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Mary, by thy example thou didst animate confessors and virgins,\nsustaining them in the dangerous struggle with the world, the flesh and\nthe devil. Aid us, too, O mighty Queen, so that we may live as becomes the\nfaithful disciples of thyself and thy divine Son. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Patience.\n\n\nOf the virtue of perfect patience, the Blessed Virgin has left us many\nbright examples. We have meditated on her dolors and we have seen with\nwhat wonderful patience she endured them. How patient and firm she stood\nat the foot of the cross, on which her Son was fastened, covered with\nwounds and loaded with ignominy! Mary maintained an entire resignation to\nthe divine will, which she loved more than her own, but this perfect\nconformity did not render her less sensible to her martyrdom. She loved to\nsuffer because it was God\u2019s will that she should do so. We are encouraged,\nby the example left us of the invincible patience of Mary, to imitate it\nto the best of our power and according to our degree of grace. We shall\nfollow, though distantly, in the footsteps of this perfect model, if we\nbear with patience the trials that overtake us, whether they be loss of\nfortune, health, or reputation. If we feel that we are getting angry let\nus overcome ourselves by silence; for then it is that we have the most\nneed to be silent, because even the most prudent man when roused to anger\ncan with difficulty restrain himself from angry words, which later he will\nregret heartily. O my Mother, obtain for us from Jesus the gift of\npatience, by means of which we shall acquire all other virtues and be\nenabled to persevere in holiness to the end of our lives. Amen.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO blessed Mother! Look graciously on thy children; behold how we, by our\nsins, have forfeited all claim to grace. Compassionate our misery, aid us\nfrom the abundance of thy fulness, and entreat thy Son Jesus that He would\ngrant us grace to be pleasing in His sight and thine, and to remain\nfaithful unto death. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Poverty.\n\n\nTrue and perfect poverty, says Albert the Great, consists in voluntary\nrenouncing all temporal things for God\u2019s sake, in having but what is\nabsolutely necessary, and in sometimes retrenching even in that for God;\nfor where there is full provision against necessity, there is no poverty.\nThroughout her entire life Mary\u2019s perfect love of poverty is manifest. It\nwas evident in the obscure city of Nazareth where this young virgin\nespoused to a poor carpenter dwelt, and afterwards when she set forth with\nJoseph for Bethlehem in obedience to the edict of Augustus. On her arrival\nwhere does she find shelter? There is no place at the inns for one so\npoor, so they are obliged to take refuge in a deserted stable, and there,\nexposed to all the inclemencies of the weather, the Queen of angels brings\nforth the Son of the Most High. Let every one, according to his state in\nlife, imitate the poverty of the Blessed Virgin. Those who possess\ntemporal goods should imitate her by despising them, and by not loving\nthem too much, by estimating them at their true value, since they pass\naway so quickly. Those who are poor from necessity should imitate the\nexample of the Blessed Virgin, and freely embrace and be contented with\nthe state in which God has placed them.\n\nPrayer.\n\nMy most sweet, most compassionate, most amiable Queen! Oh, how great is\nthe confidence with which St. Bernard inspires me when I have recourse to\nthee! I am a poor sinner, deserving of a thousand hells; I wish to change\nmy life; I wish to love my God, Whom I have so greatly offended. My Lady,\ndost thou understand me? Yes, I trust that thou hast understood me, and\ngraciously heard my prayer. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Obedience.\n\n\nOur Lord became obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross, in\norder that we might, after His example, labor to acquire and practise the\nvirtue of obedience. The perfection to which Mary carried the obedience\ndue to her Creator has been implied in treating of the love of God with\nwhich her heart was inflamed; it was the source of her perfect conformity\nto the divine will. What an example of obedience does she not give us in\nthe presentation of Jesus in the Temple! Mary was exempted from the\nobligation common to all women to go to the Temple to be purified.\nNevertheless, as her divine Son was pleased to submit to circumcision, so\nshe would submit to the law of purification. The person who obeys merits\nvery much while doing little, because obedience springs from the spirit of\nperfect self\u2010abnegation, which is the most agreeable holocaust to God.\nThomas \u00e0 Kempis says, \u201cWhoever willingly obeys his superiors for God\u2019s\nsake, performs an heroic action as a valiant soldier of Jesus Christ, for\nhe will receive with the martyrs the palm of a glorious immortality.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nMy most sweet Lady and Mother, I am a vile rebel to thy great Son; but I\ncome repentant to thy mercy that thou mayest obtain pardon for me. From\nthee I hope for every good, forgiveness, perseverance, and heaven. I hope\nto be one of those, who, in the kingdom of the blessed will most praise\nthy mercies, O Mary, for having saved us by thy intercession. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day. The Blessed Virgin the Model of Modesty.\n\n\nThe Blessed Virgin was a perfect pattern of modesty; her exterior senses\nwere in all things under the control of reason, and subjected to the will\nof God; gravity and composure marked her every movement. Oh, you who have\nthe happiness of having chosen her for your Mother, if you love her as\ntrue children, endeavor with all possible ardor to imitate her modesty. We\nshould particularly try to acquire that moderation of the tongue for which\nthe Blessed Virgin was so conspicuous, and for this reason we should avoid\nall useless conversations. The Holy Ghost Himself has told us that in much\nspeaking we cannot escape from sin. Thus walking in the footsteps of our\nblessed Mother in the faithful practice of this virtue, it will not only\npreserve us from many falls, many temptations and dangers, but it will\nalso be a most powerful means of advantage in the way of sanctity and of\nedifying and drawing souls to God. Then will all our exterior conduct,\nregulated by interior motives, tend to the glory of God, the edification\nof our neighbor, and our own advantage.\n\nPrayer.\n\nMost holy, immaculate Virgin, and my Mother Mary, to thee, who art the\nMother of my Lord, the Queen of the world, the advocate, the hope, and the\nrefuge of sinners, I have recourse\u2014I who am the most miserable of all. I\nthank thee for all the graces which thou hast hitherto granted me, and\nespecially I thank thee for having delivered me from hell, which I have so\noften deserved. I promise always to serve thee, and to do all that I can\nthat thou mayest also be loved by others. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010first Day. The Assumption.\n\n\nTradition says that after Mary\u2019s sacred remains had been most reverently\nentombed by the apostles, songs were heard proceeding from her sepulchre\nduring the space of three days, and on the third day St. Thomas came,\nimploring to have the slab removed from the tomb that he might gaze for\nthe last time on the beloved features of Mary. The slab was raised, but as\nhe bent forward to look upon her, he started back in amazement; naught was\nto be seen save the grave\u2010clothes in which the sacred body had been\nenveloped. The body itself was nowhere to be found. Then they knew that\nGod had taken her, body and soul, to heaven. St. John describes the\ncoronation in these terms: A great sign appeared in the heavens; a woman\nclothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown\nof twelve stars; and the Queen thus crowned took her place near her Son on\na throne prepared from all eternity. O you who fear the justice of God! O\nyou who dare not cast yourself at the feet of Jesus! remember you have\nwith Him a powerful advocate, who is Mary. O Mary, thou blessed, loving\nMother, compassionate thy orphan children; pray for us, and place us one\nday near thee in the heavenly Jerusalem.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO holy virgin Mary, who, in order to inspire us with boundless confidence,\nhast been pleased to assume the sweet name of Mother of perpetual succor,\nwe implore thee to come to our aid always and everywhere; in our\ntemptations, after our falls, in our difficulties, in all the miseries of\nlife, and above all in the sad hour of our death. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nMass in Union with Mary Immaculate.\n\n\nPrayer Before Mass.\n\nO Mary immaculate! I come to place myself body and soul under thy special\ncare and protection. Take me by the hand, that thy purity may hide the\ndeformity of my soul, thy praises and thy love may supply my deficiencies.\nI also place in thy hands all my hopes, all my sorrows, all my cares\u2014my\nlife and the end thereof. As thou didst stand by the cross of thy Son,\njoining thy prayers to His for man\u2019s redemption, so wilt thou come to help\nme now. Kindle my devotion, aid me with thy mighty intercession, so that I\nmay worthily love and praise my God, and participate in the merits of\nJesus, thy divine Son. Amen.\n\nConfiteor.\n\n\u201cO Father,\u201d will I cry with the prodigal, \u201cI have sinned against heaven\nand before Thee. I am not worthy to be called Thy child.\u201d I have\ngrievously offended Thee through my whole life, and therefore am unworthy\nto lift my eyes to heaven. O Mary, my Mother! beg of God grace for me, and\nHe will hear thee. Obtain that I may know all my faults and devoutly make\na sincere avowal of them, followed by a true repentance, so that I may\nobtain pardon for them through the loving mercy of my God. Amen.\n\nIntroit.\n\nBehold me, O my God, at Thy feet; dispose of me as Thou pleasest. I devote\nmyself entirely to Thee, and since my sins alone can render me displeasing\nto Thee, therefore I cry aloud to Thee for mercy and pardon. Amen.\n\nKyrie.\n\nLord be merciful to me a sinner! O Father of infinite mercy, have pity on\nThy child! O Mary, powerful advocate, help of sinners, aid us by thy\nsupplicating voice, and the just One by excellence will descend as a long\u2010\nexpected rain! O Fountain of love, grant this mercy to me and to all poor\nsinners! Amen.\n\nGloria.\n\nGlory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good\u2010will! I praise\nThee, I bless Thee, I adore Thee! Blessed angels, messengers of Our Lord,\nwho came before our King to prepare a place in which He should descend, I\nbeseech thee in the name of thy love for Our God, teach me to love Him.\nAmen.\n\nCollect.\n\nGlorious Virgin Mary, thou who art the true mediatrix between thy sweet\nSon and poor repentant sinners, pray for me, obtain for me the favorable\nattention of Our God and Saviour. And do Thou, O Jesus, enrich my soul\nwith Thy gifts, to the full extent of Thy tender compassion. Amen.\n\nEpistle.\n\nO most pure Mary, who knowest so well how to penetrate and comprehend\nJesus, open my soul, dilate it, so that it may be replenished with that\nabundance of gifts which it will receive from heaven through thy\nintercession. Amen.\n\nGospel.\n\nAh, to whom shall we go, O Jesus, if not to Thee, since Thou hast the\nwords of eternal life? Thou, O Jesus, my Lord and my God, art the true\nlight, for Whose dawn the saints of the Old Law watched with longing eyes,\nlooking to Thee for grace and salvation. O Mary immaculate, Virgin always\nfaithful! lead us to Jesus, help us to find Jesus, and attach us to Him\nforever by the bonds of perfect charity, which, uniting us to His\nsacrifice during time, will associate us to His glory in eternity. Amen.\n\nCredo.\n\nO my God, I firmly believe in one God in three divine Persons, the Father,\nthe Son, and the Holy Ghost! I believe in Jesus Christ, the true and only\nSon of God, Who was born of the Virgin Mary, and died on the cross for our\nsalvation. I also believe all the sacred truths the Catholic Church\nbelieves and teaches, because Thou hast revealed them, Who canst neither\ndeceive nor be deceived. O sweet Jesus, give me knowledge and\nunderstanding that I may live and die in this faith! Amen.\n\nOffertory.\n\nAccept, O eternal Father, this offering which is here made to Thee by Thy\nminister, in the name of all here present and of Thy whole Church. It is\nyet only bread and wine, but by a miracle of Thy power and grace it will\nshortly become the body and blood of Thy divine Son. Now the august\nsacrifice begins, everything recalls the sorrows of our dear Jesus; His\nbitter agony, accompanied by a most heroic act of perfect submission when\nHe consents to expiate every crime. O Jesus, Jesus! It is I who have bound\nThee! it is I who have had the misfortune to lead Thee out to death! From\nthis instant, O Jesus, I give myself to Thee! O Mary, my powerful\nprotectress, purify us in the ardors of thy pure love, and do thou thyself\nplace us on the paten with the bread, and in the chalice with the wine.\nAmen.\n\nLavabo.\n\nCreate a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit within me! Oh,\nwash me, dear Lord, from all the stains of sin, in the blood of the Lamb,\nthat I may be worthy to be present at these heavenly mysteries. O Mary\nimmaculate, may thy sorrows heal the wounds of my soul. Amen.\n\nPreface.\n\nLet us lift ourselves up to heaven, O my soul, and render thanks to the\nLord Our God. O Mary most pure, aid us to break all the ties that still\nbind us to earth. Oh, may I, great God, unite my heart and voice with all\nthe heavenly court, and cry with them: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of\nhosts! Blessed is He Who cometh in the name of the Lord! Heaven and earth\nare full of Thy glory! Hosanna in the highest; blessed is He that cometh\nin the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest!\n\nCanon.\n\nWe conjure Thee, O Lord, to listen favorably to our humble prayers, to\nreceive the vows and supplications we offer. We desire to adore, praise,\nand glorify Thee, and to give Thee thanks for Thy great glory, joining our\nhearts and voices with all the blessed in heaven, and with Thy whole\nChurch upon earth. O Mary, Mother of mercy! Ask Jesus to give us the\nineffable grace of appreciating, imitating, and loving Him until\ndeath\u2014that Jesus sacrificed by love, and immolated perpetually for us upon\nour altars. Amen.\n\nConsecration.\n\nThe priest has said: \u201cThis is My body; this is My blood;\u201d and Jesus has\ndescended into his hands. The God of heaven and earth obeys a weak\ncreature. O mystery of love! O prodigy of annihilation! O my soul,\ngratitude and love ought to be thy language. Eternal Truth, in Thee I\nbelieve, strengthen Thou my faith, that I may love Thee ever more and\nmore, and hereafter behold Thee face to face in Thy celestial kingdom\u2014my\nJesus and my all! Amen.\n\nElevation Of The Host.\n\nHail, Victim of salvation, eternal King, Incarnate Word! Sacrificed for me\nand for all mankind, O Jesus host, Jesus love, Jesus Saviour! Holy Father,\nturn Thy eyes upon me, or rather look upon Thy beloved Son. Give me all\nthat I ask in His name, and in the name of my immaculate Mother. Amen.\n\nElevation Of The Chalice.\n\nHoly, holy blood, flowing from my Saviour\u2019s Heart, do thou cleanse me from\nall sin. It is Thyself, again Thyself, sweet and blessed Jesus Christ, Who\nart also entire within this chalice. Again and again, I adore Thee, and\nbeseech Thee to be my salvation. Amen.\n\nMemento Of The Living And The Dead.\n\nAnd now, O my God, I wish to pray for all Thy holy Catholic Church, and\nfor all Christians, religious and secular; to all give perseverance, O my\nGod! Remember, O Jesus, those souls purchased by Thy precious blood, who\nhave died in Thy peace, but nevertheless are deprived of Thy presence.\nStretch forth unto them Thy strong right hand, and bring them into a place\nof refreshment, light, and peace. Amen.\n\nNobis Quoque.\n\nI most humbly implore Thy mercy, O Lord, for myself also. I beg pardon for\nall my sins; I desire to detest them, and to renounce them forever. Then,\nO my God, Thou wilt accept my gifts, and we will render to Jesus all\nhonor, praise, and glory. Amen.\n\nPater Noster.\n\nOur Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy\nwill be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily\nbread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass\nagainst us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.\nAmen.\n\nAgnus Dei.\n\nO Lamb of God, sacrificed for my sake, have mercy on me! O adorable Victim\nof my salvation, look down on me and save me! Divine Mediator, obtain\npardon of Thy Father for me a sinner, and mercifully grant me the sweets\nof Thy peace! O Mary, conceived without sin, obtain for me purity of\nheart, soul, and body. Amen.\n\nCommunion.\n\nIn the presence of the true body and the true blood of Our Lord Jesus\nChrist, O my God, I place myself most humbly and devoutly at the feet of\nThy loving mercy. Make me avoid sin in the present, pardon that which I\nhave committed in the past, and guard me against it in the future. O Mary,\nconceived without sin, place me in the sanctuary of thy maternal heart, so\nthat, like thee, I may preserve in peace, silence, and love, Him Whose\npossession makes all my happiness, all my delight, all my hope. Amen.\n\nBenediction.\n\nO Jesus, Saviour of my soul, pour down on me by the hand of Thy minister\nThy most abundant blessing. Illuminate my heart with Thy clear light, and\ngrant that nothing may ever separate me from Thee. Amen.\n\nLast Gospel.\n\nO Word made flesh Who didst annihilate Thyself to give Thyself to me! Thou\nWho art the life and light of the world, enlighten me. How ought I not to\nbe affected with the exceeding privilege I have enjoyed. O my God! I unite\nmyself to Thee by the ties of love and gratitude; thus alone can I\ncorrespond with Thy mercies. Amen.\n\nPrayer After Mass.\n\nAnd now once more I commend myself to Thee, O my God! I commend myself\nthroughout the hours of this day to Thy keeping, to the keeping of Thy\nholy Mother and of Thy holy angels, and bring before Thee, for the same\nloving care, my kindred, my brothers and sisters, my friends, my\nbenefactors, and all Christian people. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Blessed Virgin.\n\n\n(An indulgence of three hundred days each time)\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord have mercy on us.\nChrist hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nGod, the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._\nGod, the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Mary, _Pray for us._\nHoly Mother of God, _Pray for us._\nHoly Virgin of virgins, _Pray for us._\nMother of Christ, _Pray for us._\nMother of divine grace, _Pray for us._\nMother most pure, _Pray for us._\nMother most chaste, _Pray for us._\nMother inviolate, _Pray for us._\nMother undefiled, _Pray for us._\nMother most amiable, _Pray for us._\nMother most admirable, _Pray for us._\nMother of our Creator, _Pray for us._\nMother of our Saviour, _Pray for us._\nVirgin most prudent, _Pray for us._\nVirgin most venerable, _Pray for us._\nVirgin most renowned, _Pray for us._\nVirgin most powerful, _Pray for us._\nVirgin most merciful, _Pray for us._\nVirgin most faithful, _Pray for us._\nMirror of justice, _Pray for us._\nSeat of wisdom, _Pray for us._\nCause of our joy, _Pray for us._\nSpiritual vessel, _Pray for us._\nVessel of honor, _Pray for us._\nVessel of singular devotion, _Pray for us._\nMystical rose, _Pray for us._\nTower of David, _Pray for us._\nTower of ivory, _Pray for us._\nHouse of gold, _Pray for us._\nArk of the covenant, _Pray for us._\nGate of heaven, _Pray for us._\nMorning star, _Pray for us._\nHealth of the sick, _Pray for us._\nRefuge of sinners, _Pray for us._\nComforter of the afflicted, _Pray for us._\nHelp of Christians, _Pray for us._\nQueen of angels, _Pray for us._\nQueen of patriarchs, _Pray for us._\nQueen of prophets, _Pray for us._\nQueen of apostles, _Pray for us._\nQueen of martyrs, _Pray for us._\nQueen of confessors, _Pray for us._\nQueen of virgins, _Pray for us._\nQueen of all saints, _Pray for us._\nQueen conceived without original sin, _Pray for us._\nQueen of the most holy Rosary, _Pray for us._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Lord_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O\n            Lord_!\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O\n            Lord_!\n\n_Anthem._ We fly to thy patronage, O holy Mother of God! Despise not our\npetitions in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever\nglorious and Blessed Virgin.\n\n_V._ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nPour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we,\nto whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message\nof an angel, may, by His Passion and cross, be brought to the glory of His\nresurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\n_V._ May the divine assistance remain always with us.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n_V._ And may the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God\nrest in peace.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n\n\n\n\nJUNE. THE SACRED HEART.\n\n\nHe who meditates on the life of Christ, and is acquainted with it,\ninstinctively strikes upon this trait in the character of Jesus: The\nsweetness of His human Heart. The entire life of our blessed Lord was one\nseries of most loving acts. We see Him at one time blessing the little\nchildren, at another bestowing sight on the blind, loosening the tongue of\nthe dumb, pouring consolation into the aching heart of the mother who has\nlost her child, and pardoning the repentant sinner. Is it not a beautiful\ndevotion by which we are drawn to view the loving tenderness of His human\nHeart, by which He won all to His side, so that not only His apostles\nclung to Him, but even the very pagans loved and revered Him?\n\nLet us then love and practise this beautiful devotion, by offering that\nHeart the gold of charity and the incense of prayer. Let us go with filial\nconfidence to Him, Who has taught us to lisp like an infant, \u201cAbba,\nFather.\u201d Let us repay Him love for love, and make reparation for the\ninjuries He daily receives in that most kind Heart. Jesus in His turn will\ncomfort us in all our pains and afflictions. The Sacred Heart of Jesus is\nthe source of all charity and love; and through this devotion we will\nlearn to love our neighbor and to sacrifice ourselves for his benefit.\n\n\n    Sweet Heart of Jesus, be my love.\n    Sweet heart of Mary, be my salvation.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day. The Love of the Sacred Heart for Us.\n\n\nThe love of the Sacred Heart for us is at once the tender affection of a\nbrother, and the infinite love of the Son of God, with which, from all\neternity, Our Redeemer looked forward eagerly to the salvation of mankind.\nHe saw us doomed to everlasting death, He saw us, and each one of us\nindividually among the number, unable to atone for our sins. Then He\noffered Himself to satisfy the justice of the Father. Thou didst implore\nmercy for us, and it was granted Thee, only on condition that Thou\nshouldst satisfy for us. And what satisfaction was required! Torments the\nmost cruel, insults the most humiliating, death on the cross\u2014that was the\nprice at which Thou wast permitted to redeem us. Thou didst accept all,\nand wast even ready to suffer more if necessary. Ah, Lord! What then shall\nI do for Thee? What return can I make for such great love? O generous, O\nincomprehensible Friend! How can I ever repay the debt I owe Thee, Heart\nof my Jesus? I abandon my whole being to Thy sweet love, to live and die\ntherein.\n\nPrayer.\n\nAdorable Heart of my Saviour, I adore Thee, praise Thee, and offer Thee my\nwhole self. O divine Jesus, I beseech Thee to receive me to\u2010day into Thy\nSacred Heart! Pour into my heart the light, help and graces I need to\nconquer my enemies, and to surmount all obstacles that will hinder my\nsalvation, and the Christian perfection required to please Thee. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day. The Heart of Jesus My Friend.\n\n\nOh, what folly, what delusion can be worse than to set one\u2019s heart on\nanything save Thee alone, O God! How poor is he who seeks not his whole\ngood in Thy sweet friendship alone! Heart of my Jesus, wounded for love of\nme, permit me to draw nigh to Thy open side, and confess to Thee a\nthousand times over that I love Thee. O Heart of Jesus, forgive my past\nfoolishness! O beloved and adorable Redeemer, who will give water to my\nhead, and a fountain of tears to my eyes, that I may weep day and night\nfor the contempt shown to Thy love, and the ingratitude with which Thy\nbenefits are repaid! O ye angels, who crowd the sanctuaries in which\ndwells the divine Spouse of our souls, cease not to pour forth at the foot\nof His altars the most profound homage. One of the usual duties shown by\npeople towards those whom they respect are visits. Jesus Christ is our\nFriend, our Father. He is in our midst: we know it, and yet He is the only\nOne Whom we forget. Whoever thinks of visiting Jesus Christ? We frequent\nthe church and fulfil our other religious duties, but do we always go\nthrough motives of love or gratitude, and with the expected intention of\nrendering homage to Our Lord? O Jesus, could a more cruel wound be\ninflicted on this loving Heart? O Sacred Heart of my Jesus, forgive me,\nand vouchsafe me the blessing of remaining forever Thy child.\n\nPrayer.\n\nProstrate before Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I humbly pay Thee all my\nhomage, and my profound adoration. I adore Thee, O Sacred Heart, destined\nfrom all eternity to be God\u2019s masterpiece and the prodigy of His power,\nwisdom and goodness. Amen.\n\n\n\nThird Day. The Heart of My Jesus the Heart of My Father.\n\n\nHeart of Jesus, Thou art my Father! All I have is from Thee; at every step\nI meet with proofs of Thy infinite love. Even when I strayed away from\nThee, Thou didst entreat me to return, assuring me of pardon and love. If\nI shed tears of sorrow, Thy love wiped them away, and Thy sweet voice gave\ncourage to my sinking soul. O my sweet Jesus, be forever a Father to me!\nWhat an amount of gratitude do I not owe to my Lord, when after so much\nlove and care, He reappears among us in the Sacrament of the Altar? In\nthus dwelling among us, He willed to unite Himself with us, in a way as\nintimate as it is incomprehensible; shutting Himself up under the\nappearance of bread, He enters into our hearts and makes His own flesh our\nnourishment. What a source of happiness for me, O my sweet Jesus! My eyes\ndo not see Thy divine face, but my heart feels Thy comforting presence.\nWhen I receive Thee, O Father, into my breast, I feel my soul gladdened\nwith the wine of heaven, \u201cwhich maketh virgins.\u201d And since love causes\nlovers to resemble each other, if we love let us form our life on the\nmodel of Jesus. Let us therefore, belong forever to the Beloved of our\nsouls. Let us give Him our whole heart, our love, our affections,\ninclinations, and desires.\n\nPrayer.\n\nAllow me, O my Saviour, to offer Thee my heart, and grant that I seek only\nto please Thee in all things. From this moment I consecrate my heart to\nThee; take possession of it, destroy its indifference, purify its\naffections, and give a new life to its inclinations. O sweet Jesus, take\npossession of me and consume me in the flames of Thy love. Amen.\n\n\n\nFourth Day. In Thy Heart I Shall Find Peace.\n\n\nThee, Thee alone, O Heart of my God, will I love! Heart most pure, Heart\nmost holy, never tiring of my insults, ever forgiving and forgetting, and,\nif I do but love Thee sincerely, admitting me as a chosen friend to Thy\nsweet company. \u201cCome unto Me, all you that labor, and are heavily\nburdened, and I will give you rest.\u201d Seek not elsewhere for relief in\nsorrow: come to the Heart of One Who loves you. Never will you meet with a\nmore generous giver, never will you meet a kinder friend, never will you\nmeet one who will bear with you more patiently in your trials and\ntemptations. Be comforted, then, my heart, in having this God of love, Who\nwill not abandon you; Who has no sweeter choice than to hearken to your\nprayers. Well, dear Lord, behold how my poor soul is chained down, what\nbillows of sorrow buffet it and all but wreck it. Come then, O Heart of my\nJesus, come to me or I perish. In Thee alone do I find relief. Be Thou a\nthousand times blessed, O sweetest Heart, for all Thy mercy! O admirable\nHeart, forgive my guilty wretchedness. Henceforth Thee alone will I seek,\nThee alone will I love. I shall serve Thee and Thee only till my dying\ngasp, in hope of praising and loving Thee forever more in heaven.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, be Thou praised and blessed forever as the source\nof supernatural life, the nourishment of the soul, and the sustenance of\nthe spirit! From Thy fulness all good is poured out upon us. Fill my\nheart, I beseech Thee, with the sentiments that inspired Thy adorable\nHeart. Amen.\n\n\n\nFifth Day. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Teaching Charity.\n\n\nThy Heart, O my Jesus, is a mystery of charity; mine is a mystery of\nmalice. I am ashamed and confounded when I consider attentively Thy Heart,\nO my Jesus! Thou, the Creator and Master of all things\u2014Thou art meek and\nlowly of heart, and I, a poor outcast, am full of pride and presumption.\nHow often have I not outraged Thy love and despised Thy law, and still\nThou art silent and forgivest me! Thou art ever ready to welcome back Thy\nlost sheep, no matter how far they have strayed, nor how deeply they have\nwounded and insulted Thy loving Heart! And can it be that after that I\nwould dare violate the charity I owe my neighbor? That I would, for a\nslight offence, allow proud and revengeful feelings to take possession of\nmy heart? Oh, what a contrast to Thy gentleness and patience! I cannot\nforget the least insult received, whilst Thou, O my God, at the first\nsincere prayer for pardon wilt forget all the injuries that I have offered\nThee. Could I then fail to choose Thy Heart as a model for my own? But how\ncan this cold heart of mine ever resemble that kindest Heart of Thine?\nThou alone possessest the remedy. Behold me then, O sweet Jesus, and\nmercifully regard a misery so profound. \u201cMy heart is ready, O God, my\nheart is ready.\u201d I will extol Thee, O God my King, and I will bless Thy\nname forever and ever.\n\nPrayer.\n\nBe Thou praised and blessed forever, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who in the\nfervor of Thy charity, hast devised a miraculous means of filling hearts\nwith the holy flame of Thy divine love. Impress my heart so deeply with\nthis divine seal, that nothing may ever enter into it, or proceed from it,\nthat is not in conformity with Thy Sacred Heart. Amen.\n\n\n\nSixth Day. The Heart of Jesus My Comforter.\n\n\nTo whom can I more confidently tell my many needs and frailties than to\nHim Who knows them more clearly than I do myself? Thy voice, O Jesus,\nalone has the power to console and comfort the heart that loves Thee. They\nare blind indeed who go in search of consolation and happiness from\ncreatures. Why did I not fly to Thee when I felt the first onset of this\nworld? I turned hither and thither, seeking on all sides for aid and\ncomfort, but I turned not my glance to Thee, Who alone canst rescue the\nsoul from sin. Heart of Jesus, oh, what manner of love is Thine! Forgive\nmy past foolishness, and now that I return again to Thee, give me grace\nnever to leave Thee. Let my soul, like Magdalen, rest at Thy sacred feet.\nStay with me, O Jesus, stay with me forever. Teach me what I must needs do\nto live with Thee, and I shall trample under foot all the joy and gain\nthis world can offer me. I shall embrace with gladness for Thy sake all\nafflictions and all sorrows. But, O my God, shelter beneath the wings of\nThy love every instant of my life, and encourage and strengthen my poor\nweak heart.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, I adore the admirable impulse which made Thee all\nThy life a victim of love, and led Thee to consummate it by a death of\nperfect love. Grant that by Thy holy grace, my heart may become a living\nsacrifice, desiring only to be offered up and to offer up all things for\nThy greater glory. Amen.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day. The Heart of Jesus My Helper in Trials.\n\n\nHow few are there who love God alone for His own sake, and bless Him alike\nin sorrow and in joy! Why, O my God, do I fear to travel on the royal road\nof the cross\u2014the only road that Thou hast travelled, and the shortest and\nsurest way to heaven? Do I forget that Thy cross sanctified and redeemed\nthe world, and formed the bliss of Thy elect in heaven? Why, then, do I\nshrink from carrying it with courage? Let us remember that our union with\nJesus crucified will be the measure of our union with Him in glory. That\nin suffering for Jesus we show our true love for Him. Oh, a thousand times\nblessed are all who clasp the cross to their hearts and follow Jesus. Be\nnot sad, my soul, when thou art in pain: the Heart of Jesus was crushed\nfar more than thine. That sweet Heart of my Jesus was overwhelmed with\nsadness at the sight of our sins, pierced with a thousand deadly shafts,\nhumiliated, abandoned by His Father: finally cruelly wounded on the cross,\nshedding His blood, even to the last drop. Compare such sorrow with thine,\nand yet thou darest complain! Jesus, forgive me, forgive such a vile\nwretch, and crown Thy mercy and love.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO almighty and eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy well\u2010beloved Son,\nand the praise and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of poor\nsinners. Have mercy upon them, since they ask it through this same Jesus\nChrist, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the\nHoly Ghost, one God forever and ever. Amen.\n\n\n\nEighth Day. In the Heart of Jesus I Shall Find Rest.\n\n\nO Heart of my Jesus, I will cast myself with sweetest confidence into Thy\nbosom, and I will rest on Him Who is the everlasting rest of the elect in\nheaven. I will draw nigh unto Him Who can sweeten all the bitterness of my\nweary pilgrimage here. I will rest, as John the beloved disciple did, on\nthe Heart of Jesus, and tell Him a hundred times over that peace and\ncomfort cannot be found elsewhere but in that sweet Heart. The Heart of\nJesus is the city of refuge, in which we are safe from the pursuit of the\nenemy. It is the city of refuge, which defends us from the wrath of an\nangry Judge. Give thy heart to Him, for He has opened His Heart to thee.\nGive not thy heart to the world, but to Christ thy Lord. O Heart of Jesus!\nThou givest to the heart that loves Thee perfect peace, great joy of\nspirit, and a foretaste of heaven\u2019s delight. My God, make me love Thee,\nnot coldly but with a passionate love. All for Thee, O my God, all for\nThee alone\u2014let this be my watchword, and then only will I find true rest\nand peace. May heaven and earth praise and bless Thee forever.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, I unite my heart to the spirits of the blessed,\nthat with them it may sing to Thy glory before the throne of God. The Lamb\nthat was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and\nstrength, and glory, and benediction. By Thy virtue guard my heart, and\npreserve it from the stains of its own sinful desires. Amen.\n\n\n\nNinth Day. The Heart of Jesus an Ocean of Love.\n\n\nO Heart of Jesus! Thou hast, in the greatness of Thy love, come down to\nput on the garb of humanity, and to take into Thy breast man\u2019s heart\u2014to\nmake him a source of Thy delights: to soothe the pain that sin inflicts on\nhis wretched soul. O God of love, what then shall I do for Thee Who hast\nloved me with such an excess of love? What return can I make for such\ngreat graces? Ah, yes! I will address Thee with the sweet name of\n\u201cFather,\u201d a God so generous and so great, and how easy will it be for me\nto love Thee, O Jesus, my best Friend. In thus dwelling among us He willed\nto unite Himself with us in a way as intimate as it is incomprehensible.\nAnd to bring about this, He instituted the Sacrament of the Altar, and\nshutting Himself up under the appearance of bread, He enters into our\nhearts and makes His own flesh our nourishment. This gift of the\nEucharist, O my God, is of all Thy wonders the very crown. In this banquet\nof love, Thou hearest all our sighs and complaints, and Thou forgivest all\nour sad errors and foolishness. O happy Christians, what a source of\nhappiness we possess! Let us then give Him all the love and gratitude He\nhas a right to expect from us. Let our love be as unlimited as the love\nOur God has shown unto us. O Jesus, how sweet it would be to live for Thee\nand Thee only!\n\nPrayer.\n\nO my good Jesus, within Thy Heart, with sweetness overflowing, I place\nmyself; hide me deep therein that I may never stray away. In life my joy,\nin death my guide, be Thou unto me my bliss in heaven. This I ask for\nevery one, and I ask it by Thy tears, Thy sweat, Thy sacred blood. Amen.\n\n\n\nTenth Day. The Ingratitude of Men to the Heart of Jesus.\n\n\nWherever we cast our eyes we meet with sad proofs of the ingratitude of\nmen to the Heart of Jesus. A large portion of the Christian world is\nplunged in heresy, denying Christ\u2019s presence in the mystery of the Altar,\nand not satisfied with refusing to recognize this great benefit they have\nlifted their sacrilegious hand against the sacred Host. But, O divine\nJesus, behold a still more grievous source of sorrow to Thy Heart! It is\nnot from Jews or heretics that Thou receivest these insults, but from\nThine own chosen people, the people who profess to believe in Thy real\npresence. Jesus is in our midst, we know it, and yet He is the only One\nWhom we forget, the only One Whom we treat with careless indifference. It\nis thus that Christians respond to the love of Our Lord; it is thus they\nrepay all His benefits. O sweet Jesus, pardon my base ingratitude! Angels\nof heaven, you who know so much better than I the full extent of the love\nof Jesus\u2019 Heart towards me, praise Him for me, and bless Him. O my God,\ngrant that I may live poor, unknown, and hidden in the Sacred Heart of\nJesus, my divine Master, forgotten and despised by creatures, so that Thou\nmayest establish Thy reign of love upon my nothingness. I hope that Thou\nwilt mercifully hear my request, and grant it.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, my Lord! O noblest, greatest, and most generous\nof all hearts! I adore the divine impulses which led Thee, from the moment\nof Thy conception, to love me who was nothing, who would offend Thee in so\nmany ways, and so often misuse Thy graces. O holy Friend of hearts, change\nmy heart, and make it choose Thee for its only Friend. Amen.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day. The Gratitude Due to the Heart of Jesus.\n\n\nIf it were in my power, I would return Thee unceasing acts of\nthanksgiving, and they would still be too little to praise Thee for Thy\nboundless love. I thank Thee and bless Thee for having poured out Thy most\nprecious blood to wash away my sins. Thou didst reserve nothing for\nThyself, Thou didst become dry and barren as a grape trodden in the wine\u2010\npress. O ardent love, that is never extinguished! would that I burned with\nthis fire Thou hast sent on the earth, and which Thou dost so fervently\ndesire to see kindled in souls! O most sweet Jesus, open to me, I humbly\nbeseech Thee, the door of Thy Heart, the door of love and mercy. There\nonly will my troubled soul find sure refuge, my crimes pity and\nforgiveness. To Thee alone, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse; assist Thou\nme. Thou hast sought for me so painfully and so long, O my God, when I\nstrayed from Thy loving care. Behold me here now; I give myself to Thee.\nWith the help of Thy grace I will be faithful to Thee, and will keep my\nsoul in spotless purity and deepest humility. O Heart of my God, prevent\nme from ever abandoning Thee again! May my heart be always open and ready\nto admit Jesus, my well beloved. Let me cling to Thy feet, like Magdalen,\nand give Thee love for love.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, my Saviour, I adore Thee, shedding tears over my\nsins. Would that I had a fountain of tears in my heart, that I might weep\nas I ought for the sorrows I have caused Thee! Give me grace to bring\nforth worthy fruits of penance. I adore Thee, O King of hearts, Who art\nthe delight of heaven and earth! Amen.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day. In the Heart of Jesus is Found the Way, the Truth, and the\nLife.\n\n\nO my Jesus, I have never found truth save in Thee, and aside from Thy\npaths I have never met but vanity and wrong. If Thou dost not guide me in\nall things, I shall stray about forever, and will quickly perish through\nfatigue and want. Speak, then, O Lord, speak to Thy servant, and grant him\nto comprehend Thy wonderful love. Heart of my God, give me to see that\nThou art the only way in which I must walk, if I wish to walk aright. What\nwould ever become of me if Thou wert not my life, principally in the\nAdorable Sacrament of the Altar, where Thou dwellest actually, corporally,\nand perpetually, waiting to receive my homage and ever ready to give me\nall graces and blessings. Oh, how boundless is my need of Thee, my God;\ndraw me unto Thee and dispel the darkness which surrounds me. Deign to\naccept, O Heart divine, this poor desire. My God, Thou art my Father; have\npity on me according to the greatness of Thy mercy. I abandon myself to\nThee: do not reject me; make me love Thee and nevermore separate Thyself\nfrom me.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO sacred Heart of Jesus, Thou art the heavenly light! Thou dispellest the\ndarkness of the soul, and fillest it with sweetness. Thou art the Heart of\nhearts, and worthy of the greatest love. Thou art the source of that\nheavenly fire that enlightens and burns. Inflame my heart with Thy divine\nardor, that it may burn with love of Thee to all eternity. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day. To the Heart of Jesus Alone I Turn.\n\n\nWe are made for God alone, nor can we find peace elsewhere save in God\nalone. But who can kindle in us Thy love, if not Thou Thyself, O Lord? Oh,\nthen, sweet Heart of Jesus, I will not cease to knock at the portal of Thy\nHeart, with tears and true contrition! Let others seek the perishable\ngoods of this world. For my part I ask but Thee alone. Forgive my past\nunfaithfulness, and unite me so closely to Thee that I may never be able\nto forsake Thee. Yes, my Saviour, I will leave creatures and all earthly\npleasures to run after Thee in the Sacrament of Thy love. But I am ashamed\nto appear before Thee, O my Jesus, I, who am so naked and so devoid of all\nvirtues. What then am I to do? Am I to appear no more before Thee? Ah, no!\nthis would not please Thee. Thou dwellest in the Sacrament, not only to\nreward Thy lovers, but also to provide for the poor out of Thy riches. I\nadore Thee, then, King of my heart! O Shepherd, loving Thy sheep beyond\nall bounds, to this throne of love I now approach, and having nothing else\nto give I offer Thee my poor heart. Mercy, O Heart of God, I implore Thee\na thousand, thousand times, and pardon for all my sins; grant that this\nmay be the day of my entire conversion, so that I may nevermore cease to\nlove Thee.\n\nPrayer.\n\nHeart of my Jesus, Thou knowest what is wanting in me: Thou knowest that\nwithout Thee I can do nothing. Thou knowest my weakness: have pity on me,\ngive me humility, purity of heart, love, and conformity to Thy holy will,\nstrength against my bad habits, remission of my sins, and grace nevermore\nto commit them. Amen.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Asks for Our Hearts.\n\n\n\u201cMy child, give Me thy heart.\u201d Oh, let me print on my memory such a phrase\nof love! \u201cMy child!\u201d Oh, how sweet it sounds when uttered by the lips of a\nGod! He wishes to dwell in our hearts, not for a certain time, but\nforever; not as a guest only, but as its Master and its Lord. Jesus says\nthe heart He asks of me is mine: \u201cGive Me thy heart,\u201d instead of claiming\nit as His right, as a matter of strictest obligation, since all that I am\nand have comes from Him. Oh, why should it be so difficult for me to yield\nup my heart to that sweet Lord Who so endearingly says, \u201cMy child, give Me\nthy heart\u201d? The name of friend being insufficient to tell all Thy love, O\ndear Jesus, Thou dost employ the loving name of child to sweetly compel me\nto grant Thy fond request. Why is it, my Jesus, that Thou wishest my love?\nWhy dost Thou, by every means, try to gain, by permission, that love which\nis Thine by every right and title? Oh, how many years Thou hast followed\nme, and I ever fled away from Thee! How hardened my heart was! It is true\nI have often returned to Thee for a little while, and Thou didst welcome\nme, and gave me Thy very self as my food. But too soon I fled away from\nThee again. O my dearest Jesus, what favors and benefits I have abused!\nPardon me, sweet Jesus: behold me at last here at Thy feet, never to leave\nThee more. Take my heart, sweet Lord, and clasp it tightly to Thy Sacred\nHeart even to the hour of my death; never let me stray from Thee again.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, with my whole soul I adore Thy impulses of\ngoodness and mercy towards sinners, the effects of which I have most\nsingularly experienced! Thy loving kindness is so desirous of mercy, that\nit threatens to show no mercy to him who is not merciful. And what mercy\ncan I exercise towards my neighbor? What can be compared to those mercies\nI have received, and every day receive from Thee? O Heart of Jesus, loving\nfountain of mercy, teach me to know and worthily imitate Thy mercy. Amen.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus at the Hour of Death.\n\n\nThe life of man passes away as a shadow. Time passes by as a swift flowing\nriver, bearing on its bosom, onward to the grave, old and young, rich and\npoor, without any distinction. Oh, how happy is he who has laid up\ntreasures in heaven, who has gathered for himself a hoard of merit before\nGod. Happy, a thousand times happy, is he who in that dread hour can turn\nto God with all confidence, and feel God present in his heart. O my sweet\nJesus, I will cling to the hope that Thou wilt forget all my past\niniquities, and remember only Thy love. O merciful Jesus, who would not\nhope from Thee a mercy without end? It is true Thou art a God of justice\nand purity, and Thou seest in me sins beyond compare. But yet can it be\nthat the same God, Who every instant of my life yearns to be near me, Who\nbegs so pleadingly for my heart: can it be that He will condemn me to\nhell? Oh, no, tender Heart of my Jesus! it will never be so if I am truly\nsorry. My sweet Jesus will never abandon me, if with a truly repentant\nheart, I have recourse to Him. Why should I fear death when I look upon my\nGod agonizing in the throes of death? His death was to help me in my dying\nhour, so that seeing the pain that I have inflicted I might bear mine\nwithout complaint. O sweet Heart of Jesus, I offer Thee my death. I am\nwilling to suffer all the pains Thou wishest to send me. Let me suffer as\nmuch as Thou pleasest, only let me die clasped close to Thy loving Heart.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, I adore the admirable impulses which made Thee\nall Thy life a victim of love, and led Thee to consummate it by a death of\nperfect love. Grant that, by Thy holy grace, my heart may become a living\nsacrifice, desiring only to be offered up and to offer up all things for\nThy greater glory. Amen.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day. The Heart of Jesus for all Eternity.\n\n\nEternity is Thine, O my God, and Thou givest it to Thy elect, that they\nmay love Thee without any doubt or fear. Life is short: the last hour may\ntoll for me when I least expect it. O thou city of God, when shall I\nbehold thy beauty? Oh, the grace and blessing of dying at peace with Thee,\ngreat God; of closing our eyes in a holy death, to open them amid the\nsplendors of eternal joy! Meanwhile Thou givest me a pledge of this bliss\nin the admirable Sacrament of the Altar. Where can love like Thine be\nfound? Thou givest me Thy body and blood, Thy soul and divinity, as a\npledge of eternal happiness. If then, Thou art wholly mine, can I be\notherwise than wholly Thine? A thousand thanks to Thee, O my sweet Jesus,\nWho art so loving to me. Thou didst call me to Thy service, but I have\nresponded weakly. I often disappointed and displeased Thee, yet, O Heart\nof my God, Thou art all mercy, and Thou wilt not turn away Thy face from\nThy poor child, who casts herself down before Thee in contrition and\nshame. I will clasp Thy feet and remain there until Thou wilt once more\nsay \u201cthou art forgiven: go in peace.\u201d Thou art just, O Lord; nevertheless\nbe moved to pity me. I promise that I will always serve and love Thee, and\navoid anything that could in any way separate me from Thee.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, I adore Thy death of complete charity that placed\nThee in the grave. Let me enter into the wound of Thy Heart, made by the\nlance, and may I die there for love of Thee. O heart of Mary, Mother of\nthe Heart of Jesus, I have recourse to thee, that thou mayest speak to me\nin its stead. The Heart of Jesus and thine are but one, and what thou dost\nfor me He will approve.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day. The Heart of Jesus Sorrowful unto Death.\n\n\nNo one can be a true follower of Thee, O sweet Jesus, who travels by any\nroad save that of Thy cross. For what trouble, what trial or affliction\ncan we meet with, which has not been suffered by Thee? What were the\nagonies and pains Thy Heart bore for me! I am poor, but am I poorer than\nThou, Who hadst not whereon to lay Thy head? I may be reviled and\npersecuted, but what are my persecutions in comparison to Thine, O my\nJesus? Thou wast abandoned in Thy hour of agony even by Thy apostles, and\nbetrayed into the hands of Thy enemies by one whom Thou hadst made Thy\nfriend and companion. Thy whole life, O my Jesus, was one unbroken series\nof crosses, borne sweetly and patiently through love of me. Take courage,\nthen, my soul, from the example of our dear Lord, and bear with noble\nstrength all the trials and afflictions that may be sent to thee. I will\nkeep my eyes fixed on Thee, cursed and buffeted, insulted and spat upon,\nscourged and crowned with thorns, a heavy cross laid upon Thy poor,\nmangled shoulders, and Thy dreadful crucifixion\u2014all for love of me. Surely\nthen, my God, the desire will grow in my heart to be ready and willing to\nmake some return to Thee. Yet without Thy help, dear Jesus, I am utterly\nhelpless to bear the little trials Thou so lovingly dost send me. Thou\nhast said clearly, \u201cIf any man will come after Me, let him deny himself,\nand take up his cross and follow Me.\u201d And again, \u201cWhosoever doth not carry\nhis cross and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.\u201d I understand then,\ndear Jesus, that if I wish to claim the name of follower of Thee, I must\nimitate Thee in carrying the cross. I throw myself into Thy loving arms,\nmy sweet Jesus; do with me as Thou choosest, only give me strength and\ncourage to abide with Thee forever.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, I adore Thy impulses of charity, which made Thee\nwish to fill my heart and my soul with Thine, my spirit with Thy spirit,\nand to feed my body with Thy sacred flesh. I adore Thy divinity, concealed\nfrom my sight under the symbols of Thy mystery of love, and I beseech\nThee, of Thy mercy, to use my soul, my mind, my heart, and my body as a\ntemple consecrated to Thy honor. O Sacred Heart, I adore Thee as a victim\nsacrificed by the ascendancy and power of its own pure love. Amen.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day. O Heart of Jesus, Thou Art All Mine and I Am All Thine.\n\n\nHeart of my God, Thou art for me light, hope, heaven, eternity, all. I\nthank Thee, sweetest Jesus, for all Thy generosity towards Thy unworthy\ncreature. I scarcely know myself when I feel Thee so near my heart in holy\ncommunion. Oh, let that love of Thine fill my heart; do not leave me till\nThou grantest me the comfort I hope and claim of Thee. Lord, were I to ask\nof Thee temporal things, Thou mightest well refuse them, but I ask that\nwhich thou Thyself art pleased with\u2014Thy holy love. I cannot love Thee\nunless Thou grantest me power to do so. Heart of my Jesus, where shall I\nfind Thee if not where Thou art really present\u2014in the Adorable Eucharist?\nBe Thou blessed a thousand times, my Jesus, Who hast provided so sweet a\nsource of comfort for us poor exiles in this vale of tears. I behold\nMagdalen approach Thee, her heart full of shame, and I behold her leaving\nThee, her heart full of peace and love. I see Augustine filled with the\nmalice of sin, and all at once he becomes one of Thy brightest saints. Is,\nthen, Thy power shortened? No, no, Thou never failest in coming to those\nwho in lowliness of heart cry to Thee for help. Let me, then, O my sweet\nJesus, show Thee all my sorrow and reveal to Thee all my need. If I had\nloved Thee as warmly as I have loved myself and my sins, I would have been\na saint long ago. Now once more I return to Thee; let my hope never be\nconfounded.\n\nPrayer.\n\nBe Thou blessed and praised forever, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, hidden under\nthe mystical veil of the consecrated Host! Grant that I may worthily\npraise Thy ardent love. Thou art all in all to the saints in heaven. Give\nme Thy grace, that to me also Thy Sacred Heart may become all things, and\nthat I may love and adore Thee in spirit and in truth. Amen.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day. God is Charity and He Who Lives in Charity Lives in God.\n\n\nThe Heart of Jesus, a great saint has said, is the abode of every virtue,\nthe source of every blessing; always filled with love for us, it is ever\nready to receive, to shelter, and to comfort us. O you who are bending\nunder the burden of sorrow or want, or who are forever struggling against\ntemptation, fly to this sweet Heart; there you shall find that God is\nlove, that He is ever attentive, and ever prepared to hear our slightest\nprayer. Oh, then, merciful Heart of my Jesus, be with me everywhere, even\nwhen I do not ask Thee, because then the peril is much greater. Stretch\nout Thy hand to me and draw me unto Thee. Thou hast told Magdalen that\nmuch was forgiven her because she had loved much; but was it not Thyself,\nsweet Jesus, that gave her such love? Give me the same love, my Jesus, and\nI shall love Thee as much. Ah, my Jesus, my heart is no longer mine\u2014I give\nit to Thee without reserve. Let it live for Thee and Thee only; keep it, O\nLord, and guard it as Thine own. If the angels rejoice over the returning\nof the repentant prodigal, wilt Thou not find greater delight in that\nprodigal\u2019s sincere desire of thanking Thee and loving Thee more and more?\nI resolve that my heart will henceforward bear Thee company by visiting\nThee in Thy tabernacles, and by fidelity to prayer.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who in a wonderful Sacrament hast left us a\nmemorial of Thy Passion and a pledge of Thy love, grant us, I beseech\nThee, grace so to venerate the mysteries of Thy body and blood, that we\nmay ever feel within us the fruits of Thy redemption, Who livest and\nreignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God forever and\never. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day. The Sacred Heart is a Most Patient Rewarder.\n\n\nThou, O sweet Jesus, possessest all wealth and bounty; we know that Thy\nriches are inexhaustible, and that Thy desire to impart them in Thy\ngenerosity is without limit and immeasurable. Thy rewards are always far\ngreater than our merits. For a very slight service, Thou givest so amply\nthat the greatness and depth of Thy rewards will be equal to their\nduration. Jesus, light of my life, shine on my poor, wretched soul, and\nplant in it the precious fruits of hatred of sin, deep contrition, and a\nfirm, lasting resolution of amendment. Make this poor heart of mine gladly\nembrace and bear all the crosses that Thou mayest send me as aids to the\nattainment of my only end\u2014that of abiding safe in Thy bright home forever,\nsweet Jesus, with Thee. However great the sufferings of this life may be,\nwe can all have recourse to God, and obtain strength and courage in the\nthought that Thou, dear Lord, hast been the first of all great sufferers,\nand that Thou wilt never permit our troubles to exceed our limited\nstrength. Oh, how sweetly and lovingly dost Thou receive the soul who,\nnotwithstanding temptation and trials, hast always served Thee faithfully,\nand hast persevered to the end in Thy service! O my sweet Love, aid me by\nThy grace to bear all afflictions with loving patience, so that I may one\nday receive my everlasting reward.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, which from all time wast inflamed with love for\nthe glory of Thy heavenly Father, and for our salvation, be Thou praised\nand blessed forever! Kindle in our hearts that divine fire Thou hast\nbrought upon the earth, and grant that we may never, on our side, oppose\nit, but that by Thy holy grace it may ever burn there. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day. The Heart of Jesus will Glorify us in Heaven.\n\n\nMy Jesus, when will that moment come, when having followed faithfully the\npath of crosses and tribulations, I shall hear Thee say, \u201cWell done, good\nand faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I\nshall place thee over many. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.\u201d Oh, the\njoy the soul will feel when, on reaching heaven, she shall find herself in\nthe company of the angels and saints; of Mary, her good Mother, and shall\nrecognize all her friends and relatives! What joy will it not be to find\none\u2019s self safe in port, free from all danger, safe forever in the arms of\nGod! The happiness of heaven once insured is ours forever more; it cannot\nbe lost. There will be no more sorrow nor trouble. Thou, O my sweet Jesus,\nwilt wipe away all tears from our eyes, and with Thy sweet voice, Thou\nwilt gladden our hearts. My soul, enter into thyself, and reflect that\nthou wert made for this glory if thou wilt only struggle to the end. How\nfoolish then is he, who for a brief passing moment of pleasure, would\nfling away all claim to that glory, which as St. Paul says, \u201cEye hath not\nseen nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man what\nthings God hath prepared for them that love Him.\u201d Take courage, my soul,\nand do not murmur against those trifling tribulations, which God in His\nmercy sends for our own true weal. Most loving Jesus, give me grace to\nwelcome them, to embrace them eagerly, and to bear them according to Thy\ngood pleasure, and with sincere resignation to Thy holy will. O my sweet\nJesus, grant that I may one day reach that joyful kingdom, there to unite\nmy voice to those of the ever blest ones who, with ceaseless transports of\njoy, cry out before Thy throne, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts;\nheaven and earth are full of the glory of Thy majesty.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, Victim of love, consecrated Altar where all\nsacrifices are completed, Thou art the glory of the Holy Trinity, the joy\nof the angels and all the blessed, and the unfailing hope of mortals. Be\nThou the sole Master of the desires and affections of my heart. O Heart of\nJesus, that lovest me so tenderly, make me love Thee fervently in this\nworld, so that I may love Thee eternally in heaven. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day. The Heart of Jesus Opened.\n\n\nJesus, even after His death, allowed His sacred side to be opened by a\nspear\u2010thrust, in order that we might see with what good\u2010will He had\nsuffered, and how ardently He was inflamed with love of us, and with\ndesire for our salvation. This opening of the side of Jesus, and the\nwonderful shedding of blood and water, should fill us with a sweet\ngladness, tempered with tears of sorrow for our evil. The only time in\nwhich we wounded not His Heart was that time in which we had not yet been\nfurnished by nature with that dangerous weapon, our natural liberty, the\norigin of all our offences against God. He could have deprived us of that\nfree will which has been the instrument by which we have offended Him so\noften; but no, He comes unto us with all love, disclosing to us all the\nsweetness of His kind Heart. O my Saviour, Thou never ceasest to renew Thy\nloving assaults! Thou didst wait on me, yearning to enfold me in Thy\ndivine embrace. O peerless mercy of my Jesus\u2019 Heart, how can I ever repay\nThee? Heart of my Jesus, I shall endeavor to prove my love for Thee by\natoning as far as is in my power for the many insults offered Thee. I\nshall adore and love Thee to the utmost of my power, I shall visit Thee,\nhidden as Thou art in the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, and delight in\nholding sweet converse with Thee. Thy side is open wide: for whom, if not\nfor poor sinners? O my sweet Jesus, I can enter therein at will. In Thy\nSacred Heart I can find true sorrow, and contrition for all my ingratitude\nand thanklessness. Oh, give my heart steadiness and fidelity, that so\nthese resolutions may be effectual and practical.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, Who with incomparable love didst vouchsafe to be\ncrowned with thorns, blindfolded, and struck with a reed, stripped of Thy\ngarments, nailed to the cross, and lifted up thereon between two thieves:\nto have gall and vinegar given Thee to drink, to be wounded with a spear:\nI beseech Thee, O Sacred Heart, by all these pains, and by Thy cross and\ndeath, to deliver me from all that displeases Thee and in Thy mercy to\nlead me whither Thou didst conduct the penitent thief. Who livest and\nreignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of All Happiness.\n\n\nThere is one thing for which every heart craves, after its own manner. We\nall long for happiness\u2014that is the one great desire that lives in every\nsoul. Hast Thou not, sweet Jesus, given us that longing? And when Thou\nhast given so much surely Thou wilt not refuse the accomplishment of this\ndesire also. Tell us, dear Lord, what souls are happy, and we will learn\nfrom their example. Let us look at the faces of those who serve Thee, and\nwe will see them growing brighter and brighter as they draw near Thee, and\nthey will tell us. When we love Thee sincerely, then we shall be happy;\nwhen we make Thy will the centre around which we move, then we shall be\nhappy; when Thy sweet Heart, hidden under the sacramental species, is more\nbeautiful in our sight than all else, when we shape and mould our lives\naccording to the example of that Sacred Heart, then peace and joy and\nhappiness will be ours. Teach us, sweet Heart of Jesus, from Thy\ntabernacle, to serve Thee as Thou deservest, to love Thee above all\nthings, to work for Thee bravely and generously, solely because of Thy\nlove and not for Thy gifts. Oh, what happiness may I not promise myself if\nI but cling to Thy most generous Heart, and use my best endeavors to\nfaithfully serve, adore, and love it. Inflame my heart, O Jesus, with the\nfire of love with which Thine is ever inflamed. With St. Ignatius I will\nsay, \u201cJesus, Lord, give to me Thy love and grace divine, and I shall be\nrich enough.\u201d Henceforth I accept the remainder of my life and all its\nevents, whether bitter or sweet, from Thee; fixing my eyes on the\ntabernacle alone, I will serve Thee because it is Thy will I should do so.\nHelp me, my Jesus, unto the end; let me find no happiness but in Thee.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, how blessed is he whose only hope and confidence\nis in Thee, Who alone canst satisfy the yearnings of his heart! Thou art\nindeed the light of our true heavenly land, the delights of which surpass\nall that our human senses can experience. Too late have I known Thee, O\nancient beauty! Too late have I loved Thee! But if I have begun so late,\nmake me now love Thee perfectly. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day. The Love of the Saints for the Heart of Jesus.\n\n\nWhat a contrast there is between my conduct and that of Thy saints\u2014between\nmy indifference and their love towards Thy sweet Heart in the Blessed\nSacrament! St. John Francis Regis, when worn out with labor, would retire\nto the church and would there find repose and rest at the feet of Jesus.\nSt. Francis Xavier used to pass the night and take his repose in the\nsacristy, so as to be near Jesus. Leopold, Duke of Austria, would dismount\nfrom his horse, and falling on his knees would adore his Saviour as the\nprocession of the Blessed Sacrament passed him by. It is true that I\ncannot, nor does Jesus expect me to imitate these bright examples; yet if\nI have the will and the desire I can do much. Could I not often think of\nJesus, lonely in the Blessed Sacrament, waiting and watching for me, His\npoor creature, to visit Him? Could I not, like St. Alphonsus, visit the\nBlessed Sacrament every day? Could I not, when I bend my knee before Him,\nsay \u201cBlessed and praised be the Adorable Sacrament of the Altar?\u201d Could I\nnot refrain from useless talk in church? Could I not easily assist at\nBenediction as often as it takes place in church? All this I could do, O\nloving Heart of Jesus, if I only cared for Thee, if the love of Thee had\ntaken full possession of my soul. But I am weak, O Jesus, and ever prone\nto thwart Thy adorable intentions; still I am comforted by the thought\nthat Thou wilt aid and sustain me. This urges me to pray, in fullest hope\nof obtaining all things conducive to my sanctification here, and my\nsalvation hereafter. Perfect my desires, I implore Thee, and let the\nexample of Thy saints stimulate me to love Thee in the Blessed Sacrament\nmore and more.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, Thou art the source of the joy and holiness of\nthe saints, and from Thy fulness we receive all that we can have or wish\nfor in heaven and on earth. Through Thy charity, and through that of the\nheart of Thy holy Mother, I beseech Thee to bestow on me the sweet peace\nof charity, and to make my heart ever yielding and obedient to the\nimpulses of Thy divine grace. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day. The Agony of the Heart of Jesus.\n\n\nThe Heart of Jesus is filled with terror at the sight of the torments that\nawait Him. He seems to forget what He is and why He came into this world.\nHe prostrates Himself on the ground, and beseeches His Father to remove\nfrom Him, if possible, the chalice of suffering which He sees in store for\nHim. His agony is so intense that He is covered with a sweat of blood,\nwhich oozes out in great drops and trickles down to the ground. O my soul,\nhast thou ever beheld a sight like this? Only Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who\nhas loved man, has suffered like this. O my Jesus, my sweet Jesus, Thou\nhast willingly suffered the divine vengeance which should have fallen on\nme. What more couldst Thou have done for me? Surely if our hearts are\nhuman, if there is one fibre of pity or gratitude in our souls, the memory\nof Thy agony would never be obliterated. By Thy presence on the altar,\nThou has made me acknowledge the enormity of my sins. Thou hast compelled\nme to own that my sins have, as far as they could, reacted every scene in\nThy Passion. And yet do I linger under the shadow of Thy tabernacle? Do I\nweep over the wounds I have made in Thy body? Oh, no, dear Jesus! I have\nforgotten Thee, and like the Jews, with Thy blood on my hands, I have\neaten and made merry. O tender Heart of Jesus, let it be so no more. Let\nmy heart be filled with sorrow on account of my iniquities. Let my\nrepentance be like Magdalen\u2019s; then I shall be happy and I shall be saved,\nbecause Thou wilt never despise a truly contrite heart. O loving Jesus,\nmake my heart so just, so upright, and so conformable to Thy Heart, that\nbetween Thee and me there may be nothing to offend Thee.\n\nPrayer.\n\nI adore Thee, Sacred Heart of Jesus, suffering in the Garden of Olives. It\nis I who deserve all the pains Thou endurest, for I am the cause of them.\nO Sacred Heart of Jesus, through Thy sorrow my soul finds consolation, and\nby Thy agony my death is made sweet. Give me a contrite and humble heart,\nthat can participate in Thy pains and sorrows. Teach me how to offer up\nthe prayer of suffering and patience. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day. The Heart of Jesus in the Tabernacle.\n\n\nThe home of Jesus is the tabernacle. Our dear Lord and Saviour dwells\namong the poor as well as among the rich. He lives in the noisy, crowded\ncity, as well as in the lonely, quiet country; in magnificent cathedrals,\nas well as in the poorest churches and the most dilapidated chapels. There\nHe remains, that all may be able to come to His dwelling\u2010place, to lay\nbefore Him all their wants, to converse with Him and to obtain from Him\nall the graces they need, whether for soul or body. Can we imagine\nanything more loving or generous? The soul that truly loves Jesus need not\ngo far to find Him. He can be found in every church in which the Blessed\nSacrament is kept, and there the King of kings, Our Lord and Saviour, is\ncontent to remain, shut up in a tabernacle of wood, with no one to keep\nHim company. Well has He been called a \u201cPrisoner of love.\u201d O sweet Heart\nof Jesus, because Thou art always with us, we forget Thee; because we are\naccustomed to Thy continual presence we heed it no more. Because Thou\nnever leavest us, we grow tired of Thee and value Thee not. O loving Heart\nof Jesus, what ingratitude! Yet surely it ought not to be difficult to\nvisit Thee and to converse with Thee. How many afflictions, how many\ntroubles of mind and body, are there to tell Thee; how many graces and\nblessings to supplicate; how many sins and transgressions are there to\nweep for; how many acts of love and thanksgiving to be poured forth for\nall Thy numberless mercies; how many petitions ought to ascend for the\nconversion of those who neither know nor love Thee! O compassionate Jesus,\ngrant that we may ever remember Thee in Thy loving Sacrament, and let Thy\ndear words ever sound in our ears: \u201cCome to Me, all you that labor and are\nheavily burdened, and I will refresh you.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nI adore Thee, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, the joy, the satisfaction, and the\nsupreme Ruler of all hearts. With the same loving kindness that led Thee\nto take the hand of St. Thomas, and carry it Thyself into Thy side, make\nmy heart seek no joy but in Thee, O Sacred Heart. May my heart be ever\nsubject to Thy gentle sway, for out of Thee it will find but labor and\ntribulation, and all the consequences of its unhappy bondage. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day. The Heart of Jesus is My Hope.\n\n\nIn the Heart of Jesus we live, and move, and have our being. O Jesus, Thy\ncare of me is so wise and gentle, that nothing can harm me so long as I\nleave myself in Thy hands. I know the trials which Thou sendest me are\nirksome, that my passions goad me on to rise up against Thee, and the\ndemon also whispers in my ear, \u201cThou hast Jesus no longer, He has\nabandoned thee for aye.\u201d But no, never will I lose my hope in Thee; I\nshall not be affrighted; remembering the loving lessons Thy Heart has\ntaught me, I will fear no evils. Too powerful in the strength, my God,\nthat comes to me from the assurance that Thou, sweet Love, rulest my life\nand art a sharer in all my sorrow. No, I will not fear, for Thou art with\nme. With Jesus, my God, by my side, my hope acquires new strength. I have\nwith me a Father Who loves me and Who is ever intent on blessing me. My\neyes behold Thee not, yet through the wondrous agency of Thy grace, Thou\nart near to me at every place and at every moment. Be Thou then, sweet\nJesus, my comforter, my delight, my crown. My senses will murmur, it is\ntrue, my passions will arise in rebellion, but fortified by Thy grace and\nstrength, I will fight against sin with a fortitude invincible. Aid me\nthen, O divine Heart, for Thou art my only hope. Let me rest and repose on\nThy bosom and forget my wanderings. Let me learn that there and there\nonly, I am in my true home, where alone I can be happy.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most compassionate Jesus! Thou alone art our salvation, our life and our\nresurrection. We implore Thee, therefore, do not forsake us in our needs\nand afflictions, but by the agony of Thy most Sacred Heart and by the\nsorrows of Thy immaculate Mother, succor Thy servants whom Thou hast\nredeemed with Thy most precious blood. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day. All Graces Come from the Heart of Jesus.\n\n\nAll virtues are found in the Heart of Jesus. His Heart is the furnace of\ndivine love, always burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit, purifying,\nkindling, and transforming into Himself all who yield themselves to Him,\nor who wish to be His. \u201cMy heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready.\u201d I\nwill extol Thee, O God, my King, and I will bless Thy name forever. Since\nall good flows from Thy most sweet Heart, O Jesus, I should not attribute\nto myself anything of the good I may have done, nor regard with self\u2010\nsatisfaction the gifts of God, but ascribe all to Him, and return all to\ntheir original source, which is the Heart of Jesus. Place all your sins in\nthe Heart of Jesus. Through that Heart you should ask for grace and\npardon, and praise and bless Him for all His mercies. I acknowledge, O my\nGod, Thy supreme dominion over me, and all created things. I bow down\nbefore Thy infinite sanctity, perfection and excellence, which entitle\nThee to the fullest love, service, and praise of all Thy creatures. In Thy\npresence I protest my detestation of my countless sins, with which I have\noutraged Thy love, and deeply repentant, I implore of Thee a full pardon.\nOpen wide Thy Heart of love, and let stream on my heart all the full\nsympathy of Thine. I know Thou canst not trust me, as I am ever prone to\nbreak my word and betray Thee. Hence I need all Thy care, all Thy grace to\npersevere in the good resolutions Thou formest in my soul. O sweet Virgin\nMother of my Jesus, help me to praise and bless the Lord for all the\nbenefits He has bestowed on me, and for all those He will grant for all\neternity.\n\nPrayer.\n\nMy sweet Jesus, I give Thee my soul, my body, and my will, resigning\nmyself in all and forever to Thy most holy grace. Do with me what Thou\npleasest. Make me ever love Thee in this life and in the next; do this,\nand then dispose of me and of everything I have as Thou wilt. Tell me what\nThou askest of me; for with Thy grace I will execute it, be it what it\nmay. Amen.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day. The Heart of Jesus the Source of Sanctity.\n\n\nThis adorable Heart offers to us at once the motive, the example, and the\ngrace of holiness. What could be more of an incentive to keep ourselves\nfrom sin, than the remembrance of Our Lord\u2019s Sacred Heart, which was\nsaddened by sin to such an excess as to cause His sacred body to sweat\ndrops of blood? What more calculated to inspire us with zeal for our\nsanctification than the study of this Heart, which calls us to it with so\nmuch love, and by so many sacrifices? St. Bernardin of Sienna speaks of\nthis divine Heart as a furnace of the most ardent love, capable of setting\nthe whole world on fire. We find in the Heart of Jesus the grace of\nholiness, for as Blessed Margaret Mary says, \u201cNothing is better calculated\nto raise the soul in a very short time to the loftiest degree of holiness\nthan devotion to this dear Heart.\u201d She also says that those who labor for\nthe salvation of souls will find in this devotion the gift of touching the\nhardest heart. It is because this divine Heart is the throne whereon mercy\nis seated, that invocations made to it are never in vain. It is the strong\ntower against which all temptations are powerless. It is the source of all\nbenedictions. Oh, we should love with all our strength the amiable Heart\nof Jesus, no matter what it may cost us! We should sanctify ourselves at\nany cost, and to do this we should love and burn incessantly in the\nfurnace of the pure love of God, which will purify and sanctify us at one\nand the same time. Let us, then, abandon ourselves into the hands of God,\nand we shall soon see that He will employ every means to make us perfect.\nHe who loves perfectly makes no resistance. My Jesus, take unto Thee my\nheart; I give myself wholly to Thee. May I ever be scrupulously faithful\nand unflinchingly constant in loving Thee, this day and every day of my\nwhole life.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO beloved One of my soul, would that I had always loved Thee! Alas, there\nwas a time when I not only did not love Thee, but despised Thy grace and\nThy love. I am consoled by the sorrow which I feel for it, and I hope for\npardon through Thy promise to forgive him that repents of his sins. To\nThee, O my Saviour, do I turn all my affections; help me, through the\nmerits of Thy Passion, to love Thee with my whole strength. Amen.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day. The Heart of Jesus in Holy Communion.\n\n\nOh, how shall I dare to approach Thy heavenly banquet, that mystery which\nis the greatest and most stupendous work of even Thy almighty love? that\nbanquet of which the noblest and purest spirits are in no sense truly\nworthy? Yet I feel myself comforted, when I read in Thy Gospel that Thou\nsendest forth Thy servants in quest of the poor, the blind, the lame, and\nthe wretched, to invite them to Thy bounteous feast divine. O goodness of\nGod! O Heart of Jesus, truly loving art Thou, and truly worthy of all\nlove. Not only willingly, but eagerly do I accept Thy sweet and merciful\ninvitation. What a consolation to be allowed to enjoy the loving embraces\nof the divine Spouse of my soul! As the hart panteth after the fountains\nof water, so my soul panteth after Thee, O God. Oh, come then, Heart of my\nJesus, come to Thy poor servant. I desire to tell Thee all my needs, to\nprotest to Thee my love, to clasp Thee to me. Come, and as Thou enterest\nmy heart, let me hear Thy sweet, consoling words, \u201cPeace be to thee.\u201d Oh,\nfortify me with Thy light and strength, that I may no more lose Thee or\ndrive Thee from me. But as long as I live, I am in danger\u2014my resolution\nmay become weak and I may betray Thee as I have done before. O Love\nunbounded, do Thou help me; from Thee and from Thy Heart, I hope all good.\nLet not that hope grow weak at any time, nor waver for a single instant.\nThis I implore of Thee through the same love which has made Thee remain\nwith us day and night, and which has induced Thee to give Thyself for our\nfood in the Blessed Sacrament.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRemember, O most loving Jesus, that it is unheard of that any one ever had\nrecourse to Thy Sacred Heart, implored its help without obtaining relief.\nConfiding in Thy infinite goodness and mercy we cast ourselves before\nThee, and do most humbly supplicate Thee to hear our prayers, and to take\nupon Thyself the care of our salvation. Show, divine Jesus, that Thou hast\nthe Heart of the best of Fathers. Shelter us therein, and let it not be\nsaid that we have perished, where no one ever found but mercy, grace and\nsalvation. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nGod the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Trinity one God, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, hypostatically united with the Word of God, _Have mercy on\n            us._\nHeart of Jesus, sanctuary of the divinity, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, temple of the Holy Trinity, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, abyss of wisdom, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, ocean of goodness, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, throne of mercy, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, treasure inexhaustible, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, whose plenitude is diffused in us, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, our peace and reconciliation, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, model of all virtues, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, infinitely amiable and most worthy of being loved, _Have\n            mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, fountain of living water springing up to eternal life,\n            _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, love of the celestial Father, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, atonement for our sins, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, full of bitterness for our sakes, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, sad unto death in the Garden, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, wrung with ignominy, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, wounded from love, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, drained of Thy blood on the cross, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, broken with grief on account of our sins, _Have mercy on\n            us._\nHeart of Jesus, still outraged by ungrateful men in the Most Holy\n            Sacrament of love, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, refuge of sinners, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, strength of the weak, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, comfort of the afflicted, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, perseverance of the just, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, salvation of those who hope in Thee, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, sweet support of Thy adorers, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, _Have mercy on us._\nHeart of Jesus, help in our afflictions, _Have mercy on us._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Jesus!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Hear us, O Jesus!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O\n            Jesus!_\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\n\n_V._ Jesus, meek and humble of Heart.\n\n_R._ Make my heart like unto Thine.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO Lord, almighty Father, eternal God, cast Thine eyes upon Thy beloved\nSon; accept, we beseech Thee, the satisfaction He offers Thee; be appeased\nby His divine homage, and mercifully protect us, through the same Christ,\nThy Son, Who, being God, livest and reignest with Thee in the unity of the\nHoly Ghost. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nMass in Union with the Sacred Heart of Jesus.\n\n\nIntroibo.\n\nO divine Jesus, Thou art the Victim laden with all the iniquities of the\nworld: Thou didst shed bitter tears for them; Thou didst expiate them by\nthe most dreadful torments, and by the most cruel of deaths. I come to\nmingle my tears with Thine; I confess to Thee, in the presence of Mary,\never Virgin, and of all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly; that\nit is my ingratitude that pierced Thy Heart, and put Thee to a cruel\ndeath. O God, my Saviour, through Thy tears, through Thy agony in the\nGarden of Olives, through Thy precious blood and the wound in Thy Sacred\nHeart, I beseech Thee to pardon me, and to grant me the remission of all\nmy sins. Amen.\n\nIntroit.\n\nLet us adore the Heart of Jesus, which has loved us so much; let us\nprostrate ourselves before Him, and bewail the sins of which we have been\nguilty. Grant us, O Lord, a contrite and humble heart; let the homage of\nour adoration be as acceptable to Thee as if we offered Thee thousands of\nvictims. Amen.\n\nKyrie.\n\nThe days of propitiation have arisen upon me; I may call Thee by Thy name,\nO God of majesty; I may call Thee my Saviour and my Father. Thou art\npresent on our altars, that Thou mayest heap Thy favors upon us. I will\ndraw nigh, therefore, with confidence unto the throne of mercy, and I will\nsay unto Thee: Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner. Amen.\n\nGloria.\n\nGlory be to God, Whose justice is satisfied by the perpetual sacrifice of\nso noble a Victim. Peace and happiness on earth to men of good\u2010will, who\nbehold a God annihilating Himself daily to save them, and to feed them\nwith His own substance. I praise Thee, I bless Thee, I adore Thee, O Lord,\nand I stand amazed at the sight of the wonders of Thy love. Shall I suffer\nthem to be of no avail to me through the evil dispositions of my heart?\nShall I reject that peace which Thou offerest me? Shall I not labor to\nacquire that good\u2010will by which it comes? O my God, allay the strife which\nis so often excited in my heart, making the flesh rebel against the\nspirit. Amen.\n\nCollect.\n\nO Divine Jesus, inexhaustible fountain of all good things, open unto us,\nwe beseech Thee, the interior of Thy Heart: that, having entered by pious\nmeditation into this august sanctuary of divine love, we may fix forever\nthere our hearts, as the place wherein is found the treasure, rest and\nhappiness of holy souls; Who livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen.\n\nEpistle.\n\n\u201cWisdom hath built herself a house, she hath hewed her out seven pillars.\nShe hath slain her victims, mingled her wine, and set forth her table. She\nhath sent her maids to invite to the tower, and to the walls of the city:\nWhosoever is a little one, let him come to me. And to the unwise she said:\nCome, eat my bread, and drink the wine which I have mingled for you.\nForsake childishness, and live, and walk by the ways of prudence\u201d (Prov.\nix. 1\u20106).\n\nGospel.\n\nPraise, honor, and glory be to Thee, O Jesus, Saviour of the world! Who,\nthirsting for the salvation of souls, didst endure for them so much labor\nand fatigue; Who for their sakes didst pass entire nights in prayer, and\ndidst weary Thyself going from city to city, from village to village.\nGrant, I implore Thee, that Thy love may also make me prompt and apt in\nevery good work, and that I may never grow tepid in Thy service. Help me\nto know and practise the holy counsels contained in Thy Gospel, and grant\nabove all that I may penetrate the divine wisdom contained in Thy words:\n\u201cIf any man will come after Me, let him take up his cross and follow Me.\u201d\n\nCredo.\n\nI believe, O my God, the truths which Thou hast revealed to Thy Church. I\ndesire to live and die in this faith. Grant, O Lord, that my life may be\nconformable to my faith; that my faith may be animated by good works; that\nI may never be ashamed to declare myself a Catholic, and may constantly\nmaintain the interests of Thy holy religion. O holy Roman Catholic Church,\nthe persecutions which thou hast endured, far from weakening my faith, do\nbut strengthen it the more, since thy divine Spouse foretold them. Sweet\nHeart of Jesus, draw close the bonds that bind me to Thy holy Church; put\ninto my heart a spirit of perfect obedience to my lawful pastors. In its\nbosom I became Thy child, and in its bosom I wish to live and die. Amen.\n\nOffertory.\n\nO Jesus, we draw near with confidence to Thy sweet Heart: cast upon us, we\nbeseech Thee, a look of pity, and make our hearts a perpetual offering\nconsecrated to Thy glory. O Heart of infinite goodness, I offer Thee my\nheart; vouchsafe to change it, to bless and sanctify it. O my soul, how\nJesus Christ hath loved us! At what a price He hath redeemed us! Not with\ngold, nor with riches, but by the voluntary shedding of His blood. He hath\nsacrificed Himself for us: let us then live only for Him; let us sacrifice\nourselves together with Him. But, O my God, my heart is not full enough of\nlove and fervor to be an offering worthy of Thee. What then shall I give\nThee? I will give Thee Thy Son. That Son, the most worthy object of Thy\ncomplacency, will supply my inability. O Lord, look not on me, but on this\ndivine offering. Amen.\n\nPreface.\n\nLift up, O Lord, do Thou Thyself lift up my heart to Thee. Take from it\nall unholy thoughts, all earthly affections. Lift it wholly up to heaven,\nwhere Thy Heart is worthily adored, and to the altar, where it is about to\nmanifest itself to me. Through Thy most kind Heart, I beseech Thee to draw\nmy heart wholly into Thine. Bury it in Thine, so that it may be so\nabsorbed into and united to Thy Heart, that I may no longer have any heart\nbut Thine. Suffer me, then, to join my feeble voice with the voices of all\nthe heavenly spirits, and in union with them to say, in transports of joy\nand admiration: Holy, holy, holy is the Heart of Jesus! the worthy object\nof the divine complacency, and of the homage of heaven and earth! The\nwhole earth is full of Thy glory; let my heart be full also of its love.\nAmen.\n\nCanon.\n\nO God infinitely holy, if my sins provoke Thee, and make me hateful in Thy\nsight, look upon the Lamb without spot, Who is going to immolate Himself\nto take away the sins of the world, and beholding His merits, remember not\nmy ingratitude. Remember only that I have been graciously admitted into\nthe Heart of Thy divine Son. This Heart infinitely merciful prayed for me\non Calvary, and will soon renew the sacrifice of itself for me. O my sweet\nJesus, how many times have I sinned against Thee? How many times have I\ndespised the interior graces Thou hast bestowed upon me? Oh, how earnestly\nI now desire a perfect contrition, equal to the greatness of the love that\nI have offended. But, since it is impossible for my sorrow to equal Thy\ngoodness towards me, I offer the loving contrition of the Heart of my Lord\nJesus Christ to supply my insufficiency. Amen.\n\nConsecration.\n\nO my soul, behold thy God, thy Saviour, thy Judge! My God, I adore Thee!\nMy Saviour, I love Thee! My sovereign Judge, I am sorry for ever having\noffended Thee! O Heart of my Jesus, Whom I believe to be here really\npresent, suffer me not to be separated from Thee during life. Grant that\nmy heart may ever find repose in Thine, that I may die in Thy love, and\nthus go to contemplate and praise Thee for all eternity. Amen.\n\nAfter The Consecration.\n\nThe heavens are opened: the Holy of holies has descended on the earth:\nthis altar is now the throne where dwells the majesty of the Most High;\nthe angels surround Him, and with the most lively homage of reverence and\nlove, make reparation to Him for the contempt, the neglect, and the\nindifference of men. O divine Lord, I lay all my petitions at Thy feet;\nvouchsafe to present them to Thy Father. I pray for the conversion of\nsinners, the perseverance of the just, and the triumph of our holy\nreligion. O Jesus, Who didst die for all men, bring back to the fold of\nThy Church those who are separated from it. Enlighten all infidels and\nheretics, bless the efforts of those who labor to convert them. Have pity\non the souls of the faithful departed; remit to them their debts, and\ngrant them a place of refreshment, light, and peace. I beseech Thee\nparticularly to have compassion on (_name them_).\n\nPater Noster.\n\nO my Father, if it be permitted that a guilty child call by so tender a\nname a God Whom he hath so often offended, grant that I may ever labor for\nthe glory of Thy holy name, that in all things I may do Thy will, and sigh\nunceasingly for Thy heavenly kingdom. Let the forgiveness which Thou didst\ngrant Thy murderers be my example in forgiving those who have injured me:\ngive me superiors, both spiritual and temporal, that love Thee, and\nfriends that serve Thee faithfully; and if ever I expose myself to sin, do\nThou deliver me from the danger, that I may never outrage Thy loving\nHeart. Amen.\n\nAgnus Dei.\n\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world! Pure and spotless\nVictim, Who alone canst satisfy the justice of an offended God, vouchsafe\nto make me a partaker of the merits of Thy sacrifice! What lessons of\nhumility, meekness, charity and patience dost Thou give me! Impress these\nvirtues upon my heart, that it may be to Thee a pleasant habitation,\nwherein Thou mayest repose, as in an abode of peace. Amen.\n\nCommunion.\n\nO Christ, mighty Lord, most sweet Jesus, my strength and my refuge,\ndefender of my soul, God of my salvation! O Thou in Whom I believe and\nhope, Thou Whom I love, behold I draw near to Thy throne of grace, I knock\nat the door of Thy mercy, and beseech Thee to open it for me. Thou Who\ndidst promise entrance into paradise to the penitent thief, bring me,\nthrough the most holy wound of Thy side, to the centre of Thy breast, and\nlet me drink at the fountain of wisdom that flows from Thy Heart. O God of\ninfinite mercy, receive me, enclose me, hide me in the bosom of Thy mercy.\nAmen.\n\nAfter Communion.\n\nI have found Him Whom my soul loveth: I possess Him, and will nevermore\nleave Him. What have I to desire in heaven, and what can I henceforth love\nupon earth, but Thee, O my God, the God of my heart! O most loving Jesus,\nwere it possible, I would fain praise Thee as perfectly, love Thee as\nardently, serve Thee as faithfully, please Thee as completely, and\ncontribute to Thy glory as efficiently as do all angels and men\ncollectively and as each one does in particular. O most merciful Lord, God\nof holiness, vouchsafe to cleanse my heart from all self\u2010love and all\nsinful affections. Make it a pleasing abode for Thee. Let it become like\nunto Thy Heart, that Thou mayest delight to dwell in it forever. Amen.\n\nBenediction.\n\nO loving Heart of Jesus, I will not depart till Thou hast blessed me.\nBless me in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost!\nand let Thy blessing descend upon all those for whom I ought to pray.\nAmen.\n\nLast Gospel.\n\nO eternal Word, Who wast made man that Thou mightest make men the children\nof God, I thank Thee for this unspeakable grace. How great is the blessing\nI enjoy, not only of hearing the name, but of being indeed the child of\nGod! Grant, O my sweet Jesus, that I may preserve this blessed title, by\nfaithfully imitating Thy Sacred Heart, and showing myself always filled\nwith love for Thy holy law. If I remain faithful Thou assurest me that I\nshall be co\u2010heir with Thee, and shall enjoy the happiness which Thou hast\npurchased for us with Thy precious blood: and this I hope to obtain\nthrough Thy infinite mercy. Amen.\n\nAfter Mass.\n\nSoul of Christ, sanctify me:\nBody of Christ, save me:\nBlood of Christ, inebriate me:\nWater from the side of Christ, wash me:\nPassion of Christ, strengthen me:\nO good Jesus, hear me:\nWithin Thy wounds hide me:\nPermit me not to be separated from Thee.\nFrom the malignant enemy defend me:\nIn the hour of my death call me,\nAnd bid me come to Thee;\nThat, with Thy saints, I may praise Thee\nForever and ever. Amen.\n\n\n\n\n\nJULY. THE PRECIOUS BLOOD.\n\n\nOur Lord shed His blood for our ransom, to buy us from the slavery of the\ndevil and of sin. Not one drop of blood did He reserve for Himself; He\nshed it all most generously in our behalf. He was the Lamb of God without\nblemish, Who, according to God\u2019s designs for the redemption of mankind,\nwas to be sacrificed. His blood was to be shed on the cross; from five\ngreat wounds it was to flow upon the earth, like the sacrifices of the Old\nTestament. These sufferings were precious in the sight of God, the Father,\nand gained for us the remission of our sins, the ransom from the slavery\nof Satan. Every drop of this blood was all powerful, because it\nrepresented the sacrifice of a God\u2010man.\n\nHow precious are those drops of blood in the chalice on the altar at Mass,\nwhen the sacred blood of Christ is offered daily to God for our salvation!\nHow we desire to drink that blood, that we may have life in us, for the\nLord has said, \u201cUnless you drink of My blood, you shall not have life in\nyou.\u201d How this blood flowed in the Garden of Gethsemani, at the scourging,\nat the crowning with thorns, and at the crucifixion! Precious blood of my\nJesus, I adore thee; pour thyself over my soul that I may be washed in the\nblood of the Lamb.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nUnhappy mankind was bound in the slavery and tyranny of Satan, in the\nshadow of death, without being able to free itself. Jesus, the Victor over\ndeath and hell, came into the world to destroy the kingdom of the prince\nof darkness, and to set the human race free, so that it might look up once\nmore to God the Father. This great work, so beneficial to our souls, was\neffected by the shedding of the blood of Christ at the circumcision, and\nthe completion of the sacrifice when He shed the last drop of His blood on\nthe cross. In this sacred blood we have received the power to co\u2010operate\nwith the graces of God, which are to free us; for certainly we must do\nsomething on our part to keep this newly\u2010acquired privilege of children of\nGod. Let us, then, feel in our hearts the necessity of a devotion to the\nprecious blood of Our Lord, the cause of our salvation; and continue\nduring this month of July to adore it, and to conceive an unbounded\nconfidence in the almighty power of its intercession.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood of Jesus in satisfaction\nfor my sins, and for the wants of holy Church. Blessed be the precious\nblood of Jesus, which renders bearable the thorns of earth, redeems our\nsouls, purifies them from their iniquities, and prepares for them an\neternal crown. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nWhen Constantine had become a Christian, he found himself confronted by\nmany enemies of his kingdom, and of our holy religion. He was told to have\nconfidence in the cross, because in this sign \u201cThou shalt conquer.\u201d We,\ntoo, will conquer by this sacred symbol of our salvation, stained with the\nblood of Our Lord; we, too, have the enemies of our liberty and religion\nbefore us; we have to fight against the world, that is full of deceits and\nvanities; we have to make war against the flesh, that rises frequently\nagainst the spirit; we have to fight against the prince of darkness, that\ngoes about like a roaring lion seeking to tear us to pieces. Yes, my dear\nJesus, I see that my enemies have great power and activity; give me also\nthe power and activity to oppose my will and intellect against them, so\nthat I may conquer. Thou didst come upon the earth for the purpose of\ngiving me this victory; let me not be conquered and led back into slavery.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nWe come to understand the value of our soul from the price which was paid\nfor its ransom. When you wish to purchase a precious gem, you judge of its\nvalue from its cost. We must judge of the value of our souls, then, by the\nsame standard. It cost the precious blood of Jesus Christ to purchase our\nsouls. Christ would have given it for the possession of only one soul; for\neven one soul is the likeness of God. The price that is asked for its\npossession is nothing less than the life and blood of a God\u2010man. Think,\nthen, seriously, that all the goods of the world, its riches, honors, and\ncomforts, are not precious enough to buy your soul; that if you gain these\nthings by the loss of your soul you have gained nothing; that you have\nbeen deceived and cheated, and that you got the worst of the bargain. \u201cFor\nwhat doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world and to lose his own\nsoul?\u201d You are sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb of God. Even one drop\nof this blood would be sufficient to redeem mankind, it is so precious in\nthe sight of God the Father, to Whom it is offered.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nO my soul, where will the thorns, the nails, the cross, the death and\nblood of your own martyrdom be, when you are asked how you co\u2010operated\nwith the saving power of the blood of Christ? when you have to show what\nyou have done on your part? Jesus suffered so much for us, and we do\nnothing for His love. Are you going to heaven without prayer, without\nmortification of the flesh and your passions, without the practise of\nvirtue? The salvation of Christ, instead of being a help to you, will\nbecome the source of your damnation. The Israelites, crossing the dried\nbed of the Red Sea in their flight from the Egyptians, found their\nliberation, while the Egyptians met with their destruction. So also we\nshall be happily found and brought to heaven if we apply to our souls the\nblood of Christ, while we will find ourselves condemned to eternal\nperdition if we abuse that adorable gift. O my Jesus, let me appreciate\nthe great gift of Thy precious blood.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nSince Almighty God has done so much for us through the sufferings of His\ndivine Son, what are our obligations for all that Christ endured? We\nshould think very much during this month on the great mercy of God. We\nhave already meditated on the Passion of Christ during Lent, and on other\noccasions have thought of the shedding of the blood of Christ; but this\nmonth, especially, we will try to make a particular devotion of our dear\nLord\u2019s precious blood, and engrave holy sentiments regarding it deeply on\nour souls. In everything that concerns the spiritual life we feel the\npower of the blood of Christ; and when we are thoroughly imbued with the\nimportance of the precious value of the sacred blood, and how great were\nthe sufferings of Our Lord, we will begin to have an idea of how\nstupendous an undertaking our redemption was. Our Lord will visit with\nspecial blessings those who love and honor His sacred blood. You will feel\na new life from this sacred blood coursing through your veins, and\ncirculating in your heart and brain. It will give a life of spiritual\nenergy.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nWe ought to imitate the virtues of the Heart of Jesus, from which His\nsacred blood flowed; and this imitation will produce in us a perfect\npurity. For what purpose has the sacred blood been offered but to cleanse\nus from sin and to bring us back to the love of God? It preserves purity\nin our soul, because it gives us the grace of loving God, and gives us\nstrength to say, \u201cI feel within me the energy of the divine blood; and I\nam ready to make every sacrifice with joy, in return for the one perfect\nand all\u2010sufficient sacrifice which has been made for me.\u201d The nearer we\nare to the Sacred Heart, and to the influences of the sacred blood of\nChrist, the fountain of all grace, the more holy we become. Let us then\nlove the virtues which shine so conspicuously in the Heart of Jesus. Let\nus be generous with God and gentle and indulgent with others, as a\nreflection of the charity of the Heart of Jesus.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nThe precious blood obtains the forgiveness of our sins. Then with what\ngreat eagerness should we seek for this pardon! In what an unhappy state\nis our soul when stained by sin! By sin death came into the world and into\nour heart. We were robbed of the grace of God, lost His friendship, and\ncame under the dominion of Satan, which is worse than death, and of which\nit is true that \u201cit were better we had not been born.\u201d In all this wreck\nand misfortune there is but one object to which we can turn, and that is\nthe sacred blood of Christ as it flows from His wounds, and which He\noffers to the Almighty to condone for our faults, and to restore us to the\ngrace of God. We do not get immunity from corporal death, which they say\nmankind would have enjoyed had it not fallen by the sin of our first\nparents. We are still afflicted by frailty, ignorance, and the inordinate\ndemands of passion; but we have received the greatest gift, which cannot\nbe surpassed by any other: the gift of the sacred blood of Christ.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nThe only thing that is asked of us is a horror of sin. We renounced Satan,\nsin, and hell at our baptism, but we are only too apt to forget the\npromises made then. During this month we will recall to ourselves our\nduty, and impress it deeply upon our souls; we will avoid sin and look\nupon it with horror, for it is a most loathsome object, hateful to God,\nand consequently it ought to be hateful to us. Sin was punished in the\nangels, in Adam, and even in ourselves; we must convince ourselves of this\ntruth. St. Paul says, \u201cJesus has redeemed us with His blood,\u201d and for the\ndestruction of sin has given inexhaustible treasures of grace. O my dear\nJesus, when I remember my sins, I would wish to have the courage to ask\nThee that I might die at Thy feet in punishment for them; but at least\nmake me really understand that I belong to God, to the angels, that I have\nrenounced Satan, his demons and darkness, and that I must remain faithful\nto the part I have chosen.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nIf we trust in the efficacy of the precious blood, we are sure to remain\nin the state of redemption, even though severe temptations assail us. The\ndevil will surely attack us; but let us not be dismayed, because we are\nfortified with supernatural strength by the merits of the blood of Jesus.\nThese temptations will even be a source of glory to us, for St. James\nsays, \u201cBlessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he hath been\nproved, he shall receive the crown of life.\u201d\u2014Jas. i. 12. The devil\ntrembles before a soul that is protected by Christ; he flies because he\nknows that there he will find no human weakness. Remember the Jewish\nPassover, which was instituted in commemoration of the plague in Egypt:\nevery first\u2010born son was to die on that night, unless the blood of the\nLamb was sprinkled on the door\u2010posts; so also will the devil pass the\nhouse of our soul, when he finds the blood of the Lamb of God used as a\nprotection. Yes, my dear Jesus, I know that when I am washed in Thy divine\nblood in the Sacrament of Penance, or when strengthened by the drinking of\nThy blood in holy communion, the tempter flies from me because he knows he\nwill be defeated.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nSin brings great sorrow and misfortune to a soul. As sin brought all\ntrouble into the world, so it repeats itself in our souls. Have we not\nheard of the wages of sin? No sooner have we revolted against the law of\nGod than all the unruly passions of our souls are let loose. Incessant\ndemands are made on our ingenuity to seek for occasions of gratifying our\nappetites; ambition, vanity, and pride spur us on to every excess. You can\nwell imagine that in such a soul there is no peace nor happiness. God\nrises in anger against the sinner, the world even strikes us down; we have\nthe sign of Cain on our forehead, and all nature is at enmity with us.\nWhere can you find peace for your soul but in Jesus, the Prince of\npeace?\u2014Who takes us up and leads us to God, where the past is forgotten\nand innocence reigns once more in our hearts. Let us preserve this peace\nby a virtuous life, and by observing the Commandments of God. Let us also\nkeep peace with our neighbor; let us love him because he is our brother,\nredeemed by the precious blood of Christ.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nIf our heart is to preserve the true, interior peace of God, we must\napproach the Lord Jesus with the cross, and with the blood that falls on\nus beneath the cross we must wash away the stains of sin. St. Francisca of\nRome had a vision in which she saw many chains issuing from the wounds of\nOur Lord\u2019s sacred body, and these went out to a multitude of souls and\nbound them to the Redeemer. She understood that in this attachment was the\npeace, the happiness, and the victory of many who otherwise would have\nperished. Let us look for the particular chain intended for us, as we can\nthereby bind ourselves to the contemplation of the Passion, in which we\nshall find peace and comfort as long as we remain faithful. Heavenly\nFather, I offer to Thee, for Thy glory and my salvation, the blood of\nJesus; let me appreciate its value in its fulness. Thou, my Jesus, seest\nthe many dangers by which I am surrounded, and as Thou didst at one time\ncommand the winds to cease and the waves of the stormy sea to be calm, so\nwatch over me that I may find peace in Thy service and be attached to Thee\nout of love for that peace which Thou alone canst give.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nOur Lord had a great desire to gain our souls. He made it easy for us to\napproach His sacred wounds, from whence the blood flowed. He instituted\nthe Blessed Sacrament for our nourishment; speaking of this sacred blood,\nHe said: \u201cDrink ye all of this; this is My blood; and if any thirst let\nhim come to Me and I will give him to drink.\u201d The sacraments are nothing\nbut channels by which the blood of Christ is conveyed to our souls. It was\nthe Passion and sufferings of Christ that gave the sacraments their\nefficacy. The water of Baptism becomes, as it were, the blood of Christ;\nthe penitential accusation is carried to the presence of the Lord Himself,\nand by the mouth of the priest He speaks the absolution; the blood of\nChrist is in reality in the Holy Eucharist. Confirmation makes us strong\nChristians, because the blood of Christ is there, and the Spirit of God\ncomes to complete the work of Jesus. What is Extreme Unction but the\napplication of the blood of Christ to the sick, that they may become\nstrong?\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nSt. Bernard says of the blood of Christ: \u201cthat it is like a trumpet that\ncalls for mercy; it is a voice that speaks more strongly than Abel\u2019s, not\nfor vengeance but for forgiveness. This blood binds the hands of God\u2019s\njustice.\u201d We may then hope that the voice of this adorable blood will be\nraised in our behalf, as it was used to promise the penitent thief eternal\nhappiness. It was with sincere love that Jesus Christ cried to the\nheavenly Father for us. He came to this world that His blood might always\ncall to God for mercy. His blood was spilled over the surface of the\nearth, that all mankind might drink of its benefits. Satiated by the\nprecious blood we will really hate sin, we will triumph over our evil\npassions, we will substitute virtues in their stead. Jesus is the fountain\nof all graces; it is He that takes such a great interest in us that\nwhatever we do in His name will add to our glory, so that though we may\nhave been poor and despised creatures, by the blood of Christ we have been\nennobled and made heirs of the kingdom of God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nWhen Our Lord died on the cross one of the soldiers pierced His side, to\nmake sure that He was dead. It was a real death, for we know that blood\nand water poured from that wound. Here we see the water of Baptism applied\nto our souls; in Baptism we are born again, we become children of God, our\nsins are forgiven and we have a right to the reward of heaven. We are no\nlonger outcasts, nor an accursed race; we have become children of God. And\nwhy? Because we have become the brothers of Jesus Christ, Who is a child\nof God, the Son of God; it was this Child that made us children too,\nbecause from His sacred side on the cross He poured out water and blood\nover the human race; the curse was taken away from the race of mankind,\nand they may now go to heaven if they will. But have we preserved this\nlife of grace, this new life of a supernatural order? No, indeed. There is\nnot a human creature on the earth that has been cleansed by the blood of\nChrist, but has fallen back, and rebelled against God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nMan\u2019s life is a struggle for good from the beginning to the end. We are\ntaken out of wickedness by Baptism, and we are frequently redeemed by\npenance. We need a sacrament that will give us perseverance. \u201cBe thou\nfaithful unto death,\u201d is the watchword that St. John cries out to the\nbishop in the Apocalypse, \u201cand I will give thee the crown of life.\u201d We are\nnever sure of ourselves; even the sharpest intellect will not be able to\nsay whether he be worthy of God\u2019s wrath or of God\u2019s love. Therefore Jesus\nChrist has applied the merits of His sacred blood to the Sacrament of\nConfirmation, by which we are to be made strong, by which human weakness\nis to be taken away. After receiving this sacrament what noble works we\nare capable of! In the olden ages martyrs died for Christ; mothers saw\ntheir children martyred before their eyes, all for the love of Jesus,\nstrengthened by this sacrament. People give up the world and persevere in\nthe heroic practice of virtue by the grace of the precious blood of Jesus.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nHow comes it that although we are endowed with virtue from on high,\nnevertheless we sometimes make the blood of Christ of no avail to us? By\nConfirmation we ought to be perfect Christians, and still we are far from\nbeing such. The reason of our weakness, is that we are addicted to the\nthings of this world, and we are very much inclined to follow the demands\nof our passions. We do not place implicit confidence in the efficacy of\nthe precious blood; we do not desire to be cured of our maladies; we do\nnot pray to be freed from our evil inclinations. What great strength did\nnot the saints gather from the precious blood! How strong they were\nagainst the devil! How mortified their lives! How sincere in the service\nof God\u2014and all through the power of that sacred blood. How firm the\nmartyrs stood in their testimony for the faith! how many Christians\npersevere in doing good by means of the graces derived from the adoration\nof the precious blood! If we would be as they were, we must turn to the\nsuffering Jesus, and adjure Him, by the blood that He shed, to sustain us\nalso in our struggle against the foes of our salvation.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nIn nothing is the beauty of the Church more noticeable than in her love of\ndevotions. The devotion to the precious blood becomes manifest on many\noccasions. She has established the feast of the precious blood, and others\nmore or less intimately united to this sacred practice of piety. Full of\ndivine instincts, her worship grows with all the exuberance of a tropical\nplant, covering herself with verdure and blossom; she makes devotions of\njoys and of sorrows; none of the old blossoms fall off\u2014on the contrary new\nvarieties make their appearance. The Church is more beautiful now than she\nwas three centuries ago, and three centuries from the present time new\nglories will have developed themselves. Every century has given rise to\nnew devotions, according to the needs of the Church. Sometimes a holy man\nlooks at the incarnation in a new light, and a new devotion springs up.\nThe devotion of the Holy Childhood has developed itself into devotion to\nthe Infant of Prague, or has taken a more practical turn in the society of\nthe Holy Childhood for the redemption of heathen children.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nWho were the great worshippers of the precious blood? St. Paul wrote in\nhis epistles most beautifully of the precious blood, and he may be said to\nbe the author of this devotion. It was in this devotion that the power of\nhis apostolate consisted. St. Chrysostom, the great preacher of the East,\nspoke most touchingly of the precious blood, and of the sufferings of Our\nLord. St. Augustine, after his conversion, attributed all his improvement\nin the supernatural life to the love that Jesus bore him. St. Gertrude\u2019s\nwritings are full of the most beautiful sentiments concerning the precious\nblood. In modern times, St. Catharine of Sienna, the prophetess of the\nprecious blood, singled out this devotion with a special love, with\nreference to the needs of her time, to which, in her judgment, sufficient\nimportance had not been given. We read of Frances of the Mother of God, a\nCarmelite, that these words of the Apocalypse were deeply imprinted in her\nmind: \u201cHe hath loved us, and washed away our sins in His blood.\u201d Our Lord\nsaid to her interiorly, \u201cI have shed My blood for your sins, and now I\ncome in holy communion to wash away the stains which remain.\u201d When she had\nreceived Our Lord she saw her soul all covered with blood.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nIn the life of the Venerable Ann of Jesus, a companion of St. Teresa, we\nread that at communion her mouth was sensibly filled with very sweet\nblood, which flowed from the Host. St. Clare of Rimini\u2019s holy and\nmysterious thirst was appeased only by the blood in the Host. Marcella\nBenci used to serve St. Philip of Neri\u2019s Mass, and frequently saw the\nchalice full of blood. Margaret Beanne the Carmelite saw habitually the\nblood of Jesus in the souls of men; they were so beautified by it that she\ncould not bear to hear any one censured because of the reverence she felt\neven for the souls of the wicked, for she saw them covered with the blood\nof Jesus. Sister Benedict of Egersheim after communion used to feel\nsensibly Our Lord\u2019s blood flowing as a torrent down into the abyss of her\nsoul, and burning away all the remnants of sin, leaving her a most pure\nvessel of sanctity. Such are some of the examples of the thoughts and\nexperience of the saints in communing with the precious blood, which made\nthem what they were, friends of God and intimate with Jesus Christ, the\nSpouse of their souls.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nThere is no surer sign of the growth of a special devotion than when the\nChurch erects a confraternity in its honor. These confraternities keep the\ndevotion alive, direct it, and embody all its practices. There is the\narchconfraternity of the Precious Blood in Rome, and this confraternity\nforms the keystone of all the confraternities throughout the world. Popes\nhave enriched it with many indulgences, and have given to the Passionists\nand to the missionaries of the precious blood special blessings. Among the\npeople of Spain we notice particularly the rise and continuance of\nsocieties devoted to the honoring of the precious blood. Leo XIII.\nenriched the societies with many indulgences. Pope Pius IX., of glorious\nmemory, authorized the wearing of the red scapular. When he returned from\nexile he instituted a new feast distinct from the one celebrated in Lent.\nSo many favors have been granted to it that we receive the impression that\nit is the special devotion of the Holy See.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nThe devotion to the precious blood is especially opportune for our\ndays\u2014these days of infidelity and of atheism. It shows that the redemption\nis due to the efficacy of the precious blood. It throws out into strong\nlight the most intimate relation of the incarnation; it meets the false\nspirituality which we conceive of the sacred humanity of Christ. It is a\nrevelation of the character of God, as well as of the work of Jesus; it\nbrings into our heart the love of the kingdom of God, and thus we begin\nagain to have faith, the right faith as it is given us by the Church. We\nare aroused to the love of Jesus, and feel sensibly that He is still in\nthe Church, and that His sacred blood is even now performing wonders. O my\nsoul, what unthought\u2010of greatness is in the precious blood of Jesus! how\ncharming is the devotion, and how many souls labor under its benign\ninfluence! Let me, O my sweet Jesus, reverence that precious blood, and\napply it to my soul for an increase of faith in God and His revelations,\nin hope for a happy future, and in love for Christ crucified.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nThe devotion of the precious blood very materially supports the devotion\nto the Passion of Our Lord. It furnishes a point of view from which we may\nregard each separate suffering, each separate wound, and mould it into one\nuniversal consideration. It is thus a unity of the devotion to the\nPassion, as well as a variety of it, besides being in itself an additional\ndevotion. The precious blood brings vividness to the meditation on the\nPassion. There is no greater devotion than meditation on the Passion; the\nsaints have always made it the help and consolation of their progress.\nWhat is consideration of the precious blood but a contemplation of the\nPassion under another aspect? We bring the entire Passion under the head\nof one mystery, and still we preserve all the details, so that the Passion\nand the precious blood are the favorite contemplations of all devout\nChristians. O dear Jesus crucified, make me love the cross; make me desire\nto stand beneath the cross, in order to receive on my soul one drop of\nthat precious blood which is being poured out for my redemption.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nThe closest alliance, however, is between the precious blood and the\nSacred Heart. The Heart of Jesus is the centre of our affection; it is the\nsource from which the blood of Christ is drawn, the wealth of the Sacred\nHeart. It is the blood that warms that Heart and makes it beat for our\nsakes, so that every pulsation is an act of love for the human race. The\nHeart of Jesus teaches us to hate sin; the precious blood so copiously\nshed for our redemption inculcates the hatred of sin. We hate sin purely,\nmanfully, and strongly; we do penance, we mortify ourselves, we mourn over\nour sins and the sins of others. All this is taught by the sacred blood of\nOur Lord; it is surely a valuable lesson which we ought to learn, since\nthe instruction is given in so forcible a manner, and is so frequently\ninculcated.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nThere is a virtue which, in the language of the theologians of the Church,\nis called the angelic virtue: a virtue most pleasing to God. It is\nchastity. The precious blood makes us chaste according to our state of\nlife; it makes those pure and virginal who practise this devotion and\ngives them the grace to preserve purity and to persevere in it. This\nvirtue renders us very pleasing to almighty God, Who loves pure souls.\n\u201cBlessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God,\u201d and chastity is\nan expression of the purity of the soul. The devil makes the greatest\nefforts to deprive us of this great treasure. The greatest and most\nfrequent temptation which we have to endure is certainly that against\npurity. Our body seems to be full of impurity, our imaginations crowded\nwith thoughts of a defiling character. The virtue of purity endears us to\nMary, the purest of virgins; she loves those whom God regards with special\nfavor, and to whom He has promised the particular privilege of\ncontemplating Him for all eternity.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nHow beautiful a virtue is true humility! We love and admire it in others,\nbut we ourselves are far from possessing it. Humility is the foundation on\nwhich all other virtues are built. Pride is a most hateful vice in the\nsight of God, for He would rather receive a humble sinner than a saint\ninclined to pride. God resists the proud, and gives His grace to the\nhumble. The devotion of the precious blood will secure humility. Jesus\nshed His blood amid the greatest humiliations. In the Garden of Olives,\nbowed to the earth, He poured forth His blood in an agony of shame and\nhorror over the sins of men; He was beaten like a slave in the court of\nPilate; the blood poured from His face, wounded by blows and defiled by\nspittle, and from His head crowned with thorns. It stained the streets of\nJerusalem on His way to Calvary; it flowed to the foot of the cross, as He\nhung and died between two malefactors, where He was considered the most\nabject of men. Let us learn the lesson of humility from the death of\nChrist.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nZeal for souls, zeal for the glory of God, was the motive that induced the\nSon of God to come down from heaven to suffer and die on the cross. Might\nnot we, also, do something for the glory of God and the good of souls, if\nwe had a little zeal towards that end? The apostles learned zeal from the\nPassion of Our Lord. When the Lord had died on the cross, they became\ninflamed with zeal and worked in an apostolic manner that souls might be\nbrought to the kingdom of God; suffering became precious in their sight,\nbecause they endured it for the good of humanity. We that profess the love\nof the precious blood must also have zeal for the salvation of souls. What\ncan we do? We can pray; we can offer up our petitions incessantly for some\nparticular individual until we are heard; we can surround people by such\ninfluences that their minds will be changed and brought back to God. But\nfrequently we are inactive and inattentive to these means which God has\ngiven us; we are not filled with zeal for furthering the devotion to\nChrist\u2019s precious blood, and for the salvation of souls.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nAs we may do much good by a prudent zeal for the living, we can still more\nbenefit the souls in purgatory by the application of the merits of the\nprecious blood. Those souls are already in the hands of God, undergoing a\npurification to fit them to enter heaven. They can do nothing for\nthemselves; they must patiently endure the just punishment that is meted\nout to them. But the Church teaches us that we can help them, and we are\nencouraged to use the means which God has placed in our hands. Those who\nare in purgatory will surely go to heaven, but we can shorten their\npurification by prayer. Our supplications for the souls in purgatory may\nbe even more productive of good than praying for the living, for these may\nresist the goodness of God and render themselves unworthy of further\ngraces, while the souls in purgatory, being the friends of God, will\nreadily receive the benefit of our prayers. Purgatory is an effect of sin,\nand sin and its effects are effaced by the blood of Christ. The Apostle\nhas said that Jesus loved us, and has given His blood to wash us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nThe sacred wounds of Our Lord are those abundant springs from which flow\nthe kindness and charity of God. Many saints have had revelations and\nvisions of this in their ecstatic prayers. St. Gertrude saw streams of\nblood issuing from the wounds of Our Lord and flowing like rivers through\nthe Church, rendering her fruitful in many heroic virtues. How can we have\nany merit unless we receive it from Our Lord? for without Him we can do\nnothing. To do something meritorious, then, we should have recourse to Our\nLord in prayer. Our prayers would fall to the ground and be without\nresult, unless helped by the pleading of the precious blood; our works of\nmortification would be useless, our penance vain attempts for forgiveness,\nunless the precious blood made them efficacious. As the sun gives light to\nthe world, enlightening and fructifying it, so the precious blood shines\non our actions and makes them glow with a supernatural merit. There are\nsome virtues which we may practise to a certain degree, but how imperfect\nare the best intentions, without God\u2019s love as a motive.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nRemember that perseverance is the great grace which we are all striving\nfor. It is not a grace that we can merit at any one time, for it is only a\ncontinuation of fidelity. It is a very important grace; what does it\nprofit to have gained all possible graces, and to be filled with\nconsolation, when in the end we shall not be counted among the elect of\nGod? He is, of course, interested in your eternal salvation\u2014in other\nwords, your final perseverance. But we are living in a state of probation\nhere; it is not possible, except in some special case of extraordinary\ngrace, that we could be possibly in any other state than doubt as regards\nthe future. It is natural for those who are on trial to fear that they\nwill not succeed; there are so many a great deal better than we are that\nwhen we compare their excellence with our weak efforts to do right, we\nfeel so inferior that we are afraid of being rejected. Hence it is that we\nare told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, lest we may\nnot reach the end for which we have been created.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nFinal perseverance can be obtained only through our humble faithfulness to\nGod and continued prayers. When we pray to the Lord, and beg of Him by His\nprecious blood to give us the grace of perseverance, or when we go to God\nthe Father, and offer Him the sacred blood of Jesus as a sacrifice, that\nHe may give us extraordinary grace to enable us to continue in His\nservice, He is not obliged to give it, but He will, just as a friend who\nwishes to keep you attached to him gives you many presents and favors. We\nmust also turn to Mary in this doubtful struggle for eternal happiness.\nMary, the Mother of Jesus, has much to do with our salvation; we should\nnot despise her help. She supplied, as you may say, the precious blood to\nOur Lord, by feeding Him with the milk of her breast. Or, as St. Bernard\ntells us, mixing the milk of the Mother with the blood of the Son, in\norder to prepare for us a most delicious drink. Mary ceases not to work in\nheaven for the salvation of souls and for the conversion of poor sinners.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nSt. Alphonsus, in speaking of the precious blood, says: \u201cSo, then, my\nJesus, in order to save my soul, Thou hast prepared a bath of Thine own\nblood wherein to cleanse it from the filth of its sins. If. then, our\nsouls have been bought by Thy blood, \u2018For you are bought with a great\nprice\u2019 (1 Cor. vi. 20), it is a sign that Thou lovest them much; and as\nThou dost love them, let us pray thus to Thee: \u2018We therefore pray Thee to\nhelp Thy servants, whom Thou hast redeemed with Thy precious blood.\u2019 It is\ntrue that by my sins I have separated myself from Thee, and have knowingly\nlost Thee. But remember, my Jesus, that Thou hast bought me with Thy\nblood. Ah, may this blood not have been given in vain for me, which was\nshed with so much grief and so much love.\u201d We ought to read these words\nover and over again, until they penetrate our souls with that devotion to\nthe precious blood which this great saint possessed, filling all our daily\nlives with a heavenly sweetness.\n\nPrayer.\n\nEternal Father, I offer Thee the precious blood, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nMass in Honor of the Precious Blood.\n\n\nIntroit.\n\n\n    When the priest goes up to the altar to say Mass, think that the\n    Lord is about to celebrate the Last Supper, during which He\n    instituted the Holy Eucharist, and gave His flesh as food, and His\n    blood as drink, to all the disciples present.\n\n\nWith a confident heart I am about to hear this holy Mass, to offer this\nholy sacrifice with the priest. I offer it to the Blessed Trinity, as the\ngreatest means to obtain spiritual benefits for myself and those for whom\nI intend to pray, that we all may receive what is most needful for our\nbody, but especially for our soul. Amen.\n\nConfiteor.\n\nI know, O my God, that I am unworthy to be admitted so closely to the Holy\nof holies, or to be here during the celebration of the sacred mysteries: I\nam unworthy on account of my many sins. O my God, I beg pardon for them,\nand I am sure that I will receive forgiveness. I resolve to live a good\nlife so that, purified, I may look up to the sacred mountain, where\nresides the God Who renews my youth. Yes, I have sinned against Thee, and\nagainst heaven. I am not worthy to be called Thy child. Amen.\n\nKyrie.\n\n\n    When the priest goes up to the altar and kisses it, remember the\n    infamous kiss of Judas, think of your own infidelities, and cry\n    out nine times with the priest: Lord, have mercy on us, Christ,\n    have mercy on us. With your whole heart and soul join the choirs\n    of angels in singing a hymn of praise to the Almighty, for all the\n    mercies He has shown us by the sufferings and death of His divine\n    Son. Offer up these sufferings for the benefit of the Church, for\n    peace and harmony among nations, that the world may by the death\n    of Christ enjoy a peace that will conduce to the acknowledgment of\n    God\u2019s dominion over all mankind, that it may enjoy the benefit of\n    the incarnation and death of the Lord.\n\n\nOffertory.\n\nI offer to Thee, O my God, with the priest, the bread and wine as did Our\nLord, Who wished us to do it in commemoration of Him. I offer to Thee the\npains which He endured at the bitter crowning, when the thorns were\npressed deep into His sacred head, and the precious blood flowed from the\nwounds thus made, covering His whole face and disfiguring it so that it no\nlonger resembled a human countenance. I offer to Thee those sighs and\nsecret prayers which He offered, to atone for my wilful distractions in\nprayer, my waywardness in thought, my unbridled imagination, for my pride\nand disobedience, for all my errors, and for the errors of heretics and\nschismatics, that Thou mayest send them the grace of conversion. Amen.\n\nGospel.\n\nRemember, O God, the sufferings of the Lord when He was dragged before\nCaiphas and Pontius Pilate. I offer myself to the guidance of Thy\nprovidence; do with me what Thou wilt for Thy glory. May Thy holy Gospel\nbe always a consolation to me in all my troubles, and a guide to my\nconduct, so that, leading a good Christian life during the remainder of my\nstay in this world, I may direct my steps to heaven. Amen.\n\nCredo.\n\nI believe in the teachings of the Church; with a full acceptance I have\naccepted Christianity, let me remain faithful to it under all\ncircumstances. Come to the assistance of my unbelief, that I may firmly\nprofess my faith openly before the world. I believe, especially, in the\nefficacy of the Passion and the glory of the cross, a humiliation to the\npeople of the world, but a source of comfort and salvation to me. I\nbelieve in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Who taught me the articles of the\ncreed. I believe in the Church which He has established. I believe in the\nforgiveness of my sins through the merits of the Passion and blood of the\nLord. Amen.\n\nLavabo.\n\nRemember, O God, for my sake, the washing of the hands of Pilate, as a\nsign of the innocence of the Lamb of God and His freedom from sin. Pilate\nwashed his hands as a sign that he was not guilty of the murder of Christ,\nbut I must acknowledge that I have condemned Jesus to death by my\nsinfulness. My declaration of justice will not suffice, but do Thou\ndeclare me pardoned. O my God, let me hear the words, \u201cThy sins are\nforgiven thee.\u201d Amen.\n\nOrate Fratres.\n\nI call to mind the scene when Pilate presented Jesus to the Jewish rabble,\nall covered with blood, with a crown of thorns on His head, His sacred\nbody torn with the lashes of the scourging, and enveloped in a purple\nmantle. Pilate says, \u201cBehold the man!\u201d But the Jews cry out, and oh, how\ntheir cruel words sound in my ears, \u201cCrucify Him, crucify Him\u201d! Look upon\nour Jesus, O God, as He stands there, claiming the kindness of some good\nheart, and through His precious blood have mercy on us. Amen.\n\nCanon.\n\nI will now, O my God, with the angels, bow low before Thee, and cry Holy,\nholy, holy, God of hosts! The angels continually cry thus to Thee in\nheaven. I ought to be engaged here on earth in the same occupation. But\nlet me continue to meditate on the sacred Passion of Thy Son and how He\ncarried His cross. I offer Thee the way of the cross which He made, and\nall the suffering which He endured during it. He fell three times to the\nground, crushed by its weight; stains of blood from His recent scourging\nmarked His path. I see the Cyrenean unwilling to carry the cross for\nJesus. Veronica wipes His face, and the women of Jerusalem weep over the\ncruelty that the Lord had to endure. I offer to Thee the bitter meeting of\nMary and her beloved Son. May I be encouraged, through Christ\u2019s Passion,\nto take the cross on my own shoulders, and carry it with joy. I offer Thee\nthe painful carrying of the cross for all poor Christians who have heavy\ncrosses to bear, and who are bearing them patiently; for the sick, the\ndying, the poor orphan child, the patient mother who labors, with\nresignation to Thy holy will, for those dependent on her, and for all who\nhave to suffer on this earth. Let me understand, O my Jesus, the valuable\nlesson that I deserve to suffer on account of my many sins. Amen.\n\nElevation Of The Host And Chalice.\n\nI believe, my Jesus, that Thou art now present on this altar; that this\nbread is now Thy body, and this wine is now Thy blood. Now, O my God, Thy\nbeloved Son has arrived at Calvary. His garments are torn off, and He is\nnailed to the cross. He is raised, and suspended between heaven and earth,\nwith hands and arms outstretched. There He hangs for three hours, and\nmakes the sacrifice of Himself to Thee, His heavenly Father, for the\nsalvation of the human race. O heavenly Father, look down on this altar\nand hear the sighs of Thy pleading Son! This is the same sacrifice as that\non Calvary: let this Mass, then, have a great spiritual benefit to all on\nearth. This precious blood is offered up every day on our altars, to\nobtain pardon for our sins, and new graces for the future. Amen.\n\nAgnus Dei.\n\nI now contemplate Jesus hanging on the cross, His blood flowing from His\nwounds. I adore Thee on the cross, I listen to Thy words as Thou dost pray\nfor sinners. This holy sacrifice is for them: Christ is the willing Victim\nthat is expiating the sins of mankind; He thirsts for souls on the cross.\nFather Creator, why dost Thou not create new creatures, and satisfy the\nthirst of Thy divine Son? Thou canst force the wicked to a change of\nheart, as Thou didst St. Paul. \u201cCreate a clean heart in me, O my God.\u201d But\nto bring the sacrifice to completion, after the three hours of agony the\nvoice of Jesus is heard exclaiming, \u201cIt is consummated.\u201d All is completed;\nthe sufferings and humiliation of the cross are over. Amen.\n\nCommunion.\n\nWould, O my Jesus, that I were in a state to go and unite myself to Thee!\nAt least I will unite myself in a spiritual manner. I should always be so\nfull of love towards Thee as to think ever of Thee, and desire to be\nclosely united to Thee and to have Thee buried in my heart. Let me\nconsider before Thee, O heavenly Father, that the sacrifice of the cross\nis completed, that Thou hast accepted it, and dost look upon the earth\nwith pity and mercy. Still the cruelty of the Jews is not satisfied. They\nhave one more wound to inflict on the Lord. A soldier with a lance opens\nthe sacred side of Our Lord, to demonstrate to every one that the Victim\nis really dead. O my God, I offer Thee these last marks of the love of the\ndead Jesus, the wound in His sacred side, and the drops of blood and water\nwhich issue therefrom. O my Jesus, Thy heart is open for my reception. I\nwill take refuge therein, away from the temptations of the world. Give me\nthe grace not to fall into mortal sin, as well as to persevere in my\nresolution to avoid even small sins to the end of my life. I pray for the\npoor souls in purgatory, for my parents, relatives, sisters and brothers.\nI recommend to the goodness of Thy Sacred Heart all my benefactors, all\nthose who need my prayers, all the poor, the miserable, and the wretched.\nI pray also for my country; for peace, prosperity, and love among all the\nnations that have gathered here to make this their fatherland. I pray also\nfor the conversion of all to the faith, that this may be the kingdom of\nGod here on earth, one sheepfold of Christ, the Good Shepherd. I offer to\nThee, O my God, all the sufferings of Jesus for these necessities. Amen.\n\nConclusion Of The Mass.\n\nIn order that this day may be most profitable to me, and to those for whom\nI have offered this Mass, O heavenly Father, I join myself in spirit in\nall the Masses that are continually being said all over the world. What\ngreat graces are given to mankind by this unceasing succession of\noblations of the precious body and blood of Christ! I offer to Thee, also,\nO my Saviour, all the pious works which are done by so many faithful\nChristians all over the world. I offer all the confessions, communions,\nrosaries, and all prayers, as well as all good works of fasting,\nalmsgiving, and penances which are done. I wish to gain all the\nindulgences which are within my reach to\u2010day, that I may apply them to the\nsouls in purgatory. Now that the priest is about to bless the people in\nThy name, do Thou bless me, as well as those for whom I have prayed. Pour\nout, by the hands of the priest, the blessing of Thy precious blood with\nall its merit and innumerable graces, on the souls in purgatory. Purify us\nfrom our sins by means of this blessing, and give us strength and courage\nto do good works. Protect us, Thy children and the heirs of Thy kingdom,\nand lead us to eternal happiness in company with all the saints in heaven.\nAmen.\n\nThanksgiving After Mass.\n\nI thank Thee, O my God, at the end of this Mass, for all the graces which\nI have received during it. The grace of attention to this holy sacrifice,\nthe grace of faith by which I really saw the dying Jesus offered to God\nthe Father, and His sacred blood applied to the wounds of my soul. I thank\nThee for that love which has made me come here, and spend some time in the\nservice of God. May I preserve, to the end of my life, the graces which I\nhave received, so that they may bring me to heaven. The love of God\nalmighty, the grace of His divine Son, and the imparting of the Holy\nGhost, be always with me and all the faithful throughout the world. The\npower of the precious blood, the treasure of the merits of the Blessed\nVirgin, and the intercession of all the saints accompany me now to my\nhome, to my daily work, and make all that I say and do faithful to eternal\nlife. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nThree Offerings of the Precious Blood.\n\n\n    In thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with which the most\n    holy Virgin Mary, Mother of God, was enriched, more especially\n    those which she received in her immaculate conception.\n\n\n1. Eternal Father, in union with the most holy and immaculate Virgin, and\nin her name, and in union with, and in the name of all the blessed in\nheaven, and of all the elect upon earth, I offer Thee the most precious\nblood of Jesus Christ, in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with\nwhich Thou hast enriched Mary, as Thy most obedient daughter, particularly\nin her immaculate conception. I offer Thee also this precious blood for\nthe conversion of poor sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of Thy\nholy Church, for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor, the Bishop\nof Rome, and according to his intentions.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n2. Eternal and Incarnate Word, in union with the most holy and immaculate\nVirgin, and in her name, and in union with, and in the name of all the\nblessed in heaven, and of all the elect upon earth, I offer Thee Thine own\nmost precious blood, in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with\nwhich Thou hast enriched Mary, as Thy most loving Mother, particularly in\nher immaculate conception. I offer Thee also this precious blood for the\nconversion of poor sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of Thy holy\nChurch, for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor, the Bishop of\nRome, and according to his intentions.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n3. Holy and eternal Spirit, in union with the most holy and immaculate\nVirgin, and in her name, and in union with, and in the name of all the\nblessed in heaven, and of all the elect upon earth, I offer Thee the most\nprecious blood of Jesus, in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges with\nwhich Thou hast enriched Mary, as Thy most faithful spouse, particularly\nin her immaculate conception. I offer Thee also this precious blood for\nthe conversion of poor sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of Thy\nholy Church, for the safety and prosperity of our chief pastor, the Bishop\nof Rome, and according to his intentions.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n\n\n\nSeven Offerings of the Precious Blood of Jesus.\n\n\n1. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of\nJesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the propagation and\nexaltation of my dear Mother the holy Church, for the safety and\nprosperity of her visible head, the holy Roman Pontiff, for the cardinals,\nbishops and pastors of souls, and for all the ministers of the sanctuary.\n\n_V._ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.\n\n_R._ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without\nend. Amen.\n\nBlessed and praised for evermore be Jesus, Who hath saved us with His\nblood.\n\n2. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of\nJesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the peace and concord\nof kings and Catholic princes, for the humiliation of the enemies of the\nholy faith, and for the happiness of all Christian people.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nBlessed and praised, etc.\n\n3. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of\nJesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for the repentance of\nunbelievers, the extirpation of all heresies and the conversion of\nsinners.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nBlessed and praised, etc.\n\n4. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of\nJesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all those who shall\nthis day pass to another life, that Thou mayest deliver them from the\npains of hell and admit them the more readily to the possession of Thy\nglory.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nBlessed and praised, etc.\n\n5. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of\nJesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all my relatives,\nfriends, and enemies, for the poor, the sick, and those in tribulation,\nand for all those for whom Thou willest I should pray, or knowest that I\nought to pray.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nBlessed and praised, etc.\n\n6. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of\nJesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all those who are\nlovers of this treasure of His blood, and for all those who join with me\nin adoring and honoring it, and for all those who try to spread the\ndevotion to it.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nBlessed and praised, etc.\n\n7. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the most precious blood of\nJesus, Thy beloved Son and my divine Redeemer, for all my wants, both\nspiritual and temporal, for the holy souls in purgatory, and particularly\nfor those, who in their lifetime were most devoted to this price of our\nredemption, and to the sorrows and pains of our dear Mother, the most holy\nMary.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nBlessed and praised, etc.\n\nBlessed and exalted be the blood of Jesus, now and always, and through\neternity.\n\n\n\n\nDaily Offering.\n\n\nO my Lord and my God! I commend myself to Thy adorable Heart, and in Thy\nsacred wounds I resign myself to Thy holy will this day and forever.\nInclude me, O my Lord and my God, in all the holy Masses that have been or\nwill be offered up this day in the whole world. O Lord, I desire to share\nin all holy communions, all holy Benedictions, in all indulgences, in all\nthe merits and prayers of devout hearts now and forever. O my Lord and my\nGod! I offer Thee all my steps, all my weariness and labors, all my cares\nand antipathies, all my crosses, sufferings, ignominies, injuries,\npersecutions, and adversities; these I offer Thee in honor of Thy holy\nhumanity and of Thy most bitter Passion and death; in the merits of all\nthese I include (_here mention the names of those for whom you wish to\npray in particular_), all my relatives, benefactors, friends, enemies, the\nsick and dying, those who are in temptation or oppressed; all that have\ncommended themselves to my prayers, or for whom I have promised to pray;\nthose to whom I have given scandal, or whom I have in any way enticed to\nsin; my parents, sisters, and brothers, who have departed this life, and\nall the souls of the faithful departed. My crucified Saviour, have mercy\non the most suffering and abandoned souls in purgatory, also on me, a poor\nsinner; give me the grace I daily need to serve Thee faithfully until\ndeath. I return Thee thanks, thousands and millions of thanks, for all the\nfavors and benefits which Thou hast heaped on me from the first moment of\nmy existence to the present hour. I pray Thee to preserve me always in Thy\nholy grace, particularly at the hour of my death. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nPlenary Indulgences For Members of the Confraternity of the Most Precious\nBlood.\n\n\n    On the day of registration to those who, having confessed and\n    communicated, shall pray according to the intention of the Supreme\n    Pontiff. At the hour of death, after confession and communion; or\n    if this be impossible, to such as being contrite, shall invoke\n    with the lips, or if unable, with the heart, the most sweet name\n    of Jesus. Daily for those, who, with confession and communion,\n    shall make an hour\u2019s vocal or mental prayer, or partly one and\n    partly the other, in memory of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus\n    Christ, and the dolors of the most holy Mary, praying as above.\n\n\n\nOther Plenary Indulgences.\n\n\n    For which, besides the conditions of confession and communion, a\n    visit is enjoined to any church whatever; and this visit may, for\n    any reasonable motive, be commuted by the confessor of the\n    individual for some other pious work.\n\n    On the first Sunday of July, being the feast of the Precious\n    Blood; Christmas day, the Epiphany, Easter Sunday, the feasts of\n    the Immaculate Conception, Purification, Assumption of the Blessed\n    Virgin, and of the most holy Rosary; the feast of the holy\n    apostles Saints Peter and Paul; and on the commemoration of all\n    the faithful departed.\n\n    On the feast of the Circumcision, on all the Fridays of March, on\n    the 28th of March, being the feast of the Sacred Blood in Sta.\n    Maria in Vado at Ferrara, on Holy Thursday, on the day of the\n    Invention of the Holy Cross, on Ascension day, Pentecost, Corpus\n    Christi, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and the feast of the\n    most holy Redeemer, the 23d of October.\n\n    On the feast of the Annunciation, the Dolors of the most holy\n    Mary, Good Friday, Our Lady of Carmel (July 16th), the Nativity,\n    Seven Dolors (third Sunday of September), and the Presentation of\n    the Blessed Virgin (November 21st).\n\n    On the feasts of St. Joseph, St. John Baptist, All Saints, St.\n    Francis Xavier, and of St. Nicholas of Bari.\n\n    Once a month on any day they may choose.\n\n\n\nIndulgences for all the Faithful, even Such as are not Members.\n\n\n    For such as shall recite the Chaplet of the Precious Blood once in\n    the day, seven years and as many quarantines; and if they recite\n    it daily for a month, a plenary indulgence, having confessed and\n    communicated, on the last day of the month, or any day in the\n    following month. (Pius VII., Oct. 18, 1815.)\n\n    The same indulgence can be gained by the recital of thirty\u2010three\n    Our Fathers, meditating at the same time on the seven times Our\n    Lord shed His precious blood; or, by such as are uninstructed and\n    incompetent to meditate, by the simple recital of the thirty\u2010three\n    Our Fathers. (Gregory XVI., July 5, 1843.)\n\n    For the prayer, \u201cO most precious blood, etc.,\u201d placed at the end\n    of the Chaplet, three hundred days\u2019 indulgence, once a day.\n\n\n\n\nChaplet of the Precious Blood.\n\n\n    This chaplet is composed of seven mysteries, in which we meditate\n    upon the seven times in which Jesus Christ for love of us shed\n    blood from His most innocent body; at each mystery, except the\n    last, we are to say five Our Fathers and one Glory be to the\n    Father, thus making up the number of thirty\u2010three Our Fathers in\n    remembrance of the thirty\u2010three years during which the precious\n    blood of Jesus flowed in His veins, before it was all poured out\n    for our salvation. The Chaplet ends with the devout prayer, \u201cO\n    most precious blood, etc.\u201d\n\n\nThe Chaplet.\n\n_V._ Incline unto my aid, O God.\n\n_R._ O Lord, make haste to help me.\n\n_V._ Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\n_R._ As it was, etc.\n\nFirst Mystery.\n\nThe first time our loving Saviour shed His precious blood for us was on\nthe eighth day after His birth, when He was circumcised in order to\naccomplish the Law of Moses. While, then, we reflect that Jesus did this\nto satisfy the justice of God for our dissolute lives, let us excite\nourselves to true sorrow for them, and promise, with the help of His all\u2010\npowerful grace, to be henceforth truly chaste in body and in soul.\n\nFive Our Fathers and one Glory.\n\nWe beseech Thee, therefore, help Thy servants whom Thou hast redeemed with\nThy precious blood.\n\nSecond Mystery.\n\nNext in the Garden of Olives, Jesus shed His blood for us in such quantity\nthat it bathed the earth around. This took place at the sight of the\ningratitude with which men would meet His love. Oh, let us then repent\nsincerely, because we have hitherto corresponded so illy with the\ninnumerable benefits of Our God, and resolve to make good use of His\ngraces and holy inspirations.\n\nFive Our Fathers, etc.\n\nWe beseech, etc.\n\nThird Mystery.\n\nNext, in His cruel scourging, Jesus shed His blood, when His flesh was so\ntorn that rivers of blood flowed from His body in every part, all of which\nHe offered, all the time, to His eternal Father in payment of our\nimpatience and our delicacy. How is it, then, we do not curb our anger and\nour self\u2010love? Henceforth we will indeed try our very best to bear our\ntroubles well, and, despising ourselves, to take peacefully the injuries\nwhich men may do us.\n\nFive Our Fathers, etc.\n\nWe beseech, etc.\n\nFourth Mystery.\n\nAgain, from the sacred head of Jesus, blood poured down when it was\ncrowned with thorns, in punishment of our pride and evil thoughts. Shall\nwe, then, continue to nurture haughtiness, foster foul imaginations, and\nfeed the wayward will in our minds? Henceforth let there ever be before\nour eyes our utter nothingness, our misery and our weakness; and with\ngenerous hearts let us resist all the wicked suggestions of the devil.\n\nFive Our Fathers, etc.\n\nWe beseech, etc.\n\nFifth Mystery.\n\nHow much of His precious blood did not our loving Lord pour forth from His\nveins, when laden with the heavy wood of the cross on the mournful way to\nCalvary, so that the streets and ways of Jerusalem through which He passed\nwere watered with it! This was done in satisfaction for the scandals and\nthe bad examples by which His own creatures had led others astray on the\nway to ruin. Who can tell how many of us are of this unhappy number? Who\nknows how many he himself alone has by his own bad example brought down to\nhell? And have we done anything to remedy this evil? Let us henceforth, at\nleast, endeavor all we can to save souls by word and by example, making\nourselves a pattern to all of a good and holy life.\n\nFive Our Fathers, etc.\n\nWe beseech, etc.\n\nSixth Mystery.\n\nStill more copiously the Redeemer of mankind shed blood in His barbarous\ncrucifixion; when His veins being rent and arteries burst, there rushed\nforth in a torrent from His hands and His feet that saving balm of life\neternal, to pay for all the crimes and enormities of the universe.\nWhoever, after this, would continue in sin, and so renew the cruel\ncrucifixion of the Son of God? Let us weep bitterly for our bad deeds, and\nlet us detest them at the feet of the sacred minister of God; let us amend\nour evil ways, and henceforth begin a truly Christian life, with the\nthought ever in our hearts of all the blood which our eternal salvation\ncost the Saviour of men.\n\nFive Our Fathers, etc.\n\nWe beseech, etc.\n\nSeventh Mystery.\n\nLast of all, after His death, when His sacred side was opened, and His\nloving Heart was wounded, Jesus shed blood, and with the blood there came\nforth water, to show us how the blood was all poured out to the last drop\nfor our salvation. Oh, the infinite goodness of Our Redeemer! Who will not\nlove Thee, my Saviour? What heart will not consume itself away for love of\nThee, Who hast done all this for our redemption? The tongue wants words to\npraise Thee; let us, then, invite all creatures upon earth, all angels and\nall saints in paradise, and most of all, our dear Mother Mary, to bless,\nto praise, and to celebrate Thy most precious blood. Glory to the blood of\nJesus! Glory to the blood of Jesus! now and ever throughout all ages.\nAmen.\n\n\n    At this last mystery three Our Fathers and one Glory be to the\n    Father, etc., are said to make up the number of thirty\u2010three.\n\n\nWe beseech, etc.\n\n_Then the following_\n\nPrayer.\n\nO most precious blood of eternal life, the ransom and redemption of the\nwhole universe! the drink and bath of our souls, thou who art ever\npleading the cause of men before the throne of God\u2019s sovereign mercy! I\nadore thee most profoundly, and desire, as far as it is in my power, to\ncompensate thee for the insults and affronts which thou art continually\nreceiving at the hands of men, especially of those who rashly dare to\nblaspheme thee. And who is there that will not bless this blood of\ninfinite value? Who is there that will not feel himself inflamed with love\nfor Jesus, Who shed it? What should I be if I had not been redeemed by\nthis divine blood? What was it that drew thee forth from the veins of my\nLord, even to the last drop? Ah! it was naught else but love. O boundless\nlove, that has given us this balsam of salvation! O balsam beyond price,\nstreaming forth from the well\u2010spring of a boundless love, grant, oh, grant\nthat every heart and tongue may praise, and magnify, and bless thee, now\nand forever, even unto the day of eternity. Amen.\n\n_V._ Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, with Thy blood.\n\n_R._ And Thou hast made us a kingdom unto Our God.\n\nO almighty and eternal God, Who hast appointed Thy only\u2010begotten Son to be\nthe Redeemer of the world, and hast willed to be appeased by His blood,\ngrant, we beseech Thee, that we may venerate upon earth the price of our\nsalvation, and be shielded by its might from the evils of this present\nlife, so that we may enjoy it everlastingly in heaven. Who liveth and\nreigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.\nAmen.\n\n\n\n\n\nAUGUST. THE HOLY GHOST.\n\n\nWe may during this month take up the devotion to the Holy Ghost.\n\nThis devotion to the Holy Spirit should be the chief of all devotions,\nbecause it was the first that was ever celebrated, and that by no less\ndevout worshippers than the holy apostles and the most holy Mary in the\nupper room at Jerusalem. It is one which is growing in the hearts of the\npeople, because so much depends for our sanctification on the influence of\nthe graces bestowed on us by God the Holy Ghost. Faith teaches us that the\nHoly Ghost is the love which the Father and the Son bear one to the other;\nand therefore the gift of love which the Lord infuses into our souls, and\nwhich is the greatest of all gifts, is attributed to the Holy Ghost. St.\nPaul says, \u201cThe charity of God is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy\nGhost, Who is given to us.\u201d\u2014Rom. v. 5.\n\nThe Holy Ghost, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son is called a\nfire, because His action in our souls purifies us from sin and fills us\nwith divine love. As the action of fire may be said to be irresistible, it\nis right that the Holy Ghost be represented by that symbol, since He was\nto give spirit and wisdom to Christians, which all their adversaries\nshould not be able to resist or gainsay.\n\nIf we observe the commandments of God, the Holy Spirit will abide with us\nto enlighten our minds and strengthen our wills, and give us grace to\nfollow Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit will give us an increase of devotion\ntowards the Holy Sacrament of the Altar, and the sacrifice of the Mass,\nand will pour the charity of God into our hearts.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nBe devout to the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity. His presence is\neverywhere, and His power is manifested in all things. His office in the\nChurch is that of lifegiver, and in our souls He is the perfect\nillumination of the intellect. Without this strength the intellect may be\ncultivated, but it will be cold and dim. The errors of our mind, its low\nvices and fragmentary opinions, its distorted judgments, unfounded\npropositions, and shallow conception of the nature of things, are all\ndefects traceable to our carelessness in the devotion to the Holy Ghost. A\npious person devoted to the worship of the Holy Spirit will naturally know\nGod\u2019s will and follow it. The degree of his explicit knowledge will still\ndepend on natural gifts and their due cultivation; but with the docility\nof the heart and the influence of the Holy Ghost, there will dawn on his\nmind a knowledge which is often superior to that acquired by the intellect\nalone. Before and after your actions seek light from this divine Teacher,\nand in all your daily life continue in the consciousness of your\ndependence on the Holy Ghost.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and enkindle in them\nthe fire of Thy love.\n\n_V._ Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.\n\n_R._ And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of Thy\nHoly Spirit, grant us in the same Holy Spirit to relish what is right, and\never to rejoice in His consolation, through Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nSt. Edward was one day waiting, in a school at Paris, for the arrival of\nhis scholars. He was about to expound to them the mystery of the Holy\nTrinity. Being tired he fell into a slumber, in which he had a dream. He\nsaw a dove descending towards him; it bore on its back the sacred Host,\nand laid it on his lips. When he awoke he went to the lecture\u2010room, and\nbegan his discourse; all who heard him were struck by the sweetness and\nclearness of his explanations. It was the devotion to the Holy Ghost that\ngave a newness and a charm to all he said, and impressed itself not only\non his hearers, but also on himself, so that he became full of the unction\nand fire of the Spirit of God. We will not be disappointed if we solicit\nthe interest of the Holy Ghost in our behalf. In all our work let us look\nfirst to this Light of God, which illumines every soul coming into this\nworld, and our actions will be for the glory of God, our minds will become\nenergetic through the purification of our motives, and our whole life will\ntake on a new exterior of humility and perfection.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Ghost is the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity: this is one of\nthe dogmas of the Christian religion; it is the foundation of our holy\nfaith. In God there are three divine persons, the Father, the Son, and the\nHoly Ghost. Each person, among created intelligences, is a distinct and a\nseparate unity, complete, entire in itself, but by its limitation making\nonly one individual. But in God the three divine persons have one distinct\nmode of subsistence, for each possesses in common the whole divine\nessence. The substance of God belongs to each of the three divine persons.\nTherefore we say that there are three divine persons in God, not three\nindividuals; for an individual would signify a distinct nature.\nAccordingly, the Athanasian creed declares, \u201cSuch as the Father is, such\nis the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost.\u201d The Father is God, the Son is\nGod, and the Holy Ghost is God. Yet there are not three Gods, but only one\nGod. In speaking of the nature of God\u2019s being, we find ourselves\nnecessarily beyond the power of reasoning; we only know that the infinite\nGod is one in essence and three in person.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Ghost is God, one of the three divine persons, as is evident from\nthe Scriptures. The Holy Ghost is joined with the Father and the Son, and\ntherefore He really exists and is called God. All the divine attributes\nare given Him: omnipresence, omnipotence, and justice. He is therefore\nGod, and proceeds from the Father and the Son; He is the Spirit of God,\nand also the Spirit of Christ. The Holy Ghost proceeds from the Father and\nthe Son as the breath of the life of intelligence and love. \u201cBecause you\nare sons, God hath sent the spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying:\nAbba, Father.\u201d\u2014Gal. iv. 6. \u201cBut when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He\nwill teach you all truth; for He shall not speak of Himself: but\nwhatsoever things He shall hear He shall speak: ... He shall glorify Me:\nbecause He shall receive of Mine, and shall show it to you. All things\nwhatsoever the Father hath, are Mine. Therefore I said: that He shall\nreceive of Mine, and show it to you.\u201d\u2014John xvi. 13\u201015.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nWe cannot understand the mystery of the Blessed Trinity. We cannot\nunderstand the persons of the Blessed Trinity, neither the Father, the\nSon, nor the Holy Ghost; they are infinite. Still we can think of the\nBlessed Trinity, and guided by what we know through revelation and\ntheology, try to go still further and discover more of the glory\nsurrounding it. One person of the Holy Trinity is as great as the other;\nthere is really no first nor second in dignity or power. There is,\nhowever, a marvellous order in the unity of the Trinity, thus expressed in\nthe creed of St. Athanasius: \u201cThe Father is made of none, neither created\nnor begotten. The Son is from the Father alone, not made nor created, but\nbegotten. The Holy Ghost is from the Father and the Son, not made nor\ncreated nor begotten, but proceeding.\u201d Thus the Holy Trinity exists from\nall eternity, supremely happy in itself, not needing anything exteriorly\nto assist in its existence.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nGod begets His Son by knowledge; the Son is the knowledge of the Father,\nbut the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son by way of love. The\nFather and the Son, by an act of supreme natural love breathe forth the\nco\u2010eternal Spirit. The Spirit proceeds from both, the pledge of their\nmutual affection, and the expression of infinite beatitude. The Father\nloves the Son with such an infinite love as to breathe forth a divine\nSpirit through His Son. As St. Bernard says, the Spirit is the sacred kiss\nof the Father and the Son in their imperturbable peace, their firm\ncoherence, their undivided love, their indivisible unity. The Son proceeds\nfrom the Father as the ray from the sun; the Holy Ghost from the Father\nand the Son as the heat from the ray and the sun. The Son as the word, the\nHoly Ghost as the breath; the Son as the river from the fountain; the Holy\nGhost as the lightning from the cloud. These expressions hardly convey\nwhat is meant, because the ray is smaller than the sun; while in God the\nray is equal, the heat is consubstantial with its source. The word says\nall, the breath is real, the fire burns always and is never extinguished.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nIt will be part of the beatitude of the saints to know something of this\ngeneration and procession of the Holy Ghost; they will be filled with\ngladness inexpressible in the sight of God. They will see God as He is; in\ntheir contemplation they will rise higher and higher, and by their studies\nknow more and more of God. As we are charmed with the beauties of\nknowledge, the attraction of literature, so we will feel greater happiness\nas we study the being of God in all its depths. \u201cO the depths of the\nriches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are\nHis judgments, and how unsearchable His ways!\u201d\u2014Rom. xi. 33. The Church, in\nthe office and Mass of the feast of the most Holy Trinity repeats the same\nwords, as the expression of her awe and adoration in the presence of the\ninfinitely unsearchable ways of God in the Trinity. In adoring this life\nof God, for life it is indeed, we are overwhelmed with awe, and are but\nable in our astonishment to cry out with the Church, \u201cO Blessed Trinity!\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Trinity does all the work exterior to itself by the joint power\nof all; for the persons of God cannot be separated from the one God. There\nare certain things which in our human mind we ascribe more to one person\nthan to the other, but all the divine persons must necessarily be\nparticipants in the work of each. For example, the creation is ascribed to\nthe Father, because it seems to be a parental act to call something into\nexistence, and so we say God the Father created us. God the Son redeemed\nus, and God the Holy Ghost sanctifies us. And still we read that in the\ncreation, \u201cThe Spirit of the Lord moved over the waters,\u201d meaning that God\nthe Father was not only or singly engaged in the creation, but that the\nother divine persons participated also. The same way, in the creation of\nman, all the divine persons were engaged in this important work of God\u2019s\npower. Human beings were to know God, and to become the temples of the\nHoly Ghost; and consequently the Holy Ghost had early in the creation to\nshow His co\u2010operation.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nHence, in the beginning of the world, God created a man, framing his body\nout of clay and dust, but giving him a living soul by breathing upon him.\nIt was the Spirit of God that gave that soul the touch of life and\nimmortality. There is a wonderful similarity between that breathing into\nman at his creation, and the time when, after the resurrection, the Lord\nappeared to the apostles and breathed on them, saying: \u201cReceive ye the\nHoly Ghost.\u201d St. Athanasius says, \u201cFirst by the Word of God, man was made.\nAnd the Lord breathed into him the Spirit of life, and confirmed him with\na participation of His Spirit. The same God confers His Spirit on His\ndisciples, that we may be renovated in the same Spirit in Whom we first\nwere made.\u201d No doubt both the natural life, the life of the body, and also\nthe supernatural life, the love of God and participation in His glory,\nwere granted by the Holy Ghost at the creation.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Ghost infuses into our hearts sanctifying grace, by which we\nbecome pleasing to God, and we can call Him Our Father. What a great grace\nthis is\u2014to be pleasing to God! We had sinned and had become aliens to\nGod\u2019s kindness and grace. We did not live a simple, natural life, for our\nexistence was sinful after the fall of Adam and Eve. But the Holy Spirit\ncame again into our hearts, and we were created new beings. The old scars\nof sin and condemnation disappeared, and our present supernatural\ncondition is nobler, perhaps, than was the condition of Adam before his\nfall. It was this consideration which caused the Fathers of the Church,\nand the Church herself, in her paschal song of the \u201cExultet,\u201d to exclaim,\n\u201cO happy fault, which gave the occasion to almighty God to rescue us from\neternal death, and to give us new life, in the resurrection of the Lord.\u201d\nGreat, then, is the love of the Holy Ghost for us. He wishes to claim us\nas His temples.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nWe are, therefore, different from Adam; since the Fall our condition has\nbeen changed. Adam at his creation was constituted in the state of grace,\nplaced in that blessed condition by the goodness of the Holy Ghost. The\njustice which Adam received was the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the\nsoul, which illuminated his mind to such a degree that he not only\nunderstood the things about him, but it also gave him a sight of heaven\nitself, and the perfections of God. Hence Adam, the pure creature, grand\nand noble as he was, created and gifted by almighty God, was a favored\nbeing indeed, and all mankind after him. For we also are created by God,\nwe have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us by Baptism, and therefore are\nchildren of God by a still greater reason than Adam was. The power of the\nHoly Ghost has thus been displayed in the creation of man, in the\ncontinuation of his existence, and in all his work up to the present time.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nBy Adam\u2019s disobedience his glory and greatness were swept away. The\npresence of the Holy Ghost was forfeited, and in His place reigned\nignorance, weakness, and passion. Man not only ignored God, but fell\ndeeper and deeper into a degrading ignorance until he lived a life not far\nremoved from the brute. Man became so weak and unreliable that even if\nignorance was removed by education, his will was subject to the\nallurements of interest and passion. Terrible confusion ensued in the ages\nafter the fall of Adam and Eve. But God had mercy on the human race, and\npromised a Redeemer, by Whom we were to regain salvation. Instead of\nfalling a prey to the devil after death, man had a means of reinstating\nhimself in the mercy and goodness of God, for, as the Apostle says in his\nfirst epistle to Timothy: \u201cGod will have all men to be saved, and to come\nto the knowledge of truth.\u201d We should appreciate highly this work of our\nredemption. Mankind could do nothing of itself. It deserved to die, and\nshare with the evil spirits eternal damnation, but through the mercy of\nGod it was not consumed.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nOur justification comes from Christ\u2019s redemption, by the operation of the\nHoly Ghost. \u201cBut you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are\njustified in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Spirit of Our\nGod.\u201d\u20141 Cor. vi. 11. It is still the operation of the Holy Ghost which\nbrings comfort to our souls. Since the Fall, the Spirit of God has\nassisted every man that came into the world, so that there never yet was a\nsoul which had not sufficient grace to escape from eternal death, if it\nonly had fidelity to correspond with it. Even heathens may, according to\nthe mercy of God, find the means ready at hand by which to be saved. Every\nsoul is created in the likeness of God; the light of reason shining in the\nsoul is a means of salvation, the whole world reveals the existence of\nGod. Every living soul in the order of nature, then, has the illumination\nof God\u2019s grace, and by the light of conscience, which is reason, can\nrightly exercise its will in the performance of duty. \u201cWe hope in the\nliving God, Who is the Saviour of all men,\u201d and especially of the\nfaithful. The work of the Holy Ghost, even in the order of nature that is\noutside of the Church, is going on, giving to all men grace to be saved.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nWhen the disciples returned to Jerusalem, after the ascension of Our Lord,\nthey chose for their habitation the cenacle in which the Last Supper had\ntaken place. There they spent the eight days previous to the feast of\nPentecost, in a retreat of prayer and meditation. There they waited\npatiently for the realization of the promise made by Our Lord, that the\nParaclete would come. Their souls were filled with that peace which the\nLord had given them; they had learned the lesson of charity and\nsubmission, they had now one heart and one mind. No doubt, with them in\nprayer, were Mary the Mother of Jesus and the pious women who also were to\nreceive the Holy Spirit. What a consolation was not the presence of Mary\nto the apostles! She was now their Mother; Christ Himself desired that she\nshould be their comfort. The apostles loved the Mother of Jesus, consulted\nher about the future of the Church, and no doubt learned from her the\nsecrets of divine love that filled her soul, learned from her the love\nthat Jesus bore to His holy Church. They honored her with reverence,\nbecause she was the Mother of Him Whom they now knew to be God. It was the\nbeginning of the devotion to the Blessed Virgin\u2014a devotion which has\ncontinued in the Church ever since with unabated ardor.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nThe apostles persevered in prayer in the holy cenacle. They had learned\nthe necessity of prayer from Our Lord Himself. He inculcated it by command\nand example, and now they put His precepts into execution; they made\nprayer the chief preparation for the coming of the Holy Ghost. God was\npresent among them, and heard them, for they were assembled in the name of\nJesus. These long hours of supplication penetrated heaven and filled the\nearth with consolation; bringing upon them the graces and benedictions of\nJesus. They had time to enter into themselves, and to cure their souls of\nthe weakness of human nature. They had much cause for anxiety. What a\nbattle, and apparently what a hopeless battle, was before them! They were\nto preach to the world; to conquer and to teach it the maxims of the\nChristian religion. They knew that the world was not willing to receive\nthe Gospel, and yet they had to observe the injunction of Our Lord, to\nteach all nations, and to command them to observe all that Christ had\ntaught. The apostles were filled with a great love for the salvation of\nmankind, and in the cenacle they began to be apostles of prayer, by which\nthey were to be victorious over all difficulties.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nAt length the retreat of the apostles was over; they were still assembled\nin that upper room, the time for the appearance of the Holy Spirit had\narrived, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity was to come in His\nsevenfold power to dwell in the Church of God forever, as well as in the\nhearts of all its faithful members. The Holy Ghost came like a mighty\nwind, and filled the whole house, and descended on those present in the\nform of fiery tongues. How devoutly did they receive the Holy Spirit! With\nwhat acts of adoration did they greet the visible presence of the great\nComforter, the Paraclete, the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity! For\nthis they had been waiting and praying, for this they had remained away\nfrom the distractions of the world, so that they might undisturbed feel\nthe power of God in themselves. The Holy Ghost came in the form of tongues\nof fire, the same fire of which Our Lord spoke when He exclaimed, \u201cI am\ncome to send fire on the earth, and what is My will but that it be\nkindled?\u201d It was the fire of charity\u2014the charity of Christ, by which we\nendeavor to save our souls, and the souls of others.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Ghost appeared under the form of tongues of fire, to show us that\nout of charity we should raise our voice in the propagation and defence of\ntruth. The inspiration of the Holy Spirit obliges us to correct others,\nand to lead them gently on in the way of salvation. Not only had the\napostles this obligation, but the priest must preach, the father and the\nmother instruct their children, and the master guide those under him. It\nis this sacred fire that will make the faithful listen with respect to\ntheir pastors, and practise their religion; children will be induced to be\ndocile to their parents, and subjects will be respectful to those in\nauthority. This burning fire will purify all men, for the fire of divine\nlove has a power to consume the gnawing vices of selfishness, indolence,\nand jealousy; it will burn up the materials on which our passions feed.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nThe apostles were certainly in a worthy condition to receive the Holy\nGhost; they received Him in His fulness, and the effects of His coming\nwere soon manifest in them. They could no longer contain themselves in\nsilence in that upper chamber; they were compelled to give utterance to\nthe truth. They received the gifts of the Holy Ghost, gifts which are the\nresult of the enlightenment coming from the Spirit of God. We do not\nreceive the Holy Ghost in the form of fiery tongues at Confirmation, but\nwe receive the gifts of the Holy Ghost: wisdom, understanding, knowledge,\ncounsel, piety, fortitude, and fear of the Lord. Let us see what these\ngifts are, that we may know that we possess them, and by our study develop\nthem, that they may not remain idle in our souls. We must stir up the\ngrace that is in us; we must, during this month, pray that these gifts may\nfind opportunities for exercise. The apostles showed in their lives that\nthese gifts were theirs in all perfection. In a lesser or greater degree\nwe may possess them also, for these virtues should be in every Christian\nsoul as a result of the visitation of the Holy Spirit.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nThe gift of understanding enables us to appreciate the beauty of all\nrevealed truths. It is not like faith, by which we implicitly accept God\u2019s\nrevelation, but it gives us the reasons for making an act of faith; it\nwill show us that our faith is true, because it shows us on what\nfoundation the truth rests. Even after Our Lord\u2019s resurrection the\ndisciples showed that they did not understand what they had been told.\nThey did not understand the Scriptures, for Our Lord had to upbraid the\napostles for their incredulity and hardness of heart. Did He not reproach\nthe two disciples returning to Emmaus with a slowness of understanding,\nbecause they were still wavering in the faith of the crucified Jesus? The\napostles needed the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, in order to comprehend\nthe Scriptures and the prophecies made concerning their Master. The gift\nof understanding shows us the necessity of virtues in ourselves, so that\nwe may be willing to study them and to acquire them; it shows us the\ngoodness of others and makes us appreciate their labors; it gives us\ninsight into the order of things, that we may submit ourselves to\nauthority and be docile to the teachings of the Church.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nThe gift of wisdom is a superior discernment of good and evil; it gives\nmen a real taste and predilection for all that is good and holy, all that\nis connected with God and divine things; it turns their eyes to God, and\nteaches them to look at everything from God\u2019s point of view. It makes them\nlove prayer, recollection, good conversation, and good reading. This is a\ngreat gift of the Holy Ghost, and one that seems to prefigure our\npredestination, because it places before our minds so vividly the\nnecessity of doing good in order to go to heaven. How little of this\nheavenly wisdom do we generally possess! Wise enough are we in the ways of\nthe world; we know how to make money, and to hoard it up; but we care\nlittle how to gain spiritual treasures. Do we not class ourselves with the\nchildren of the world by our smartness in gathering earthly goods? Our\nLord said the children of the world were wiser in their generation than\nthe children of light. He praises them, not to have us imitate them, but\nto put us on our guard against the false wisdom which is so easily\nacquired. The apostles, in the beginning of their election to the\napostolic life, had not that heavenly wisdom, for they had very worldly\nideas about the kingdom which they thought Jesus was to establish on\nearth.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nKnowledge is the possession of truth. When our mind is well stored with\ninformation we are said to have knowledge. The same may be said of\nspiritual knowledge, only it refers to spiritual things. We have\nknowledge, then, in a spiritual sense, when we put together our\nexperiences and draw practical conclusions from them\u2014when we realize that\nGod created the world, and that we were created to save our souls. Hence\nwe ought to use the world, not for our own exclusive enjoyment, nor for\nthe purpose of amassing wealth, but for the greater glory of God. We know\nthat we were placed on the earth, intelligent beings, to praise and serve\nGod. It was in virtue of this knowledge that St. Ignatius declared that\nall the world around him recalled God to him. We too must see God in all\nthings, and never lose sight of the end of our creation; those who love\nthe world for its own sake cannot love God; we cannot serve God and\nMammon; we know from our own bitter experience that as soon as we love the\nworld, we have lost the love of God, and without the love of God it is\nimpossible to go to heaven. The absence of this spiritual knowledge makes\nus impatient because we have not all the things we want, and we resist His\nholy will.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nThe gift of counsel contains all that is good in human prudence, and much\nmore. It leads us always to pause and to turn our thoughts to God before\nwe act; we avoid precipitation, rashness, and inconsiderate impulses. It\nmakes us calm and deliberate, and teaches us never to act in any important\nmatter without seeking guidance from God. This gift also shows us that it\nis God\u2019s will to run counter to what the world considers prudent. So\nAbraham did when he left his home at God\u2019s command, and went to the land\nwhich God chose for him, where the people of God were to live together and\nhe was to be their spiritual as well as their real father. So David, when\na poor boy, went out at God\u2019s command to fight the giant, armed only with\na stone and sling. Judith was moved by the same impulse when she went to\nthe camp of Holofernes, and brought his head back into the city. It is\nalso our duty that when we know the will of God we do it generously, no\nmatter what difficulties may beset our paths. The gift of counsel will\nalso put into our mouth that encouragement for others which will help them\nto lead a life of virtue and patience, remembering that the trials of life\nlast but a short time.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Ghost also infuses into our soul the gift of piety\u2014that loyal,\ntender, filial affection towards God as Our Father. \u201cYou have received,\u201d\nsays St. Paul, \u201cthe spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba,\nFather.\u201d\u2014Rom. viii. 15. By this sacred gift we forget ourselves and cling\nonly to God, Who is our support and help. We love God, and serve Him with\nalacrity, because He is Our Father in heaven. If I am a son of God, loyal\nto my Father in heaven, every act of mine, every thought, is centred in\nHim. Such was the intense love of the apostles for Our Lord; from the time\nwhen He chose them, the virtue of piety was implanted in them, though it\nwas only perfected after the death of Christ. It was after the ascension\nof Our Lord, when the Holy Spirit had fully inspired this virtue in their\nsouls, that they began to have a filial affection towards Our Lord, a keen\nattachment of love and affection. Do we realize the meaning of the gift of\npiety? We ought to be anxious to possess this virtue, because it makes the\nburden of the service of God easy: \u201cwhere there is love, there is no\nlabor.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nThe gift of fortitude is necessary in some degree to one who is anxious to\nsave his soul. All Christians are called on, at some time or other, to\nendure in the practice of their religion things for which mere human\ncourage will not suffice. Those who desire a high place in heaven have a\nhard struggle before them, a struggle which would be beyond the power of\nmany of us if we did not rely on the Holy Ghost. The gift of fortitude is\nthe power to be strong of soul as the athlete is strong of body; for as a\nman hardens and develops his frame by all sorts of physical exercises, so\nalso should the soul develop the good that is in her\u2014which is the highest\ngood\u2014by spiritual exercises. Of her own power she is not able to do great\nthings, but by the work of God the Holy Ghost she can do them. We can bear\nheavy sorrows with patience and resignation; we can rise out of vices and\nevil habits by means of fortitude, when without this virtue we would\nremain slaves of Satan. How pusillanimous were the apostles in the\nbeginning of their apostolic career; there was a disgraceful weakness\nexhibited at the Passion of Our Lord. Peter denied Our Lord, and the rest\nfled and hid themselves.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nThe gift on which we wish to meditate to\u2010day in honor of the giver, the\nHoly Ghost, is the fear of the Lord. Remember that it is said that the\nfear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; we need then this holy gift,\nthat by it we may remain in subjection and reverence to the adorable\nmajesty of God. We acknowledge our littleness and leave ourselves entirely\nin the hands of God; we are afraid of committing sin, we are cautious,\nlest by an act or thought we may offend almighty God; we are careful to\nsubmit ourselves to His holy will; we see our faults, and we lament that\nwe are so full of sin, when we ought, with His grace, to improve in His\nservice. We must stand in dread of the Judgment and also of ourselves,\nbecause we fall so readily into sin that we know not whether we are worthy\nof love or hatred from almighty God; but when we fall it is our own fault,\nfor we depend too much on ourselves; we are wicked because we prefer evil\nto good, and would rather serve the devil than God. Let us learn this\nsalutary fear of God, and acquire a delicacy of conscience.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nWe have now meditated on the gifts of the Holy Ghost. We see how generous\nthe adorable Spirit is. He is constantly giving Himself and yet is never\nexhausted, so that we are rich indeed by the goodness of the Holy Ghost.\nOur mind is enlightened, and we pray to the Holy Spirit to open our hearts\nand to enkindle in them the fire of divine love. Before all our actions we\ncall on the sacred Spirit to help us, so that our actions may be done\nwell, an honor to God and a source of merit to ourselves. On the feast of\nPentecost we celebrate other gifts: as the gift of \u201clanguage,\u201d which is\nthe means by which the Gospel is spread all over the world. Again was\ngiven by the Holy Ghost the gift of \u201chealing.\u201d The first Christians were\nable to work miracles. We have lost confidence; had we the same strong\nfaith many wonders would also happen at our bidding.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Ghost has also other gifts in store for us, gifts which are\ncalled fruits\u2014as if from this divine tree were growing a variety of\ndifferent virtues, diffused from united efforts. There must be some result\nfrom this expenditure of power, and when we are good Christians we will\ncertainly enjoy these gifts and fruits: they will grow on the tree of the\nHoly Ghost and will be reproduced in our hearts. These fruits are twelve\nin number: Charity, joy, peace, patience, benignity, goodness, long\u2010\nsuffering, mildness, faith, modesty, continency, and chastity. Charity is\na love and kindness towards all mankind; we love all the members of the\nhuman family and we are interested in their welfare; we are continually\nsearching for means to help them, and all for the one purpose: the good of\ntheir immortal souls. By this virtue we are moved to share our goods with\nothers, contenting ourselves with what is necessary. Another beautiful\nfruit of the Holy Ghost is eternal joy. Our souls are continually\nrejoicing in God, Who is our great reward.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nPeace is a gift of the Holy Ghost, somewhat similar to joy; if we have\npeace nothing can disturb our soul; even if we are afflicted we are not\nout of humor, for we see that it is the will of God, Who is our kind\nFather, and that everything is for our special benefit. We are at peace\nwith our fellow\u2010creatures, for we are not actuated by inordinate ambition,\nnor by grasping avarice, so that we are loved by all. Patience is a gift\nof the Holy Spirit by which we endure the ills of the flesh without a\nmurmur and with resignation. What a beautiful virtue and gift we have in\nthis. We love the virtue in others, and we must endeavor to possess it\nalso in ourselves, so as to be a spectacle of patience to men and angels.\nWith benignity, goodness, and mildness, we meet others and charm them with\nour kindness; they are virtues that result from the thorough practice of\ncharity; it is the combination of these virtues that makes true Christian\npoliteness. What a beautiful world this would be if every one in it would\nbe imbued with these sentiments.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nFaith is a holy gift of trust in God, in His holy revelation, in the\nChurch, her precepts and teaching, her discipline, and her devotions. We\nrealize and form our conduct on these matters of faith, so that they\nbecome the foundation of our hope and our consolation in trials. God\nbecomes to us a living reality, not a vague speculation; and the Church\nthe representative of God on earth, the spouse of Jesus Christ. The just\nman lives by faith and in the faith; he is full of the trust, the justice,\nand the mercy of God. Modesty is a fruit of the possession of the Holy\nGhost, because by it we are retired, unassuming, caring nothing for the\nshow and allurements of the world. Prayer, meditation, and pious reading\nshould be our favorite occupations, in which we would find a great deal of\npleasure; our duties would be well performed, because we would set our\nwhole mind on them in all the quietness of our soul. Continency and\nchastity are also the result of the presence in our soul of the Holy\nSpirit; we abhor the pleasures of sensuality, and keep ourselves pure from\nall contamination, according to the state of life which we have chosen or\nin which we find ourselves.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nThe fruits and gifts of the Holy Ghost may be easily seen in the effects\nthe apostles experienced at the coming of the Paraclete. As we noticed,\nthe apostles were rather worldly in their perceptions of the divine\nintentions; they manifested their frailty in many ways during the life of\nChrist, so that they were even publicly rebuked by Our Lord. But now they\nhave become apostolic men; they love poverty, and are content to work at\ntheir humble trade in order not to be a burden on the newly made converts.\nAs St. Peter asserts, \u201cHe desired the money of no man.\u201d They love\nsufferings, from which they had so often shrank before. They understand\nthat to suffer for Christ was great glory and consolation\u2014they who before\nhad been narrow, selfish, and ready to condemn others, now become full of\ncharity to all the world. Into their heart the Spirit of love has\ndescended, and their motto becomes charity towards others. The charity of\nChrist is the one motive of all they think and do.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nWe see another great change in the apostles by means of the presence of\nthe Holy Ghost; they surprise us by the bold stand they take before the\nJewish authorities. We know they were timid and cowardly at the\napprehension of Our Lord, and were almost scandalized at His death on the\ncross. Now they challenge the Jews with a freedom of speech that the chief\npriests are unable to explain; they face the wrath of the Jewish council,\nthe Sanhedrim; and undismayed they say: \u201cJudge for yourselves if it be\njust in the sight of God to hear you, rather than God.\u201d If then the\napostles become such perfect men by the influence of the Holy Ghost, is it\nnot worth our while also to remain in prayer and meditation on the power\nof the Holy Ghost, in order that we too may be changed from such weaklings\nand become strong Christians? How little have we in us of this Holy\nSpirit, how unwilling we are to suffer, how prone to avoid all that is\nopposed to our natural inclinations! This should be different; and it can\nonly be different by heeding the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. With this\nintention and for this purpose let us devote some time, now and then, to\nthe stirring up within us of the grace of the Holy Ghost.\n\nPrayer.\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Holy Ghost.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nHoly Ghost, hear us.\n_Holy Ghost, graciously hear us._\nGod the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Ghost, Who proceedest from the Father and the Son, _Have mercy on\n            us._\nHoly Ghost, co\u2010equal with the Father and the Son, _Have mercy on us._\nPromise of the Father, most loving and most bounteous, _Have mercy on us._\nGift of the most high God, _Have mercy on us._\nRay of heavenly light, _Have mercy on us._\nAuthor of all good, _Have mercy on us._\nSource of living water, _Have mercy on us._\nConsuming fire, _Have mercy on us._\nBurning love, _Have mercy on us._\nSpiritual unction, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of truth and of power, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of wisdom and of understanding, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of counsel and of fortitude, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of knowledge and of piety, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of the fear of the Lord, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of compunction and of penance, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of grace and of prayer, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of charity, peace, and joy, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of patience, longanimity, and goodness, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of benignity, mildness and fidelity, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of modesty, continence, and chastity, _Have mercy on us._\nSpirit of adoption of the sons of God, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Ghost, the Comforter, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Ghost, the Sanctifier, _Have mercy on us._\nWho in the beginning didst move over the waters, _Have mercy on us._\nBy Whose inspiration spake the holy men of God, _Have mercy on us._\nWho didst overshadow Mary, _Have mercy on us._\nWho didst co\u2010operate in the miraculous conception of the Son of God, _Have\n            mercy on us._\nWho didst descend upon Him at His baptism, _Have mercy on us._\nWho, on the day of Pentecost, didst appear in fiery tongues upon the\n            disciples of the Lord, _Have mercy on us._\nBy Whom we are also born again, _Have mercy on us._\nWho dwellest in us, _Have mercy on us._\nWho governest the Church, _Have mercy on us._\nWho fillest the whole world, _Have mercy on us._\n\nHoly Ghost, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst renew the face of the earth, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst shed abroad Thy light into our hearts, _We beseech Thee,\n            hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst write Thy law in our hearts, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst inflame them with the fire of Thy love, _We beseech\n            Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst open to us the treasures of Thy grace, _We beseech Thee,\n            hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst teach us to ask for them according to Thy will, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst enlighten us with Thy heavenly inspirations, _We beseech\n            Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst keep us to Thyself by Thy powerful attractions, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst grant to us the knowledge alone necessary, _We beseech\n            Thee, hear us._\n\nThat Thou wouldst help us to love and bear with each other, _We beseech\n            Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst lead us in the way of Thy commandments, _We beseech\n            Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst make us obedient to Thy inspirations, _We beseech Thee,\n            hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst teach us to pray, and Thyself pray within us, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst clothe us with love and compassion towards our brethren,\n            _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst inspire us with a horror of evil, _We beseech Thee, hear\n            us._\nThat Thou wouldst direct us in the practice of good, _We beseech Thee,\n            hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst give us the grace of all virtues, _We beseech Thee, hear\n            us._\nThat Thou wouldst cause us to persevere in justice, _We beseech Thee, hear\n            us._\nThat Thou wouldst be Thyself our everlasting reward, _We beseech Thee,\n            hear us._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Lord!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O\n            Lord!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O\n            Lord!_\nHoly Ghost, hear us,\n_Holy Ghost, graciously hear us._\n\n_V._ Create a clean heart in us, O God.\n\n_R._ And renew a right spirit within us.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nGrant, O merciful Father, that Thy divine Spirit may enlighten, inflame,\nand cleanse our hearts; that He may penetrate us with His heavenly dew,\nand make us fruitful in good works. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nHymns to the Holy Ghost.\n\n\n\nVeni, Creator Spiritus.\n\n\nCome, O Creator, Spirit blest,\nAnd in our souls take up Thy rest;\nCome with Thy grace and heavenly aid\nTo fill the hearts which Thou hast made.\n\nGreat Paraclete, to Thee we cry,\nO highest gift of God most high,\nO Fount of life, O Fire of love,\nAnd sweet anointing from above.\n\nThou in thy sevenfold gifts art known;\nThe finger of God\u2019s hand we own;\nThe promise of the Father Thou,\nWho dost the tongue with pow\u2019r endow.\n\nOur senses kindle from above,\nAnd make our hearts o\u2019erflow with love;\nWith patience firm and virtue high\nThe weakness of our flesh supply.\n\nDrive far from us the foe we dread,\nAnd grant us Thy true peace instead;\nSo shall we not, with Thee for guide,\nTurn from the path of life aside.\n\nOh, may Thy grace on us bestow\nThe Father and the Son to know,\nAnd Thee through endless times confess\u2019d\nOf both th\u2019 eternal Spirit blest.\n\nAll glory, while the ages run,\nBe to the Father and the Son\nWho rose from death; the same to Thee,\nO Holy Ghost, eternally! Amen.\n\n\n\nCome, Holy Ghost.\n\n\nCome, Holy Ghost, send down those beams,\nWhich sweetly flow in silent streams\n    From Thy bright throne above.\nCome, Thou, the Father of the poor,\nThou bounteous source of all our store;\n    Come, fire our hearts with love.\n\nCome, Thou, of comforters the best,\nCome, Thou, the soul\u2019s delightful guest,\n    The pilgrim\u2019s sweet relief.\nThou art our rest in toil and sweat,\nRefreshment in excessive heat,\n    And solace in our grief.\n\nO sacred Light, shoot home Thy darts,\nOh, pierce the centre of these hearts,\n    Whose faith aspires to Thee.\nWithout Thy Godhead nothing can\nHave any price or worth in man;\n    Nothing can harmless be.\n\nLord, wash our sinful stains away,\nWater from heaven our barren clay;\n    Our wounds and bruises heal.\nTo Thy sweet yoke our stiff necks bend,\nTo inflame our cold hearts Thy fire send;\n    Our wandering feet repel.\n\nOh, grant Thy faithful, dearest Lord,\nWhose only hope is Thy sure word;\n    The seven gifts of Thy Spirit.\nGrant us in life to obey Thy grace,\nGrant us in death to see Thy face;\n    And endless joys inherit. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nAct Of Oblation To The Holy Ghost.\n\n\nOn my knees, before the great cloud of witnesses, I offer myself, soul and\nbody, to Thee, eternal Spirit of God. I adore the brightness of Thy\npurity; the unerring keenness of Thy justice; and the might of Thy love.\nThou art the strength and the light of my soul. In Thee I live and move\nand am. I desire never to grieve Thee by unfaithfulness to grace; and I\npray with all my heart to be kept from the smallest sin against Thee. Make\nme faithful in every thought: and grant that I may always listen to Thy\nvoice, and watch for Thy light, and follow Thy gracious inspirations. I\ncling to Thee, and give myself to Thee, and ask Thee by Thy compassion to\nwatch over me in my weakness. Holding the pierced feet of Jesus, and\nlooking at His five wounds and trusting to His precious blood, and adoring\nHis opened side and stricken Heart, I implore Thee, adorable Spirit,\nhelper of my infirmity, so to keep me in Thy grace that I may never sin\nagainst Thee with the sin which Thou canst not forgive. Give me grace, O\nHoly Ghost, Spirit of the Father and the Son, to say to Thee, always and\neverywhere, speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nThe Office of the Holy Ghost.\n\n\nAt Matins.\n\n_V._ The grace of the Holy Ghost illuminate our senses and hearts.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n_V._ O Lord, open Thou my lips.\n\n_R._ And my mouth shall declare Thy praise.\n\n_V._ Incline unto my aid, O God.\n\n_R._ O Lord, make haste to help me.\n\nGlory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was\nin the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.\n\n_Hymn._\n\nThe Holy Ghost our souls invest\nWith grace that does o\u2019ershade the best\nOf Virgin maids, when from the spheres\nAn angel came to greet her ears.\nThe Word divine did flesh become,\nAnd fruitful made a virgin womb.\n\n_Ant._ Come, Holy Ghost, replenish the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle\nin them the fire of Thy love.\n\n_V._ Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.\n\n_R._ And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.\n\nPrayer.\n\nWe beseech Thee, O Lord, that the virtue of Thy Holy Spirit may be present\nwithin us, which may both purify our hearts, and defend us from all\nadversities; through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who with Thee and the\nsame Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth. Amen.\n\nAt Prime.\n\n_V._ The grace of, etc. (as before).\n\n_Hymn._\n\nChrist, born of Mary, that blest Maid,\nWas crucified, was dead, was laid\nWithin a tomb, from whence He rose,\nAnd did His person soon disclose\nTo His disciples, in whose sight\nHe soar\u2019d above the starry height.\n\nThe anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.\n\nAt Tierce.\n\n_V._ The grace of, etc. (as before).\n\n_Hymn._\n\nGod sent from heaven the Holy Ghost\nUpon the day of Pentecost;\nHe did the apostles\u2019 minds inspire,\nInflaming them with tongues of fire.\nHe would not have them orphans left,\nWhen of the sight of Christ bereft.\n\nThe anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.\n\nAt Sext.\n\n_V._ The grace of, etc. (as before).\n\n_Hymn._\n\nWith sevenfold grace God did enrich\nThe apostles, then, by means of which\nThey did both speak and understand\nThe language of each distant land.\nTo preach Christ\u2019s faith they then disperse\nThemselves throughout the universe.\n\nThe anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.\n\nAt None.\n\n_V._ The grace of, etc. (as before).\n\n_Hymn._\n\nThe consoling Spirit He\nEntitled was true charity,\nThe gift of God, a fire inflamed,\nThe vivifying fountain named,\nA spiritual unction, sevenfold grace,\nA free gift of celestial race.\n\nThe anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.\n\nAt Vespers.\n\n_V._ The grace of, etc. (as before).\n\n_Hymn._\n\nThe right hand finger of Our Lord,\nHis spiritual power to us afford\nA safe defence against all evil,\nThat harm\u2019d we be not by the devil.\nProtect us, nourish us, and bring\nUs under shelter of Thy wing.\n\nThe anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.\n\nAt Compline.\n\n_V._ The grace of, etc. (as before).\n\n_V._ Convert us, O God Our Saviour:\n\n_R._ And avert Thy anger from us.\n\n_V._ Incline unto my aid, O God.\n\n_R._ O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\n_Hymn._\n\nVouchsafe, O holy Paraclete,\nTo pour into our souls Thy light,\nAnd to direct us in our ways,\nThat when to judgment God shall raise\nThe sleeping world, He bid us stand\nUpon His right and saving hand.\n\nThe anthem, verse, response, and prayer as before.\n\n_Commendation._\n\nThese hours canonical, to Thee,\nO Holy Ghost, addressed be,\nWith piously devoted heart.\nThat to our souls Thou mayest impart\nThy inspirations, and that we\nMay live in heaven eternally. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nNovena to the Holy Ghost.\n\n\nFirst Day: Fruits Of Charity And Joy.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the\nHoly Ghost\u2014charity and joy.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nO most holy Spirit, the Paraclete, we adore Thee with all humility; and\nwith the most lively affections of our hearts, we beseech Thee to assist\nus in this Thy novena, that we may rightly prepare ourselves to receive\nThy heavenly gifts. We cannot, O divine Spirit, receive Thee without Thine\nown aid preventing us. Without Thee we cannot please Thee. Do Thou then,\nWho didst prepare the heart of Mary to receive the Word Incarnate,\nvouchsafe so to dispose our hearts that we may happily conceive the\nblessed flames of Thy love. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him,\n  The love of Sire and Son,\nThe consubstantial breath of God,\n  The co\u2010eternal One!\n\nAh! see, how like the Incarnate Word,\n  His blessed self He lowers\nTo dwell with us invisibly,\n  And make His riches ours.\n\nMost loving Spirit! Mighty God!\n  Sweet must Thy presence be,\nIf loss of Jesus can be gain,\n  So long as we have Thee!\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle in them the\nfire of Thy love.\n\n_V._ Send forth Thy spirit, and they shall be created.\n\n_R._ And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.\n\nBurn, O Lord, with the fire of Thy Holy Spirit our reins and our hearts,\nthat we may serve Thee with chaste bodies, and please Thee with clean\nhearts; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.\n\nMay the blessing of almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend\nupon us now, and abide with us always. Amen.\n\nSecond Day: Fruits Of Peace And Patience.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the\nHoly Ghost\u2014peace and patience.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nO sweetest and most dear Mother Mary, behold us at thy feet, and having\nkissed them a thousand times with the lips of our hearts, we humbly\nimplore of thee a favor more needful for us than all else in the world.\nSince thou art the spouse of the Holy Ghost, the dispenser of His\ntreasures, and His sweet stewardess, since thou hast been enriched beyond\nall other creatures with His heavenly gifts, obtain for us, as thou didst\nobtain for the apostles, His coming into our hearts; and for this end\nobtain for us the grace to imitate, so far as in us lies, the examples of\nthy humility, thy purity, thy charity. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nO God, to Whom every heart is open and every will speaketh, and from Whom\nno secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the infusion of\nthe Holy Ghost, that we may perfectly love Thee and worthily praise Thee;\nthrough Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.\n\nMay the blessing, etc.\n\nThird Day: Fruits Of Benignity And Goodness.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the\nHoly Ghost\u2014benignity and goodness.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nMost holy prince of the apostles, blessed St. Peter, behold us at thy\nfeet, to implore thy aid in obtaining the Holy Spirit. We, indeed, have\nbeen unfaithful to Our Redeemer, not three times only, as thou wert, but\nthousands and thousands of times; so that we could not hope that the\nspotless Dove would vouchsafe to descend into our poor souls, stained with\nso many sins; yet thine example, blessed apostle, gives us boldness. Thou\ndidst weep bitterly, and with thy tears wert so cleaned as to receive all\nthe gifts of the divine Paraclete. We too desire to bewail our sins with\nbitterest grief like thine, while we humbly implore thine intercession to\nobtain for us, first of all, cleanness of heart, and then the gift of the\nHoly Ghost, for which we yearn most earnestly. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nO God, Who hast taught the hearts of Thy faithful by the light of the Holy\nSpirit, grant us by the same Spirit to think the things that be right, and\never to rejoice in His consolations; through the same Jesus Christ. In the\nunity of the same. Amen.\n\nMay the blessing, etc.\n\nFourth Day: Fruits Of Long\u2010Suffering And Mildness.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the\nHoly Ghost\u2014long\u2010suffering and mildness.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nO blessed and happy apostles of Our Lord, who in the upper room did\nreceive the Holy Spirit with such fulness that thou wert sweetly\ninebriated with divine love, we congratulate thee with the most humble and\nlively affection, and contemplate thy graces with a holy envy. We beseech\nthee, by that love which thou dost bear the Holy Spirit, Who thus filled\nthee with His special benedictions, obtain for us efficacious aid rightly\nto practise that brotherly concord, that continual prayer, and that tender\ndevotion to Mary, whereby we can obtain, even as thou didst obtain, the\ncoming of the Holy Ghost. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nMay the infusion of the Holy Spirit, O Lord, purify our hearts, and by the\ninward sprinkling of His gracious dew make them fertile in all good works;\nthrough Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.\n\nMay the blessing, etc.\n\nFifth Day: Fruits Of Faith And Modesty.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the\nHoly Ghost\u2014faith and modesty.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nO eternal Father, how shall we ever bless and praise Thee sufficiently, or\nthank Thy goodness as we ought? A thousand times blessed be Thine infinite\ncharity, Thine infinite providence, and Thine infinite mercy, which moved\nThee to repair our miseries, and to give unto us a gift wherein is\ncontained all the good that proceedeth from Thee! Thou hast given us also\nthe Holy Ghost, Who proceedeth from Thy will as Thine uncreated love. What\ncan we seek for more? And what shall we give unto Thee for so great a\ngift? O Lord, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, of Thy clemency to take for\nThine own all our understanding, all our will, all ourselves, and that\nlittle for all eternity. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nWe beseech Thee, O Lord, that the Paraclete, Who proceedeth from Thee, may\nenlighten our minds, and, according to the promise of Thy Son, may lead us\ninto all truth; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same.\nAmen.\n\nMay the blessing, etc.\n\nSixth Day: Fruits Of Continence And Chastity.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary, to obtain, by the merits of Jesus ascended, the fruits of the\nHoly Ghost\u2014continence and chastity.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nMost holy, most divine Spirit, if there be any souls in the world more\nneedful of Thine aid than others, it is surely ours, blinded by passions,\nchilled with obstinate lukewarmness, and defiled with a thousand\nimperfections. Come, then, O divine Spirit! come and enlighten us; kindle\nour fervor, and destroy in us all that is displeasing in Thy sight. The\ngreater our miseries are, so much the more glorious will be Thy triumph\nover our perversity. Come and create in us new hearts, which shall have\nall for God, and nothing for the world. Create in us clean hearts, O God.\nAmen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nGrant unto Thy Church, O merciful God, that she, being gathered together\nin the Holy Spirit, may be in no wise disturbed by the incursions of her\nenemies; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.\n\nMay the blessing, etc.\n\nSeventh Day: Descent Of The Holy Ghost Upon Mary At The Annunciation.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary in honor of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the ever\u2010blessed\nMother of God at the Annunciation.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nMost divine Spirit, the Paraclete, we hardly dare to beseech Thee to come\ninto our souls, knowing well how sinful and defiled they are. It seems an\nintolerable boldness to invite God\u2014yea, no less a one than God!\u2014to be a\nguest in a lodging so unclean. Yet Thou vouchsafest graciously to reassure\nus by that infinite goodness of Thine, whereby Thou dost dispose with Thy\nprevenient graces those hearts which Thou dost condescend to honor with\nThy presence. O blessed Spirit, deign to come into us, and delay not Thy\ngracious coming, while we cease not calling upon Thee and beseeching Thee\nto console us with Thy long\u2010expected coming. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nWe beseech Thee of Thy goodness, O Lord, to pour into our minds the Holy\nSpirit, by Whose wisdom we were created, and by Whose providence we are\nruled; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same. Amen.\n\nMay the blessing, etc.\n\nEighth Day: Descent Of The Holy Ghost Upon Jesus At The Jordan.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary in honor of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon Jesus at the\nJordan.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nMost adorable Trinity, we venture with all humility and awe to approach\nthe lofty throne of your exalted majesty; with our heads prostrated in the\ndust we adore you, and give you endless thanks for the immense blessings\nwhich you have bestowed on us miserable men. We thank Thee, O eternal\nFather, and Thee, O divine Son, for the gift which you have given us of\nthe Holy Ghost; for in giving us this Love, Who proceedeth from you, you\nhave given us your own selves. We thank Thee, O Holy Ghost, Who art at\nonce the gift and the giver of all gifts, and we most earnestly beseech\nThee to give us Thyself. No other gift but Thine own self can satisfy our\nsouls, and having Thee alone we shall have all things. But what can we\ngive Thee in exchange for so great benefits? O blessed Spirit, vouchsafe\nof Thy mercy to accept for all eternity all our thoughts, all our\naffections, and all ourselves. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nGrant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may burn with that fire of the\nHoly Ghost which Our Lord Jesus Christ sent upon the earth, and which He\ndesired to be vehemently enkindled; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the\nunity of the same. Amen.\n\nMay the blessing, etc.\n\nNinth Day: Transfiguration And Ascension Of Our Lord, And The\nManifestations Of The Holy Ghost.\n\n_Veni Creator._\n\nLet us prostrate ourselves before the majesty of the most Holy Trinity,\nand uniting our dispositions with those of our blessed Lady and the holy\napostles in the upper room at Jerusalem, let us say one Our Father and one\nHail Mary in honor of the transfiguration and ascension of our most dear\nLord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and of the ineffable love of the Holy Ghost\nin all His manifestations to His creatures.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nMost holy Virgin and exalted Mother of God, who wast above all creatures\ndisposed to receive the Holy Ghost, and who didst receive Him with greater\nfulness than all others; dispose, we beseech thee, by thy gracious aid,\nour cold hearts for the approaching solemnity of Pentecost. We fly to\nthee, most benignant Mother of sinners, that thou mayest obtain for us a\nlively contrition for our sins; so that although we cannot receive the\nHoly Ghost, as innocent, like thyself, yet may we receive Him as true\npenitents, together with those Gentile penitents who received Him in the\nupper room. Grant this, most holy Mother, not for our merits, for we have\nnone, but out of thine own exceeding goodness, and that great love which\nthou bearest to the same blessed Spirit, Who hast chosen thee for His\nSpouse. Amen.\n\nO let us fall and worship Him, etc.\n\nCome, Holy Spirit, etc.\n\n_V._ and _R._ Send forth Thy Spirit, etc.\n\nGrant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that the splendor of Thy brightness\nmay shine upon us; and that the light of Thy light may, by the\nillumination of the Holy Spirit, confirm the hearts of those who by grace\nare regenerate; through Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the unity of the same.\nAmen.\n\nMay the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, descend\nupon us, and remain with us always. Amen.\n\n\n\n\n\nSEPTEMBER. THE IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY.\n\n\nThis month is generally devoted to the consideration of the Heart of Mary\nand her Seven Dolors. Not only should we have a special devotion to the\nSacred Heart of Jesus, but there are good reasons for us to have a\ndevotion to the heart of Mary, so full of love for us, and to her dolors\nin connection with the redemption of mankind. Her life was full of sorrow,\nbecause she was actuated by the same sentiments as Our Lord in His desire\nto redeem us from the slavery of Satan. What heart, in fact, has ever been\nso intimately identified with that of Jesus as was Mary\u2019s? He died on the\ncross, and Mary stood beneath it, faithful to the end.\n\nOur Lord, in His thirty years\u2019 ministry, labored among the people,\npreaching and healing the sick, and Mary was certainly in perfect sympathy\nwith Him in His great work. We are struck with the adorable goodness of\nHis divine Heart, and for the same reason we are attracted to the heart of\nMary.\n\nWe will, then, during this month of September, pray to the heart of our\nbeloved Mother, setting before our minds the goodness of that loving heart\ntowards her children in this vale of tears. Let us love and honor these\ntwo hearts so intimately united; let us go to God the Father through the\nHeart of Jesus: and to the divine Saviour through the heart of Mary. We\ncan obtain all things from the Father and the Holy Ghost through the Heart\nof Jesus; and all things from the Son through the heart of His blessed\nMother.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nNowhere in the Old Testament, do we approach God more closely than in the\nbook of Job, where we see the great prophet of God enduring so patiently\nthe many sufferings that God has permitted; and nowhere do we recognize\nHim as the great Father good and kind to His children as in the same book.\nJob was a figure of Christ. There is something very holy in suffering\nendured in compliance to the will of God. To\u2010day, then, we are to begin to\nthink of Mary\u2019s sorrowful heart, and we will contemplate how the\nmysterious ways of Providence, the love of God, His mercy and kindness,\ninflicts chastisements on the Mother of His much loved Son. In the silence\nof the thirty years of Christ on earth, in the silence of the hours of\nagony on the cross, and in the silence of Mary underneath the cross, we\nwill see the silence of a heart filled with sorrow, which God is imposing\non His children for the good of mankind. The Church sets before our minds\nthe seven sorrows of Mary, telling us the principal causes of her great\ngrief in the life of Jesus.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO heart of Mary, I offer, I consecrate to thee my heart! Thou shalt be the\nobject of my veneration, love and confidence; I will pay thee my devotions\nevery day; I will celebrate thy feasts with joy; I will proclaim thy\ngreatness and thy goodness without ceasing. I will neglect no means of\nobtaining for thee the honor and the homage which are due unto thee. I\nwill bring all the thoughts and affections of my heart into conformity\nwith thine, and I will make it my duty to imitate thy virtues, especially\nthy purity and thy humility. Vouchsafe, O Mary, to open thy heart and\nreceive me therein. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nMary\u2019s sole enjoyment in this world was the presence of her divine Son.\nOne never reads of her enjoying what the world calls recreation. The life\nof Mary was full of deep love and holy virtue, and when trials came she\npatiently and sweetly endured them for the love of God. It was meet, she\nknew, that she should suffer, for her intimate connection with the Son of\nGod made suffering necessary. The first sword of sorrow which pierced her\nheart were the words of Simeon in the Temple. When the days of her\npurification were passed, Mary, according to the Law of Moses, came to the\nTemple, bearing in her arms the Infant Jesus. The spirit of God manifested\nin Jesus and Mary was a spirit of obedience to the Law of the time in\nwhich they lived. In comparison to Mary, the angels\u2019 purity became dim,\nand still she subjected herself to the ceremony of purification. The law\npresupposed impurity, but in Mary we know that there was not the least\nstain of sin or imperfection. Humbly she carried the Lord to the Temple;\nand humbly, too, Joseph walked by her side, bearing the two turtle doves\nfor a sacrifice and a ransom for the Child Jesus, which was also according\nto the Law.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nThe aged arms of the feeble old priest embraced the Child, and all turned\nto enter the building. Simeon bore the weight of the Creator of heaven and\nearth, yet stood erect, strengthened and consoled. The advent of that\nChild must have given the old man a manifestation of the greatness and the\nglory of heaven, and unspeakable joy must have shone forth from his\ncountenance. Then old Simeon remembered the revelation which he had\nreceived from the Holy Spirit: that he would not see death until he had\nheld in his arms the anointed of the Lord; and now he bears Him, a feeble\nchild. He finds it hard to return that precious burden to Mary, who stands\nthere with motherly solicitude, yearning to receive back again her beloved\nChild. But the flood\u2010gates of thanks to almighty God have been opened, and\nSimeon\u2019s heart and lips break forth in a most sublime and prophetic song.\nZachary sang his _Benedictus_ at the circumcision of St. John; Mary sang\nher _Magnificat_ at Elizabeth\u2019s home, and now Simeon pours forth his soul\nin a sublime prayer: \u201cNow Thou dost dismiss Thy servant, O Lord, according\nto Thy word in peace: because my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou\nhast prepared before the face of all peoples: a light to the revelation of\nthe Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nBut now he changes his words of joy into a sorrowful prophecy; the aged\npriest proceeds, \u201cBehold, this Child is set for the fall and for the\nresurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign which shall be\ncontradicted: and thy own soul a sword shall pierce that out of many\nhearts thoughts may be revealed.\u201d Mary was silent, but a cloud of fear for\nthe future passed over her, as Simeon foretold all that was to afflict\nher. This was her first sorrow: to be told that her Child was to be set\nfor the fall and redemption of many. A sea of trouble flooded the soul of\nMary; it seemed as if Jesus Himself was causing that sorrow, and sent it\ndirectly into her heart. But Mary was brave, as she was through all her\nsorrows; there was no change in her. The Light of the world had burst out,\nin the arms of Simeon, and then followed a dreadful darkness. Suddenly\nMary found herself far from the joys of Bethlehem in the darkness of\nGolgotha, but she was just as resigned in her sorrow as she was content in\nher joy. Mary understood now that the life of her divine Son was to be a\nconstant martyrdom, and that the end of it would be the death on the\ncross.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nThis was the great sacrifice that Mary made of her beloved Son. She was\nresigned to the will of God, though she knew the unavoidable future. She\nhad given to God a sacrifice in every way equal to God; never had such a\nsacrifice been made from the beginning of the world. She had surpassed the\nangels in constant prayer, she had made a more acceptable offering than\nthe ancient priests of God: because here was offered to God, Jesus Christ,\nthe Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, and the equal of God the Father.\nIt was in sympathy with her divine Son and out of love for mankind that\nMary offered this holy sacrifice. He was her Son, and yet, from this\nmoment, she was not to possess Him as her own; she was only to guard the\nVictim for the day of the great sacrifice. Mary knew that it was not for\nher joy and consolation that Jesus was born; it was for a higher purpose\nthat He came into the world. She resigned all the joy His coming brought\nto her, and offered Him a sacrifice to almighty God. Her heart is full of\nwounds as she sees the persecutions of the Jews, the infidelity and\nhardness of heart of many.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nWhat lessons may we draw from the first sorrow of Mary\u2014from the prophecy\nof Simeon, which changed her whole future life? The sorrows of Mary lasted\nall her lifetime; she suffered without looking for consolation; she\nsuffered in the depth of her heart, supported only by God\u2019s goodness.\nMary\u2019s griefs were intimately united to the sufferings of Jesus; her\nsorrows were caused by His sufferings, and with these Mary was in perfect\nsympathy. It is in this way that we should live, and suffer our trials and\ntroubles in perfect union with those of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and\nSaviour. We can make of them a perfect sacrifice to God, simply because\nthey are connected with a little pain. We must consider ourselves happy if\nGod chastises us in this world, because He intends to make us better; we\nsuffer because we have sinned; sin claims a punishment and we should be\nsatisfied to be punished for our sins, and to give some atonement for\nthem; they can hardly be called sacrifices when they are well\u2010merited\npunishments. Still it is possible, even while we justly suffer for our\nsins, to make our sufferings more meritorious by uniting them to those of\nOur Lord. With joy we can look up to the Mother of sorrows, and suffer,\nlike her, with patience and resignation.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nThe second sword of sorrow that pierced the heart of Mary was the flight\ninto Egypt. Simeon was the author and instrument in the hand of God of the\nfirst sorrow; Joseph was the great figure in her second sorrow. It seems\nto heighten whatever sufferings we may have to undergo when they are\ncaused by those whom we love. This was the case now, and this sword of\nsorrow was so much the more cruel as the visitation did not seem to come\nfrom God, but from the cruelty of men. In this sorrow the hand of man was\nraised against the Lord, to put Him out of the way. It was like the\ncrucifixion on Mount Calvary, for His death was intended, and on Calvary\nreally executed. Mary and Joseph had to make arrangements for the hasty\njourney to an unknown country, in order to guard the Infant Jesus from the\npersecutions of Herod. Mary had to go to a country where there was no\nworship of the true God; there were temples only of impure idolatry.\nAlone, destitute, and wandering about, there was no human consolation in\nthis exile; she was deprived of the practice of her religion, her spirit\nyearned after the courts of the house of God, with the multitude of\nworshippers gathered there on feast days; she loved the ceremonies of the\nold synagogue. In this secret sorrow she passed the days of her exile,\nuntil God relieved her by permitting her to return.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nThe most sorrowful feeling produced in the heart of Mary by her exile in\nEgypt, was caused by the thought of the hatred man had conceived against\nthe Lord. This adorable Child carefully concealed every manifestation of\nHis divine power. There was never on this earth a more lovable object than\nthis Child, and yet man had turned against Him from the very first moment\nof His birth. It caused her heart great suffering to see that mankind did\nnot appreciate the presence of the Incarnate Word; that it neglected the\nconsideration of God\u2019s goodness towards it. But how much more does she\nsuffer when she beholds Him an object of persecution! He is a fugitive\nfrom the society of those very people whom He comes to save. All this Mary\nmust have felt; for she loved her divine Son with a great natural love,\nand watched over Him with motherly solicitude. She loved Him also with a\ndivine love, for she knew He was the Son of God, the Redeemer of mankind.\nThis second sword of sorrow was not the transient realization of a\nmystery, which took place and then was over. No, it was a lasting sorrow,\nspreading itself over her whole life, for that persecution lasted until He\ndied on the cross amid the shouts of an unfeeling people.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nThe flight into Egypt has ever been a fruitful source of meditation for\ndevout souls; it is a beautiful but at the same time a sorrowful event in\nthe life of Christ. We, the descendants of the heathens, date God\u2019s\nvisitation to us from this time, because Our Lord fled from His own people\nand visited those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death. With His\npresence He sanctified the heathen country, and with it all the dark\ncontinents of the world where God\u2019s name was not known. Amid these\nbenighted people He, at least for a time, found a refuge and found peace.\nThe three Wise Men had departed for their own country without notifying\nHerod of the success of their search for the King of Jerusalem. This\nstirred up his cruel spirit, and with a murderous will he tried to destroy\nthe Child. The streets of Bethlehem were stained with the blood of the\nlittle ones, but the Child Jesus, as we know, was not harmed. What a\nsorrow was caused by the coming of Christ! Mary knew of it, for the sound\nof the wailings of desolate mothers had been carried to her ears, and her\nheart must have been touched by their cries. But to these children what a\nhappy day it was, on which they gave their lives for the Infant Jesus! It\nwas their baptism of blood; the world was in sorrow, but there was joy in\nheaven.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nAt the command of the angel, Mary and Joseph took the Child, and promptly\nentered upon their journey to Egypt. Without anxiety for the future, they\nwere in no trepidation at leaving Bethlehem. Mary wrapped the Child in\nclothing to protect Him from the cold and pressed Him to her bosom; they\nthen went forth into the starlit night. Poverty has not many preparations\nto make. The secret path which they took in this flight was one indicated\nby Providence. They at length arrived on the way that led to the desert,\npassed the boundaries of the land of Palestine, and wandered then, quietly\non, until they appeared but moving specks on the wide expanse of the\nsands. Joseph and Mary cared tenderly for the Infant Jesus on their\njourney. He was the object of their continual love. Only scanty provisions\nhad they taken with them, and water was scarce in such a region. At last\nthey came to the shores of the Red Sea, and saw the waters that rolled\nbetween their own country and their destination. The Holy Family remained\nseveral years in Egypt, until the cruel tyrant, Herod, had died.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nThe angel of the Lord again came to Joseph, and bade him take the Child\nand its Mother and return to the land of Israel, for those who had sought\nafter His life were dead. Nobody took much notice of their departure; the\nHoly Family were too insignificant from a human point of view to trouble\nany one. They made the journey back again through the desert with the same\ndifficulties besetting the way, until at length their eyes fell on the\nhills of their own country: that land which God had chosen for His people.\nThey would gladly have entered Jerusalem on their way to Nazareth, but\nArchelaus, the son of Herod, was reigning there, and Joseph considered it\nprudent to avoid that city. No doubt he had recourse to prayer for\nenlightenment what to do, and had received a response from heaven that he\nshould continue without delay his journey to Galilee; then their\njourneyings were to be at an end, and they could live peaceably and\nwithout fear in Nazareth, a home chosen by God for the sojourn of His\ndivine Son for nearly thirty years.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nIn this sorrow of the Blessed Virgin, her flight into Egypt, we should\ncall to our mind first of all, the poverty and destitution of the Holy\nFamily in their exile. We would not be her devout and loving children, nor\nwould we be followers of the Lord, unless we showed a sympathy for the\nsufferings endured during this event of Our Lord\u2019s life; unless we\nimpressed them on our minds by pious meditation. This poverty which the\nBlessed Virgin endured was a part of her sorrows, and we, her children,\nwill not forget what she must have felt for Our Lord in these reduced\ncircumstances. Think of the hot winds of the desert, and the thirst they\ncould not quench when, weary and footsore, they travelled on through that\nsandy waste. Another great concern of Mary\u2019s was, that the sins of mankind\nhad deprived God of His glory in the incarnation of His divine Son. Good\nsouls feel this very much, that God is not known and honored as He ought\nto be; still there is no comparison between the feelings of the saints and\nthat of the Blessed Virgin. She lived a divine life, and was intimately\nconcerned in the providence of God, and so felt the ingratitude of man all\nthe more.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nWhat lesson may we draw from this second sorrow of Mary in Egypt? An\nimportant one is this, that sufferings and trials, if they come from God,\nare far better for us than great consolations. To be well convinced of\nthis truth we must be thoroughly imbued with a spirit of faith. Even pious\npeople rebel when they think they suffer without having deserved it. How\nmany, instead of profiting by tribulations, become almost blasphemous in\ntheir murmuring against God! We may be sure that the little troubles sent\nus by God, rightly endured, are better for our spiritual welfare than\nhours of prayer in which the feeling of consolation has a prominent part;\nwho knows whether this luxury which our souls enjoy is not the object that\nwe look for, without regard to our real good or the glory of God?\n\nWe also learn from the flight into Egypt that we must not question the\ndesigns of Providence in our sufferings. Would we find it amiss if God had\nworked miracles so that the Holy Family might at least have comfort? But\nno, He seemed to afflict them without mercy.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nThe third sorrow that our blessed Mother endured was the loss of the Child\nJesus for three days. According to the Law, the Jews living in the\nneighborhood of the holy city had to make a pilgrimage three times a year,\nin order to celebrate the great feasts. They had to go on the feast of the\nPasch, which was instituted to commemorate the deliverance from the\nbondage of Egypt; the second feast was that of the weeks, corresponding to\nour Pentecost, and the third feast was the feast of the tabernacles, where\nthe devout of the nation thanked God for all the mercies shown them during\nthe year. It was at one of these feasts of the Passover, or Pasch, that\nJesus, Mary, and Joseph journeyed to Jerusalem. The Pasch must have been a\nfeast of peculiar significance to the members of the Holy Family, for they\nknew what it really meant to them. There was to come a Pasch at which the\nprincipal actor of the feast would be Jesus, Our Lord. He certainly had\nthat last Passover before His mind, and no doubt St. Joseph was also\ninformed of the future. Mary, certainly, could not be ignorant of that\ngreat event in the future life of her divine Son.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nAs they journeyed on to Jerusalem, that future Passover of the sorrowful\nPassion must have been pictured vividly in their minds. They saw the boy\nof twelve years at their side, and they loved the Saviour of mankind with\na sincere, adoring love; more and more did they love their good Jesus, Who\nwas already making a sacrifice of Himself to His heavenly Father. They\nremained during the days of the feast in the neighborhood of the Temple,\nfulfilling the duties of their religion; and when the time came for their\ndeparture, Mary and Joseph travelled separately, Joseph with the men and\nMary with the women. Mary thought that Jesus was with Joseph, and Joseph\nthought that He was with Mary. They journeyed a whole day without being\naware of His absence; but when evening came and they, on inquiry, found\nthat the Child was not with them, they were overwhelmed with grief. They\nreturned to Jerusalem, and for three days sought Him through the city; at\nlength, on the third day, they went to the Temple, and there they found\nthe divine Child, sitting among the doctors, as the Scriptures say,\nteaching them, and asking them questions.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nDuring the days of His sojourn in Jerusalem, what was the occupation of\nthe Lord? He prayed long and fervently in that Temple, in that Holy of\nholies, in that house which His Father had chosen as His dwelling\u2010place on\nearth. Our Lord\u2019s whole occupation was prayer. He prayed for the people of\nGod, that they might acknowledge Him as the Redeemer of mankind. The\ndoctors of the Law were there, picturing to themselves and to their\naudience the greatness of the coming Messias, from the very Scriptures\nwhich described His humiliations and modesty. Did Our Lord set them right\nby making them explain the discrepancies which they could not help\nnoticing in the prophecies? The modesty of the Lord won all hearts, and so\nHis time passed in the service of God. Mary and Joseph ran with joy to\ntheir beloved Son, and the Mother, embracing Him, remonstrated with Him,\nsaying, \u201cSon, why hast Thou done so to us? Behold, Thy father and I have\nsought Thee, sorrowing.\u201d Then He answered, \u201cDid you not know that I must\nbe about My Father\u2019s business?\u201d He then went home to Nazareth with them,\nthere to continue to do the will of His Father.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nThe sorrow of this event consisted mainly in the fact that Mary and Joseph\nhad lost, perhaps through their own fault, the Child Jesus. They did not\nknow whether it would be according to divine Providence that He would ever\nreturn to them; they thought that perhaps He had gone to the desert, as\nhad St. John. This separation caused Mary terrible agony. It shows us how\nhard it is to lose Jesus, Our Lord, because He is absolutely necessary to\nus. By sin we lose Jesus; by love we regain Him, and the danger that we\nmay again lose Him is enough to make us feel very sad. Mary\u2019s great\nsuffering in this separation makes us understand the magnitude of the evil\nof losing Jesus. But how little do we feel that separation, especially\nwhen it is caused by our sins! It is always our own fault when Jesus goes\naway from us. He would not leave us, only that we force Him from us, and\nthe means we use to conquer God, to make Him capitulate, is sin. To bring\nHim back again we must be active in our search, regret the evil we have\ndone, and weep tears of real sorrow. Thus we invite our friend Jesus back\nagain into our soul.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nLet us now consider the fourth sword of sorrow which pierced the heart of\nMary. No wonder we venerate in Mary a goodness of heart so great. We have\nseen how this noble heart has been moved by the contemplation of the\nfuture sorrows of her Son; how she was so intimately united with Him, that\nshe suffered for our sake as He did. And we know that Our Lord suffered\nand died for no other cause than our redemption. In the fourth sorrow we\ncome closer to the Passion. We are transferred to the time when Jesus,\nafter the Last Supper, was apprehended by the cohort, judged by Pilate,\nand delivered over to the Jews for crucifixion. The cross was laid on His\nbleeding shoulders, and, crushed under its weight, He painfully makes His\nway towards Calvary in company, or rather in a procession of curiosity\u2010\nseekers, of friends and of foes; the object of derision to some, of pity\nto others. On His journey He meets His holy Mother. The cruel soldiers\nallow the meeting, and a temporary rest. A painful scene takes place\nbetween the Mother, and the Son Who is being led to execution.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nMary enjoyed the wonderful grace of being intimately united with Our Lord\nin His sufferings. She was present in spirit when Jesus was in the agony\nin the Garden of Gethsemani. She knew of the betrayal of Judas; she felt\nthe ingratitude of that apostle, and the pain it gave the good Master.\nMary sympathized with Jesus when He was scourged and cruelly treated the\nnight of His Passion. She could count the strokes of the scourges; she saw\nthe soldiers crown Him with thorns and strike Him in the face. She knew\nthat Our Lord was placed before the people that they might look on His\nmiserable condition, and feel compassion for Him; and she heard the voice\nof Pilate, \u201cBehold the man!\u201d She heard the mob demand His death, not\nsatisfied by the tortures inflicted upon Him. Into the depths of her soul\nwent the cry, \u201cCrucify Him, crucify Him! His blood be upon us, and upon\nour children.\u201d St. John, the beloved disciple, came at last to the Blessed\nVirgin, and brought the news of the condemnation of the Lord and of His\nimmediate crucifixion; they went out to meet Him in His painful journey to\nCalvary.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nWe have seen how sufferings of the Lord were communicated to Mary. Mary\u2019s\ntears are mingled with His. Have we no share in them? Are we not to think\nof them, and feel them? We have been the cause of Mary\u2019s sufferings,\nbecause being sinners we brought about the death of Jesus Christ. Should\nwe not then, when we have recognized this fact, make the contemplation a\nsource of shame, repentance, and sorrow? We have been the cause of this\ngrief to Mary, and certainly we should, at least, have a devotion to her\nsorrowful heart. How can we do this better than by performing all our\ndaily actions for the greater glory of God? Every day is a step nearer\neternity, and every day we should meet Jesus, and work with Him. When we\nare in doubt and perplexity Jesus approaches us of His own accord, as He\ndid the disciples on their way to Emmaus. What crosses shall we meet on\nour way each day? We know not. But this we know, that when we meet Jesus,\nwe will meet our cross, for He is bearing His. How many meet the Lord, but\nturn away from Him when they see Him in such a pitiable condition? They\nwould rather be with Him in His joy than in His sorrow.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nThe world is a mystery. Life, death, time, good, evil and miseries, are\nmysteries to us. The crucifix is the solution of them all. It is a\nconsoling contemplation when we are in trouble. When we have sinned it\nbrings tears of repentance to our eyes, and gives us the hope of\nsalvation; it is a source of love; it is a light in darkness; it is a\nsolemn exhortation without words. O blessed cross, cause of the fifth\nsorrow to Mary! help us to have a joy in the cross in this life, that we\nmay be led by it to a happy eternity. The way of the cross is now ended;\nthe summit of Mount Calvary is reached about midday. The city of David is\nclose by and the crown of glory of this city is now to be taken away. But\nthe life of Christ is to crown it by its end, making it a still holier\ncity than it ever has been. The soldiers tear the garments off the body of\nJesus, and prepare for the execution by nailing Him to the cross. Mary\nhears the strokes of the hammer as the nails are driven through His hands\nand feet into the wood. Every stroke is a dreadful wound inflicted on her\nsorrowing heart; who should feel it more than this Mother witnessing the\nexecution of her Son?\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nThe first hour of the three during which the Lord hung on the cross was\npassed in silent endurance; in prayer, in offering the sacrifice of His\nlife for all mankind. Then darkness begins to gather. Mary approaches the\ncross, and stands near the suffering Saviour. The executioners mock Him,\nthey cast lots for His garments; their cruel words and their coarse jokes\nfall on Mary\u2019s ears and fill her soul with pain. Mary was to see and feel\neverything, as well as the Lord. The whole hour passed, and Jesus was\nsilent; the second hour began its martyrdom and we hear the voice of\nChrist, \u201cFather, forgive them, for they know not what they do,\u201d a prayer\nwhich soothed the heart of Mary, for it was the voice of mercy. The third\nhour Jesus began to grow weaker; the loss of blood produced a great\nthirst, and He cried out, \u201cI thirst.\u201d And Mary knew that Jesus thirsted\nfor souls; and that she could help this thirst by her prayers. Thus during\nthose three hours Mary stood beneath the cross; it was the fifth sword of\nsorrow that pierced her soul.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nAt this time Mary became our Mother, for Jesus recommended us to her in\nthe person of St. John; it was His last will and testament; it was the end\nof thirty years\u2019 communication between Mother and Son. Mary, like Jesus,\nhad at heart the salvation of mankind, and now she feels authorized to\nhave an interest in all humanity. She takes all under her protection; new\nsources of inexhaustible love were opened in her heart. Our Lord gave her\nthe grace to love humankind as He loved them. Another circumstance to be\nconsidered in the sword of sorrow which Mary endured beneath the cross was\nher silence. She did not faint, nor cry out in despair. She was perfectly\nresigned to the will of God. What God demanded of her she performed\nwithout a murmur, and so she stood at her sorrowful post, determined to do\nHis holy will as she had done it all her life; the more God asked of her,\nthe more she was willing to give.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nThere is a great lesson in this sorrow of Mary: that we must learn how to\nbear our crosses in this life. We must not throw them away; we must not\ncome down from Calvary until we are crucified, and then we and the cross\nare inseparable. Calvary is a place where much impatience is manifested;\nmany go up well enough, and carry their cross with perseverance, but when\nit comes to lie down on that cross, and be nailed to it, they go away\nagain, forgetting their duty, though it was duty that brought them that\nfar; they are only half\u2010crucified souls. We do not rob them of the merit\nof what they have done, but they might have done more. They have lost\ntheir courage because they did not observe the silence that Jesus\npreserved in His crucifixion; they were too much distracted; silence is\nthe atmosphere of the cross. We shall contemplate two individuals on\nCalvary: Jesus and Mary. They teach us how to die. Jesus would certainly\nhave spared His Mother the scenes of His sufferings unless it were good\nfor her to witness them. She is to be with Jesus in His hour of death; she\nis also to be with us in our last hour. Then we too will thirst, and our\nsoul will yearn for strength, which we will draw from the last sacraments\nand from Mary\u2019s presence.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nWe can never understand the crucifixion unless we study it under Mary\u2019s\nguidance, because she is part of it and it cannot be represented without\nher. Oh, let us have a filial pity for her in her sorrows; let us feel a\nsympathy for her, especially as she stands beneath the cross. Let us pray\nto this sorrowful Mother, and imitate her in the very important lesson\nthere taught: that is, to pray for the poor departing souls. Every moment,\nthroughout the world, several souls pass from this life; it is their last\nopportunity to make their peace with God. Let us have the devotion, which\nis so charitable, to pray for the departing souls and recommend them to\nthe mercy of God. If our prayers may be effective for a special grace in\ntheir regard, why should we not pray with fervor and for the love of God?\nSend Mary to them; she is continually saving souls. We also should be\nzealous to save them by frequently praying to God for this intention.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nThe sixth sorrow in the life of the Blessed Virgin was the taking down of\nOur Lord from the cross. We read in the Scriptures, \u201cThey shall look upon\nHim Whom they have pierced.\u201d Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus boldly, as\nis said, went to Pilate, and demanded the body of Christ, that they might\ngive Him a decent burial. They drew the nails from the wounds of the hands\nand feet of Our Lord, and respectfully took Him down from the cross and\nplaced Him in the arms of Mary. With great respect did these men and their\nservants approach the cross and handle the body. Who can describe their\nfeelings during the pious work in which they were engaged? It was like the\nrespect and adoration we show to the Blessed Sacrament. Each instrument of\nthe Passion, still moist with the blood of Jesus, was laid near the\nsorrowful Mother, who kissed them and preserved them. Who had a better\nright to them? They were the first and holiest relics which the Church\nvenerated. Now the body has been lowered far enough, that St. John may let\nHis head rest on his shoulder. Mary knelt, and stretching out her arms she\nreceived the precious weight of His body on her breast. At last she held\nHim again, Whom as an Infant she had fondled in her arms! O Mary, now thou\nlookest upon the beautiful but disfigured face of thy Jesus!\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nWe must admire in Mary her wonderful steadfastness in her terrible\nsorrows. She might have allowed herself to be so overwhelmed with grief\nand despair that she would break out into shrieks and lamentations to\nrelieve her heart; but she was a silent, kind, sweet sufferer. The saints\nhave always loved the Passion of Our Lord, and have become familiar with\nit. Mary was familiar with it; she had suffered just this very torture,\nlong before receiving the body of her beloved Son in her arms after the\ncrucifixion. She knew it was the will of God, and that was the only thing\nshe regarded. She was resigned to its operations. We too must think of the\nPassion of Our Lord, and meditate upon it until we grow as familiar with\nit, and love it, as did the saints. Why should we do so? Because we have\nsinned, and by sin have caused all these sufferings to Our Lord and to His\nblessed Mother, Mary. She was innocent of the sufferings of her Son; she\nhad never committed a fault. We, who are guilty of sin, ought to do\npenance, ought to suffer, and be resigned to both.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nThe burial of Our Lord was the source of the seventh sorrow of Mary. When\nthe tomb had been prepared, the sheets spread out, and the ointments\nplaced, Joseph, Nicodemus, John, Magdalen, and Mary, the Mother, in the\ndepth of the night wended their way slowly from the height of Calvary, to\nthe burial place of Joseph, which was just outside the walls of the city.\nEverything at the burial proceeded with great care and caution and in\nsilence, the scene lit up by the dim light of a solitary torch. There lay\nthe body, pale in death; the eyes closed, the lips set. All bent down in\nadoration before that adorable body. Joseph, then, with the help of the\nothers, rolled the stone to the mouth of the tomb, and silently went to\nthe city. Mary and John again visited the place of crucifixion, and\ngathered up the nails and crown of thorns; they also, that Friday night,\nwent into the city of Jerusalem. The guard of soldiers sent by Pilate were\nalready at the tomb, and sealed the stone so that the least interference\nmight be detected.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nWhat was particularly sorrowful, in this seventh affliction, was the great\nsense of desertion that Mary felt, as if left by God; her good and\nadorable Son gone from her sight and buried. The days of the Passion, the\ndeath and the burial, must have so exhausted the life of the good Virgin\nthat now she was near giving up the spirit. Every suffering that she had\nto endure seemed to culminate in this supreme moment. It is the last sword\nof Simeon\u2019s prophecy. No one can describe the sufferings of Mary, and no\none can describe the sanctity with which she bore up in all these trials.\nBut, O Simeon, thou didst assert that having seen the Lord, thou wert now\nready to leave this world. But this last sorrow did not announce the end\nto Mary; she was to suffer on for years. There seems to be nothing human\nor frail in Mary\u2019s sufferings. Her character grows upon us, in nobility\nmost exalted, and in patience never wavering. Man shows his feebleness at\nsome time, but Mary seemed to grow stronger, purer, and more beautiful.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nWhat lessons are we to learn from this seventh sorrow of Mary, the\nculmination of all her troubles and trials? One is that we should love God\nand be faithful to Him, with a more unselfish attachment. Mary left the\ntomb in which Our Lord was hidden from her sight without a murmur,\nresigned to the will of God. She might have persuaded herself that she\nshould remain there, but God desired it otherwise, and she departed from\nthe place which held her all. It is hard, but true, that God\u2019s will must\nbe done in everything. Another lesson from the contemplation of the sorrow\ncaused by the separation from Our Lord was the bitterness of the\nseparation. Oh, how bitter it is to be away from Jesus! Is there anything\nto make up for that loss? Terrible is the darkness of the hour when Christ\nis absent. It is a hell upon earth. And thus we have made a history of the\nlife of Mary, and have followed her through her wearisome pain, until now\nwe leave her ripe for heaven. The time has come in which God will call her\nto an eternity of honor and glory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Heart of Mary, I offer, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nExercise in Honor of the Sorrowful Heart of Mary.\n\n\n_V._ Incline unto my aid, O God.\n\n_R._ O Lord, make haste to help me.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n1. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate the grief of thy tender heart at\nthe prophecy of the holy old man Simeon. O beloved Mother, through that\nafflicted heart obtain for me the virtue of humility and the gift of the\nholy fear of God.\n\nHail Mary.\n\n2. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate those afflictions which thy most\nsensitive heart endured during the flight into Egypt and the dwelling\nthere. O beloved Mother, by thy deeply troubled heart obtain for me the\nvirtue of liberality, especially towards the poor, and the true gift of\npiety.\n\nHail Mary.\n\n3. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate that intense distress which thy\nanxious heart experienced in the loss of thy dearest Jesus. O beloved\nMother, by that deeply troubled heart obtain for me the virtue of chastity\nand the gift of knowledge.\n\nHail Mary.\n\n4. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate the consternation which thy\nmaternal heart experienced when thou didst meet Jesus bearing His cross. O\nbeloved Mother, by that deeply troubled heart obtain for me the virtue of\npatience and the gift of fortitude.\n\nHail Mary.\n\n5. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate that martyrdom which thy\ngenerous heart endured in witnessing the last agony of Jesus. O beloved\nMother, by that martyred heart obtain for me the virtue of temperance and\nthe gift of counsel.\n\nHail Mary.\n\n6. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate that wound which thy mournful\nheart endured from the lance which tore the side of Jesus and wounded His\nmost loving Heart. O beloved Mother, by thy pierced heart obtain for me\nthe virtue of fraternal charity and the gift of understanding.\n\nHail Mary.\n\n7. O most sorrowful Mary, I compassionate the convulsion which thy most\nloving heart experienced at the burial of Jesus. O beloved Mother, by this\nextreme grief of thy sacred heart obtain for me the virtue of diligence\nand the gift of wisdom.\n\nHail Mary.\n\n_V._ Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin.\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nGrant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the Blessed Virgin Mary,\nThy Mother, may intercede for us with Thy clemency, now and at the hour of\nour death, who at the hour of Thy Passion was pierced in her most holy\nsoul by the sword of sorrow; grant this, O Jesus Christ, Saviour of the\nworld, Who, with the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, world\nwithout end. Amen.\n\n\n    A perpetual indulgence of three hundred days, applicable to the\n    dead, to all Christians every time they shall recite the above\n    exercise in honor of the sorrowful heart of the most holy Virgin.\n\n\n\n\nRosary or Chaplet of the Seven Dolors.\n\n\nAct Of Contrition.\n\nO my Lord, Thou Who alone art most worthy of my love, behold me standing\nbefore Thy divine presence utterly overwhelmed by the many grievous\ninjuries I have done Thee. I ask Thy pardon for them with my whole heart,\nrepenting of them purely for love of Thee, and, at the thought of Thy\ngreat goodness, hating and loathing them above all other evils of this\nlife. As I would rather have died a thousand times than have offended\nThee, so now I am most firmly resolved to lose my life rather than offend\nThee again. My crucified Jesus, I firmly purpose to cleanse my soul as\nsoon as possible by Thy most precious blood in the Sacrament of Penance.\nAnd thou, most tender Virgin, Mother of mercy and Refuge of sinners, do\nthou obtain for me the pardon of sin by virtue of thy bitter pains; whilst\npraying according to the mind of so many holy Pontiffs in order to obtain\nthe indulgences granted to this, thy holy Rosary, I hope thereby to obtain\nremission of all pains due to my sins. Amen.\n\nFirst Dolor: The prophecy of Simeon. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.\n\nSecond Dolor: The flight into Egypt. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.\n\nThird Dolor: The loss of Jesus. One Our Father and seven Hail Marys.\n\nFourth Dolor: Her meeting Jesus carrying His cross. One Our Father and\nseven Hail Marys.\n\nFifth Dolor: Her standing beneath the cross on Calvary. One Our Father and\nseven Hail Marys.\n\nSixth Dolor: Her receiving on her lap the sacred body of Jesus. One Our\nFather and seven Hail Marys.\n\nSeventh Dolor: Her witnessing the burial of the sacred body of Her Son.\nOne Our Father and seven Hail Marys.\n\nIn honor of the tears shed by Our Lady in these dolors, three Hail Marys.\n\n_V._ Pray for us, O most sorrowful Virgin.\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nGrant, we beseech Thee, O Lord Jesus Christ, that the Blessed Virgin, Thy\nMother, may intercede for us with Thy clemency, now and at the hour of our\ndeath, who in the hour of Thy Passion was pierced in her most holy soul by\nthe sword of sorrow; grant this, O Jesus Christ, Saviour of the world, who\nwith the Father and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, world without\nend. Amen.\n\n\n\n\n\nOCTOBER. THE ANGELS.\n\n\nBoth in the Old and in the New Testaments the Holy Scriptures teach us\nthat the angels exist and protect us: many examples are cited and facts\nrelated, from which we may conclude that this is so. True, we do not see\nthe angels, and rare are the actual manifestations of their power, or\ntheir existence; hence some people deny that order of spirits.\n\nBut by a merciful dispensation of divine Providence, we know that the\nangels are active among us, that they shield us from evil, and draw\nheavenly favors upon us. They are ever ready to serve God; there are also\nspirits who care for each individual on earth\u2014guardian angels.\n\nSuarez is of opinion that Our Lord, in His adorable humanity, had a number\nof angels to wait on Him. Our guardian angel does his work not less\neffectively, for Our Lord tells us to be in dread of scandalizing a child,\nbecause of his angel who is always at his side.\n\nAt the time of the birth of Our Lord a multitude of the heavenly choir\nsang, \u201cGlory to God on high, and peace to men of good\u2010will.\u201d During this\nmonth we celebrate the feast of the angel guardian; it has been considered\nso important that the whole month is set aside to the devotion of the\nangels. The Church encourages us in this devotion, for in the breviary she\nhas authorized a votive office in honor of these heavenly spirits, on\nevery Monday when there is no special festival to be celebrated, so that\nwe may be continually reminded of the great truth that our guardian angel\nis always at our side.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nThe name angel means a messenger; this name is given to these spirits\nbecause they have been used by almighty God for that duty; they have been\nsent by God to disclose His will to man. God could, of course, do His will\nby His own power. He needs no angel, but for that matter He needs no\ncreature. Still, in His infinite kindness, He called rational creatures\ninto existence, and has given them a most honorable employment. Their\nordinary work is like what our own will be, or like that of the saints now\nin heaven: \u201cto see, love, bless, and enjoy God forever by a blessed\nimmortality.\u201d Penetrate, then, in your mind, the eternity of time, when\nGod in His love created pure rational creatures, who had a spirit like His\nown, intelligence unencumbered with a body, and having no necessities. He\nplaced them near His throne in heaven, and now they announce in their\ncelestial adornments the omnipotence, love, and wisdom of their almighty\nCreator. They sing perpetually of the sanctity of God, and render Him\nglory. \u201cHoly, holy, holy, is the Lord God of armies.\u201d Hence the Council of\nLateran teaches authoritatively, \u201cGod created together, at the beginning\nof time, out of nothing, both classes of creatures, spiritual and\ncorporal, the angelic and material, and then the human.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, my guardian dear,\nTo whom His love commits me here.\nEver this day be at my side,\nTo light, to guard, to rule, and guide.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nGod, says the great preacher Bossuet, wished to create spirits like\nHimself, pure and immaterial, living by intelligence and love. Spirits\nthat would know and love Him as He knows Himself and loves Himself, and\nwho would be happy in simply knowing and loving this first great Being.\nFor that very reason they bear on their natures a divine character, after\nGod\u2019s image and likeness. O God, who can doubt that Thou could create\nspirits without a body? or is there need of a body that one might\nunderstand, love and be happy? Thou, O God, Who art Thyself a pure spirit,\nart Thou not incorporal and immaterial? Are not intelligence and love\nspiritual and immaterial operations, which can be exercised without a\nbody? The creation of the angels, then, was a manifestation of God\u2019s\nomnipotence, as it is also omnipotence to call human individuals into\nexistence, and to give them knowledge, so that they can serve and glorify\nGod.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nThe angels are part of the universal creation outside of God, and were\ncreated in the beginning of time. St. Thomas, the great theologian, says\n\u201cThe angels are a part of the universal creation, and form a regular grade\nin that creation.\u201d Now no part can be perfect when separated from its\nbelongings, and we are sure God\u2019s works are perfect; but the angelic world\nwould have stood by itself, separated and isolated from the rest of\ncreation, if it had been made before the sensible world. The number of\nangels is very great. God did not stint Himself in giving lavishly of His\nbenefits. These pure spirits inhabit space, and move about in choirs of\nimmense numbers. \u201cThousands upon thousands ministered to Him, and ten\nthousand times a hundred thousand stood before Him.\u201d\u2014Dan. vii. 10. These\nfigures certainly point to an almost infinite number. Count if you can the\nsands on the seashore, the stars in the firmament, and when you think you\nhave reached a definite calculation, you are far below the real existing\nnumber. God pours out lavishly the abundance of His omnipotence and love.\nProdigality is a characteristic of all the divine works. We cannot\nmeditate on the countless multitude of the angels without astonishment.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nGod has not made all the angels alike. We know from the Scriptures that\nthere are distinctions which we do not exactly understand. Some are\nangels, others archangels, others dominations, virtues, etc. St. Jerome\nwrites, \u201cAmong the invisible creatures there is a manifold and an\nindefinite diversity.\u201d It is natural to suppose that not only did God\nexert His omnipotence in the production of myriads of beautiful spirits,\nnot only did He make them the most perfect of their kind for the purpose\nfor which they were intended, but that He also diversified them. God\nalmighty not only gave these intellectual beings existence, but He also\ngave them a knowledge by which, with their own intelligence, they could\nrise to a most exalted contemplation of His infinity. What glory do not\nthese intelligent beings bring to God\u2019s throne! What beautiful homage do\nthey not pour forth in His presence! What exultation there must be in\ntheir study of God, constantly discovering something new and unnoticed,\ngoing deeper and deeper into the depths of the wonders of God! Let us also\nrejoice with the angels, and love to study the adorable perfections of\nGod: let us be fond of reading of and hearing about God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nThe angels speak to one another, and their conversation is concerning holy\nthings. The Scriptures tell us that the seraphim cry \u201cone to another,\nHoly, holy, holy, the Lord God of hosts.\u201d\u2014Isa. vi. 3. The angels also\nspeak to God in prayer and adoration; they praise His power, they extol\nHis majesty, they beseech His clemency, they consult His wisdom. And they\ncan also speak to men, as the archangel Gabriel did to Mary. Faber tells\nus, in wonderful words, what he thought of the power of the angels: \u201cCast\nyour eye over that outspread ocean, whose shores lie so faintly and far\noff in the almost infinite distance. It gleams like restless silver,\nquivering with life, and yet such multitudinous life! It flashes the light\nwith intolerable magnificence. Its unity is numberless, its life is purest\nlight. Into the bosom of its vastness the glory of God shines down, and\nthe universe is illuminated with its refulgence. It is an ocean of life.\nWho can count the sum of being that is there? Who but God can fathom its\nunsearchable caverns? What created eye but is dazzled with the blazing\nsplendor of its capacious surface? Grand storms of voiceless praise hang\nover it forever, whose very silence thrills the soul of the human saints.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nThe power of the angels is immense. The Scriptures tell us that they\ndestroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, by raining fire and brimstone upon them.\nThey destroyed the army of Sennacherib, when every soldier felt the keen\nedge of the angel\u2019s sword; they strangled the first\u2010born of the Egyptian\npeople in one night. The devil, by permission from God, raised storms that\ntore down the houses in which Job\u2019s sons and daughters were feasting,\nburying all in the ruins. He afflicted Job with a most filthy disease, and\nrobbed him of all his possessions to try to make him revolt against God.\nWhen Our Lord freed those who were possessed by the devil, the evil spirit\nasked to be permitted to enter a herd of swine, and when it had received\nthe permission the swine rushed headlong down the hill into the sea and\nwere destroyed. If then, the power of these spirits is so great for evil,\nthe angels are more powerful for good. We will be friends with our good\nangels whom God has sent to perform favors for us\u2014favors both temporal and\nspiritual; we will hate the devil, and with the help of God\u2019s grace resist\nhis power.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nThe angelic world is most beautiful. St. Augustine says in his \u201cCity of\nGod,\u201d \u201cThe angelic world in its natural dignity surpasses all other things\nthe Lord has made. Consider this intelligence by which they know so many\nthings so perfectly, the great power by which they can do good to their\nfellow\u2010creatures, the brightness of those wonderful spirits shining like\nthe glorious luminaries of our universe, the wonderful gifts which\nalmighty God furnished them, and we have a picture of such harmonious\nglory that all the beauty of the world, all the magnificent actions of the\nhuman kind, dwindle into insignificance before this great creation of\nangelic spirits.\u201d In Ezechiel we read of the admirable beauty of the devil\nthat had fallen: \u201cThou wast the seal of resemblance, full of wisdom, and\nperfect in beauty. Thou wast in the pleasures of the paradise of God:\nevery precious stone was thy covering ... gold the work of thy beauty: ...\nThou wast a cherub stretching out thy wings and covering, and I set thee\nin the holy mountain of God, thou hast walked in the midst of the stones\nof fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day of thy creation, until\niniquity was found in thee.\u201d\u2014Ezech. 12\u201015. And Isaias the prophet\nexclaimed with regret at the fall of Lucifer, \u201cHow art thou fallen from\nheaven, O Lucifer, who didst arise as the morning.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nFaber speaks in the following terms of the rational creatures of God,\nincluding men and angels: \u201cGod became a King by becoming a Creator. Thus\nHe gained an empire over which His insatiable love might rule.\u201d Nature is\nvery beautiful, whether we think of angelic or human nature. Created\nnature is a shadow of the uncreated nature, so real and so bright that we\ncannot think of it without exceeding reverence. Yet God created neither\nmen nor angels in a state of nature. This is, to my mind, the most\nwonderful and most suggestive thing which we know about God. He would have\nno reasonable nature, even from the very first, which should not be\npartaker of His divine nature. This is the very meaning of the state of\ngrace. He would not have it to breathe for one instant in a merely natural\nway. The very act of creation was full of fondness, of paternal jealousy.\nO that majesty of God, which seems clothed with such wonderful\ntranquillity in the eternity before the creation!\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth day.\n\n\nNot only do the angels praise almighty God, pray to Him, and converse with\nHim, but they do it much more effectually than we do because of their\ngreater purity, and because they know God better than we do. Hence the\nquestion might be asked, what do the angels know of God, and of religion\nas it is among us? The answer is that they know what we know, and much\nmore; still there are some things too great because too infinite, even for\nthe intelligence of angels. Can the angels understand God? No, indeed. God\nis infinite, and no finite mind can comprehend Him. They know that God is\none, because even we, in our inferior intelligence, know that there can be\nbut one God; they know too, that there are three divine persons, but it\nwill ever remain a mystery to them as well as to us, because it is a truth\nof such infinite dimensions; but they understand it much more distinctly\nthan we do. It is probable that the angels knew the mystery of the\nincarnation by divine revelation, and they believed in it. St. Thomas and\nother theologians are of opinion that the bad angels fell because they\nwould not submit to the belief in the hypostatic union. It was therefore\nfitting, for the glory and honor of the Son of God, Who was to be made\nflesh, that the angels should know this mystery.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nFather Faber speaks thus of their knowledge of the precious blood during\ntheir term of probation: \u201cThe angels wonder more than man at the goodness\nof God in sending us His divine Son to die for us, because they understand\nit better. From the very first He invited the angels to adore it. He made\ntheir adoration a double exercise of humility\u2014of humility towards Himself,\nand of humility towards us, their fellow\u2010creatures. It was the test to\nwhich He put their loyalty. He showed them His beloved Son, the Second\nPerson of the Blessed Trinity, in His sacred humanity, united to a nature\nlower than theirs, and in that lower nature crowned their King and Head,\nto be worshipped by them with absolute and unconditional adoration. The\nSon of a human Mother was to be their head, and that daughter of Eve to be\nherself their Queen. He showed them in that blood the source of all their\ngraces.\u201d The precious blood was as the dew of the whole kingdom of the\nangels. Well, then, may the angels claim to sing the song of the Lamb: to\nWhose outpoured human life they also owed so much.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nThe angels merited the crown of a happy eternity in union with God: \u201cFor\nhe also, that striveth for the mastery, is not crowned except he striveth\nlawfully.\u201d\u2014Tim. ii. 5. Such is the law of God, not only for men but for\nangels also. Pope Gelasius says, \u201cThat the angels were so constituted as\nto merit an increase of eternal glory, is sufficiently indicated by the\nfact that they stood in need of nothing more, that none of them could have\ncommitted evil.\u201d And St. Prosper says of their trial, \u201cIt was the action\nof the will of the holy angels, that while their companions with their own\nfree will rebelled, they themselves remained faithful in the dignity\nwherein God had placed them; and hence it came to pass by a divine and\nmost just judgment, that what was only up to that a holy desire of\nremaining with God, became thereafter a voluntary and a most blessed\nnecessity of remaining with Him forever.\u201d We too should strive continually\nto merit our crown in heaven; we are placed on trial here on this earth, a\nplace of pilgrimage, and we should remain faithful to the conditions of\nthat trial until our journey is over.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nAlmighty God loved His angels, and made them His friends and favorites.\nThe Blessed Virgin is placed above them all, as the Church on the day of\nher assumption proclaims: \u201cShe is exalted above the choirs of angels in\nthe heavenly kingdom.\u201d Here we have to adore the liberality of almighty\nGod, and the mysterious and adorable way in which He distributes His\ngifts. He fashions the angels in a natural order, and endows them with\ngreater natural perfections than others. Next He raises them in the first\ninstant of creation to the supernatural order by the gift of sanctifying\ngrace. Then comes the time of probation, and He confirms the good forever\nin glory, bestows on them the beatific vision, happiness, enlightenment,\nand splendor according to their acts, but still more in proportion to the\nnatural powers, dignity, and excellence of His own divine hand. Here\nindeed is the potter and the potter\u2019s clay spoken of by St. Paul. To man\nGod acts differently: \u201cBut the foolish things of the world hath God chosen\nthat He may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God\nchosen, that He may confound the strong ... that no flesh should glory in\nHis sight.\u201d\u20142 Cor. i. 27\u201029.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nOh, what a glory, what a happiness and consolation, were granted to the\nangels when they had done the will of God! God received His faithful\nfollowers with goodness and love, and introduced them into His place of\nglory, and there He manifested Himself to them and will do so for all\neternity. And so the beautiful life of the angels in heaven may furnish us\nwith ample materials for meditation. Our Lord calls our attention to them\nwhen He bids us pray that we may do His will on earth, as do the angels in\nheaven. Faber says, \u201cGrace is a better portion than nature for loving God;\nby grace God can communicate Himself to us supernaturally, by it He gets\nmore love from us, and makes us more able to love Him. O that we had the\nhearts to know the meaning of this! Surely His love of us should be our\nmeasure of love for Him. Well might St. Francis run about the woods crying\nout, \u2018Oh, God is not known! God is not loved!\u2019 \u201d The angels will ever\nremain in heaven, loving and honoring God, in supreme happiness, in the\ninfinite light of God Himself. Let us also, as some saints have done,\noffer to God the love of the first choir of seraphim in reparation for all\nthe outrages going on in the world.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nWe have seen the great reward the good angels received for remaining\nfaithful to God. What did the bad angels lose by their infidelity? It was\nto them a final impenitence, which means the loss of the power of ever\nturning to God; which will in its turn be an eternal regret at the loss of\nGod. Listen to the sentence of the reprobate: \u201cDepart from Me, ye\naccursed, into everlasting flames, which was prepared for Satan and his\nangels.\u201d In Holy Scripture we often read of the worm that gnaws and dies\nnot; by this is meant the continual anguish and grief of a soul which has\nlost God\u2014a passionate regret that will seize on it, and never leave it,\nbecause the loss is an everlasting one. God spoke, and the depths of hell\nsprang into existence. Bossuet says that the curse of God against the\nreprobate contains within itself an imprecation against the unhappy soul,\nwhich tears out from the minutest fibres of its being all the capacity it\nonce had to receive enjoyment from bliss, as well as the power to perform\nthe least good action capable of meriting any mercy. This example of the\nfall of the angels should strike terror into our hearts, and should incite\nus to pray to the good angels, especially to our guardian angel, so that\nwe may ever remain faithful to the service of God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nIt is an inexhaustible subject, the marvels which theology teaches of the\nholy angels; who can properly describe the power of these pure spirits,\nthe greatness of their intelligence, the fire of their holy love? Their\ngraces, their powers, their gifts, their operations, their works, are so\ndiversified that it is with difficulty the mind of man can conceive them\nand intelligibly speak of them. In several places in the Scriptures we\nread of the choirs of angels, archangels, principalities, powers, virtues,\ndominations, thrones, cherubim, seraphim. Dionysius teaches that there are\nthree orders of angels\u2014three superior, three inferior and three middle:\nthe superior, cherubim, seraphim, and thrones; the middle, dominations,\nprincipalities, and powers; the inferior, virtues, archangels and angels.\nThese names are given to them, not for their own sake but for ours; and\nthe individual orders are called from the gifts of grace which they\npossess. O that we realized that our future eternity is to be with the\nangels in heaven; that our glory depends on our life here; greater glory\nfor greater work! We should strive to deserve a great place in heaven for\nthe glory of God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nThe angels are engaged in praising and loving God; what this really\nincludes who can tell?\u2014or it means a variety of occupation and the\ngreatest liberty of using their free will for the glory of God. The angels\noccupy themselves according to the meaning of their names. God, in His\nrelations to Himself, is represented by seraphim, cherubim and\nthrones\u2014angels that are devoted to His service particularly; who rejoice\nnot so much in doing their own will, as they are happy in the close\nassociation with the splendor of God in heaven. A seraph is a great, pure\nangel, who shines and burns in honor of God. He represents the love of\nGod; that great love for His creatures which is forever active in our\nbehalf. The seraphs are put in the highest place, as created\nrepresentations of that wonderful attribute, the charity of God for\nHimself. The cherubim are placed second; they represent knowledge and\nwisdom: \u201cHe was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh\ninto this world.\u201d This is Jesus, the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity,\nrepresented by the cherubim. The thrones represent God in His majesty,\nsitting on His throne of glory in heaven.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nThus we may say that the seraphim represents the Holy Ghost; the cherubim,\nthe Word, the Son of God; the thrones, the Father. These choirs of angels\nare in the immediate presence of God. They are before His throne, and they\nsee Him day and night in His temple: \u201cand He that sitteth on the throne\nshall dwell over them.\u201d M. Olier says: \u201cThe seraphim proceed from God, as\nflames proceed from a furnace, and their circle surround Him as with a\nfiery blaze.\u201d The cherubim are the rays of the divine wisdom, and are, so\nto say, the eyes of God, under which He seems to regard Himself, and all\nthe external world. The thrones are the image of His sanctity. This\nhierarchy expresses the three great perfections which we adore in God,\nnamely: His love, His knowledge, and His holiness. These typify also those\nbeautiful operations of grace whereby God draws to Himself intelligent\nbeings; by detaching them from creatures and attaching them to Himself,\nenlightening them interiorly by His heavenly wisdom, so that they freely\nfollow the guidance of God, and making His throne in their hearts, in\ntheir affections, abides there forever.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nLet us consider to\u2010day the angels of the second choir. They are the\ndominations, principalities and powers. Again their names are given to\nthem for the virtues they represent, and not from their angelic nature.\nThe three choirs of the first hierarchy were typical of the essential acts\nof God. The three of the second represent the external acts of God. The\ndominations represent the power of God. He is the absolute Lord of the\nuniverse; He is the Creator, the Maker, and therefore the possessor of all\nthat is. The principalities govern the world, under God, and according to\nHis divine providence. \u201cBy Me kings reign, and lawgivers decree just\nthings.\u201d Hence the duty of this choir of angels is to praise God for the\nwisdom displayed in His ruling and legislating of the external creation.\nThe angels of power put the laws of God into execution. They reward and\npunish; they are the representatives of executive power. They praise God\nin the power manifested in the carrying out of the laws impressed on the\nmaterial and spiritual world. Should we not learn from these angels to\npraise the Almighty in all He has done?\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nThe third choir of the hierarchy of the angels are the virtues,\narchangels, and angels. The virtues are the first of these, and represent\nthe acts of God towards individuals. Those works of God which surpass the\npower of man, such as miracles, or inward movements of grace, are\nperformed by the virtues of the Most High; they hold an intermediate\nstation between heaven and earth. Archangels are the great messengers,\nwhom God has sent to His intelligent creation. The name is given because\nthe goodness and kindness of God have distinguished them from the myriads\nof other angels, and given them an office, that of bearing to men the\nwords of God; they also carry the prayers of the faithful on earth, and\nlay them before God\u2019s throne in heaven; and they are sent to conduct souls\nto the portals of heavenly bliss. The archangels have the duty of\nprotecting the Church; those who occupy high positions in the Church or\nState are said to be under the guidance of an archangel. In this manner\nthe higher grade of archangels represents the higher degree of providence\nshown by God towards individuals. Let us unite ourselves with the choir of\nthe archangels and praise God in them\u2014those glorious spirits, that have so\nperfectly conveyed God\u2019s messages to men.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nIt is a belief which we may prove from the Scriptures, which is\ncorroborated by many facts in the history of the world, and by the belief\nof ancient people, that God governs the world, even the natural world,\nthrough the agency of spirits; to each of whom He was pleased to depute\ncertain offices. He made use of the good angels to maintain order in\ngeneral, to watch over empires, to protect men, to carry His blessings to\nthem, and to be the executives of His justice. Everywhere Scripture\nrecalls this wonderful ministry of the angels; and there is not an epoch\nof time in which such a tradition did not exist. We read in the Gospel\nthat Our Lord Himself was tempted by the devil, the fallen angel. Our\nblessed Lord teaches us that little children are dearer to Him than they\nare to their own mothers, and He has appointed angels to be their\nguardians. So great is a human soul in the eyes of God. We have to\nstruggle not alone against flesh and blood, but against principalities and\npowers, against those who have dominion in this world, and against evil\nspirits scattered in the air. But in this struggle we shall be assisted by\nthe good spirits, whom God commissions to look after His beloved\ncreatures.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nIn the book of the Apocalypse, we read of the activity of the angels. We\nsee them coming from heaven to earth; they bring down from almighty God\norders for salvation as well as for punishment; hence the angels are\ncalled ministering spirits, sent for the ministry of our salvation.\nEspecially may we conceive that in the service of the Church the angels\nare particularly active\u2014that there are angels who intervene in the\noblation, and bear it to the sublime altar of Jesus Christ, angels who are\ncalled angels of prayer, and who present before God the petitions of the\nfaithful. St. Michael is the defender of the Church. The ancient Jewish\npeople were protected by St. Michael, also. Other nations had their\nsuperior spirits, which are mentioned in the Scriptures as protectors; for\nthe prophet Daniel speaks of the prince of the Greeks, the prince of the\nPersians, angels who preside spiritually and invisibly over these nations.\nAre we not also important as a nation, in the designs of God? Whom has God\nappointed over the affairs of our country? We know there is such a spirit;\nlet us pray to him even without knowing him, for we are sure that our\nprayers will reach the one appointed by God to protect us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nTo each man an angel is appointed for his care: this we can prove from the\nScriptures. \u201cTheir angels in heaven always see the face of My Father Who\nis in heaven.\u201d\u2014Matt. xviii. 10. St. Paul says, \u201cAre they not all\nministering spirits, sent to minister for them, who shall receive the\ninheritance of salvation?\u201d\u2014Heb. i. 14. Fallen man needed some help, and\nalmighty God entrusted him to the care of the angels. Even God\u2019s power,\nGod\u2019s wisdom, and God\u2019s mercy demand it. First of all, the power of God\ndemanded that the angels should not only serve Him, but serve His glory in\nHis creatures. God\u2019s wisdom demanded that each human being coming into the\nworld should receive a guardian; for the devil has great power over us,\nand we would not be able to battle against the devil or the flesh without\nhelp. God desires to preserve His work: hence God\u2019s mercy moves Him in\nfavor of the fallen or those in danger of a fall, like unto a mother full\nof tenderness for her children. God gave His only Son for the redemption\nof mankind; precious, indeed, then, is this human soul, if worthy to be\npurchased by the blood of the Lamb; certainly precious enough, too, to be\nguarded with care by a superior intelligence.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nNot only the just, but also sinners, have guardian angels. Indeed it would\nappear that sinners and infidels need them more, for the sinner is so\nwayward, and yet God in His kindness wishes to bring him back to good\nways, and so the gentle persuasion of a guiding spirit is necessary. The\nScriptures do not limit the attendance of the guardian angels to those\nonly who are in a state of grace; therefore it is likely that even after\nsin the ministering angel remains. While we are good we hardly need the\npresence of a good spirit; it is when we have turned to evil that we need\nthat precious guide. The belief that a guardian angel attends us ought to\nimpress itself deeply on our minds; we are never alone, we are taken care\nof by the ministers of God Our Father, and we have nothing to fear. Even\nthough the world has turned against us, and we are surrounded by trouble\non all sides, we are sure that this angel will bring comfort to us.\nChildren should be taught from their early childhood that a guardian angel\nattends them; it will have a very good effect in shaping their lives.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nThe guardian angels have certain duties to perform, and we can put them\ndown in this wise. First, the angel guardian defends us from all evil. He\ncan put thoughts into our minds which will put us on our guard against\nsin. Second, the angels oppose the cunning of the devil, who wants to\ndestroy us. The devil argues in a very crafty manner, and unless we are\nstrengthened by the love and the goodness of God we would be led astray by\nthe devil\u2019s superior intelligence. But our guardian angel brings light to\nthe mind, and holds the soul in the desire of good. Third, they offer our\nprayers to almighty God, as we read in the Apocalypse, \u201cThere was given to\n[the angel] much incense, ... and the smoke of the incense of the prayers\nof the saints, ascended up before God, from the hand of the angel.\u201d Our\nangel intercedes for us with God with a personal and special interest, and\nwe, on account of our great sinfulness, need an angel to help us to obtain\ngrace and mercy from almighty God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nWe do most assuredly deserve punishment from God, because we do not behave\nourselves as we should; like a naughty child, who, notwithstanding good\nadvice and most tender interest, will go wrong, be obstinate and sulky.\nThe good mother chastises the child in the same manner the spirit of God\nshows his disapprobation, in a gentle manner, for the angel of light would\nnot resort to force, as the demon does in his attacks. We ought to be glad\nthat we have a spirit of wisdom about us that will tell us of our sins;\nthat excites the qualms of conscience, and will give us no rest until we\nmake our peace with God. We often turn a deaf ear to the entreaties of the\ngood spirit; we trample our conscience under foot and abuse it, bring up\nreasons to combat its correction: we argue with ourselves in obstinacy,\nand being left alone, who will gain the victory? The devil and our evil\ninclinations will gain the day assuredly. Docility to the interior voice\nis a necessary quality for a good life; to listen to God and spiritual\ninfluences ought to be, to say the least, the very natural consequence of\na rational soul, tending to God with all its power.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nThe influence of the angels in bringing us to heaven should be marvellous\nfor that purpose. They have been assigned to our service, to bring our\nwandering spirits back to God. What a glorious conquest when an angel can\nsnatch a soul from eternal perdition by his prayers and exertions! If the\ndevil is active to gain us, would it not be against reason that the good\nangel would stand back and remain inactive? The last hours of a man, his\njudgment, and entrance into heaven, are the moments of the great and final\nduties of the guardian spirits; and if the soul be detained in purgatory,\nthen the duty of the angel will be to offer the prayers of friends,\nrelatives and of the Church to almighty God for the good of that soul. And\nperhaps by the kind possibility of the mercy of God, the angel will\ndescend into the fires of purgatory and will speak consoling, comforting,\nand encouraging words to the soul whose greatest torment is the separation\nfrom God for a time, until its purgation is complete.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God. etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nSt. Bonaventure has written extensively on the holy angels, and has\nmeditated on their ways. It was a useful practice to him and helped to\nsanctify him. He gives us twelve effects consequent to the duty of taking\ncare of us, which these angel guardians manifest and perform. First, they\naccuse of sin, as we read in Judges ii. 1. Second, they absolve from the\ndebt of sin by inspiring sorrow in the soul, and a firm purpose of\namendment. Third, they remove the obstacles that stand in the way of doing\ngood; for the angels strangled the first\u2010born of the Egyptians, who\nopposed the going away of the Israelites. Fourth, they drive away demons,\nas is related in the twelfth chapter, of Tobias. Fifth, they teach us in\nmatters of religion. Sixth, they reveal the secrets of God to us. \u201cCan I\nhide from Abraham what I am about to do?\u201d\u2014Gen. xviii. 17. Seventh, they\nconsole us. Eighth, they strengthen us in the way of God. Ninth, they\nconvey and bring back, as we read in Tobias, \u201cI will conduct him thither\nand bring him back to thee.\u201d Tenth, they overthrow our enemies.\u2014Is.\nxxxvii. Eleventh, they mitigate the violence of temptations. Twelfth, they\npray for us, and bear our prayers to God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nDuring this month we have thought of the nature of the angels, and their\nwork for human kind; now let us reflect on what we ought to do in return\nfor these attentions. Ought we let them pass, accept them as a matter of\ncourse, and pay no attention to them? Many do this. Yet we owe them\nsomething\u2014how much, is left almost to our own generosity. We certainly owe\nthem friendship; they are our friends, and are solicitous for our welfare.\nIf I have a friend that does a great deal for me, supplies my wants, and\nsatisfies every wish of mine, I am certainly proud of his friendship, and\nI will seek every opportunity to be in his company. So should we treat our\ntruest friends\u2014our guardian angels. We should also reverence the angels,\nbecause they are greater beings than we are; they are the favorites and\nfriends of God. Then we must have a devotion to them. This devotion we are\nendeavoring to practice during the month of October.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nWhat goodness does not God evince in giving us angels to watch over us!\nThe princes of earth choose the most learned to train the heirs to the\ncrown; and God gives us guides full of wisdom, science, and purity. He has\ndeputed the princes of His court to watch over us. What high ideas we\nshould conceive of our dignity, then, and how we should realize that we\nare called to great sanctity! Even a mother\u2019s love cannot equal the\nangels\u2019, and when we go to heaven we will be astonished on reviewing their\nservices. St. Bernard exclaims, \u201cO excess of goodness and love! O\nadmirable condescension! He has given His angels charge over us.\u201d The\ngreat God of heaven and earth has sent those elevated dignitaries of His\nheavenly court to watch over us, poor miserable sinners. Why does He do\nthis? What can be His object in so caring for us? It is to His goodness\nalone we owe all. Let us prove ourselves grateful, then, to Him and to His\nholy angels, and may we one day join them in their songs of praise and\ngladness!\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nSt. Bernard teaches that we ought to honor and respect our angels on\naccount of their excellence; to love them for their care of us, and to\nhave recourse to them in all our necessities. However weak or miserable we\nmay be, or however terrible the dangers that surround us, we should not\nfear under the protection of such guardians. There is no better way of\nsecuring the protection of the angels than by avoiding all sin, but\nparticularly mortal sin; for when we are at enmity with God they are ready\nto exterminate us at His command. But they will ever prove faithful\nfriends to the servants of God. How can the angels help loving and aiding\nthose whom they know are dear to God? Our guardian angels often ward off\naccidents that would cut us off unprepared; after interceding for us to\nprevent God from calling us out of life, they try to make us bring forth\nworthy fruits of penance. O holy angels, I entreat you to extend your\nspecial care to me during the rest of my life, that I may live in God\u2019s\nfriendship and die in His love.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nWhen the figure of this world shall have passed away, the angels will come\nand call us to judgment; every human being will then rise again, and\nhasten to the valley of Jehosaphat. The good will go to the right side,\nthe wicked to the left, the separation made by the angels. Then will the\nLord appear in the glory of heaven, surrounded by His angels, and the\njudgment will take place. Happy shall we be if we are judged to be as pure\nas the angels, and will ascend with them to paradise, ever to be\nassociated with them. Then will come our exceeding great reward; we shall\nsee God face to face for all eternity. We shall form choirs for the praise\nof the Almighty, alternating with the angels. We shall know God, love Him,\nrejoice in Him, and praise Him. Then, for the first time, we shall love\nGod above all things, our joy shall be without measure because we shall\nhave a particular joy for everything that is in God. We will praise God\nwith all our heart, with all our strength, with all our power, with all\nour faculties. \u201cHappy are they that live in Thy house, O Lord, for they\nwill praise Thee forever and ever.\u201d Here youth never grows old; here there\nis life that knows no end, beauty that never fades, love that never cools,\njoy that never ceases. Let us then, while on earth, lead the life of\nangels, be as pure as they, as obedient to God\u2019s will as they, and pray to\nthem daily that they help us to this much\u2010desired perfection.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO angel of God, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Holy Guardian Angel.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Lord, have mercy on us._\nChrist, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nGod the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us_.\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us_.\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us_.\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us_.\nHoly Mary, Queen of angels, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my guardian, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my prince, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my monitor, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my counsellor, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my defender, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my steward, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my friend, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my negotiator, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my intercessor, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my patron, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my director, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my ruler, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my protector, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my comforter, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my teacher, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my shepherd, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my witness, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my helper, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my watcher, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my conductor, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my preserver, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my instructor, _Pray for us._\nHoly Angel, my enlightener, _Pray for us._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Lord!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O\n            Lord!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us, O\n            Lord!_\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\n\n_V._ Pray for us, O holy guardian angel,\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nAlmighty, everlasting God, Who in the counsel of Thy ineffable goodness\nhast appointed to all the faithful from their mother\u2019s womb, a special\nguardian angel of their body and soul; grant that I may love and honor him\nwhom Thou hast so mercifully given me, that protected by the bounty of Thy\ngrace, and by his assistance, I may merit to behold, with him and all the\nangelic host, the glory of Thy countenance in the heavenly country. Who\nlivest and reignest world without end. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nSpecial Prayers.\n\n\n\nPrayer To The Guardian Angel.\n\n\nAngel of God, who art my guardian, enlighten, guard, direct, and govern\nme, who have been committed to thee by the supernal clemency. Amen.\n\n\n\nPrayers To St. Michael, St. Gabriel, And St. Raphael.\n\n\nGlorious St. Michael! prince of the heavenly host, protector of the\nuniversal Church, defend us against all our enemies, visible and\ninvisible. Do not permit that we should ever fall under their tyranny.\n\nSt. Gabriel! thou who art justly called the strength of God, since thou\nhast been chosen to announce to many the mystery of the incarnation, in\nwhich the Almighty has displayed the power of His arms, make us know the\ntreasure contained in the person of the Son of God, and be our protector\nwith His august Mother.\n\nSt. Raphael! charitable guide of travellers, thou who, by divine virtue,\ndost effect miraculous cures, deign to guide us in the pilgrimage of this\nlife, and heal the maladies of our souls and bodies. All ye orders of\nblessed spirits, be our defenders and protectors during our life and at\nthe hour of our death. Amen.\n\n\n\nAct Of Consecration To Our Guardian Angel.\n\n\nAngel of God! prince of heaven, watchful guardian, faithful guide,\ncharitable pastor, I rejoice that God has created thee with so many\nperfections; that He has sanctified thee by His grace, and crowned thee\nwith glory, after having persevered in His service. May God be praised\nforever for all He has done for thee! Be thou blessed for all the good\nthou hast procured me and my companions. I abandon to thee my body, soul,\nmemory, understanding, will, inclination, and senses. Govern all, dispose\nof all, purify, enlighten, perfect all. Beg Our Lord to shed upon me and\nmy companions His abundant benedictions; that, persevering until death in\nHis grace, we may deserve to possess Him eternally with thee in glory.\nAmen.\n\n\n\nPrayer To The Holy Angels During The Month Of October.\n\n\nO pure and happy spirits, whom the Almighty selected to become the angels\nand guardians of men! we most humbly prostrate ourselves before you, to\nthank you for the charity and zeal with which you execute this commission.\nAlas! how many pass a long life without ever thanking that invisible\nfriend to whom they a thousand times owe its preservation! O charitable\nguardians of those souls for whom Christ died! O burning spirits, who\ncannot but love those whom Jesus eternally loved, permit us to address you\nin behalf of all those committed to your care, and to implore for them\nall, in general, a grateful sense of your many favors, and the grace to\nprofit by your charitable assistance. O angels of those happy infants, who\nare as yet without spot before God, preserve their innocence, we earnestly\nconjure you. Angels of youth, who are exposed to so many dangers, conduct\nthem in safety to the bosom of God, as Tobias was conducted back to his\nfather. Angels of those who are employed in the instruction of youth,\nanimate them with your zeal and love; teach them to emulate your purity\nand incessant view of God, that they may worthily and successfully co\u2010\noperate with the invisible guardians of their young charges. O angels of\nthe clergy, who have the eternal Gospel to preach, present their words,\ntheir actions, and their intentions to God, and purify them in that fire\nof love which consumes you. Angels of infidels, whom the true faith has\nnever enlightened, intercede for them; that, practising what they know,\nthey may at length discover the hidden secrets of the kingdom of God. O\nangels of all those who, throughout the world, are deprived of religious\ninstruction, open for them some source of salvation; raise up some one to\nbreak for them the bread of the Word. And you, O guardian angels of\nsinners, charitable guides of those unhappy mortals, whose persistence in\nsin would embitter even your unutterable joys were you not established in\nthe peace of God, oh, join us, we ardently beseech you, in imploring their\nconversion. Angels of all those who at this moment struggle in the agonies\nof death, strengthen, encourage and defend them against the attacks of\ntheir infernal enemies. O faithful guides, holy spirits, ardent adorers of\nthe Divinity, guardian angels of all creatures! protect us all, teach us\nto love, to pray, to combat on earth, and rather obtain for us instant\ndeath than permit us to commit one mortal sin. Amen.\n\n\n\n\n\nNOVEMBER. THE SOULS IN PURGATORY.\n\n\nA truly Christian soul will, during this month, think with love of the\nfaithful departed. There is nothing more pleasing to God, or more\nprofitable to ourselves, than the practice of praying for the souls in\npurgatory, that He may relieve their sufferings and speedily admit them to\nHis glory. We see our friends dropping from the ranks of the living, and\nentering that state which is so mysterious. The Church tells us that we\ncan help them on their way to heaven by our prayers, if they have been\ndetained in purgatory to atone to God\u2019s justice for their transgressions.\n\nSt. Alphonsus says, \u201cIt is a duty, for Christian charity commands us to\nrelieve our neighbors who stand in need of our assistance; but who among\nall our neighbors have so great need of our help as these holy prisoners,\ndeprived for a time of the sight of God?\u201d Many indulgences, both plenary\nand partial, are applicable to them; let us gain them, so that the mercy\nof God may be moved in their favor. Let us also remember the poor souls\nwho have no one to pray for them. And in return these blessed souls will\nnot neglect to obtain for us many graces from God, particularly the grace\nof eternal life.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nOften meditate on the sufferings of the souls in purgatory. The thought\nwill inspire you with the proper and holy fear of God\u2019s justice, which\nrequires expiation in purgatory for sins unatoned for in this life. It\nwill also move you to have compassion on the poor souls, and to relieve\nthem by your good works. The souls in purgatory endure dreadful\npunishments; it is the opinion of theologians that they suffer the pains\nof fire. They also suffer the pain of loss, which is more severe than that\nof sense. You should ask yourselves: Shall we suffer these dreadful pains\nin purgatory, or shall we escape them? Let us take warning from the\nunhappy souls who are to be miserable for eternity, and cultivate a\nsalutary fear of God\u2019s justice and so avoid sin. Let the happiness of the\nsaints encourage us to lead virtuous lives, and confide in the mercy and\ngoodness of God. Standing between the eternity of happiness and the\neternity of misery, we must make our choice. Through God\u2019s grace and the\nintercession of the Blessed Virgin and the members of the heavenly court,\nlet us resolve, in future, to avoid not only mortal but also venial sin.\nLet us resolve also to atone for our past sins, and pay the debt which we\nowe to God\u2019s justice, so that when our souls are separated from our bodies\nwe may go at once to enjoy God in heaven.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, the souls of all the faithful departed from the bonds of\ntheir sins; and by the assistance of Thy grace may they escape the\nsentence of condemnation, and enjoy the bliss of eternal light. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nWe are told that few of those who save their souls, except children who\nhave not lost their baptismal innocence, go to heaven without passing\nthrough purgatory. How many are surprised by death in venial sin! how many\nwho receive forgiveness for the guilt of mortal sin still owe some\ntemporal debt for it! how few leave this life without some stain on their\nsouls! Yet every stain must be wiped away, every farthing of the debt\npaid, before the soul can leave the prison of purgatory. We have no time\nto lose, death may be at our doors. Why not now use the means of avoiding\npurgatory? Why do we count a suffering in the future which in the present\nwe would be in no way ready to accept, but would employ every effort to\nescape? How soon must we leave this world never to return! How soon will\nday and night have no meaning for us! Our bodies, mouldered into dust,\nwill come to life again only at the sound of the last trumpet, and then\nonly for judgment. Friends who love us, possessions on which we have set\nour hearts, will be taken from us. We will leave as we came, alone. Why,\nthen, attach ourselves to those things in such a way as to bring upon us\nthe displeasure of God, and the sufferings which His displeasure entails?\nBetter far to live here with the thought of the bitterness which goes with\nwrongdoing and a sense of security for the future, than thoughtlessly to\nincur the punishment which is to be found in purgatory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nThe earth is only a vast cemetery. Our ancestors are mixed up with its\nclay, whether they lie beneath the surface or have had their ashes\nscattered to the four winds. How soon were they forgotten! Of all the\ngenerations which have gone before us how few individuals are known! Of\nsome history tells the noble deeds, of others the dark ones. The really\nwise and great men of every age are the virtuous, now the friends of God.\nTheir names come down to us in benediction. History may record the names\nof the wicked, but their memory is held in execration. What matters it to\nall those who are dead whether men speak of them or not? The one thing of\nimportance is how God has regarded their lives. We too will soon be\nforgotten. The birds that will sing near our graves will be listened to\nand admired by the visitor to the cemetery, but we will not receive even a\npassing thought. Even those for whom our hearts throbbed with anxiety,\nthose for whose happiness we strove with so much labor, will scarcely\nthink of us. We will have been gathered to the dead, our term of activity\nwill have passed, our day will have ended, and with it all interest in us\nwill also end. We will be one of the millions laid away in the cemetery.\nHas this thought no meaning for us? It ought to suggest the importance of\ngiving more attention to that which God had in view in creating us. Not\nambitious of what men may think of us, but ambitious of securing that\nwhich we alone can obtain for ourselves, happiness in the life to come.\nThen will our lonely and forgotten condition matter very little.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nYou have, perhaps, stood at the grave, and seen the earth cover the\nremains of a dear one. It may have been the remains of the most beloved\none you ever knew. Oh, how you stood in need of consolation! There were\nmoments when you felt as if your heart must break. Yet when faith came to\nyour aid, and you remembered that the separation was only for a time, that\nthe moment of reunion would come, and you would again see the dear one,\nonly purified, glorified, and free from all the blemishes life on earth\nentails, there was an awakening, a consolation, a strengthening, which no\nother thought could bring. With this new feeling came the resolve to help\nthe one gone by such gifts as your love would dictate and your faith\ndirect. What if that dear one was condemned to tarry in a place of\npurgation? What if you by your good works and prayers could assist, but\ninstead spent your time in fruitless lament and regrets? Then it was that\nyou felt all your old love quicken, and the eagerness which had led you to\ncare for the loved one in life, received a new incentive. You recollected\nthat the time in which he could help himself had passed, and he had to\nrely entirely on the good services of his friends\u2014that the hand of God was\nto lay heavy upon him until the full measure of expiation had been paid.\nThere is comfort in the reflection that we can still be of service to\nthose we loved in life; we can be charitable to them, and improve\nourselves by the practice of that charity. The true Christian mourns his\nfriends, but he mourns over them, not with a vain hope, but with a\nprayerful appeal to the throne of mercy.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nThe doctrine of purgatory implies two truths. First, that after a mortal\nsin is forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance, and the eternal punishment\ndue to it is remitted, there still remains some debt of temporal\npunishment to pay, either in this life\u2014by deeds of penance\u2014or in the next\nin purgatory. Second, even venial sins are a stain which prevent the soul\nfrom entering into heaven. These stains, therefore, must first be wiped\noff, if the soul is to enter the abode of all holiness. Now, purgatory is\nthe place where the souls predestined to eternal glory are detained for a\ntime, and this period is fixed by God\u2019s justice for the purpose of\nexpiation and purification, until they are quite worthy of the everlasting\nbliss prepared for them. Until the end of the world, until the last Day of\nJudgment, there will be an intermediate place between heaven and hell.\nHeaven is the place where only the just and holy are admitted. Hell is the\ndungeon into whose depths are plunged the souls of the impious and\nunrepenting. But purgatory lies between the two, and is meant to receive\nfor a time those souls of the just who will require some further\npurification. And I am hurrying to one or the other place. Which shall it\nbe? Whichever it is it will be of my own making and choice. God is now\ngiving me time and opportunities sufficient to gain the one and avoid the\nother. Let me reflect whither my course is leading me. Let me do it\nnow\u2014to\u2010morrow may be too late. God has given me only one life in which to\naccomplish my salvation. According to the eternal decree that life will\nend at the appointed time.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nThe Church is the mystical body of Jesus Christ, of which He is the Head,\nand all the faithful are the members. It is divided into three parts: the\nChurch Militant on earth, consisting of the faithful who are still\nfighting for their faith and struggling for their salvation; the Church\nTriumphant, consisting of the saints in heaven; and finally, the Church\nSuffering, consisting of the souls in purgatory. All the dead, then, who\ndie in the Lord, belong to the great mysterious body of Christ, either as\nmembers glorified already, or as still awaiting the glory to come. But all\nare united among themselves and form one great communion of saints.\nTherefore when we consider what faith teaches us concerning the Church\nSuffering, or purgatory, we cannot help exclaiming: \u201cO faith! how\nbeautiful thou art! How touching is the communion of saints!\u201d We children\nof the Church Militant stretch forth one hand towards our brethren of the\nChurch Triumphant for help and protection; and with the other extended we\nsupplicate by our prayers, our alms, and patient sufferings, that the time\nof probation for our brethren of the Church Suffering may be shortened. We\nfeel they entreat us to alleviate their torments, and their gratitude for\nour good services will incline them to help us in our infirmities and\nweakness. How often does this thought occupy our attention? It should\nengage us frequently. As we are now so once were the souls in purgatory;\nas they are now so we hope to be\u2014for once in purgatory it means that\nheaven is within our reach.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nThe Bible, in its very first pages, shows us that a custom of praying for\nthe dead existed among the people of the earliest centuries. This implies\nthe existence of purgatory, because it stands to reason that we do not\npray either for the saints in heaven or for the damned in hell. For, says\nSt. Thomas Aquinas, those prayers would be useless and in vain, if there\nwere no purgatory, because prayers cannot be offered up for those who have\nalready arrived at their end, but only for those who have not yet reached\ntheir final destiny. When Jacob and Joseph were about to depart from this\nworld they earnestly besought those who stood around their death\u2010beds,\nespecially their own children, to convey their mortal remains to\nPalestine. For those pious patriarchs well knew that their descendants\nthere would offer sacrifices of expiation, and they hoped these offerings\nwould gain for them the longed\u2010for peace and rest. On the announcement of\nthe death of Saul all the inhabitants of Jabes imposed upon themselves a\nseven days\u2019 fast. The inspired poet\u2010king takes part, not only in the\nsorrow, but also in the sacrifices. He himself sings in touching, elevated\nstrain, the doctrine of purgatory, when describing the inexpressible joy\nand delight of those souls who have happily passed through the fire and\nwater of tribulation, and have arrived at the ardently longed\u2010for joy and\nrefreshment of the Lord. The prophet Micheas says: \u201cI shall arise, when I\nsit in darkness, the Lord is my light. I will bear the wrath of the Lord\nbecause I have sinned against Him, until He judge my cause and execute\njudgment for me: He will bring me forth into the light, I shall behold His\njustice.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nInstructed by holy and exalted prophets, the people of Israel, from the\nearliest times, made sacrifices and offerings for the dead, and thereby\nclearly showed their belief in purgatory. The records of all the past\ncenturies referring to the subject clearly show that not the smallest\ndoubt can be entertained on this point. When the star of the Jewish\ncivilization began to fade, the heroic line of the Machabees gathered all\ntheir force once more together, in order to inaugurate a new epoch of\npower and glory. In the description of their noble and heroic actions we\ncome across the unmistakable proof of their universal tradition and\nbelief. Judas, the mighty hero, having lost a great number of soldiers in\nbattle, did not confine himself to merely giving them an honorable burial.\nHe commanded a collection to be made, and sent the sum to Jerusalem for a\nsacrifice to be offered for the fallen heroes. Holy Scripture concludes\nthe narrative with the words: \u201cIt is therefore a holy and a wholesome\nthought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their\nsins\u201d\u2014that is from all temporal punishment due to those sins. This thought\nis justly called holy, because it springs from a holy source, that of\nfaith and charity. It is called wholesome, in the first place to the poor\nsouls themselves, because it comforts and encourages them in their\nsufferings, in the next place to those who pray for them, because they\nincrease their own merits thereby, and gain new, faithful friends in\nheaven.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nThe Holy Scriptures imply, in the narration of the action of the great\nleader Judas, the existence of purgatory, or some such place of\npurification in the next world, where the souls of the departed can be\nassisted by our prayers and sacrifices, and be cleansed from their sins.\nCertainly it would have been impossible, in such heavy time of war, to\ngather from the people such large sums of money, or to all at once\nintroduce an innovation in religious practice of that kind, if this belief\nin purgatory had not been long and firmly implanted in their hearts. All\nthe passages from the Old Testament clearly prove the truth of the\nCatholic doctrine, which teaches us that there exists a place for the\npurification of such souls as die in a state of grace, but have not yet\nfully expiated all their sins; and that those souls can be delivered by\nthe prayers and good works of the faithful. The son of Sirach bears\nwitness to the same when he says: \u201cA gift hath grace in the sight of all\nthe living, and restrain not grace from the dead,\u201d which means that we\nshould pay our dead the last respects and offer up sacrifices for them.\nThis passage supports the general belief of the Jews, that we can assist\nthe departed by good works. The Jews even now believe in the existence of\nsome place of purification, and are in the habit of praying for their\ndead. The Jewish belief in purgatory rested on a very firm foundation.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nIn the fulness of time the divine Saviour Jesus Christ appeared on earth.\nWhile disowning in His teaching all the false theories and erroneous\ntraditions of Scribes and Pharisees, while condemning with the greatest\nprecision their errors on the subject of death and resurrection, He never\nuttered one syllable against the general belief in purgatory, or against\nthe public practice of praying for the dead. On the contrary He left it\njust as it existed under the Old Law. Could the Son of God, Who had come\ndown to make known the will of His Father, have acted thus if this were\nnot a holy, just, and pious custom? The Redeemer did not find it necessary\nto give lengthy proofs of the existence of this place of punishment. It\nwas enough to simply remind the people of it. For, in truth, He addressed\na people who had never entertained the smallest doubt on the subject. In\none of His sermons He unmistakably alludes to purgatory, where He speaks\nof a prison from which no one can be delivered except on the payment of\nthe full debt. What other prison but purgatory can here be meant? Heaven\ncannot be meant, and out of hell there is no redemption. The Gospels have\npreserved another saying of the Son of God which presupposes the existence\nof purgatory: \u201cAnd whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it\nshall be forgiven him; but he that shall speak against the Holy Ghost, it\nshall not be forgiven him, neither in this world nor in the world to\ncome.\u201d There are, then, sins which can be atoned for in the next world.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nWith regard to the doctrine of purgatory the apostles taught as their\ndivine Master did. St. Paul says: \u201cFor other foundation no man can lay but\nthat which is laid, which is Christ Jesus. Now if any man build upon this\nfoundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, every man\u2019s\nwork shall be manifest; for the day of the Lord shall declare it, because\nit shall be revealed in fire, and the fire shall try every man\u2019s work of\nwhat sort it is. If any man\u2019s work abide, which he hath built thereon, he\nshall receive a reward. If any man\u2019s work burn he shall suffer loss: but\nhe himself shall be saved, but so as by fire.\u201d\u20141 Cor. iii. 12. He who\nappears before the Judgment Seat of God with works still stained and\nimperfect, will reach indeed his happy end, but not before those stains\nand imperfections have been cleared away by a process which is like unto\nthe crucible of fire. The fire which the Apostle speaks of cannot be the\nfire of tribulation, or the sufferings of this life; for he speaks of a\nfire which burns on the Judgment Day; that is, after this life. Again, it\ncannot mean the mere ordeal of the Judgment, because here the soul is not\nonly tried, but also burns and suffers from the burning. Nor can it mean\nthe fire of hell, because he who burns in the fire will come out of it and\nbe saved, which cannot be said of those in hell. The Apostle could only\nhave had the fire of purgatory in view\u2014that fire which burns for the\npurification of souls not quite spotless, and which will continue until\nthe Day of General Judgment.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nTradition excludes every doubt, even the least shadow of doubt, as to the\nexistence of purgatory. We have testimony from a whole army of renowned\nwriters of the Church: Sts. Augustine, Chrysostom, Epiphanius, Jerome,\nCyril, Gregory, up to Tertullian who lived in the second century. The\ntradition is contained not only in the writings of the Holy Fathers, but\nalso in the practice of the Church reaching down to the apostolic age,\naccording to which prayers and sacrifices were at all times offered up to\nGod for the souls of the departed. Tertullian speaks of the sacrifices for\nthe dead as of an apostolic tradition, and St. John Damascene says, in his\nsermon on the dead: \u201cThe apostles and disciples of our divine Saviour, who\nhad seen the eternal Word with their own eyes, and had converted the\nmultitudes of the living world, taught that in the awful, immaculate and\nlife\u2010giving mysteries of the Eucharist, remembrance should be made of\nthose who died in the Lord.\u201d In confirmation of it he alleges the\ntestimony of St. John Chrysostom in these words: \u201cThat John, who on\naccount of his eloquence was called the golden\u2010mouthed, teaches that not\ninconsiderately or accidentally was it ordained by those wise disciples of\nGod and transmitted to the Church, that the priest should offer prayers\nfor the dead in the celebration of the awful divine mysteries.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nWe will now hear from the great St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. I am\nquoting from his treatise on the care for the dead. Mark how beautifully\nhe writes: \u201cWe read in the book of Machabees that there were sacrifices\noffered up for the dead, but even if there had been no mention made of the\nsubject in the pages of the Old Testament, the authority of the Church\nwould be sufficient as manifested in her practice, according to which the\npriest at the altar makes commemoration of the faithful departed.\u201d By her\nfuneral rites, offices and commemorations of the dead, as well as her\nancient Ordos, the Catholic Church has at all times clearly and definitely\ntestified to, and declared her belief in, the existence of purgatory.\nFurther, she has solemnly declared it an article of faith in several\nCouncils\u2014as, for instance, in the General Council of Trent, which defines\nthat there is a purgatory, and that the faithful can come to the\nassistance of the souls suffering therein by their prayers, and oblations\nof the most holy sacrifice of the Mass. And it even threatens with\nexcommunication from the Church all those who maintain that every penitent\nsinner, having received justification, is forgiven as to his guilt and\neternal punishment in such a way that there remains no temporal punishment\nto be expiated in purgatory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nWhat a touching proof we have of the faith in the intercession of the\nliving for the dead, in the story of the life of St. Monica, the mother of\nSt. Augustine! As her son stood by the bedside of his dying mother, and\nwith difficulty tried to restrain his tears, Monica said to him: \u201cOnly one\nthing I beg of thee; remember me always at the altar of God, wherever thou\ndost chance to be.\u201d St. Augustine, therefore, often offered up the holy\nsacrifice for his mother, and in his \u201cConfessions\u201d he entreats God in the\nfollowing touching prayer: \u201cO God, grant that all Thy servants, who are my\nbrothers and to whom I have dedicated this book, grant that all who read\nthese prayers may, in their prayers before Thy altar, think of Thy\nhandmaid, my dearest mother, and pray for her in loving remembrance.\u201d When\nSt. Paul says that at the mention of the sacred name of Jesus every knee\nshall bend in heaven, on earth and under the earth, by this last\nexpression \u201cunder the earth,\u201d according to the general opinion of the Holy\nFathers of the Church, he pointed to that temporal, intermediate place,\nwherein imperfect souls must abide until they are purified from all stain\nof sin, but even yet, while still there, are united in common adoration\nwith the saints who are in the full enjoyment of heaven, as well as with\nall the Christians of the Church Militant on earth. But St. Paul teaches\nus no less by example to offer up prayers and petitions to God almighty\nfor the souls of those who have died in the Lord.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nWe may, without great difficulty, infer the existence of purgatory from\nthe truths known by faith. Our faith teaches us that in the Sacrament of\nPenance our sins are forgiven, together with the eternal punishment due to\nthem. The temporal punishment due to them is not always forgiven, however,\nand consequently it remains to be endured either in this world or in the\nnext. Call to mind the examples of David, Moses, Peter and Mary Magdalene.\nThey were all forgiven their sins and the eternal punishment due to them,\nand yet how much did those dear servants of God bewail their offences\nduring their whole lives and expiate the temporal punishment due to them!\nAgain there is another argument and ground on which our reason demands the\nexistence of a purgatory. It may be that a soul just departed this life is\nfree from all mortal sin\u2014even free from all temporal punishment due to\ngrievous sin, but perhaps not free from certain light and venial sins,\nwhich, though not destroying the grace of God in the soul, still darken\nand stain its full splendor. It may be that all those venial sins are\natoned for and wiped away by the patiently borne agony of death, but how\noften it happens that the Christian is suddenly surprised by death in\ndifferent forms, and when least expecting it. It would be contrary to\nGod\u2019s mercy and justice to cast that soul into hell, or to receive it at\nonce into heaven.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nThe doctrine that sinners, even after the guilt and eternal punishment due\nto sin are remitted, have still, as a rule, to satisfy the justice of God\nin some way, has been acknowledged by the Church both in deed and by\nexpress word. By deed, because of her severe penitential discipline in the\nearly days of the Church, because of the works of penance enjoined in the\nconfessional, and the granting at all times of indulgences. By express\nword because of the definition of the Council of Trent. Now if according\nto the certain doctrine of faith, some temporal satisfaction remains to be\nmade after the remission of sin and eternal punishment, what, we ask, will\nbecome of those souls who are suddenly called away before they have done\nsuch penance as their sins required\u2014before they have given full\nsatisfaction? Into heaven, where nothing impure can enter, they cannot be\nreceived until the full debt is paid. Into hell they cannot be cast,\nbecause they died in a state of grace and are friends and children of God.\nTherefore, reason says, there must be a place where those just and holy,\nthough not yet thoroughly cleansed souls, must linger till purified\ncompletely, and fully worthy of God\u2019s sacred presence. Were it otherwise\nour reason would be darkened and troubled by doubts, either as to the\njustice or as to the infinite mercy of God. Reason tells us that there is\na state of virtue not good enough for heaven, and a state of vice not bad\nenough for hell. Common sense tells us that there is a difference between\nsin and sin, and that consequently there must be a difference in the\npunishment.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nThe souls in purgatory suffer. They are sent there to suffer. They are\ndetained there to suffer. The time of action is gone; the time of passive\nsuffering has come. Their whole existence, or life, is, as it were, taken\nup with suffering. What are they suffering? Of what kind and character are\ntheir sufferings? The pains of purgatory are just the same as the torments\nof hell, with the exception of eternity and despair. The difference\nbetween the two is, that the pains of purgatory come to an end, and are\nnot severed from the sweet hope of eternal happiness. Like the pains of\nhell, so also the pains of purgatory are of two kinds. They are the pain\nof loss and the pain of sense. These two kinds of pain correspond to the\ntwofold disorder contained in every sin. For every sin is first of all an\naversion or turning away from God, the highest and uncreated good\u2014either a\ncomplete aversion as in the case of mortal sin, or a partial aversion as\nin the case of venial sin. Second, every sin is a conversion to, or a\nturning towards, a created, real or apparent good as our highest good,\nwhich is, of course, a disorderly conversion. Now this twofold\ninordinateness must be expiated by a twofold corresponding punishment. For\nwherein a man sins, says the Scripture, therein is he punished.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nMan sins, and thus turns away from God; the punishment, therefore, must be\nan eternal or temporary deprivation of God, the highest good of man. He\nsins, and thus turns towards a created good, and derives pleasure and\nsatisfaction from it; the punishment, therefore, for this illicit, sensual\npleasure, is the pain of sense, the pain inflicted by created things. Now\nfire is a pain of sense; and it is a doctrine sufficiently warranted by\nScripture and tradition, that the fire of purgatory is a real fire, by\nwhich the souls are chastised and purified. The Holy Fathers explain that\nthe greatest imaginable sufferings here on earth, the most dreadful\nmartyrdom of the holy confessors of Christ, the worst pains of the most\nterrible illness, can bear no comparison with the torments and pains\nsuffered by the poor souls in purgatory. Well known is the exclamation of\nSt. Augustine, \u201cHere burn, here cut, here crucify, but spare me in\neternity, O God!\u201d The sufferings of this life can be soothed by\nconsolation, can be softened by many distractions; now and again there is\na respite granted to the greatest sufferer, and time heals many woes. But\nthe sufferings of purgatory continue without any alleviation or\ninterruption.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nAccording to the writings of the Fathers, the pain of loss is the greatest\nof all the pains of purgatory. Together with the bitter remembrance of\nhaving done evil and omitted to do good, is the consciousness of being\ndeprived of the beatific vision, than which there can be no greater pain.\nSt. Alphonsus says: \u201cFar greater than the pains of the senses are the\npains of loss arising from the deprivation of the presence of God.\u201d\nBecause the poor souls are inflamed with not only the natural, but the\nsupernatural love of God, they are almost violently drawn towards Him,\ntheir supreme good; and because they have the consciousness of being\ndebarred from perfect union with God by their own sins and imperfections,\nthey feel such exceeding great pain that it would kill them were it\npossible for them to die. \u201cTherefore,\u201d says St. Chrysostom, \u201cis this pain\nof loss greater than that of sense, and the greatest of all pains. A\nthousand fires of hell could not produce greater pain than that which is\ncaused by the fully realized loss of God.\u201d Here on earth, while confined\nin their bodies of sin, their souls could not enjoy the beatific vision;\nbut once delivered from their mortal bodies, the time is come when they\nare able to see God, Who would be their everlasting joy were it not for\ntheir own fault. It is this pain of separation that makes the pain of\npurgatory a cleansing fire in the fullest sense of the word.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nIn this valley of tears the sighs of holy persons are full of pain and\nsorrow, of pining after God and heaven. How painful must have been this\nburning love and yearning desire in such souls as St. Paul\u2019s, St.\nAugustine\u2019s and St. Teresa\u2019s! Yet what was their suffering compared to the\nconsuming fire of yearning in the souls of purgatory? For, however much we\nmay pine after God, our only good, still while on earth we have many\nthings that comfort us and deaden our pain. The very burden of our body,\nthe distracting events of life, the possibility of great age, or larger\nstore of merit, all these things are so many means of comfort to us. But\nthe poor souls in purgatory have none of these consolations; there is\nnothing to assuage their pain of yearning and unfulfilled desire. More\nthan the panting hart do they thirst after the fountain of eternal light\nand life. This unspeakable thirst is, in their case, all pure pain,\nunmingled with any soothing alloy. Oh, what a burning sea of sorrow those\npoor souls are plunged into! Flames within, flames without, flames all\naround them! Were it not that God\u2019s omnipotent hand upheld them, their\nspirit would almost be consumed by those flames of fire. As you have\nnoticed I have left you to draw from the proofs, as also from the\ndescription of the flames of purgatory, your own pious deductions and\nresolutions. But now I ask is there a doctrine in the Church which calls\nfor more serious and pious consideration than this belief in purgatory,\nfor your own spiritual benefit, and then for the help you can afford those\nwhom God\u2019s justice has condemned there?\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nIt has always been a doctrine of the Church, no less than a practice, that\nby our prayers and good works we can help the souls in purgatory. For the\nChurch not only taught the doctrine, but from the earliest times\nencouraged the faithful to offer up the holy sacrifice for them. It was at\nthe great Council of Trent that the doctrine became an article of faith.\nWe are united to them in the communion of saints. This community is like\nthe members of one body. As in the body all the members help each other,\nso in the communion of saints all have a share in the common goods, as the\nPsalmist says, \u201cI am a partaker with all them that fear Thee.\u201d If Christ\ncould make vicarious atonement to His heavenly Father for our sins, and\nthe eternal punishment due to them, then, also, the members of the\ncommunity founded by Him can, through His power and merits, assist and\nmake satisfaction for one another as regards the temporal punishment due\nto their sins. So that, as the Apostle says, the abundance of one may\nsupply the want of the other, so that there may be an equality. The souls\nin purgatory, then, since they are souls departed in the love of God,\nbelong with us to that great brotherhood, the communion of saints. So we\ncan come to their assistance, and by our efforts help to discharge the\ndebt they are still owing to God\u2019s justice. Or united to them by the bonds\nof love, we form as it were one person. We pass the value of our good\nworks to them, and our heavenly Father looks upon the price we pay for\nthem as if paid by themselves.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nLet us consider more particularly by what means we can assist the poor\nsouls. We can greatly and powerfully assist them, and the holy Council of\nTrent expressly points out the means we should use. It says particularly\nthat the faithful can help the poor souls detained in purgatory by their\nprayers, and by the most holy sacrifice of the Mass. This, as you will\nperhaps observe, has been said several times already in this book. True,\nbut it is in order that I may point out the conditions which are required\nto make those means effective that I again speak of them now. What is\nnecessary, primarily, is that we have the intention of helping the poor\nsouls, otherwise our good works are all put down to our own account, or if\nwe do not stand in need of them, they are put into what is called the\ntreasury of the Church, and then they are beyond our disposition. It is\nnot, however, necessary to make a new intention before every action. It is\nsufficient to make once for all an intention of doing certain things for\nthe sake of the suffering souls, and then not withdrawing it again. Still\nit is advisable to renew it now and again, as for instance at morning\nprayers or at Mass. It is necessary to be in a state of grace if we wish\nto help the souls by our good works or by our own personal prayers,\npenance, indulgences, and so forth. He who is in a state of sin cannot\nmake satisfaction for himself; how then can he do so for others? How can\nhe who is a captive redeem himself, or give freedom to others?\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nThe giving of alms for the benefit of the souls in purgatory, is one of\nthe means over which the Fathers of the Church grew eloquent. Nor indeed\nis it necessary to make use of the sayings of the early Fathers, for we\ncan find abundant proof of the efficacy of alms related in the Holy\nScriptures. The angel Raphael said to Tobias: \u201cAlms delivereth from death,\nand the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and\nlife everlasting.\u201d Elsewhere we find: \u201cWater quencheth a flaming fire, and\nalms resisteth sin.\u201d But let us listen to the Fathers of the Church. St.\nLeo writes: \u201cAlms atone for sin, destroy death, and extinguish the flames\nof eternal fire.\u201d St. Chrysostom calls alms\u2010giving \u201ca heavenly ladder,\nleading to God\u2019s right hand, and a sure refuge for those who give as well\nas for those who receive.\u201d St. Paulinus praises a Roman nobleman, who on\nthe death of his beloved wife assembled all the poor and destitute of the\ncity in St. Peter\u2019s Church, and distributed food among them in order to\ncomfort and help her whose loss he bewailed. And St. Hieronymus, speaking\nof the same nobleman, says that while other husbands adorn their wife\u2019s\ngraves with violets, roses and lilies, this one pours the balm of alms\nover the sacred dust and venerable remains of his beloved wife. The\npetition for alms from the worthy poor is like the knocking at your door\nof a poor soul in purgatory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nWhat a beautiful Catholic practice is this of giving of the goods which\nthe good God has entrusted to us, for the benefit of the poor souls! Could\nwe not also set aside something for such a noble purpose? The alms we give\nto the poor souls in purgatory may be likened to so many checks signed by\nnames dear to God, and which when presented He will not dishonor. When it\nis difficult for us to give money in alms, we can at least give other\nthings of less value\u2014even things that are no longer of use to us. How many\nthings there are in our homes that are not of the least use to us, which\nif given in alms for the suffering souls might be of the greatest benefit\nto us as well as to them! We give them in alms to the poor and forsaken\nones on earth, that they may benefit them as well as the poor forsaken\nsouls in purgatory. Perhaps you have a list of debtors, and perhaps in\nthat list there are many from whom you never expect to recover anything.\nWhy not make a promise, in case of the recovery of certain sums, to give\nhalf to the deserving poor for the benefit of the suffering souls in\npurgatory? It is not impossible that the guardian angel of purgatory may\nhelp to restore to us money otherwise lost. Remember it is not the wealthy\nalone who can give alms for this purpose, but the poor as well; at least\nthey can give their good\u2010will. Do you remember that the angels sang at the\nbirth of the Redeemer: \u201cPeace on earth to men of good\u2010will\u201d?\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fifth Day.\n\n\nWe have the authority of Holy Scripture for the efficacy of prayers: \u201cIt\nis a holy and a wholesome thought to pray for the dead.\u201d It is holy\nbecause it is most pleasing to God; it is wholesome because we have reason\nto believe that through the infinite mercy and compassion of His Sacred\nHeart, Our Lord accepts prayers offered in atonement for the sins of those\nsuffering in purgatory. If the prayers we offer for temporal goods are\noften heard and granted, how much more so when we offer them for spiritual\ngoods, for the souls tenderly loved by God? Well might St. Augustine say:\n\u201cOne cannot conceive a holier or more wholesome practice than praying for\nthe dead.\u201d The \u201cImitation of Christ\u201d has the following: \u201cFull of love and\ncharity, we must remember in our prayers the souls of the faithful\ndeparted, but particularly the souls of our parents, friends and\nrelations, and those who have been our benefactors on earth. For that is a\nwork of real love and charity. As we entertain the most earnest hopes that\nwe shall be remembered when we shall have departed this life, we ought to\nmake every effort in our power to assist them to arrive speedily at their\npromised abode of bliss, and by our prayers shorten the weary days of\ntheir pilgrimage in purgatory. And we must remember that every one who\nactively assists in the deliverance of these poor souls, gains for himself\nthe greatest advantages. By offering his prayers for their eternal repose,\nhe by no means loses the fruits of those prayers, for they are remembered\nto him, and are before him when his time comes to die. And moreover one is\nrewarded even in this life for such prayers.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010sixth Day.\n\n\nThe holy sacrifice of the Mass is the surest and most effectual means we\npossess for procuring the eternal repose and happiness of the departed.\n\u201cThe sacrament of love, the revelation of unity, and the bond of\nfriendship,\u201d says St. Augustine. \u201cWe pray for all who have departed this\nlife, with the most confident conviction that the prayers at the altar are\nthe most profitable to them,\u201d says St. Cyril. And again: \u201cSupposing a king\nwho was offended by a subject has banished him from his kingdom, and the\nfriends of the outlaw wish to restore him to the king\u2019s favor, and for\nthat purpose form a deputation to the royal personage, and presenting a\ncostly gift, venture to plead for pardon for the offender; would not the\nking comply with their request, and either grant the pardon, or mitigate\nthe punishment to some extent? Well, in like manner we, although sinners,\nplead for pardon from the King of heaven and earth for our banished\nfriends, and with much surer hopes of success, for the gift we offer is\nnot an earthly crown, but is the body and blood of His own well\u2010beloved\nSon, Who has bled for the sins of the whole world.\u201d The holy sacrifice is,\nI again repeat, the most effectual and the most powerful means we have for\nassisting the suffering souls in purgatory.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010seventh Day.\n\n\nLet me now suggest how you may act and pray during the holy sacrifice. At\nthe _Confiteor_ let us imagine the souls in the depths of purgatory; place\nourselves in the midst of them and hearken to their entreaties for help.\nAt the _Elevation_ let us say: \u201cO my God, in memory of the painful death\nThou didst endure, have compassion on these poor souls for whom I pray. O\nmy God, behold Thy precious blood, which was shed for their deliverance.\nOh, let the saving fruits of this precious blood come to the poor souls,\nlet its cleansing streams flow into purgatory. Remember with what great\nlove Thou didst shed it for Thy elect, so many of whom are now languishing\nin the fiery dungeon.\u201d We can fix our eyes on the crucifix placed over the\naltar; it will help us to make our supplications more direct. The thorn\u2010\ncrowned head will remind us of our superiors, spiritual and temporal,\nperhaps in purgatory. The wounded right hand our parents, friends and\nbenefactors. The left hand the souls of those who have wished to do us\nharm in life. Nor would it be amiss, while contemplating the wound in Our\nSaviour\u2019s side, to recommend one\u2019s own soul. At the _Communion_ when we\nsee the sacred Host in the hands of the priest, let us consider that it is\nthe body of Him Who commanded us to pray for the dead. For it is He Who\nsaid: \u201cIf you ask the Father anything in My name He will give it to you.\u201d\nLet us remind Him of His words, and implore Him by His love. This is a\nfavorable moment to have our prayers heard.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010eighth Day.\n\n\nThe Catholic doctrine of the intercession of the saints must not be lost\nsight of in this series of thoughts on the November devotion. In our\nwants, personal wants, spiritual and temporal, we, true to our Catholic\ninstinct, first address ourselves to our Mother Mary for help. We must not\nforget her in the matter of the poor souls. Mary\u2019s loving heart is not\nless loving for the souls in purgatory than it was for the same souls\nwhile in life. How can she abandon them? She never abandons a sinner on\nearth. For a stronger reason she does not forget the souls of the just.\nMary loves them still, for her love is eternal. She is the Mother of Him\nWho said, \u201cI was in prison and ye visited Me;\u201d of Him Who descended into\nhell. Therefore it is an opinion well worthy of acceptance and respect,\nfounded on trustworthy revelations and authentic declarations, that the\nBlessed Virgin assists in a most special manner the souls in purgatory.\nThey are souls and are poor, and therefore the Blessed Virgin loves them.\nThey are souls and are suffering; souls are the magnet of Mary\u2019s heart.\nPriceless is the value of a soul, and no one has better shown it than Our\nLord Himself. Satan, by offering Him the whole world, could not prevail\nupon Him to fall down; but by trying to rob Him of souls he caused Him to\nbow down even to the earth under the weight of the cross. But, after\nJesus, who could better know the value of a soul than Mary, who comes next\nto Him in the work He did for souls?\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010ninth Day.\n\n\nMary stood by when her Son died for the redemption of souls. But through\nher whole holy life she had constantly before her mind the work He had\ncome to accomplish. Now she sees those souls red with the divine blood by\nwhich they were purchased. She lives in the joys of heaven, to which all\nsouls are likewise destined. Her Son gave His life for the souls of men;\nbut she as Mother gave her Son for that purpose. Therefore the love of her\nheart embraces also purgatory; and therefore she is also the loving Mother\nof the souls in purgatory. The woman in the Gospel who so eagerly and\npersistently sought after her lost groat, is but a faint symbol of the\nlove of Mary for the souls which she has lost\u2014though only for a time\u2014which\nshe sees separated from heaven, from her Son, and from herself, and\nsuffering in the flames of fire. She burns with love for those poor souls,\nwell remembering the words of her divine Son, when He said that even a cup\nof water given in His name would be rewarded with the joy of heaven. And\nif Jesus, while hanging on the cross, cried out, \u201cI thirst,\u201d which,\naccording to the opinion of the Holy Fathers, meant \u201cI thirst for souls,\u201d\ncan we suppose that Mary will not satisfy His desire, and still His\nthirst? \u201cThose who love and truly serve this most gentle Mother can indeed\nbe called fortunate, for not alone here on earth, but also hereafter in\npurgatory, will she be their helper and comforter.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirtieth Day.\n\n\nAll the great servants of God had a great devotion to the souls in\npurgatory, as we have seen. But as Our Lady is Queen of the heavenly host,\nwe cannot better conclude the treatment of the month than by giving the\nlast consideration to her. Mary loves the poor souls in purgatory, because\nshe has gone through a fire of tribulation\u2014not in punishment for her sins,\nfor she had none\u2014but that she might have more compassion for us, and be\nmore fully entitled to the name by which she is so well known, \u201cComforter\nof the afflicted.\u201d For this reason her life was a sea of sorrow; for this\nreason she endured tribulation, poverty, exile, and persecution. For this\nreason she suffered tortures of mind and soul, in the three days\u2019 loss of\nher Child, and in the more tragic separation on the cross. All these\nsufferings were a real purgatory to her. Let us therefore venerate Mary,\nand beg of her even now, while we still sojourn in this valley of tears,\nto daily increase our ardor and give us perseverance in good works, to\nobtain for us a happy death. But the best means to obtain this grace is to\nimitate the love of the Blessed Virgin for the poor souls. Let us try and\nbe zealous in the cause of the poor souls, and often have recourse to this\nMother of mercy for the same purpose. In the recitation of the holy Rosary\nwe have a spiritual bunch of roses, which we can often offer to her for\nthe faithful departed. Let us scatter these spiritual roses plentifully\nover the graves of our departed parents and friends. Mary, the Mother of\npoor souls, will find them fragrant, and not only accept our offering but\nalso protect and guard us when our turn comes to die.\n\nPrayer.\n\nRelease, O Lord, etc., etc.\n\n\n\n\nMass for the Souls in Purgatory.\n\n\nBefore Mass.\n\nO merciful Lord, we offer Thee the precious blood of the spotless Lamb, in\nbehalf of the suffering souls in purgatory, whose sole desire is to see\nand glorify Thee in heaven. Open to them, O Lord, the infinite treasures\nof Thy merits; apply to them the fruits of Thy Passion and death, and\nthrough the adorable sacrifice of the Mass, release them from the debt due\nto Thy sovereign justice. Amen.\n\nConfiteor.\n\nWe confess our sins, O merciful God, in humility and sorrow of heart, and\nwe acknowledge that in Thy sight no one living is justified. Woe to us, if\nThou judge us according to Thy justice. To appease Thy anger, O Lord, we\nrecur to the unbloody sacrifice of Him Who was nailed to the cross for our\nsalvation, and who ceases not to intercede for us in heaven. O God of all\nclemency! forgive us our sins, we entreat Thee, and forgive also the sins\ncommitted by our deceased brethren, in the days of their mortal\npilgrimage. Let Thy mercy prevail over Thy justice, and let the voice of\nthe blood of Jesus plead more loudly for pardon than the voice of our\niniquities cries for vengeance. Amen.\n\nIntroit.\n\nEternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon\nthem. \u201cTo Thee is due the hymn, O God, in Sion, and to Thee shall the vow\nbe paid in Jerusalem.\u201d Oh, hear my prayer: to Thee shall all flesh come.\nAmen.\n\nKyrie.\n\nO Jesus, show that Thou art the God of mercy, and take pity on the\nsuffering souls who sigh and weep for the day of their deliverance. Oh,\nadmit them without delay into Thy bosom!\n\nCollect.\n\nO God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of\nThy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that through pious\nsupplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired.\nAmen.\n\nEpistle.\n\n\u201cAnd we will not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that are\nasleep, that you be not sorrowful, even as others who have no hope. For if\nwe believe that Jesus died and rose again: even so them who have slept\nthrough Jesus, will God bring with Him. For this we say unto you in the\nword of the Lord, that we who are alive, who remain unto the coming of the\nLord, shall not prevent them who have slept. For the Lord Himself shall\ncome down from heaven with commandment, and with the voice of an\narchangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead who are in Christ,\nshall rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, shall be taken up\ntogether with them in the clouds to meet Christ, into the air, and so\nshall we be always with the Lord. Wherefore comfort ye one another with\nthese words.\u201d\u20141 Thess. 12\u201017.\n\nGradual.\n\n\u201cThe sorrows of death have compassed me: and the perils of hell have found\nme. I met with trouble and sorrow: and I called on the name of the Lord. O\nLord, deliver my soul: The Lord is merciful and just, and now Our God\nshoweth mercy. The Lord is the keeper of little ones: I was humbled, and\nHe delivered me.\u201d\u2014Ps. cxiv. 3\u20106. Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord, and\nlet perpetual light shine upon them. Amen.\n\nGospel.\n\n\u201cMartha, therefore, said to Jesus: Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my\nbrother had not died. But now also I know that whatsoever Thou wilt ask of\nGod, God will give it Thee. Jesus saith to her: Thy brother shall rise\nagain. Martha saith to Him: I know that he shall rise again in the\nresurrection, at the last day. Jesus said to her: I am the Resurrection\nand the Life: he that believeth in Me, although he be dead, shall live:\nAnd every one that liveth, and believeth in Me, shall not die forever.\nBelievest thou this? She saith to Him: Yea, Lord, I have believed that\nThou art Christ, the Son of the living God, Who art come into this\nworld.\u201d\u2014John xi. 21\u201027.\n\nOffertory.\n\nLord Jesus Christ, King of glory, deliver the souls of the faithful\ndeparted from the flames of hell, and from the deep pit. Deliver them from\nthe lion\u2019s mouth, lest hell swallow them; lest they fall into darkness.\nAnd let the standard\u2010bearer, St. Michael, bring them into holy light,\nwhich Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and his posterity. We offer\nThee, O Lord, a sacrifice of praise and prayer: accept them in behalf of\nthe souls we commemorate this day, and let them pass from death to life,\nwhich Thou didst promise of old to Abraham and His posterity. Remember, O\nLord, Thy compassion, and Thy tender mercies, which are from the\nbeginning. For ourselves also we pray: \u201cOne favor I have asked of Thee,\nand this I will seek; that I may dwell in Thy house all the days of my\nlife. That I may see Thy beauty, and dwell forever in Thy temple. Amen.\u201d\n\nSecret.\n\nHave mercy, we beseech Thee, O Lord, on the souls of Thy servants [_name\nthem_], for whom we offer this Victim of praise, humbly beseeching Thy\nmajesty, that by this sacrifice they may arrive at rest eternal, through\nJesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\nPreface.\n\nIt is truly just, and reasonable, and salutary, to return Thee thanks at\nall times, and in all places, O almighty Father, eternal God. Through\nJesus Christ Our Lord, and through His merits, we hope for a glorious\nresurrection; so that if the sentence of death alarm and deject, the\npromise of immortality consoles and animates us; for to Thy faithful\nservants death is only a passage from this life to a better. Therefore we\nunite with all the blessed citizens of the heavenly country in singing a\nhymn to Thy glory, and saying without ceasing: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God\nof Sabaoth: heaven and earth are full of Thy glory. Blessed is He that\ncometh in the name of the Lord; His blood pleads for pardon, and His voice\nrises ever to the throne of mercy in behalf of His miserable creatures.\nAmen.\n\nCanon.\n\nO Father almighty, Whose kind providence extendeth to all creation, cast\nan eye of pity on the souls that ardently love Thee, and whose greatest\nsuffering is to be separated from Thee. Remember, O Lord, that they are\nthe work of Thy hands, and that they have been purchased by the infinite\nmerits of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Oh, will not the sound of that sweet name\nmove Thee to pity and forgiveness? We offer in their behalf, the precious\nblood which streamed from the sacred side of our dying Redeemer on the\ncross; we offer Thee the powerful intercession of the most blessed Mother\nof Jesus and Queen of martyrs; we offer Thee the prayers of St. Joseph,\nSt. Peter, St. Paul, and all the saints, together with the earnest\nsupplications of Thy Church on earth; and we beseech Thee to take pity on\nthe souls Thou lovest so tenderly. Show them Thy glory, receive them into\nThy heart, and inundate them with that torrent of bliss, of which Thou art\nthe inexhaustible fountain. Amen.\n\nElevation.\n\nO sacred Host! Victim of man\u2019s salvation! be propitious to us and hear our\nprayers. Precious blood of Jesus, shed to wash away the sins of mankind,\nsanctify our soul, and plead for mercy for the souls in purgatory! Amen.\n\nPater Noster.\n\nO divine Jesus! at Whose name every knee doth bend, in heaven, on earth,\nand in hell! Sovereign Judge of the living and the dead! may Thy name be\nhonored by the deliverance of the souls for whom we pray. May the gates of\nheaven be open to receive them, and may Thy will, which desires the\nsalvation of all men, be this day perfectly done in their regard. Grant\nthat, after having been fed on the bread of sorrow, they may be fed with\nthe living bread of heaven in the possession of Thyself. We implore Thy\nforgiveness of the sins of our parents, friends, and benefactors,\nparticularly of the sins to which we unhappily have been accessory.\nPreserve us from those avenging flames, which we have but too well merited\nby our repeated abuse of grace, our tepidity in Thy service, and our\nnegligence in resisting temptation. Deliver us from sin, the greatest of\nall evils, and enable us to feel and understand that it is a dreadful\nthing to fall into the hands of the living God. Amen.\n\nAgnus Dei.\n\nLamb of God, Who by death didst trample on the devil, about to seize his\nhelpless prey, have mercy on the souls in purgatory! Lamb of God, Who wast\noffered as a sacrifice of expiation, that by Thy death we might be rescued\nfrom the slavery of sin, have mercy on the souls in purgatory! Lamb of\nGod, Who wast immolated for love of us that we might pass from the region\nof malediction to the true land of promise, grant eternal rest to the\nsouls in purgatory! Amen.\n\nCommunion.\n\nMay eternal light shine on them, O Lord, together with Thy saints forever,\nfor Thou art merciful. Grant them, O Lord, eternal rest, and let perpetual\nlight shine upon them. Amen.\n\nPost\u2010Communion.\n\nO God, Who willest that while we pray for the souls in purgatory, we\nshould at the same time remember the most essential of our duties, grant\nus through Thy infinite merits and unbounded charity, the pardon of our\npast negligences. We will not defer the all\u2010important duty of penance,\nlest it soon be too late to discharge our debts to Thee. We will fervently\nand perseveringly pray for the souls in purgatory, and apply to them also\nthe fruits of our almsdeeds and exercises of mortification. O bountiful\nGod! bless these resolutions, and strengthen us to observe them\nfaithfully. Amen.\n\nLast Gospel.\n\n\u201cI know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the Last Day I shall rise out of\nthe earth: and I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I\nshall see my God. Whom I myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold, and\nnot another. This my hope is laid up in my bosom.\u201d\u2014Job xix. 25\u201027. After\nhaving sat in darkness, and dwelt amidst the shades of death, we shall\nrise to the contemplation of eternal life forever! \u201cIn Thee, O Lord, have\nI hoped: let me never be confounded!\u201d Amen.\n\n\n\n\nThe Litany of the Saints.\n\n\n_Ant._ Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents;\nneither take Thou vengeance of our sins.\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Lord, have mercy on us._\nChrist, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Lord, have mercy on us._\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nGod the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on us._\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on us._\nHoly Mary, _Pray for us._\nHoly Mother of God, _Pray for us._\nHoly Virgin of virgins, _Pray for us._\nSaint Michael, _Pray for us._\nSaint Gabriel, _Pray for us._\nSaint Raphael, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy angels and archangels, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy orders of blessed spirits, _Pray for us._\nSaint John Baptist, _Pray for us._\nSaint Joseph, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy patriarchs and prophets, _Pray for us._\nSaint Peter, _Pray for us._\nSaint Paul, _Pray for us._\nSaint Andrew, _Pray for us._\nSaint James, _Pray for us._\nSaint John, _Pray for us._\nSaint Thomas, _Pray for us._\nSaint James, _Pray for us._\nSaint Philip, _Pray for us._\nSaint Bartholomew, _Pray for us._\nSaint Matthew, _Pray for us._\nSaint Simon, _Pray for us._\nSaint Thaddeus, _Pray for us._\nSaint Matthias, _Pray for us._\nSaint Barnabas, _Pray for us._\nSaint Luke, _Pray for us._\nSaint Mark, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy apostles and evangelists, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy disciples of the Lord, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy innocents, _Pray for us._\nSt. Stephen, _Pray for us._\nSt. Lawrence, _Pray for us._\nSt. Vincent, _Pray for us._\nSS. Fabian and Sebastian, _Pray for us._\nSS. John and Paul, _Pray for us._\nSS. Cosmas and Damian, _Pray for us._\nSS. Gervase and Protase, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy martyrs, _Pray for us._\nSaint Sylvester, _Pray for us._\nSaint Gregory, _Pray for us._\nSaint Ambrose, _Pray for us._\nSaint Augustine, _Pray for us._\nSaint Jerome, _Pray for us._\nSaint Martin, _Pray for us._\nSaint Nicholas, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy bishops and confessors, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy doctors, _Pray for us._\nSaint Anthony, _Pray for us._\nSaint Benedict, _Pray for us._\nSaint Bernard, _Pray for us._\nSaint Dominic, _Pray for us._\nSaint Francis, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy priests and Levites, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy monks and hermits, _Pray for us._\nSaint Mary Magdalen, _Pray for us._\nSaint Agatha, _Pray for us._\nSaint Lucy, _Pray for us._\nSaint Agnes, _Pray for us._\nSaint Cecilia, _Pray for us._\nSaint Catharine, _Pray for us._\nSaint Anastasia, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy virgins and widows, _Pray for us._\nAll ye holy men and women, saints of God, _Make intercession for us._\nBe merciful, _Spare us, O Lord._\nBe merciful, _Graciously hear us, O Lord._\nFrom all dangers that threaten us, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom all evil, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom all sin, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom Thy wrath, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom all dangers that threaten us, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom the scourge of earthquakes, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom sudden and unlooked\u2010for death, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom the snares of the devil, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom anger, hatred, and every evil will, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom the spirit of fornication, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom lightning and tempest, _O Lord, deliver us._\nFrom everlasting death, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough the mystery of Thy holy incarnation, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough Thy coming, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough Thy nativity, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough Thy baptism and holy fasting, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough Thy cross and Passion, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough Thy death and burial, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough Thy holy resurrection, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough Thine admirable ascension, _O Lord, deliver us._\nThrough the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Paraclete, _O Lord, deliver us._\nIn the day of judgment, _O Lord, deliver us._\nWe sinners, _Beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst spare us, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst pardon us, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst bring us to true penance, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to govern and preserve Thy holy Church, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to preserve our Apostolic Prelate, and all\n            orders of the Church in holy religion, _We beseech Thee, hear\n            us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to humble the enemies of holy Church, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give peace and true concord to Christian\n            kings and princes, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all Christian\n            people, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us in Thy holy\n            service, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst lift up our minds to heavenly desires, _We beseech Thee,\n            hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst render eternal blessings to all our benefactors, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst deliver our souls and the souls of our brethren,\n            relations, and benefactors, from eternal damnation, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth,\n            _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe to grant eternal rest to all the faithful\n            departed, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat Thou wouldst vouchsafe graciously to hear us, _We beseech Thee, hear\n            us._\nSon of God, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Spare us, O Lord!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Graciously hear us, O\n            Lord!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Have mercy on us!_\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\n\nOur Father (_secretly_).\n\n_V._ And lead us not into temptation,\n\n_R._ But deliver us from evil.\n\nPsalm LXIX.\n\n_Deus in Adjutorium._\n\nO God, come to my assistance: O Lord, make haste to help me.\n\nLet them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul.\n\nLet them be turned backward, and blush for shame that desire evils unto\nme.\n\nLet them be straightway turned backward, blushing for shame, that say to\nme: \u2019Tis well, \u2019tis well.\n\nLet all that seek Thee be joyful and glad in Thee: and let such as love\nThy salvation say always, The Lord be magnified.\n\nBut I am needy and poor: O God, help me.\n\nThou art my helper and my deliverer: O Lord, make no long delay.\n\nGlory be, etc.\n\n_V._ Save Thy servants,\n\n_R._ Who hope in Thee, O my God.\n\n_V._ Be unto us, O Lord, a tower of strength.\n\n_R._ From the face of the enemy.\n\n_V._ Let not the enemy prevail against us.\n\n_R._ Nor the son of iniquity approach to hurt us.\n\n_V._ O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins.\n\n_R._ Neither requite us according to our iniquities.\n\n_V._ Let us pray for our Sovereign Pontiff [N.].\n\n_R._ The Lord preserve him and give him life, and make him blessed upon\nthe earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies.\n\n_V._ Let us pray for our benefactors.\n\n_R._ Vouchsafe, O Lord, for Thy name\u2019s sake, to reward with eternal life\nall them that do us good. Amen.\n\n_V._ Let us pray for the faithful departed.\n\n_R._ Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine\nupon them.\n\n_V._ Let them rest in peace.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n_V._ For our absent brethren.\n\n_R._ Save Thy servants, who hope in Thee, O my God.\n\n_V._ Send them help, O Lord, from the sanctuary.\n\n_R._ And defend them out of Sion.\n\n_V._ O Lord, hear my prayer.\n\n_R._ And let my cry come unto Thee.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, receive our\nhumble petition, that we, and all Thy servants who are bound by the chain\nof sin, may, by the compassion of Thy goodness, mercifully be absolved.\n\nGraciously hear, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the prayers of Thy suppliants,\nand forgive the sins of them that confess to Thee; that, in Thy bounty,\nThou mayest grant us both pardon and peace.\n\nShow forth upon us, O Lord, in Thy mercy, Thy unspeakable loving kindness;\nthat Thou mayest both loose us from all our sins and deliver us from the\npunishments which we deserve for them.\n\nO God, Who by sin art offended, and by penance pacified, mercifully regard\nthe prayers of Thy people making supplication to Thee, and turn away the\nscourges of Thine anger, which we deserve for our sins.\n\nAlmighty, everlasting God, have mercy upon Thy servant [N.], our Sovereign\nPontiff, and direct him, according to Thy clemency, into the way of\neverlasting salvation; that by Thy grace he may both desire those things\nthat are pleasing to Thee and perform them with all his strength.\n\nO God, from Whom all holy desires, all right counsels, and all just works\ndo come, give unto Thy servants that peace which the world cannot give;\nthat our hearts being devoted to Thy commandments, and the fear of our\nenemies being taken away, our times, by Thy protection, may be peaceful.\n\nInflame, O Lord, our reins and heart with the fire of the Holy Ghost; that\nwe may serve Thee with a chaste body, and please Thee with a clean heart.\n\nO God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of\nThy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that through pious\nsupplications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired.\n\nPrompt, we beseech Thee, O Lord, our actions by Thy inspirations, and\nfurther them with Thy continual help; that every prayer and work of ours\nmay always begin from Thee, and through Thee be likewise ended.\n\nAlmighty, everlasting God, Who hast dominion over the living and the dead,\nand art merciful to all whom Thou foreknowest will be Thine by faith and\nworks: we humbly beseech Thee that they for whom we intend to pour forth\nour prayers, whether this present world still detain them in the flesh, or\nthe world to come hath already received them stripped of their mortal\nbodies, may, by the grace of Thy loving kindness, and by the intercession\nof all the saints, obtain the remission of all their sins. Through Thy Son\nJesus Christ Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of\nthe Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n_V._ O Lord, hear my prayer.\n\n_R._ And let my cry come unto Thee.\n\n_V._ May the almighty and merciful Lord graciously hear us.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n_V._ And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,\nrest in peace.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n\n\n\nThe Seven Penitential Psalms.\n\n\nAnt. Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents, and\ntake not revenge on our sins.\n\nPsalm VI.\n\n_Domine ne in furore._\n\nO Lord, rebuke me not in Thy indignation, nor chastise me in Thy wrath.\n\nHave mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak: heal me, O Lord, for my bones are\ntroubled.\n\nAnd my soul is troubled exceedingly: but Thou, O Lord, how long?\n\nTurn to me, O Lord, and deliver my soul: Oh, save me for Thy mercy\u2019s sake.\n\nFor there is no one in death that is mindful of Thee: and who shall\nconfess to Thee in hell?\n\nI have labored in my groanings, every night I will wash my bed: I will\nwater my couch with my tears.\n\nMy eye is troubled through indignation: I have grown old amongst all my\nenemies.\n\nDepart from me, all ye workers of iniquity: for the Lord hath heard the\nvoice of my weeping.\n\nThe Lord hath heard my supplication: the Lord hath received my prayer.\n\nLet all my enemies be ashamed, and be very much troubled: let them be\nturned back, and be ashamed very speedily.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nPsalm XXXI.\n\n_Beati quorum._\n\nBlessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are\ncovered.\n\nBlessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose\nspirit there is no guile.\n\nBecause I was silent my bones grew old, whilst I cried out all the day\nlong.\n\nFor day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish\nwhilst the thorn is fastened.\n\nI have acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my injustice I have not concealed.\n\nI said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord; and Thou\nhast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.\n\nFor this shall every one that is holy pray to Thee in a seasonable time.\n\nAnd yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto Him.\n\nThou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy,\ndeliver me from them that surround me.\n\nI will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way in\nwhich thou shalt go: I will fix My eyes upon thee.\n\nDo not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding.\n\nWith bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto Thee.\n\nMany are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that\nhopeth in the Lord.\n\nBe glad in the Lord and rejoice, ye just: and glory, all ye right of\nheart.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nPsalm XXXVII.\n\n_Domine ne in furore._\n\nRebuke me not, O Lord, in Thy indignation; nor chastise me in Thy wrath.\n\nFor Thy arrows are fastened in me: and Thy hand hath been strong upon me.\n\nThere is no health in my flesh, because of Thy wrath: there is no peace in\nmy bones, because of my sins.\n\nFor my iniquities are gone over my head: and, as a heavy burden, are\nbecome heavy upon me.\n\nMy sores are putrefied and corrupted, because of my foolishness.\n\nI am become miserable, and am bowed down, even to the end; I walked\nsorrowfully all the day long.\n\nFor my loins are filled with illusions; and there is no health in my\nflesh.\n\nI am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my\nheart.\n\nLord, all my desire is before Thee, and my groaning is not hidden from\nThee.\n\nMy heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes\nitself is not with me.\n\nMy friends and my neighbors have drawn near, and stood against me.\n\nAnd they that were near me stood afar off: and they that sought my soul\nused violence.\n\nAnd they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits\nall the day long.\n\nBut I, as a deaf man, heard not: and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.\n\nAnd I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his\nmouth.\n\nFor in Thee, O Lord, have I hoped: Thou wilt hear me, O Lord, my God.\n\nFor I said: Lest, at any time, my enemies rejoice over me; and whilst my\nfeet are moved, they speak great things against me.\n\nFor I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me.\n\nFor I will declare my iniquity: and I will think for my sin.\n\nBut my enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me\nwrongfully are multiplied.\n\nThey that render evil for good have detracted me, because I followed\ngoodness.\n\nForsake me not, O Lord, my God: do not Thou depart from me. Attend unto my\nhelp, O Lord, the God of my salvation.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nPsalm L.\n\n_Miserere._\n\nHave mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.\n\nAnd according to the multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my\niniquity.\n\nWash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.\n\nFor I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.\n\nTo Thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before Thee: that Thou\nmayest be justified in Thy words, and mayest overcome when Thou art\njudged.\n\nFor, behold, I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother\nconceive me.\n\nFor, behold, Thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of Thy\nwisdom Thou hast made manifest to me.\n\nThou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop and I shall be cleansed: Thou shalt\nwash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.\n\nTo my hearing Thou shalt give joy and gladness; and the bones that have\nbeen humbled shall rejoice.\n\nTurn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.\n\nCreate a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my\nbowels.\n\nCast me not away from Thy face; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.\n\nRestore unto me the joy of Thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect\nspirit.\n\nI will teach the unjust Thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to\nThee.\n\nDeliver me from blood, O God, Thou God of my salvation: and my tongue\nshall extol Thy justice.\n\nO Lord, Thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.\n\nFor if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with\nburnt\u2010offerings Thou wilt not be delighted.\n\nA sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O\nGod, Thou wilt not despise.\n\nDeal favorably, O Lord, in Thy good\u2010will with Sion: that the walls of\nJerusalem may be built up.\n\nThen shalt Thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole\nburnt\u2010offerings: then shall they lay calves upon Thy altar.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nPsalm CI.\n\n_Domine exaudi._\n\nHear, O Lord, my prayer: and let my cry come to Thee.\n\nTurn not away Thy face from me: in the day when I am in trouble incline\nThy ear to me.\n\nIn what day soever I shall call upon Thee, hear me speedily.\n\nFor my days are vanished like smoke: and my bones are grown dry like fuel\nfor the fire.\n\nI am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered, because I forgot to eat\nmy bread.\n\nThrough the voice of my groaning, my bone hath cleaved to my flesh.\n\nI am become like to a pelican of the wilderness: I am like a night\u2010raven\nin the house.\n\nI have watched, and become as a sparrow, all alone on the house\u2010top.\n\nAll the day long my enemies reproached me: and they that praised me did\nswear against me.\n\nFor I did eat ashes like bread, and mingled my drink with weeping.\n\nBecause of Thy anger and indignation: for having lifted me up, Thou hast\nthrown me down.\n\nMy days have declined like a shadow, and I am withered like grass.\n\nBut Thou, O Lord, endurest forever: and Thy memorial for all generations.\n\nThou shalt arise and have mercy on Sion: for it is time to have mercy on\nit, for the time is come.\n\nFor the stones thereof have pleased Thy servants: and they shall have pity\non the earth thereof.\n\nAnd the Gentiles shall fear Thy name, O Lord, and all the kings of the\nearth Thy glory.\n\nFor the Lord hath built up Sion: and He shall be seen in His glory.\n\nHe hath had regard to the prayer of the humble: and He hath not despised\ntheir petition.\n\nLet these things be written unto another generation: and the people that\nshall be created shall praise the Lord.\n\nBecause He has looked forth from His high sanctuary: from heaven the Lord\nhath looked upon the earth.\n\nThat He might hear the groans of them that are in fetters: that He might\nrelease the children of the slain.\n\nThat they might declare the name of the Lord in Sion, and His praise in\nJerusalem.\n\nWhen the people assemble together, and the kings, to serve the Lord.\n\nHe answered Him in the way of his strength: Declare unto me the fewness of\nmy days.\n\nCall me not away in the midst of my days: Thy years are unto generation\nand generation.\n\nIn the beginning, O Lord, Thou foundest the earth; and the heavens are the\nworks of Thy hands.\n\nThey shall perish, but Thou remainest: and all of them shall grow old like\na garment:\n\nAnd as a vesture Thou shalt change them, and they shall be changed. But\nThou art always the self\u2010same, and Thy years shall not fail.\n\nThe children of Thy servants shall continue: and their seed shall be\ndirected forever.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nPsalm CXXIX.\n\n_De profundis._\n\nOut of the depths I have cried to Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.\n\nLet Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.\n\nIf Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord, who shall stand?\n\nFor with Thee there is merciful forgiveness; and by reason of Thy law I\nhave waited for Thee, O Lord!\n\nMy soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.\n\nFrom the morning watch even until night, let Israel hope in the Lord.\n\nBecause with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plentiful redemption.\n\nAnd He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\nPsalm CXLII.\n\n_Domine exaudi._\n\nHear, O Lord, my prayer: give ear to my supplication in Thy truth: hear me\nin Thy justice.\n\nAnd enter not into judgment with Thy servant: for in Thy sight no man\nliving shall be justified.\n\nFor the enemy hath persecuted my soul: he hath brought down my life to the\nearth.\n\nHe hath made me to dwell in the darkness as those that have been dead of\nold: and my spirit is in anguish within me: my heart within me is\ntroubled.\n\nI remembered the days of old, I meditated on all Thy works: I meditated\nupon the works of Thy hands.\n\nI stretched forth my hands to Thee: my soul is as earth without water unto\nThee.\n\nHear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away.\n\nTurn not away Thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into\nthe pit.\n\nCause me to hear Thy mercy in the morning: for in Thee have I hoped.\n\nMake the way known to me, wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my\nsoul to Thee.\n\nDeliver me from my enemies, O Lord; to Thee have I fled: teach me to do\nThy will, for Thou art my God.\n\nThy good Spirit shall lead me into the right land: and for Thy name\u2019s\nsake, O Lord, Thou wilt quicken me in Thy justice.\n\nThou wilt bring my soul out of trouble: and in Thy mercy Thou wilt destroy\nmy enemies.\n\nAnd Thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am Thy servant.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n_Ant._ Remember not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents, and\ntake not revenge of our sins.\n\n\n\n\nEfficacious Prayers for the Souls in Purgatory.\n\n\nA Daily Exercise For The Relief Of The Poor Souls.\n\nO most loving God, Father of mercies, God of infinite goodness, behold me\nhumbly prostrate before Thy throne; I pray and beseech Thee to have pity\non the holy souls that are in the pains of purgatory. Cast on them a look\nof mercy, free them from their pains, and put them in possession of the\ninheritance of heaven. Remember that they are the work of Thy hands,\nredeemed by the most precious blood of Thy divine Son Jesus: deal with\nthem according to Thine infinite mercy. Hear, O Lord, the prayer I make to\nThee with all confidence, through the merits of the Passion and death of\nThy most dear Son Jesus, that they may be consoled, and may enjoy without\ndelay that immortal glory which Thou hast prepared for Thine elect. O\nmerciful Lord, have pity upon them, according to our trust in Thee. Amen.\n\n_Prayers._\n\n1. O most sweet Jesus, through the sweat of blood which Thou didst suffer\nin the Garden of Gethsemani, have pity upon the holy souls in purgatory,\nand in particular upon the one which was most devout to the most Holy\nTrinity.\n\nHave pity upon them, O Jesus, have pity upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Eternal rest, etc.\n\nO turn to Jesus, Mother! turn,\n  And call Him by His tenderest names;\nPray for the holy souls that burn\n  This hour amid the cleansing flames.\n\n2. O most sweet Jesus, through the torments which Thou didst suffer in Thy\nmost cruel scourging, have pity upon those dear souls, and particularly\nupon the one which was the most devout to Thy most amiable Heart.\n\nHave pity upon them, O Jesus, have pity upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Eternal rest, etc.\n\nO turn to Jesus, etc.\n\n3. O most sweet Jesus, through the pangs which Thou didst suffer in Thy\nmost painful crowning with thorns, have pity upon those dear souls, and\nparticularly upon the one which was most devout to the immaculate heart of\nMary.\n\nHave pity upon them, O Jesus, have pity upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Eternal rest, etc.\n\nO turn to Jesus, etc.\n\n4. O most sweet Jesus, through the afflictions which Thou didst suffer in\ncarrying the cross to Calvary, have pity upon those dear souls, and\nparticularly upon the one which is nearest to its departure from that most\npainful prison.\n\nHave pity upon them, O Jesus, have pity upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Eternal rest, etc.\n\nO turn to Jesus, etc.\n\n5. O most sweet Jesus, through the tortures which Thou didst suffer in Thy\nmost cruel crucifixion, have pity upon those dear souls, and especially\nupon that one which Thou knowest to be of them all the most destitute of\nspecial suffrages.\n\nHave pity upon them, O Jesus, have pity upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Eternal rest, etc.\n\nO turn to Jesus, etc.\n\n6. O most sweet Jesus, through the pains which Thou didst suffer in the\nmost bitter agony which Thou didst undergo upon the cross, have pity upon\nthose dear souls, and particularly upon the one which among them all would\nbe the last to depart out of such excruciating pains.\n\nHave pity upon them, O Jesus, have pity upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Eternal rest, etc.\n\nO turn to Jesus, etc.\n\n7. O most sweet Jesus, through that intense anguish which Thou didst\nsuffer, when Thou didst breathe out Thy blessed soul, have pity upon those\ndear souls, and particularly upon the one which has the greatest claims on\nme for help.\n\nHave pity upon them, O Jesus, have pity upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, and Eternal rest, etc.\n\nO Mary, let thy Son no more\n  His lingering spouses thus expect:\nGod\u2019s children to their God restore,\n  And to the Spirit His elect.\n\nThey are the children of thy tears;\n  Then hasten, Mother, to their aid;\nIn pity think each hour appears\n  An age while glory is delayed.\n\nPray, then, as thou hast ever prayed;\n  Angels and souls, all look to thee;\nGod waits thy prayers, for He hath made\n  Those prayers His law of charity.\n\nO turn to Jesus, Mother! turn,\n  And call Him by His tenderest names;\nPray for the holy souls that burn\n  This hour amid the cleansing flames.\n\nSupplication To The Most Holy Mary.\n\nTo thee, O most holy Virgin Mary, my Mother, I turn in supplication, and\nthrough that sword which pierced thy heart, when thou didst behold thy\nbeloved Son Jesus Christ bow down His head and give up the ghost, I pray\nand implore thee, with the greatest confidence, to succor the poor holy\nsouls in purgatory, and particularly those of which an especial\ncommemoration has been made. O Mother of sorrows, O Queen of martyrs, for\nthe love of Jesus Who died for us upon the cross, do thou with thy\npowerful prayers give succor also unto us, who are in danger not only of\nfalling into purgatory, but even of losing ourselves forever. O Mary, our\ndear Mother, Mother of grace, Mother of mercy, have pity upon us.\n\n_Ejaculation to be repeated every day during the Octave._\n\nO eternal Father, through the most precious blood of Jesus, and through\nthe most bitter dolors of Mary, have pity and mercy upon the holy souls in\npurgatory. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nPrayers for Each Day for the Souls in Purgatory.\n\n\nFor Sunday.\n\nO Lord God almighty, I pray Thee, by the precious blood which Thy divine\nSon Jesus shed in the Garden; set free the souls in purgatory, and, among\nthem all, especially the one which is most friendless, and conduct it to\nThy glory, where it may praise Thee and bless Thee for eternity. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nPsalm, _De Profundis_.\n\n_Prayer._\n\nO God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of\nThy servants departed the remission of all their sins, that through pious\nsupplications they may obtain that pardon which they have always desired;\nWho livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy\nGhost, God, world without end. Amen.\n\n_V._ Eternal rest give to them, O Lord.\n\n_R._ And let perpetual light shine upon them.\n\n_V._ May they rest in peace.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\nMonday.\n\nO Lord God almighty, I pray Thee, through the precious blood which Thy\ndivine Son Jesus shed in His cruel scourging; set free the souls in\npurgatory, and, among them all, especially the one which is nearest to its\nentry into Thy glory, in order that it may speedily begin to praise Thee\nand to bless Thee for eternity. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nPsalm, _De Profundis_.\n\nO God, the Creator, etc., etc.\n\nTuesday.\n\nO Lord God almighty, I supplicate Thee, through the precious blood which\nThy divine Son Jesus shed in His bitter crowning with thorns; set free the\nsouls in purgatory, and in particular, among them all, the one which would\nhave to be the last to depart from such grievous pains, to the end that it\nmay not delay so long to praise Thee in Thy glory, and to bless Thee\nforever. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nPsalm, _De Profundis_.\n\nO God, the Creator, etc., etc.\n\nWednesday.\n\nO Lord God almighty, I pray Thee, through the precious blood which Thy\ndivine Son Jesus shed through the streets of Jerusalem, in carrying the\ncross on His sacred shoulders; set free the souls in purgatory, and\nespecially the one which is the richest in merits before Thee, in order\nthat in the sublime height of glory which it expects, it may loudly praise\nThee and bless Thee forever. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nPsalm, _De Profundis_.\n\nO God, the Creator, etc., etc.\n\nThursday.\n\nO Lord God almighty, I supplicate Thee, through the precious body and\nblood of Thy divine Son Jesus, which He Himself on the eve of His Passion\ngave erewhile for meat and drink to His dear apostles, and left to all His\nChurch as a perpetual sacrifice and lifegiving food for His faithful; set\nfree the souls in purgatory, and most of all the one most devout to this\nmystery of infinite love; in order that it may praise Thee for it with Thy\ndivine Son, and with the Holy Ghost in Thy glory forever. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nPsalm, _De Profundis_.\n\nO God, the Creator, etc., etc.\n\nFriday.\n\nO Lord God almighty, I pray Thee, through the precious blood which Thy\ndivine Son Jesus shed on this day on the altar of the cross, especially\nfrom His most holy hands and feet; set free the souls in purgatory, and\nespecially the one for which I ought most to pray to Thee; in order that\nit may not be owing to my fault that Thou dost not quickly take it to\npraise Thee in Thy glory, and to bless Thee forever. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nPsalm, _De Profundis_.\n\nO God, the Creator, etc., etc.\n\nSaturday.\n\nO Lord God almighty, I supplicate Thee, through the precious blood which\npoured forth from the side of Thy divine Son Jesus, in the sight and to\nthe exceeding suffering of His most holy Mother; set free the souls in\npurgatory, and especially, among them all, the one which was most devout\nto this great Queen; in order that it may speedily come to Thy glory to\npraise Thee in her, and her in Thee for all eternity. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary.\n\nPsalm, _De Profundis_.\n\nO God, the Creator, etc., etc.\n\nIndulgence of a hundred days each time; applicable to the dead.\n\n\n\n\nAn Invocation of the Most Holy Trinity for the Souls in Purgatory.\n\n\nO God of all goodness, Father of mercies, Who, at the prayers and fastings\nof Thy faithful people, didst vouchsafe to send Thy angels to break\nasunder the fetters of Thy holy apostle Peter, and to open the doors of\nhis prison; hear even also on this day the prayers and supplications of\nThy Church, and send Thy angel to the souls for whom we pray, that, the\ndoors of their prison being opened wide, they may be happily received into\nthe bosom of Thy mercy.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc., etc.\n\nO Son of God, Saviour of souls, Who didst refresh the three children in\nthe burning fiery furnace, pour down upon the souls that cry to Thee from\nthe flames, Thy heavenly dew. Thy precious blood alone can quench the\nflames of purgatory; oh, let it now flow down upon these suffering souls,\nand do Thou, O Lord, have mercy upon them.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc., etc.\n\nO Spirit of love, have compassion on the cruel torment which these souls\nendure, that are filled with the purest charity, and, aspiring without\nceasing towards their God, cry aloud in their distress, \u201cI thirst: I\nthirst after my God!\u201d and yet cannot attain unto the object of their love,\nnor receive the least drop of that torrent of pure delights. O Holy\nSpirit, grant that, having felt the fiercest pangs of love, they may taste\nits heavenly delights in a blessed eternity. Amen.\n\nOur Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc., etc.\n\nPrayer that may be used by Surviving Friends.\n\nGrant, O Lord, we beseech Thee, that while we lament the departure of Thy\nservant, we may always remember that we are most certainly to follow him\n[her]. Give us grace to prepare for that last hour by a good and holy\nlife, that we may not be taken unprepared by sudden death, but may be ever\non the watch, that, when Thou shalt call, we may go forth to meet the\nBridegroom, and enter with Him into glory everlasting. Through the same\nJesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\nO most wise and merciful Lord, Who hast ordained this life as a passage to\nthe future, confining our repentance to the time of our pilgrimage here,\nand reserving for hereafter the state of punishment and reward; vouchsafe\nto us who are yet alive, and have still the opportunity of reconciliation\nwith Thee, the grace so to watch over all our actions, and to correct\nevery slightest wandering from the true way to heaven, that we may not be\nsurprised with our sins uncancelled or our duties unfulfilled; but when\nour bodies shall go down into the grave, our souls may ascend to Thee, and\ndwell with Thee forever in the mansions of eternal bliss. Through Jesus\nChrist Our Lord and only Saviour. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nLitany of the Faithful Departed.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nLord, have mercy on us.\n_Christ, have mercy on us._\nLord, have mercy on us.\nChrist, hear us.\n_Christ, graciously hear us._\nGod the Father of heaven, _Have mercy on the suffering souls._\nGod the Son, Redeemer of the world, _Have mercy on the suffering souls._\nGod the Holy Ghost, _Have mercy on the suffering souls._\nHoly Trinity, one God, _Have mercy on the suffering souls._\nHoly Mary, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nHoly Mother of God, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nHoly Virgin of virgins, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Michael, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy angels and archangels, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye choirs of celestial spirits, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. John the Baptist, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Joseph, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy patriarchs and prophets, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Peter, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Paul, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. John, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy apostles and evangelists, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Stephen, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Laurence, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy martyrs, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Gregory, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Ambrose, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Augustine, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Jerome, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy pontiffs and confessors, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy doctors, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy priests and Levites, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy monks and hermits, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Mary Magdalen, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Catharine, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nSt. Barbara, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye holy virgins and widows, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nAll ye saints of God, _Pray for the suffering souls._\nBe merciful unto them,\n_Pardon them, O Lord._\nBe merciful unto them,\n_Hear us, O Lord._\nFrom all evil, O _Lord, deliver them._\nFrom Thy wrath, _O Lord, deliver them._\nFrom the rigor of Thy justice, _O Lord, deliver them._\nFrom the gnawing worm of conscience, _O Lord, deliver them._\nFrom fearful darkness, _O Lord, deliver them._\nFrom their mourning and tears, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy incarnation, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy nativity, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thine own sweet name, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy baptism and holy fasting, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy most profound humility, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy perfect submission, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy infinite love, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy anguish and torment, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy bloody sweat, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy bonds and chains, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy crown of thorns, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy ignominious death, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy sacred wounds, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy cross and bitter Passion, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thy glorious resurrection, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy Thine admirable ascension, _O Lord, deliver them._\nBy the coming of the Paraclete, _O Lord, deliver them._\n\nIn the day of judgment, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nSinners as we are, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThou Who didst absolve the adulteress, and pardon the good thief, _We\n            beseech Thee, hear us._\nThou Who savest by Thy grace, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThou Who hast the keys of death and of hell, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat it may please Thee to deliver our parents, friends, and benefactors\n            from tormenting flames, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat it may please Thee to deliver all the faithful departed, _We beseech\n            Thee, hear us._\nThat it may please Thee to have mercy on all those who have none in this\n            world to remember or pray for them, _We beseech Thee, hear\n            us._\nThat it may please Thee to have mercy on all, and to deliver them from\n            their pains, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nThat it may please Thee to fulfil their desires, _We beseech Thee, hear\n            us._\nThat it may please Thee to admit them amongst Thine elect, _We beseech\n            Thee, hear us._\nKing of dreadful majesty, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nSon of God, _We beseech Thee, hear us._\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Give them rest!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Give them rest!_\nLamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, _Give them eternal\n            rest!_\nJesus Christ, hear us.\n_Jesus Christ, graciously hear us._\n\nOur Father, etc.\n\n_V._ From the gate of hell.\n\n_R._ O Lord, preserve their souls.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, give to the souls of\nThy servants departed the remission of all their sins, to the end that\nthey may obtain, by the humble supplications of Thy Church, that pardon\nwhich they have always desired of Thy mercy. Thou Who, being God, livest\nand reignest forever and ever. Amen.\n\n_V._ Give them, O Lord, eternal rest.\n\n_R._ And let perpetual light shine upon them.\n\n_V._ May they rest in peace.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n\n\n\nPsalm CXXIX.\n\n\n_De Profundis._\n\nOut of the depths I have cried unto Thee, O Lord: Lord, hear my voice.\n\nLet Thy ears be attentive to the voice of my supplication.\n\nIf Thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities: Lord, who shall stand?\n\nFor with Thee there is merciful forgiveness: and by reason of Thy law I\nhave waited for Thee, O Lord.\n\nMy soul hath relied on His word: my soul hath hoped in the Lord.\n\nFrom the morning watch even until night: let Israel hope in the Lord.\n\nFor with the Lord there is mercy: and with Him plentiful redemption.\n\nAnd He shall redeem Israel from all his iniquities.\n\n_V._ Eternal rest give unto them, O Lord.\n\n_R._ And let perpetual light shine upon them.\n\n_V._ May they rest in peace.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\nAn indulgence of fifty days can be gained thrice in the same day by all\nthe faithful who shall devoutly recite the _De Profundis_, with the\nversicles and responses. Plenary indulgence once a year, after confession\nand communion.\n\n\n\n\n\nDECEMBER. ADVENT.\n\n\nChrist Jesus, Whom we are going to seek this month, has two thrones: one\nof grace and one of justice. While we live we can always approach the\nthrone of grace. This throne is placed for our refuge, and the pardon of\nour sins. Ask and you shall receive; if your sins are as black as jet,\nthey shall be made white as snow.\n\nWhen we approach the throne of God\u2019s mercy, love and grace, we must come\ndeeply penetrated with the knowledge, \u201cWithout Me you can do\nnothing.\u201d\u2014John xv. 5. We have not the grace, nor the strength, nor the\nwillingness, nor the intelligence to do good of ourselves without the help\nof Jesus. Let us then go with confidence to the throne of grace, that we\nmay obtain mercy and find grace.\n\nLet us have great confidence in God\u2019s mercy; let us feel, in the depths of\nour hearts, a conviction that the only source whence a poor sinner can\nexpect effectual help is from God\u2019s love. \u201cAlthough He should kill me I\nwill trust in Him.\u201d We need aid, and we will get that help without fail.\n\nThe Church shows her wisdom by not showing us the manger during Advent;\nfor one entire month she tells us, \u201cPrepare yourselves that you may be fit\nto approach the Infant Jesus at the time of His birth. You must prepare\nyour heart by meditation, by a lively faith, a fervent love, a true\nhumility, a sweetness of character, and a spirit of penance and\nrecollection.\u201d On Christmas day the Lord is not born corporally, as He was\nat Bethlehem; but He will be born spiritually in our hearts, if they have\nbeen well prepared for His reception.\n\n\n\n\nConsiderations and Prayers for Every Day.\n\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\n\nAdvent is the season in which we are taught to look forward to the coming\nof Our Lord into the world at Christmas, and also to His second coming at\nthe end of time, to judge the living and the dead. His first coming was to\nseek and to save that which was lost; the second will be to gather in the\nfruits of His labors, the souls that are saved. The sacred time of Advent\nis therefore a preparation for Christmas, established by the Church, and\nat the same time it leads us to look for the coming of Christ at the end,\nand to conform our lives to the life of Christ, so that when we meet Him\non the Last Day it will not be in fear and trembling, but with joy,\nbecause we have been selected to return with Him to heaven. We will, then,\nwith alacrity enter into this employment during this month, knowing that\nif we have prepared well for His first coming, we shall be in a fit state\nto receive Him at His second advent. The time of Advent, according to the\nChurch, is a time of penance, not so great as Lent, but the spirit should\nbe the same. Every morning, if possible, attend Mass in honor of the\ncoming of Christ, and on Fridays impose a slight penance on yourself.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, vouchsafe to reduce Thy\nincarnated divinity and most divine humanity to the humiliating state of\nbirth and infancy: grant that we, acknowledging Thy infinite wisdom in Thy\ninfancy, Thy power in Thy weakness, and Thy majesty in Thy littleness, may\nadore Thee, a little one on earth, and behold Thee great in heaven. Who\nlivest and reignest with God the Father, in unity with the Holy Ghost,\nworld without end. Amen.\n\n\n\nSecond Day.\n\n\nOf all the miracles in the world, never was there one to be compared to\nthat of the coming of the Son of God on earth, in the humble form of a\nchild. It was a miracle so entirely above our reasoning, that unless we\nknew it by faith established by revelation, we would say it was impossible\nand believe it as little as many of the unbelieving Jews did. That the\ninfinite God should take the form of a poor creature: that God should so\nunite Himself to that creature of His, as to assume its lowliness, clad in\nthe dust and clay of the earth, is a very great miracle. It was, however,\nthe infinite power of the Almighty that did this. \u201cFor us men, and for our\nsalvation, He came down from heaven. He humbled Himself, and became\nobedient unto death, even to the death of the cross.\u201d Who can now refuse\nto believe in the love of God for His creatures? Men looking at life in a\ncertain light, have doubted God\u2019s goodness to humanity; but let them once\ncontemplate the world from our point of view and they will necessarily\nadmit that He loved us to excess, and that He still continues to love us.\nOh, shall we not then return Him love for love?\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThird Day.\n\n\nWhat was it that induced God to work such a miracle in behalf of mankind,\nas to send His only\u2010begotten Son to this world? It was man\u2019s sin. From all\neternity the Blessed Trinity had decreed that in consequence of sin there\nwas a necessity of redemption; that the eternal Word should be born into\nthe world, if man was not to be left to the fate of everlasting perdition.\nMan could not redeem himself; an angel could not give sufficient\nsatisfaction; none but God Himself could offer atonement for man. Hence,\nGod, in His great goodness and mercy, resolved to do this work of\nredemption. He provides a remedy for all the sins and follies of men, even\nbefore they are committed. We do the harm, and God has to undo it. Has He\nnot often thus averted from me the consequences due to my evil deeds? What\nhave I done in my life but wickedness, and very little good? My life has\nbeen so filled with iniquity, that shame fills my heart when I think of\nthe past. I have not only to bear the sins of Adam and Eve, but I have to\natone for my own sins. So great have these sins been, that the Son of God\nhad to descend very low to reach our level.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\n\nThe Fathers of the Church, and the Church herself, exclaim, \u201cO happy\nfault, that caused the Word to be made flesh, and to dwell among us! O\nhappy transgression, which earned a Redeemer such as this!\u201d We gained more\nthan we lost. Adam and Eve were perfect for a time in the sight of God,\nbut when they fell, they lost all. Then came the redemption, and we were\nadmitted into the Church of God, a fountain so full of graces, by means of\nthe sacraments. Our places were secured in heaven by the blood of the\nLamb. What a great gift was that blood of Jesus Christ, poured over our\nsoul! What a glorious wound was that which was cured by so adorable a\npower! We have hope once more, again we breathe freely in the bright trust\nof being children of God, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven. So that from\nthe time of Adam and Eve, there had been a hope in the human breast that\nGod would come to redeem mankind. Adam and all his children were ever\nlooking and praying for His coming; and now during Advent we are preparing\nfor the coming of Him Who is to rejoice every heart. \u201cCome quickly, O Lord\nJesus.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\n\nThe children of Adam had to lament the deadly effects of the evil they had\ncommitted. As generation followed generation, thicker grew the darkness in\nthe minds and hearts of the people, and farther and farther away did they\nwander from that eternal Light, which was to guide them to heaven. Thus it\nis that sin goes on, spreading its painful consequences throughout the\nworld, even long after the evil\u2010doer is dead and gone. Gradually the world\nlost all regard for virtue, or for God, until it became so wicked that\nunless the Redeemer appeared when He did, mankind would have been plunged\ninto absolute barbarism, and worked its own destruction. If I had lived\nthen, what kind of a human being would I have been?\u2014who even now, while\nenjoying the light of civilization and the freedom with which God has\nenriched me, am such a poor specimen of a Christian. I who have been made\nby God, for God, and in the image of God.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\n\nOur life is a circle. We came from God, and to God we must return. If we\nhave deserted Him we must go back, if our life is to be a success in the\nend. We can never find repose or lasting satisfaction in anything but God.\nUntil we make Him the end and aim of our life, we shall feel that we are\nwandering about in the dark. This was the case with the world, which had\ngone from its Creator; deeper and deeper it sank in the mire of iniquity.\nWe must do as Christ bids us, \u201cSeek ye first the kingdom of God.\u201d We seek\nHim by a thorough preparation for His coming, for He will come to meet us,\nand will be ready to receive us and take us back into His affection. God\ncomes to us repeatedly in life; but we do not know His fulness. Yet it is\na sad loss that we are so blind. It is the only real misery in life, that\nwe are meeting God every day, and do not know Him when we meet Him.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\n\nAt length, on the distant horizon, can be discerned the dawn of the Sun\nthat has been so long desired to enlighten the world. The happy Mother of\nthe Messias was to be born before He could come. This is the eve of the\nfeast of the Immaculate Conception; the earth has now a pledge that the\ncoming of the Messias will no longer be delayed, the Son of man is near at\nhand. The conception of Mary takes place under the direct providence of\nGod; she receives the breath of life from God, without any stain of sin.\nThe feast of the Blessed Virgin\u2019s Immaculate Conception is the most solemn\nof all those which the Church celebrates during the holy season of Advent.\nWe will, then, honor the feast of the Blessed Virgin with joy. The\nintention of the feast is not only to celebrate the anniversary of the\nhappy moment in which began, in the womb of the pious Ann, the life of the\never glorious Virgin Mary: but also to honor the sublime privilege by\nwhich Mary was preserved from the stain of original sin\u2014which, by the\ncurse of God on our first parents, darkened the souls of all the\ndescendants of Adam and Eve at the very first moment of their conception.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\n\nThe faith of the Catholic Church on the conception of Mary, is this: that,\nat the very instant when God united the soul of Mary, which He had created\nwith a special regard to the Mother of His divine Son, to the body which\nit was to animate, this ever blessed soul not only did not contract the\nstain of that curse which defiles every human soul, but was filled with an\nimmeasurable grace, which rendered it from that moment the mirror of\nsanctity of God Himself, as far as this is possible to a creature. It was\ndue to His own infinite sanctity that God should suspend, in this\ninstance, the law which His divine justice had passed upon all the\nchildren of Adam. The relations which Mary was to bear to the divinity\ncould not be reconciled with her undergoing the humiliations of man\u2019s\npunishment. She was not only the Daughter of the eternal Father: she was\ndestined also to become the very Mother of the Son, and the Bride of the\nHoly Ghost. Nothing defiled could be permitted to enter, even for the\nshortest time, that sacred structure.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\n\nSt. Anselm, a Doctor of the Church, tells us, in his time, when the\ndoctrine of the Immaculate Conception had not yet been declared, that, \u201cIt\nwas just that this holy Virgin should be adorned with the greatest purity\nwhich can be conceived, after that of God Himself, since God the Father\nwas to give her as her Child that only\u2010begotten Son, Whom He loved as\nHimself, as being begotten to Him from His own bosom, and this in such a\nmanner that the self\u2010same Son of God was by nature the Son of both God the\nFather, and of this Blessed Virgin. This same Son chose her to be\nsubstantially His Mother: and the Holy Ghost willed that in her womb He\nwould operate the conception and birth of Him from Whom He Himself\nproceeded.\u201d When we remember that Mary is the \u201cMother of God,\u201d so far from\nbeing surprised at the privileges which we see the Church giving her, we\napprove of all. That the Almighty would shower down upon her the choicest\ngraces of heaven, and by special privileges distinguish her from all the\nchildren of God, seems only just. Mary was so surrounded and strengthened\nby grace that she never committed the least sin during her life.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTenth Day.\n\n\nThe closeness of the tie between Mother and Son gave Mary all the\nprivileges and distinctions which she enjoys. This closeness was to unite\nthe Son of God with Mary, and was to elicit from Him the most tender love\nand the most filial reverence. All this had been present to the thought of\nGod from all eternity, and the conclusion forces itself upon our mind,\nthat therefore the divine Word had, for His future Mother, a love\ninfinitely greater than that which He bore for all other creatures. Mary\u2019s\nhonor was infinitely dear to Him, because she was to be His Mother, chosen\nto be so by His eternal and merciful decrees. The Son\u2019s love protected the\nMother. She, indeed, in her sublime humility, willingly submitted to\nwhatever the rest of God\u2019s creatures had brought on themselves, and obeyed\nevery tittle of those laws which were never meant for her. \u201cO Mary, O\nmarvellous, mystical creature! O resplendent mote, lost almost to view in\nthe upper light of the supernal fountains! Who can sufficiently abase\nhimself before thee, and weep for the want of love to love thee rightly,\nthou whom the Word so loved eternally?\u201d (Faber.)\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEleventh Day.\n\n\nMary was conceived without sin, because the eternal Father would not do\nless for the second Eve than He had done for the first; yet the latter was\ncreated, as was also the first Adam, in the state of original justice,\nwhich she forfeited by her disobedience. The Son of God would not permit\nthat Mary, from whom He was to take the nature of man, should be deprived\nof that gift which He had given to Eve. The Holy Ghost, Who was to\novershadow Mary, and through whose operation she was to become the Mother\nof the Incarnate Word, would not permit that foul stain of sin in which we\nare all conceived to rest even for an instant on His Bride. All men were\nto contract the sin of Adam. The sentence was universal, the condemnation\nwent out against all the race; but God\u2019s own Mother could not be included.\nGod, Who is the Author of that law; God, Who was free to make it as He\nwilled, had power to save her from its effects; His omnipotence could\nexempt her, and it was nothing more than proper, even according to our\nfrail reason, that she was exempted.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwelfth Day.\n\n\nCertainly God\u2019s omnipotence came into active operation when He created the\nsoul of Mary. When Adam and Eve stood before Him in the garden of\nparadise, the Lord said to the woman, \u201cWhy hast thou done this?\u201d She\nreplied, \u201cThe serpent deceived me, and I did eat.\u201d Then God was angry, and\nturning to the serpent He said, \u201cI will put enmity between thy seed and\nher seed; she shall crush thy head.\u201d Thus was salvation promised to the\nhuman race, under the form of a victory over Satan, and it is to be gained\nby the woman. The second Eve is to be worthy of the second Adam,\nconquering Satan and sin. The human race is one day to be avenged, not\nonly by God made man, but also by the woman miraculously exempted from\nevery sin, in whom the primeval creation, which was in justice and\nholiness, will thus reappear, as though original sin had never been\ncommitted. Raise up your hands then, ye children of Adam, and shake off\nyour chains. On this day of the Immaculate Conception the humiliation\nwhich weighed you down so heavily is annihilated.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nThirteenth Day.\n\n\nThe dignity of the human race is well portrayed when we see that God so\nblessed its members. The Lord loves the human race, and was pleased to be\ncalled the Son of man. He still loves this guilty earth, since He has\ndeigned to enlighten it with one of the brightest rays of His Mother\u2019s\nglory. How the world ought to exult on this feast of the Immaculate\nConception! The present generation will never forget the enthusiasm with\nwhich the entire universe received the tidings of the definition of the\ndogma. It was an event of mysterious importance, which thus marks this\nsecond half of our century, and we shall look forward to the future with\nconfidence. For the Holy Ghost bids us tremble for the days when truths\nare diminished among the children of men. He would consequently have us\nlook on these times as blessed by God, in which we receive an increase of\ntruth, and an increase both in light and authority. The Church always\nprofessed belief in the Immaculate Conception; it is not a new doctrine.\nShe had always kept the 8th of December as the feast of the conception of\nMary. Now we add, \u201cImmaculate\u201d Conception.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFourteenth Day.\n\n\nThere have been no new doctrines added to the dogmas of the Church. People\nare sometimes scandalized when they hear, from Protestant and infidel\nsources, that the Church is continually adding to her faith without any\nwarrant from God. Such, however, is not a fact. The present living Church\ncan add nothing to the revelation of Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.\nSt. Bernard and the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas, both teach that the Church\ncannot celebrate the feast of what is not holy. From time immemorial the\nfeast of the Immaculate Conception has been celebrated; it was considered\nholy then, and is now no new doctrine. The nativity of the same holy\nVirgin is kept as a solemnity in the Church, because Mary was born full of\ngrace. Therefore, had the first moment of Mary\u2019s existence been one of\nsin, as that of all the other children of Adam, it never could have been\nmade the subject of reverence by the Church. O Mary, thou bright ray of\nhope, penetrate our hearts, that we may rejoice in thy motherhood; thou\nart the dearest, purest, holiest Mother, whom we love most tenderly.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nFifteenth Day.\n\n\nHow thy gentle light gladdens our weary eyes, sweet Mother! Generations\nhad followed generations on this earth of ours; men looked up to heaven\nthrough their tears, hoping to see on the horizon the Star which they had\nbeen told should disperse the gloomy horrors of the world\u2019s darkness. O\nthou fair Morning Star, which dost shed thy blessed rays on the sea, and\ndost bring calm after long stormy night, prepare our eyes, that they may\nbehold the divine Sun which will soon follow in thy path, and give to the\nworld His reign of light. To see Jesus in truth our hearts must be pure;\npurify them, then, O Mother, especially during this sacred time of Advent,\nthat we, the children of the Church, reflecting on the jealous care\nwherewith God preserved thee from every stain of sin, because thou wast to\nbe the Mother of His divine Son, might prepare to receive this same Jesus\nby the most perfect renouncing of every sin, and every attachment to it.\nCease not to bless and protect all these that honor thy great privilege of\nbeing conceived without sin. May this feast fit us for the birth of Jesus\nin Bethlehem. Thou art all beautiful, O Mary, and there is no stain of sin\nin thee.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSixteenth Day.\n\n\nThe Church cries out a welcome to the advent of Christ, during this time;\nmaking us feel as if we sat in darkness, as if we were as degraded as was\nman before the coming of the Messias: \u201cO Wisdom,\u201d she cries out, \u201cWho\ncamest forth from the mouth of the Most High, reaching in Thy strength\nfrom end to end, and sweetly disposing all things, come teach us the way\nof prudence.\u201d The first title given to Jesus is that of Wisdom, the\neternal Wisdom of God, and the source of all wisdom to men for all time.\nThe eternal Word disposes all things sweetly: everything that happens in\nheaven and on earth is arranged by Him, not unkindly, nor harshly, but\nsweetly. We invite Him to come and teach us the ways of prudence, because\nwhere there is prudence all must be well. Teach me, O Jesus, the lesson of\nprudence, which will guide me safely to the kingdom of heaven. The prophet\nMicheas says of the Child to be born in Bethlehem: \u201cHis going forth is\nfrom the beginning from the days of eternity.\u201d O divine Wisdom, how strong\nart Thou, in thus reaching Thine ends by means which are infallible though\nhidden!\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nSeventeenth Day.\n\n\nO Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, Who didst appear to Moses in\nthe fire of the flaming bush, and didst give him the Law on Sinai, come\nand save us with a stretched forth arm! O sovereign, almighty Lord, come\nto redeem us! Heretofore Thou didst show Thyself to Moses in a fiery bush,\nThou didst give Thy Law to Thy people amidst thunder and lightning on\nMount Sinai; come and redeem us now in the goodness of Thy Heart, in\nkindness and love. Thy chaste Mother, having heard the emperor\u2019s edict,\nwhich obliges her and Joseph, her spouse, to repair to Bethlehem, prepares\neverything needful for Thy divine birth. She makes ready the humble\nswaddling\u2010clothes which are to cover and protect Thee from the cold of\nthat midnight hour. Thus it is that Thou willest to deliver us from the\nslavery of pride, and to show man that Thy divine arm is never stronger\nthan when he thinks it powerless. Everything is prepared for Thy\nreception, except our hearts, which still await Thy holy grace, which is\nto change them, and make them fit temples for Thy abode.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nEighteenth Day.\n\n\nThe expectation of the birth of Our Lord is a fact which is celebrated\nthroughout the Church. The expectation of the world is now at its greatest\ntension. Nobody knows whether the event of the birth of Christ is going to\ntake place to\u2010day, or to\u2010morrow; but soon it will be accomplished.\nEverything is in readiness; the earth groans for need of the Lord, the\nholy people pray that they may see the great day; we, too, on this feast,\nwill pray for the coming of the Lord. We wish with all our hearts that the\nMessias would come. Most just indeed it is, O holy Mother of God, that we\nshould unite in that ardent desire thou hadst to see Him, Who had been\nconcealed for nine months in thy chaste womb; to know the features of the\nSon of the heavenly Father; to come to that blissful hour of His birth,\nwhich will give glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men of\ngood\u2010will. Yes, dear Mother, the time is fast approaching, though not fast\nenough to satisfy thy desires and ours. Make us, O Mary, redouble our\nattention to this great mystery; complete our preparation by thy powerful\nprayers for us, that when His hour has come, Jesus may find no obstacle to\nHis entry into our hearts.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nNineteenth Day.\n\n\nO Root of Jesse, Who standest as the standard of the people, before Whom\nkings shall not open their lips; to Whom the nations shall pray, come and\ndeliver us: tarry now no more. At length, O Son of Jesse, Thou art\napproaching the city of Thy ancestors! The ark of the Lord has arisen, and\nis journeying with the God that is in her to the place of rest. \u201cHow\nbeautiful are thy steps, O thou daughter of the Prince,\u201d now that thou art\nbringing to the cities of Juda their salvation! The angels escort thee,\nheaven delights in thee, and earth thrills with joy to bear thus upon\nitself, its Creator and its Queen. Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary,\nwhich bore the invisible God; there did He deign to dwell, Whom even\nthrones cannot hold, and she bore Him as a light weight. Our hearts, O\nMary, are with thee. Like thy royal ancestor, David, \u201cwe will enter not\ninto the dwelling, our house, nor go up to bed whereon we lie, nor give\nsleep to our eyes, nor rest to our temples,\u201d until we have found the place\nin our hearts for the Lord Whom thou bearest, a tabernacle for this God of\nJacob. Then will be silenced the enemies of thy name, and nations will\noffer thee their prayers.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwentieth Day.\n\n\nO Key of David and Sceptre of the house of Israel! Who openest and no man\nshutteth; Who shuttest and no man openeth; come and lead the captive from\nprison, sitting in darkness, and in the shadow of death. O Gabriel! blest\nmessenger of heaven, thou camest through closed doors, and didst announce\nthe word \u201cThou shalt conceive and bear a Son, and He shall be called\nEmmanuel\u201d! O Jesus, Son of David, heir to his throne and his power, Thou\nart now passing over, on Thy way to Bethlehem, the land that once was the\nkingdom of Thy ancestors, but now is tributary to the Gentiles. Not an\ninch of this ground about Bethlehem, historic for many centuries, but has\nwitnessed the miracles of the justice and mercy of Jehovah, Thy Father, to\nthe people of that Old Covenant which is so soon to end. Before long, when\nThou hast come from beneath the virginal cloud which now hides Thee, Thou\nwilt pass along this same road, doing good, healing all manner of sickness\nand every infirmity; and yet having not whereon to lay Thy head. Thou art\nnow about to come forth, Thou art now to shine in the midst of this\nworld\u2019s darkness. Open the gates then, with this all powerful Key of\nDavid.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010first Day.\n\n\nOrient Splendor of eternal light, and Sun of justice! Come and enlighten\nthem that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death. O Jesus, bright\nlight from heaven, the brightness of God Himself, the Splendor of the\nearly Sun: we welcome Thee. We need Thy light, for we sit in darkness: all\nare in darkness who commit sin, and the world is full of sin. Jesus, the\ngreat Sun, must rise over this darkness, that it may be dissipated, and a\nnew life may be infused into it; then the angel of darkness will fly away;\nthen will grow the life of light. Nothing prospers in darkness; man sleeps\nand does not work, plants fade and die; so that, O Light of the splendid\nOrient, arise in our hearts! We beseech Thee, O God, to remove from us all\nthat resists Thee, so that with a believing heart we may in such a manner\nbring forth the branches of Thy gifts bestowed on us, that the root of\nhumility may never dry up within us.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010second Day.\n\n\nO King of nations and their desired One, the corner\u2010stone that joinest the\ntwo walls! Come and save man, whom Thou didst form out of slime. O King of\npeace! Thou wast born before all ages! come by the golden gate; visit\nthose whom Thou hast redeemed, and lead them back to the place from whence\nthey fell by sin. The journey of Our Lord to Bethlehem is nearly over, and\nour blessed Mother is engrossed entirely in the expectation of the coming\nof her divine Son. She adores His majesty; she gives thanks for His mercy;\nshe rejoices that she has been chosen for the sublime ministry of\nmotherhood towards the Son of God. Mary longs for that happy day when her\neyes will look upon Him, and yet she fears that moment, too. How will she\nbe able to serve her God in His human life? How will she dare to raise Him\nup in her arms\u2014the King of nations, and she but a humble Virgin? When she\nreflects that the hour is approaching in which she is to see the Light of\nthe world, her heart almost fails her, for on the one hand she knows that\nshe bears her God, and on the other she is full of love because she is His\nMother. Come, then, speedily we beseech Thee, come and save us!\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010third Day.\n\n\nO Emmanuel, Our King and Lawgiver, the expectation of the Gentiles and\ntheir Saviour, come and save us, O Lord, Our God! O Jerusalem, city of the\ngreat God! lift up thine eyes round about, and see thy Lord, for He is\ncoming to loose thee from thy chains. As Mary and Joseph passed Jerusalem\nthey surely did not omit to visit the Temple of the Lord. This was the\nfirst visit which Our Lord paid to His Father\u2019s house. Then was fulfilled\nfor the first time the prophecy of Aggeus. \u201cGreat shall be the glory of\nthis last house, more than of the first.\u201d Now was standing in this second\nTemple the Ark of the New Covenant, greater by far than the Ark of Moses.\nThe angels that lived in the Temple were roused to special prayer on that\noccasion. Mary and Joseph, when their devotions were ended, hastened on\ntheir way in order that they might seek suitable shelter, but they were to\nbe disappointed everywhere. Thus Jesus Christ, the Son of God, comes into\nthe world.\n\nPrayer.\n\nO Lord Jesus, Who didst, for the love of us, etc., etc.\n\n\n\nTwenty\u2010fourth Day.\n\n\nMary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem. They knocked at several doors for\nadmittance or for information, but were invariably turned away; for great\nwas the crowd that was going the same way. The rich had their houses\nengaged; the poor had to look for shelter in any place. Joseph, mindful of\nMary, his spouse, was much concerned for her comfort, and he did the best\nhe could. After great industry he at last found a cave where she might\nhave shelter from the open sky, and the darkness and chilliness of the\nnight. This holy eve is indeed full of grace and hope, and we ought to\nspend it in spiritual communion and joy. Let us enter into the spirit of\nthe Church, and prepare ourselves in all the joy of our hearts to meet the\nSaviour Who is about to be born to us. Let us dispose our hearts with\ngreat simplicity, for to\u2010morrow we shall see the glory of God. Let us\ndelight in the thought that before we lie down again to rest, we shall see\nthe promised Redeemer born in the solemn midnight: \u201cSanctify yourselves\nto\u2010day, and be prepared, because in the morning you shall see the majesty\nof God among you.\u201d\n\nPrayer.\n\nO God, Who makest us to rejoice in the yearly expectation of the feast of\nthe redemption: grant that we, who joyfully receive Thy only\u2010begotten Son\nas a Redeemer, may behold without fear the same Lord Jesus Christ, coming\nas our Judge: Who livest and reignest world without end. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nSpecial Devotions to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, during the Time of Advent.\n\n\n    The devotion of the forty Hail Marys, which St. Catharine of\n    Bologna introduced, has been enriched by Pope Pius VII. An\n    indulgence of forty days is granted to the faithful who recite it\n    during the month of December.\n\n\nDaily Prayer.\n\nO Mary, great Mother of Our God, and merciful intercessor for us poor\nsinners! we throw ourselves humbly at thy feet, and we beg thee by the\nsacred blood of Thy divine Son, which He has shed for us, and by the\nprayers of St. Catharine of Bologna, that thou wilt infuse into our hearts\nthe true spirit of devotion in this little exercise and give us the grace\nto imitate the virtues of that saint, under whose protection we say this\nprayer. Think not of our unworthiness and our ingratitude, but let us feel\nthe depth of thy great love for us; and in the contemplation of the love\nwith which thou didst consider thy servant Catharine, obtain for us from\nGod the remission of our sins, that we have a cause to expect the grace of\nGod for our salvation. Amen.\n\nPrayer For Each Day.\n\nLet us now take this devotion of this saint of God, Catharine, and every\nday during this month before Christmas, say a prayer in preparation for\nthe coming of Christ, by reciting forty Hail Marys in honor of the great\nMother of God, who was so well prepared to receive the Lord at His birth.\nWe will have sorrow for our sins, for that will purify our souls, which is\na necessary quality for the reception of the Lord at His coming.\n\n_The First Ten Hail Marys._\n\nAfter each Hail Mary say:\n\n\u201cBlessed be the hour, O Mary, in which thou becamest the Mother of Jesus,\nthe Son of God.\u201d\n\nThen consider the great mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, the\ngreatest miracle of God\u2019s mercy, also the great dignity of Mary in the\nChristian world and in heaven, because she became the Mother of God and\nyet remained a Virgin.\n\n_The Second Ten Hail Marys._\n\nAfter each Hail Mary say:\n\n\u201cBlessed be the hour, O Mary, in which thou didst give birth to Jesus, the\nSon of God.\u201d\n\nThen consider the humility of Mary, the Queen of heaven, who was content\nwith the will of God and became the Mother of God in a lowly stable.\n\n_The Third Ten Hail Marys._\n\nAfter each Hail Mary say:\n\n\u201cBlessed be the hour, O Mary, in which thou didst nourish and care for the\nChild Jesus.\u201d\n\nThen consider the solicitude of Mary, with which she looked after the\nChild Jesus in all the temporal necessities of a newly born infant, when,\naccording to His own will, He was not able to help Himself. She loved that\nChild, and spent upon it her tenderest care.\n\n_The Fourth Ten Hail Marys._\n\nAfter each Hail Mary say:\n\n\u201cBlessed be the hour, O Mary, in which thou didst screen Jesus, the Son of\nGod, from the persecution of Herod.\u201d\n\nConsider here that as soon as Jesus was born He became the object of the\npersecution of men. Herod sought to murder Him, and Mary had to take the\nChild and flee into Egypt.\n\nDaily Prayer After These Devotions.\n\nPraised be God, that we have undertaken this devotion according to the\ninstruction of St. Catharine. We beg of thee, Mary, Mother of the expected\nChild, and Queen of angels, that thou deignest to obtain for us especially\ntwo graces. First, to really bewail our sins and our past infidelities,\nand second to attain after our death eternal salvation. We will cry out\nfrom the bottom of our heart according to the example of Catharine: \u201cTurn\nthen, Mary, thine eyes of mercy towards us, and after this, our exile,\nshow us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O blessed, O pious, O sweet\nVirgin Mary!\u201d\n\nThen recite the Litany of the Blessed Virgin.(1)\n\n_V._ Make us worthy to praise thee, O Blessed Virgin, Mother of my God.\n\n_R._ That I may have power against my enemies.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Who, after the announcement of the angel, didst create a body for\nThy divine Son in the bosom of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant us the grace\nthat we, who acknowledge her great privilege, may be assisted by her\nintercession. We pray Thee, O God almighty, that Thou mayest purify our\nhearts and consciences by Thy heavenly visitation, that Thy divine Son\nJesus Christ, when He shall come with all the saints, may find a fitting\nhabitation prepared for Him. Who livest and reignest, one God, world\nwithout end. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nMass for Advent.\n\n\nIn the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.\n\nIntroibo.\n\nO Jesus, the true and infinite sacrifice, I adore Thee in the Blessed\nSacrament, and I make an offering of Thy sacred body, which Thou didst\ndeliver for us unto death on the cross, and Thy sacred blood, which Thou\ndidst shed for our sins, in union with the priest who is about to say\nMass. Eternal and merciful Father, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, as\nwell as Our Father! With the priest I offer Thee a pure, holy, immaculate\nsacrifice, the sacred bread of eternal life, the chalice of salvation, the\nbody and blood of Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Deign to accept it, and be\nmerciful to me a sinner. In the spirit of humility and with a contrite\nheart, I acknowledge, O my God, that I have sinned often and grievously in\nthought, word, and deed, through my most grievous fault. I know I have\nbeen guilty, and I beg pardon of Thee, O heavenly Father, through Thy\ninfinite mercy, through the infinite merits of Jesus Christ, and through\nthe intercession of all the saints. Amen.\n\nThe Priest Ascends The Altar.\n\nO ye saints whose relics are kept on the altar, and all ye saints and\nservants of God in heaven, let me unite with thee in praising, loving and\nadoring Our God in the Sacrament of the Altar! Pray for all those who are\nassembled here; pray that we may be heard and that we ourselves cry out,\n\u201cLord, have mercy on us! Christ, have mercy on us! Lord, have mercy on\nus!\u201d Amen.\n\nGloria.\n\nGlory to God in the highest! Glory, praise, and adoration to the Most\nHigh, the one true God, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall\nbe for all eternity. Lord God, upon Thee I place all my trust. Save me\nfrom every danger, and keep me from every evil. The eyes of all are upon\nThee, O Lord, and Thou givest them food; Thou fillest all that there is\nwith Thy benediction. I praise thee, also, O Mary, Mother of God, and\nthank thee for all that I owe thee. Who is it Whom we adore in the Blessed\nSacrament but Jesus, thy Son, Who took flesh and blood from thee! What a\njoy must not thy heart experience when thou seest so many devout\nworshippers surrounding the throne of the majesty of Jesus, hidden in the\nconsecrated bread on our altars! Do thou also, O dear Mother, sing with us\nthe praises of that Jesus, for Whose coming we are preparing during\nAdvent. Amen.\n\nCollects.\n\nGive us, O God, the grace daily to feel the advent of Our Lord upon our\naltars, as we expect Him to be born in our hearts at Christmas\u2010time. Grant\nthat we may also be prepared to meet Him, the Judge, at the end of time,\nand may find Him propitious; through the same Jesus Christ Our Lord. O\nGod, Who didst leave with us, under the consecrated species, a memory of\nThy sufferings, give us the grace that by our ardent faith we may adore\nThee in this Holy Sacrament, and become worthy fruits of Thy holy Passion\nand death. Amen.\n\nEpistle.\n\nAccept, O God, this holy sacrifice in thanksgiving for the institution of\nthe Blessed Sacrament. For in possessing the Blessed Sacrament we possess\nheaven and earth, our cares are taken away, and we have Jesus, Who cries\ncontinually to us: \u201cCome to Me, all you who are heavily laden, and I will\nrefresh you.\u201d My dear Jesus, make me worthy to praise Thee with all the\nangels and elect in Thy kingdom. Let me serve Thee worthily here on this\nearth, so that I may one day share Thy glory in heaven. Amen.\n\nGospel.\n\nJesus, divine Physician of our souls! how can we sufficiently thank Thee\nfor having become man, and for having dwelt among men? To perpetuate Thy\ncoming, Thou hast remained on our altars in the Holy Sacrament. Thou hast\npreached the Gospel to us poor creatures, and hast made us acquainted with\nthe secrets of heaven. Oh, that we would always listen to Thy Word, and\napply it to our life, regulating all our actions on the principles of\ndivine wisdom manifested therein! Let Thy holy Gospel and Thy holy\nteaching be a light to our lives in the darkness in which we walk, on\naccount of our prejudices, passions, and evil inclinations, and when we\ntake this light for our guide, we are sure that we will come happily to\nthe end for which we were created. Amen.\n\nCredo.\n\nI believe in one God, and in three divine persons in that Godhead. I\nbelieve in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of\nall things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only\u2010\nbegotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God of God, Light\nof light, true God of true God, begotten, not made; consubstantial with\nthe Father by Whom all things were made, Who for us men, and for our\nsalvation, came down from heaven and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of\nthe Virgin Mary and was made man! He was crucified also for us, suffered\nunder Pontius Pilate, and was buried. The third day He rose again\naccording to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven and sitteth at the\nright hand of the Father: and He is to come again with glory to judge both\nthe living and the dead: of His kingdom there shall be no end. And I\nbelieve in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, Who proceedeth from\nthe Father and the Son: Who together with the Father and the Son is adored\nand glorified: Who spoke by the prophets. And one holy Catholic and\nApostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins, and I\nexpect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.\nAmen.\n\nOffertory.\n\nI adore Thee, O my God, and in union with the priest, offer Thee this\nsacrifice for Thy honor and glory, in thanksgiving for all the benefits\nconferred upon myself and upon the world; and in satisfaction for my many\nsins, and the sins of other men. Accept, O Lord, of this holocaust, which\nis no other than Thy divine Son, at once made Priest and Victim, offering\nand offered, and apply His saving merits to my needy soul. Be comforted, O\nmy heart, Jesus sacrifices Himself for thee. Amen.\n\nLavabo.\n\nO my Jesus, would that I could take Thee to witness of the holiness of my\nlife and the innocence of my heart! But it is in Thy mercy only that I\nplace all my hope; my consolation is in meditating on Thy promises to the\npenitent heart, and Thy faithfulness in performing them. Confounded at all\nthat I have committed to this day, and encouraged by the favors Thou hast\nbestowed upon me, I can but promise to correspond better with Thy graces\nthan I have hitherto done. I will purify myself more and more with the\ntears of penance; I will bless Thee as I do this day, and I will sing of\nthe wonders of Thy power and of Thy mercy. Amen.\n\nOrate Fratres.\n\nThe creature can offer nothing to the Creator that can be worthy of His\nacceptance. I unite myself, therefore, to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ,\nWho alone can merit anything in my behalf. I desire nothing but through\nHim and with Him. I have no wish beyond Him. O God of mercy, I seek\nnothing but Thy love! Graciously accept of the sacrifice of my heart and\nmy whole self and may it, like the sacrifice of Jesus, be pleasing to Thee\nand unite us to Him. Amen.\n\nPreface.\n\nLift up, O Lord, do Thou Thyself lift up my heart to Thee! Take from it\nall unholy thoughts, all earthly affections! Lift it wholly up to heaven,\nwhere Thou art worthily adored, and to the altar, where Thou art about to\nmanifest Thyself to me. My life is but one continual succession of Thy\nmercies; let it be one continual succession of thanksgivings. And as Thou\nart now about to renew the greatest of all sacrifices, is it not meet that\nI should burst forth into expressions of heartfelt gratitude? Suffer me,\nthen, to join my feeble voice with the voices of all the heavenly spirits,\nand in union with them, say, in a transport of joy and admiration: Holy,\nholy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth; heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.\nHosanna in the highest! Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord!\nHosanna in the highest! Amen.\n\nConsecration.\n\nBow down your body and soul in solemn adoration; make an act of faith in\nthe real presence of your Saviour\u2019s body and blood, soul and divinity,\nunder the sacramental veils. Offer your whole self to Him, and through Him\nto His Father; beg that your heart and soul may be happily changed into\nHim.\n\nElevation Of The Host.\n\n(_Here the bell is rung thrice._)\n\nHail, true body, born of the Virgin Mary, which didst truly suffer and was\nimmolated on the cross for man, Whose side was pierced, and from which\nflowed water and blood; may we have a foretaste of Thee in the last agony\nof death. O kind, O loving One, Jesus, Son of Mary, have mercy on me!\nAmen.\n\nElevation Of The Chalice.\n\nSaviour of the world, save us, for by Thy cross and by Thy blood Thou hast\nredeemed us! Help us, we beseech Thee, O Our God! Amen. Have mercy on me,\ndear Jesus, and grant that Thy blood may not be shed in vain for me, I\nhumbly beseech Thee. Amen.\n\nPater Noster.\n\nOur Father, Who reignest in heaven, come and reign in my soul; come and\nsanctify it by Thy presence; come and subject it to Thy holy will, and\nrender it obedient to the inspirations of Thy grace. Extinguish in my\nheart every feeling of hatred and revenge; forgive me, as I forgive. Grant\nme such wisdom and such strength that I may triumph over all temptations.\nDeliver me from all those evils which oppress me, and under which I groan,\nbeing burdened. I come to Thee as a child to his father to be fed; as a\nsubject to his prince to be protected; as one afflicted to his only\nsuccor, to be consoled and comforted. Amen.\n\nAgnus Dei.\n\nIn saying to Thy apostles, \u201cPeace I leave to you, My peace I give to you,\u201d\nThou hast promised, O Lord, to all Thy Church, that peace which the world\ncannot give\u2014peace with Thee, and peace with ourselves. Let nothing, O\nLord, ever interrupt this holy peace; let nothing separate us from Thee,\nto Whom we heartily desire to be united, through the Blessed Sacrament of\npeace and reconciliation. Let this food of angels strengthen us in every\nChristian duty, so that we nevermore yield under temptations, or fall into\ncommon weaknesses.\n\nDomine, Non Sum Dignus.\n\nGod can only be worthy of receiving God; how, then, can a soul so sinful\nas mine merit so great a happiness! But Thou, O Lord, regardest not Thy\ngreatness, but Thy mercy. Thou willest that I come to Thee, as one sick to\na physician who can heal him; as one poor to his rich lord who can assist.\nO God of love, behold at Thy feet the poorest, the most infirm of Thy\ncreatures. Unite me to Thyself, and I shall become rich and whole in Thy\nsight. Work, I beseech Thee, this miracle, worthy of Thy omnipotence and\ncharity.\n\nAct Of Spiritual Communion.\n\n_For Those Who do not Intend to Communicate._\n\nO my most loving Saviour, since I cannot have the happiness of receiving\nThee this day, suffer me to gather up the precious crumbs that fall from\nThy table, and to unite myself to Thy divine Heart by faith, hope, and\ncharity. I confess I do not deserve the children\u2019s bread; but I venture\nhumbly to declare that, away from Thee, my soul is dried up with thirst,\nand my heart cast down with faintness. Come, then, into me, O my divine\nJesus! come into my mind, to illuminate it with Thy light; come into my\nheart, to enkindle in it the fire of Thy love, and to unite it so\nintimately with Thine own, that it may be no more I that live, but Thou\nthat livest in me and reignest in me forever.\n\nLast Gospel.\n\nO eternal Word, speak to my soul, which adores Thee in profound silence!\nThou Who art the great Creator of all things, abandon not, I beseech Thee,\nThine own creature! be Thou my life, my light, and my all! O Light\neternal! enlighten me as to this present life, and in the life to come.\nReign in me as in Thine own inheritance; for Thou, O Lord, hast made me;\nThou hast redeemed me. May I ever be Thine!\n\nAfter Mass.\n\nAccept, O most gracious God, this, our service; whatever, by Thy grace, we\nmay have performed with diligence, in Thy clemency regard; and what we\nhave done with negligence, mercifully pardon, through Jesus Christ Our\nLord. Amen. May the blessing of almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,\ndescend upon us now, and remain with us forever. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nTo Be Said Throughout Advent.\n\n\nAnt. The Holy Ghost shall come down upon thee, O Mary: fear not: thou\nshalt bear within thy womb the Son of God. Alleluia.\n\n_V._ O Lord, hear my prayer.\n\n_R._ And let my cry come unto Thee.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Who wast pleased that Thy Word should take flesh in the womb of the\nBlessed Virgin Mary, and didst make it known unto her by the message of an\nangel; grant that we, Thy suppliants, who truly believe her to be the\nMother of God, may through her intercession find help with Thee. Through\nthe same Christ Our Lord. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nLitany for Christmas.\n\n\n(_For Private Devotion Only._)\n\nGlory be to God on high.\n_And peace on earth to men of good will._\nWe praise Thee.\n_We bless Thee._\nWe adore Thee.\n_We glorify Thee; we give Thee thanks for Thy great glory._\nLord God, heavenly King, Father almighty.\n_Lord Jesus Christ, the only\u2010begotten Son._\nLord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, Who takest away the sins of the\n            world,\n_Have mercy on us._\nWho takest away the sins of the world,\n_Hear our prayers._\nWho sitteth at the right hand of the Father,\n_Have mercy on us._\nFor Thou only art holy,\n_Thou only art Our Lord._\nThou only, O Jesus Christ, art most high, together with the Holy Ghost, in\n            the glory of God the Father.\n_Amen._\nBlessed Jesus, true God and man, born in the form of a helpless infant.\n_Praise and glory be to Thee forever._\nBlessed Jesus, Who, having the heavens for Thy throne, didst yet choose a\n            poor stable for Thine abode.\n_Praise and glory be to Thee forever._\nBlessed Jesus, Who, being God incomprehensible, wast pleased, in love to\n            us, to be wrapped up in swaddling\u2010clothes and laid in a\n            manger.\n_Praise and glory be to Thee forever._\nBlessed be the Lord God of Israel, because He hath visited and wrought the\n            redemption of His people.\n_And hath raised up a horn of salvation to us in the house of David His\n            servant._\nAs He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, who are from the beginning.\n_Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us._\nTo perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember His holy testament.\n_The oath, which He swore to Abraham our father, that He would grant to\n            us._\nThat being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve Him\n            without fear.\n_In holiness and justice before Him all our days._\nThrough the bowels of the mercy of Our God, in which the Orient from on\n            high hath visited us.\n_To enlighten them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death; to\n            direct our feet into the way of peace._\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO eternal God, Father almighty, Who in compassion to lost man didst send\nThine only Son to become His Redeemer from that unhappy state; grant, we\nbeseech Thee, that we, who are here assembled to acknowledge the mercy of\nthis time, may find the benefit of it in our souls, in the pardon of all\nour sins. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, etc.\n\n\n\n\nCrown of the Twelve Stars, Or Rosary of the Immaculate Conception.\n\n\nLet us praise and bless the most Holy Trinity, for having shown to us the\nVirgin Mary clothed with the sun, with the moon beneath her feet, and with\na mysterious crown of twelve stars upon her head.\n\n_R._ Forever and forever. Amen.\n\nLet us praise and bless the divine Father, for having chosen her as His\ndaughter.\n\n_R._ Amen. Our Father, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Father, for having predestined her to be the Mother\nof His divine Son.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Father, for having preserved her from all sin in her\nconception.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Father, for having adorned her with the highest\ngifts in her nativity.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Father, for having given her St. Joseph as a most\npure spouse and companion.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nLet us praise and bless the divine Son, for having chosen her for His\nMother.\n\n_R._ Amen. Our Father, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Son, for having become incarnate in her womb, and\nfor having remained there nine months.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Son, for having been born of her, and for having\ngiven her the milk wherewith to nourish Him.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Son, for having been pleased in His childhood to be\neducated by her.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the divine Son, for having revealed to her the mysteries of the\nredemption of the world.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nLet us praise and bless the Holy Ghost, for having taken her for His\nspouse.\n\n_R._ Amen. Our Father, etc.\n\nPraised be the Holy Ghost, for having revealed to her for the first time\nHis name of Holy Ghost.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the Holy Ghost, through Whose operation she was at once Virgin\nand Mother.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the Holy Ghost, through Whose power she became the living\ntemple of the most Holy Trinity.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, etc.\n\nPraised be the Holy Ghost, by Whom she was exalted in heaven above all\ncreatures.\n\n_R._ Amen. Hail Mary, Glory be to the Father, etc.\n\nFor the holy Catholic Church, for the propagation of the faith, for peace\namong Christian princes, and for the extirpation of heresies, let us say\n\n\n\n\nThe Salve Regina.\n\n\nHail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.\nTo thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up\nour sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn, then, most\ngracious advocate, thine eye of mercy towards us, and after this our\nexile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O\npious, O sweet Virgin Mary.\n\n_V._ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.\n\n_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.\n\n\n\n\nNovena In Preparation for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.(2)\n\n\n    An indulgence of three hundred days each day; plenary once on the\n    feast, or during the octave. Applicable to the dead. (Pius VII.).\n\n\n_To be Said Every Day._\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Thy faithful, and kindle within\nthem the fire of Thy love.\n\n_V._ Send forth Thy Spirit, and they shall be created.\n\n_R._ And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Who hast taught the hearts of the faithful by the light of Thy Holy\nSpirit, grant to us in the same spirit to relish what is right, and ever\nto rejoice in His consolation. Prevent our actions, we beseech Thee, O\nLord, by Thy inspiration, and further them by Thy continual help: that\nevery prayer and work of ours may begin from Thee, and by Thee be happily\nended, through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in\nthe unity of the same spirit, God, world without end. Amen.\n\nPreparatory Prayer.\n\n(_To be Said Every Day._)\n\nO most pure Virgin, conceived without sin, and from that very first\ninstant entirely beautiful and without spot, O glorious Mary, full of\ngrace, and Mother of my God, Queen of angels and of men, I humbly worship\nthee as Mother of my Saviour. Inasmuch as God has taught me by the esteem\nHe has for thee, and by His respect and submission towards thee, what\nhonors and homage I ought to render thee, deign, I beseech thee, to accept\nthis novena which I consecrate to thee. Thou art the secure refuge of\npenitent sinners, and I therefore may rightly have recourse to thee; thou\nart the Mother of mercy, and therefore thou canst not but be melted into\ntenderness by my miseries; thou, after Jesus Christ, art all my hope; thou\ncanst not, then, but be pleased with the tender confidence which I have in\nthee. Make me worthy to be called thy child, that I may be able to say\nwith confidence, Show thyself to be a Mother.\n\n\n    Following this prayer on each day, nine Hail Marys and a Glory be\n    to the Father are to be said, and then the following:\n\n\nFirst Day.\n\nBehold me at thy most holy feet, O immaculate Virgin. I rejoice with thee\nexceedingly that from all eternity thou hast been chosen to be the Mother\nof the eternal Word, and been preserved from original sin. I thank and\nbless the most Holy Trinity for having enriched thee with these privileges\nin thy conception; and I humbly implore thee to obtain for me grace to\novercome those sad effects which original sin has wrought in me. Ah, do\nthou enable me to conquer them, and nevermore to cease to love my God.\n\n\n    Here is to be recited the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, or the\n    following:\n\n\nHymn.\n\n_V._ Thou art all fair, O Mary.\n\n_R._ Thou art all fair, O Mary.\n\n_V._ And the original stain is not in thee.\n\n_R._ And the original stain is not in thee.\n\n_V._ Thou art the glory of Jerusalem.\n\n_R._ Thou art the joy of Israel.\n\n_V._ Thou our people\u2019s special honor.\n\n_R._ Thou the advocate of sinners.\n\n_V._ O Mary.\n\n_R._ O Mary.\n\n_V._ Virgin prudent above all.\n\n_R._ Mother too most merciful.\n\n_V._ Pray thou for us.\n\n_R._ Intercede for us with Jesus Christ Our Lord.\n\n_V._ In thy conception, holy Virgin, thou wast immaculate.\n\n_R._ Pray for us to the Father, Whose Son thou didst bring forth.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Who by the Virgin\u2019s immaculate conception didst prepare a worthy\ndwelling for Thy Son, we beseech Thee, that Thou, Who, by the death of\nthat same Son of Thine, foreseen by Thee, didst preserve her from every\nstain, wouldst grant that by her intercession we also may be purified, and\nso come to Thee.\n\nSecond Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO Mary, immaculate lily of purity, I congratulate thee that from the very\nfirst instant of thy conception thou wast filled with grace, and also that\nthe perfect use of reason was conferred upon thee. I thank and adore the\nmost Holy Trinity for having imparted to thee graces so sublime; and I am\nutterly confounded before thee to see myself so poor in grace. Do thou,\nwho wast so entirely filled with heavenly grace, give some portion of it\nto my soul, and make me a partaker of the treasures of thy immaculate\nconception.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or Hymn is to be said.\n\n\nThird Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO Mary, mystical rose of purity, I rejoice with thee that thou didst\ngloriously triumph in thy immaculate conception over the infernal serpent,\nand that thou wast conceived without stain of original sin. I thank and\npraise with all my heart the most Holy Trinity for having granted to thee\nsuch a privilege; and I implore thee to obtain for me courage to overcome\nevery device of the infernal enemy, and not to stain my soul with sin. Ah,\ndo thou always assist me; and let me, under thy protection, ever triumph\nover the common enemies of our eternal salvation.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or the Hymn is to be said.\n\n\nFourth Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO immaculate Virgin Mary, mirror of purity, I rejoice with the utmost joy\nto see that the most sublime and perfect virtues have been from thy first\nconception infused into thee, and with them all the gifts of the Holy\nSpirit. I thank and praise the most Holy Trinity for having favored thee\nwith these privileges; and I implore thee, O gracious Mother, to obtain\nfor me the practice of virtues, and to render me thus worthy to receive\nthe gifts and the grace of the Holy Spirit.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or the Hymn is to be said.\n\n\nFifth Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO Mary, bright moon of purity, I congratulate thee, inasmuch as the\nmystery of thy immaculate conception was the beginning of the salvation of\nall the human race and the joy of the whole world. I thank and bless the\nmost Holy Trinity for having so exalted and glorified thy person; and I\nimplore thee to obtain for me grace to know how to profit by the Passion\nand death of thy Jesus, and that the blood shed upon the cross may not be\nunavailing for me, but that I may live holily and be saved.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or the Hymn is to be said.\n\n\nSixth Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO immaculate Mary, most resplendent star of purity, I rejoice with thee\nthat thy immaculate conception has brought a most exceeding joy to all the\nangels of paradise. I thank and bless the most Holy Trinity for having\nenriched thee with so beautiful a privilege. Ah, grant that I may enter\none day into a participation of that joy, and may be able, in the company\nof the angels, to praise and bless thee for eternity.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or the Hymn is to be said.\n\n\nSeventh Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO immaculate Mary, rising morn of purity, I rejoice with thee, and am glad\nthat in the moment of thy conception thou wast confirmed in grace and made\nincapable of sin. I thank and extol the most Holy Trinity for having\ndistinguished thee alone with this special privilege. Ah, obtain for me, O\nholy Virgin, an entire and constant abhorrence of sin above every other\nevil, and that I may sooner die than commit it any more.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or the Hymn is to be said.\n\n\nEighth Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO Virgin Mary, sun without spot, I congratulate thee, and rejoice that in\nthy conception a greater and more abundant grace was bestowed upon thee\nthan all the angels and saints possessed in the fulness of their merits. I\nthank and admire the sovereign goodness of the most Holy Trinity in having\nenriched thee with this privilege. Ah, enable me to correspond to divine\ngrace, and nevermore abuse it! Change my heart, and let me from this\nmoment begin to amend my life.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or the Hymn is to be said.\n\n\nNinth Day.\n\nCome, O Holy Spirit, etc.\n\nO most pure Virgin, etc.\n\nO immaculate Virgin and Mother Mary, living light of holiness and model of\npurity, thou, when scarcely yet conceived, didst profoundly adore God and\nthank Him, because by thy means, the ancient curse being taken away, the\nfulness of blessing was coming upon the children of Adam. Ah, let this\nblessing enkindle in my heart a love of God! Do thou inflame it, that I\nmay love Him constantly, and then enjoy Him eternally in paradise, where I\nmay be able to thank Him more ardently for the singular privileges granted\nto thee, and behold thee also crowned as thou art with such exceeding\nglory.\n\n\n    Here the Litany or the Hymn is to be said.\n\n\n\n\nNovena In Preparation For Christmas.(3)\n\n\n1. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honor and glory, and for my own\nsalvation, and for the salvation of all the world, the mystery of the\nbirth of our divine Saviour.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n2. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honor and glory, and for my eternal\nsalvation, the sufferings of the most holy Virgin and of St. Joseph in\nthat long and weary journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem; I offer Thee their\nanxiety of heart when they found no place wherein to shelter themselves,\nwhen the Saviour of the world was to be born.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n3. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honor and glory, and for my eternal\nsalvation, the stable where Jesus was born, the hard straw which served\nHim for a bed, the cold He suffered, the swaddling\u2010clothes which bound\nHim, the tears He shed, and His tender infant cries.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n4. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honor and glory, and for my eternal\nsalvation, the pain which the holy Child Jesus felt in His tender infant\nbody when He submitted it to the keen knife of circumcision; I offer Thee\nthat precious blood which then first He shed for the salvation of the\nwhole race of man.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n5. Eternal Father, I offer to Thy honor and glory, and for my eternal\nsalvation, the humility, mortification, patience, charity, all the virtues\nof the Child Jesus; and I thank Thee, and I love Thee, and I bless Thee\nwithout end, for this ineffable mystery of the incarnation of the divine\nWord.\n\nGlory be to the Father, etc.\n\n_V._ The Word was made flesh.\n\n_R._ And dwelt among us.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO God, Whose only\u2010begotten Son was made manifest to us in the substance of\nour flesh; grant, we beseech Thee, that through Him our souls may be\ninwardly renewed, Whom our eyes have seen externally like unto ourselves;\nWho livest and reignest with Thee forever and ever. Amen.\n\n\n    An indulgence of one year, to be gained each day of this novena,\n    which may be made either in public or private, nine days previous\n    to the twenty\u2010fifth day of any month; provided that the faithful\n    assist at it with a contrite heart (Pius IX.).\n\n\n\n\n\nTHE ORDINARY OF THE MASS.\n\n\n[Transcriber\u2019s Note: This section was printed in two columns, with Latin\non the left and English on the right. In this e\u2010book, the Latin and\nEnglish are rendered in successive paragraphs.]\n\nThe Asperges.\n\n\n    While the priest sprinkles holy water, the following Anthems are\n    sung:\n\n\nAnt. Asperges me, Domine, hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem\ndealbabor.\n\nAnt. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, O Lord, and I shall be cleansed:\nThou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.\n\n_Ps._ Miserere mei, Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.\n\n(_Ps._ Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.)\n\n_V._ Gloria Patri, etc.\n\n(_V._ Glory be to the Father, etc.)\n\n_Ant._ Asperges me, etc.\n\n(_Ant._ Thou shalt sprinkle, etc.)\n\n\n    The priest, returning to the foot of the altar, says:\n\n\n_V._ Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.\n\n(_V._ Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.)\n\n_R._ Et salutare tuum da nobis.\n\n(_R._ And grant us Thy salvation.)\n\n_V._ Domine, exaudi orationem meam.\n\n(_V._ O Lord, hear my prayer.)\n\n_R._ Et clamor meus ad te veniat.\n\n(_R._ And let my cry come unto Thee.)\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let Us Pray._)\n\nExaudi nos, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, \u00e6terne Deus: et mittere\ndigneris sanctum angelum tuum de c\u0153lis, qui custodiat, foveat, protegat,\nvisitet, atque defendat omnes habitantes in hoc habitaculo. Per Christum\nDominum nostrum.\n\n(Graciously hear us, O Lord, Father almighty, eternal God: and vouchsafe\nto send Thy holy angel from heaven, who may keep, cherish, protect, visit,\nand defend all who dwell in this habitation. Through Christ Our Lord.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n_The Vidi Aquam._\n\n\n    From Easter to Whit\u2010Sunday, inclusively, instead of the foregoing\n    Antiphon the following is sung, and _Alleluia_ is added to the\n    versicles and responses.\n\n\nAnt. Vidi aquam egredientem de templo, a latere dextro. Alleluia! Et omnes\nad quos pervenit aqua ista, salvi facti sunt, et dicent: Alleluia.\n\n(_Ant._ I saw water coming forth from the temple, on the right side.\nAlleluia. And all those to whom this water came were saved, and shall say:\nAlleluia.)\n\n_Ps._ Confitemini Domino, quoniam bonus: quoniam in s\u00e6culum misericordia\nejus.\n\n(_Ps._ Give praise to the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth\nforever.)\n\n_V._ Gloria Patri, etc.\n\n(_V._ Glory be to the Father, etc.)\n\n_Ant._ Vidi aquam, etc.\n\n(_Ant._ I saw water, etc.)\n\nThe Holy Mass.\n\n\n    The priest, standing at the foot of the altar, bows down, signs\n    himself with the sign of the cross, and says:\n\n\nIn nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti. Amen.\n\n(In the name of the Father, and of the Son, etc.)\n\n\n    Then, joining his hands, he says:\n\n\n_S._ Introibo ad altare Dei.\n\n(_P._ I will go in to the altar of God.)\n\n_M._ Ad Deum, qui l\u00e6tificat juventutem meam.\n\n(_R._ To God, Who giveth joy to my youth.)\n\n\n    In Masses for the dead and from Passion Sunday to Holy Saturday\n    the following Psalm is omitted.\n\n\nPsalm XLII.\n\n_S._ Judica me, Deus, et discerne causam meam de gente non sancta: ab\nhomine iniquo et doloso erue me.\n\n(_P._ Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is\nnot holy: from the unjust and deceitful man deliver me.)\n\n_M._ Quia tu es, Deus, fortitudo mea, quare me repulisti? et quare tristis\nincedo dum affligit me inimicus?\n\n(_R._ Since Thou, O God, art my strength, why hast Thou cast me off? and\nwhy do I go sorrowful while the enemy afflicteth me?)\n\n_S._ Emitte lucem tuam et veritatem tuam: ipsa me deduxerunt et adduxerunt\nin montem sanctum tuum, et in tabernacula tua.\n\n(_P._ Send forth Thy light and Thy truth: they have conducted me, and\nbrought me to Thy holy mount, and into Thy tabernacles.)\n\n_M._ Et introibo ad altare Dei: ad Deum, qui l\u00e6tificat juventutem meam.\n\n(_R._ And I will go in to the altar of God: to God, Who giveth joy to my\nyouth.)\n\n_S._ Confitebor tibi in cithara, Deus, Deus meus: quare tristis es, anima\nmea? et quare conturbas me?\n\n(_P._ I will praise Thee on the harp, O God, my God: why art thou sad, my\nsoul? and why dost thou disquiet me?)\n\n_M._ Spera in Deo, quoniam adhuc confitebor illi: salutare vultus mei, et\nDeus meus.\n\n(_R._ Hope in God, for I will still give praise to Him, the salvation of\nmy countenance, and my God.)\n\n_S._ Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.\n\n(_P._ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.)\n\n_M._ Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper, et in s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum.\nAmen.\n\n(_R._ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without\nend. Amen.)\n\n_S._ Introibo ad altare Dei.\n\n(_P._ I will go in to the altar of God.)\n\n_M._ Ad Deum, qui l\u00e6tificat juventutem meam.\n\n(_R._ To God, Who giveth joy to my youth.)\n\n_S._ Adjutorium nostrum in nomine Domini.\n\n(_P._ Our help is in the name of the Lord.)\n\n_M._ Qui fecit c\u0153lum et terram.\n\n(_R._ Who made heaven and earth.)\n\n_S._ Confiteor, etc.\n\n(_P._ I confess, etc.)\n\n_M._ Misereatur tui omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis tuis, perducat\nte ad vitam \u00e6ternam.\n\n(_R._ May almighty God be merciful to thee, and forgiving thee thy sins,\nbring thee to everlasting life.)\n\n_S._ Amen.\n\n(_P._ Amen.)\n\n_M._ Confiteor Deo omnipotenti, beat\u00e6 Mari\u00e6 semper virgini, beato Michaeli\nArchangelo, beato Joanni Baptist\u00e6, sanctis Apostolis Petro et Paulo,\nomnibus sanctis, et tibi, Pater, quia peccavi nimis cogitatione, verbo et\nopere: mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa. Ideo precor beatam Mariam\nsemper virginem, beatum Michaelem archangelum, beatum Joannem Baptistam,\nsanctos Apostolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes sanctos, et te Pater, orare pro\nme ad Dominum Deum nostrum.\n\n(_R._ I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever virgin, to blessed\nMichael the archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles\nPeter and Paul, to all the saints, and to you, father, that I have sinned\nexceedingly in thought, word, and deed: through my fault, through my\nfault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed\nMary, ever virgin, blessed Michael the archangel, blessed John the\nBaptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, and you,\nfather, to pray to the Lord, Our God, for me.)\n\n_S._ Misereatur vestri omnipotens Deus, et dimissis peccatis vestris\nperducat vos ad vitam \u00e6ternam.\n\n(_P._ May the almighty God be merciful unto you, and forgiving you your\nsins bring you to life everlasting.)\n\n_M._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_S._ Indulgentiam, absolutionem, et remissionem peccatorum nostrorum\ntribuat nobis omnipotens et misericors Dominus.\n\n(_P._ May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and\nremission of our sins.)\n\n_M._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_S._ Deus, tu conversus vivificabis nos.\n\n(_P._ Thou, O God, being turned toward us, wilt enliven us.)\n\n_M._ Et plebs tua l\u00e6tabitur in te.\n\n(_R._ And Thy people will rejoice in Thee.)\n\n_S._ Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam.\n\n(_P._ Show us, O Lord, Thy mercy.)\n\n_M._ Et salutare tuum da nobis.\n\n(_R._ And grant us Thy salvation.)\n\n_S._ Domine, exaudi orationem meam.\n\n(_P._ O Lord, hear my prayer.)\n\n_M._ Et clamor meus ad te veniat.\n\n(_R._ And let my cry come to Thee.)\n\n_S._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_P._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_M._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n\n    The priest first extends and then joins his hands, saying audibly\n    _Oremus_; and ascending the altar, he says secretly:\n\n\nAufer a nobis, qu\u00e6sumus, Domine, iniquitates nostras: ut ad sancta\nsanctorum puris mereamur mentibus introire. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.\nAmen.\n\n(Take away from us our iniquities, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that we may be\nworthy to enter with pure minds into the Holy of holies. Through Christ\nOur Lord. Amen.)\n\n\n    He then bows over the altar, and says:\n\n\nOramus te, Domine, per merita sanctorum tuorum, quorum reliqui\u00e6 hic sunt,\net omnium sanctorum tuorum, ut indulgere digneris omnia peccata mea. Amen.\n\n(We beseech Thee, O Lord, by the merits of Thy saints whose relics are\nhere, and of all the saints, that Thou wouldst vouchsafe to forgive me all\nmy sins. Amen.)\n\n\n    At solemn High Mass the priest receives the censer from the\n    deacon, and incenses the altar, and then returns it to the deacon,\n    who incenses the priest only. Then the priest turns to the book\n    and reads the _Introit_, which varies according to the seasons and\n    feasts. The following _Introit_ is from the Mass of the most Holy\n    Trinity:\n\n\nBenedicta sit sancta Trinitas, atque indivisa Unitas: confitebimur ei,\nquia fecit nobiscum misericordiam suam.\n\n(Blessed be the Holy Trinity and undivided Unity: we will praise Him,\nbecause He has shown us His mercy.)\n\n_Ps._ Domine, Dominus noster, quam admirabile est nomen tuum in universa\nterra!\n\n(_Ps._ O Lord, Our God, how wonderful is Thy name over the utmost\nboundaries of the earth!)\n\n_V._ Gloria Patri, etc. Benedicta, etc.\n\n(_V._ Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed, etc.)\n\n_S._ Kyrie eleison.\n\n(_P._ Lord, have mercy on us.)\n\n_M._ Kyrie eleison.\n\n(_R._ Lord, have mercy on us.)\n\n_S._ Kyrie eleison.\n\n(_P._ Lord, have mercy on us.)\n\n_M._ Christe eleison.\n\n(_R._ Christ, have mercy on us.)\n\n_S._ Christe eleison.\n\n(_P._ Christ, have mercy on us.)\n\n_M._ Christe eleison.\n\n(_R._ Christ, have mercy on us.)\n\n_S._ Kyrie eleison.\n\n(_P._ Lord, have mercy on us.)\n\n_M._ Kyrie eleison.\n\n(_R._ Lord, have mercy on us.)\n\n_S._ Kyrie eleison.\n\n(_P._ Lord, have mercy on us.)\n\n\n    The _Gloria in excelsis_ is omitted in Masses for the dead and in\n    certain Masses during Advent and Lent.\n\n\nGloria in excelsis Deo, et in terra pax hominibus bon\u00e6 voluntatis.\nLaudamus te. Benedicimus te. Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. Gratias agimus\ntibi propter magnam gloriam tuam: Domine Deus, Rex c\u0153lestis, Deus Pater\nomnipotens. Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine Deus, Agnus Dei,\nFilius Patris: qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Qui tollis\npeccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram. Qui sedes ad dexteram\nPatris, miserere nobis. Quoniam tu solus sanctus: tu solus Dominus: tu\nsolus altissimus, Jesu Christe; cum Sancto Spiritu in gloria Dei Patris.\nAmen.\n\n(Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace to men of good will. We\npraise Thee. We bless Thee. We adore Thee. We glorify Thee. We give Thee\nthanks for Thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father\nalmighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the only\u2010begotten Son; O Lord God, Lamb of\nGod, Son of the Father. Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy\non us. Who takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayers. Who\nsittest at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For Thou only\nart holy, Thou only art the Lord, Thou only art most high, O Jesus Christ,\ntogether with the Holy Ghost in the glory of God the Father. Amen.)\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n\n    Then follow the _Collects_, prayers proper for the feast or\n    season. The following is from the Mass of the most Holy Trinity,\n    as are all the varying prayers and Scripture texts that occur\n    henceforth in this Mass.\n\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nO almighty and everlasting God, Who hast granted Thy servants, in the\nconfession of the true faith, to acknowledge the glory of an eternal\nTrinity, and in the power of majesty to adore a Unity: we beseech Thee\nthat, by the strength of this faith, we may be defended from all\nadversity. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth\nwith Thee in the union of the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end.\nAmen.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nPreserve us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, from all dangers of body and soul;\nand by the intercession of the glorious and blessed Mary, ever virgin.\nMother of God, of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, of St. Joseph, and\nall the saints, grant us, in Thy mercy, health and peace, that,\nadversities and errors being removed, Thy Church may serve Thee with a\npure and undisturbed devotion. Through, etc.\n\nEpistle.\n\n(Rom. xi. 33\u201036.)\n\nO the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How\nincomprehensible are His judgments, and how unsearchable His ways! For who\nhath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been His counsellor? Or who\nhath first given to Him, and recompense shall be made him. For of Him, and\nby Him, and in Him are all things. To Him be glory forever.\n\n_R._ Deo gratias!\n\n(_R._ Thanks be to God!)\n\nGradual.\n\n(Daniel iii.)\n\nBlessed art Thou, O Lord, Who beholdest the deep, and sittest on the\ncherubim.\n\n_V._ Blessed art Thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven, and worthy of\npraise forever. Alleluia, Alleluia!\n\n\n    At solemn Mass the deacon places the book of Gospels on the altar,\n    and the celebrant blesses the incense. The deacon, with joined\n    hands, says:\n\n\nMunda cor meum, ac labia mea, omnipotens Deus, qui labia Isai\u00e6 prophet\u00e6\ncalculo mundasti ignito: ita me tua grata miseratione dignare mundare, ut\nsanctum Evangelium tuum digne valeam nuntiare. Per Christum Dominum\nnostrum. Amen.\n\n(Cleanse my heart and my lips, O almighty God, Who didst cleanse the lips\nof the prophet Isaias with a burning coal: vouchsafe so to cleanse me by\nThy gracious mercy that I may be able worthily to proclaim Thy holy\nGospel. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.)\n\n\n    Then he takes the book from the altar, and, kneeling before the\n    priest, asks his blessing. The priest answers:\n\n\nDominus sit in corde tuo et in labiis tuis, ut digne et competenter\nannunties Evangelium suum. Amen.\n\n(The Lord be in thy heart and on thy lips, that thou mayest worthily and\nin becoming manner announce His Gospel. Amen.)\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\nInitium (vel sequentia) sancti Evangelii secundum N.\n\n(The beginning (or continuation) of the holy Gospel according to N.)\n\n_R._ Gloria tibi, Domine.\n\n(_R._ Glory be to Thee, O Lord.)\n\nGospel.\n\n(Matt. xxviii.)\n\nAt that time, Jesus said to His disciples: All power is given to Me in\nheaven and on earth. Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them\nin the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching\nthem to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I\nam with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.\n\n_R._ Laus tibi, Christe!\n\n(_R._ Praise be to Thee, O Christ!)\n\nThe Nicene Creed.\n\nCredo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem, factorem c\u0153li et terr\u00e6,\nvisibilium omnium, et invisibilium. Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum,\nFilium Dei unigenitum: et ex Patre natum ante omnia s\u00e6cula: Deum de Deo,\nlumen de lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero: genitum non factum,\nconsubstantialem Patri, per quem omnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos\nhomines, et propter nostram salutem descendit de c\u0153lis. Et incarnatus est\nde Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria Virgine: _et homo factus est_. Crucifixus\netiam pro nobis, sub Pontio Pilato passus, et sepultus est. Et resurrexit\ntertia die, secundum scripturas; et ascendit in c\u0153lum, sedet ad dexteram\nPatris; et iterum venturus est cum gloria, judicare vivos et mortuos;\ncujus regni non erit finis. Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et\nvivificantem, qui ex Patre Filioque procedit; qui cum Patre et Filio simul\nadoratur et conglorificatur; qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam\nsanctam Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum Baptisma in\nremissionem peccatorum. Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam\nventuri s\u00e6culi. Amen.\n\n(I believe in one God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and\nof all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the\nonly\u2010begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages: God of\nGod, light of light, true God of true God; begotten, not made;\nconsubstantial to the Father, by Whom all things were made. Who for us\nmen, and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and became incarnate by\nthe Holy Ghost, of the Virgin Mary, _and was made man_. He was crucified\nalso for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, and was buried. And the third\nday He arose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven,\nsitteth at the right hand of the Father; and He is to come again with\nglory to judge both the living and the dead; of Whose kingdom there shall\nbe no end. And in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and giver of life, Who\nproceedeth from the Father and the Son; Who together with the Father and\nthe Son is adored and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets. And one holy\nCatholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of\nsins, and I expect the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world\nto come. Amen.)\n\n\n    Turning to the people the priest says:\n\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n_V._ Oremus.\n\n(_V._ Let us pray.)\n\nOffertory.\n\nBlessed be God the Father, and the only\u2010begotten Son of God, as likewise\nthe Holy Ghost, for He has shown mercy to us.\n\n\n    Offering up the Host, the priest says:\n\n\nSuscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens, \u00e6terne Deus, hanc immaculatam Hostiam,\nquam ego indignus famulus tuus offero tibi, Deo meo vivo et vero, pro\ninnumerabilibus peccatis, et offensionibus et negligentiis meis, et pro\nomnibus circumstantibus; sed et pro omnibus fidelibus Christianis, vivis\natque defunctis; ut mihi et illis proficiat ad salutem, in vitam \u00e6ternam.\nAmen.\n\n(Accept, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this unspotted Host,\nwhich I, Thy unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living and true God,\nfor my innumerable sins, offences, and negligences, and for all here\npresent; as also for all faithful Christians, both living and dead; that\nit may avail both me and them unto life everlasting. Amen.)\n\n\n    Pouring the water and wine into the chalice, he says:\n\n\nDeus, qui human\u00e6 substanti\u00e6 dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et\nmirabilius reformasti: da nobis per hujus aqu\u00e6 et vini mysterium, ejus\ndivinitatis esse consortes, qui humanitatis nostr\u00e6 fieri dignatus est\nparticeps, Jesus Christus, Filius tuus, Dominus noster: qui tecum vivit et\nregnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum. Amen.\n\n(O God, Who in creating human nature hast wonderfully dignified it, and\nstill more wonderfully reformed it: grant that by the mystery of this\nwater and wine we may be made partakers of His divine nature Who\nvouchsafed to become partaker of our human nature: Jesus Christ, Thy Son,\nOur Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity, etc.)\n\n\n    Offering the chalice, the priest says:\n\n\nOfferimus tibi, Domine, calicem salutaris, tuam deprecantes clementiam, ut\nin conspectu divin\u00e6 majestatis tu\u00e6, pro nostra et totius mundi salute cum\nodore suavitatis ascendat. Amen.\n\n(We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, beseeching Thy\nclemency that it may ascend before Thy divine majesty as a sweet odor for\nour salvation and for that of the whole world. Amen.)\n\n\n    Bowing down, the priest says:\n\n\nIn spiritu humilitatis et in animo contrito suscipiamur a te, Domine; et\nsic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi,\nDomine Deus.\n\n(Accept us, O Lord, in the spirit of humility and contrition of heart; and\ngrant that the sacrifice we offer in Thy sight this day may be pleasing to\nThee, O Lord God.)\n\n\n    Blessing the Host and chalice, the priest says:\n\n\nVeni, sanctificator, omnipotens, \u00e6terne Deus, et benedic hoc sacrificium\ntuo sancto nomini pr\u00e6paratum.\n\n(Come, O almighty and eternal God, the sanctifier, and bless this\nsacrifice, prepared for the glory of Thy holy name.)\n\n\n    Going to the Epistle side of the altar, the priest washes his\n    hands, and recites the following verses of\n\n\nPsalm XXV.\n\nLavabo inter innocentes manus meas; et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine.\n\n(I will wash my hands among the innocent; and will compass Thy altar, O\nLord.)\n\nUt audiam vocem laudis; et enarrem universa mirabilia tua.\n\n(That I may hear the voice of Thy praise, and tell of all Thy wondrous\nworks.)\n\nDomine, dilexi decorem domus tu\u00e6, et locum habitationis glori\u00e6 tu\u00e6.\n\n(I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house, and the place where Thy\nglory dwelleth.)\n\nNe perdas cum impiis Deus, animam meam, et cum viris sanguinum vitam meam.\n\n(Take not away my soul with the wicked, nor my life with bloody men.)\n\nIn quorum manibus iniquitates sunt: dextera eorum repleta est muneribus.\n\n(In whose hands are iniquities; their right hand is filled with gifts.)\n\nEgo autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum: redime me, et miserere mei.\n\n(But I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me.)\n\nPes meus stetit in directo: in ecclesiis benedicam te, Domine.\n\n(My foot has stood in the direct way; in the churches I will bless Thee, O\nLord.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory be to the Father, etc.)\n\n\n    Returning and bowing before the middle of the altar, he says:\n\n\nSuscipe, sancta Trinitas, hanc oblationem, quam tibi offerimus ob memoriam\nPassionis, resurrectionis, et ascensionis Jesu Christi Domini nostri, et\nin honorem beat\u00e6 Mari\u00e6 semper virginis, et beati Joannis Baptist\u00e6, et\nsanctorum apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et istorum, et omnium sanctorum; ut\nillis proficiat ad honorem, nobis autem ad salutem; et illi pro nobis\nintercedere dignentur in c\u0153lis, quorum memoriam agimus in terris. Per\neundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.\n\n(Receive, O Holy Trinity, this oblation, which we make to Thee in memory\nof the Passion, resurrection, and ascension of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and\nin honor of the blessed Mary, ever virgin, of blessed John Baptist, the\nholy apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the saints; that it may be\navailable to their honor and our salvation; and that they may vouchsafe to\nintercede for us in heaven whose memory we celebrate on earth. Through the\nsame Christ Our Lord. Amen.)\n\n\n    Turning towards the people, he says:\n\n\nOrate, fratres, ut meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud Deum\nPatrem omnipotentem.\n\n(Brethren, pray that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the\nFather almighty.)\n\n_R._ Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis ad laudem et gloriam\nnominis sui, ad utilitatem quoque nostram, totiusque Ecclesi\u00e6 su\u00e6 sanct\u00e6.\n\n(_R._ May the Lord receive the sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and\nglory of His name, to our benefit, and to that of all His holy Church.)\n\n\n    The priest answers in a low voice, Amen. He then reads:\n\n\nThe Secret Prayers.\n\nSanctify, we beseech Thee, O Lord Our God, by the invocation of Thy holy\nname, the victim of this oblation; and by it make us ourselves an eternal\noffering to Thee. Through, etc.\n\nGraciously hear us, O God Our Saviour, that by the virtue of this\nsacrament Thou mayest defend us from all enemies, of both soul and body;\ngrant us grace in this life and glory in the next. Who livest and reignest\nwith God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost.\n\n\n    He concludes by saying aloud:\n\n\nPer omnia s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum.\n\n(World without end.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n_V._ Sursum corda.\n\n(_V._ Lift up your hearts.)\n\n_R._ Habemus ad Dominum.\n\n(_R._ We have lifted them up to the Lord.)\n\n_V._ Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro.\n\n(_V._ Let us give thanks to the Lord Our God.)\n\n_R._ Dignum et justum est.\n\n(_R._ It is meet and just.)\n\nThe Preface.\n\nVere dignum et justum est, \u00e6quum et salutare, nos tibi semper, et ubique\ngratias agere, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, \u00e6terne Deus. Qui cum\nunigenito Filio tuo et Spiritu Sancto unus es Deus, unus es Dominus: non\nin unius singularitate person\u00e6, sed in unius trinitate substanti\u00e6. Quod\nenim de tua gloria, revelante te, credimus, hoc de Filio tuo, hoc de\nSpiritu Sancto, sine differentia discretionis sentimus. Ut in confessione\nver\u00e6 sempitern\u00e6que Deitatis, et in Personis proprietas, et in essentia\nunitas, et in majestate adoretur \u00e6qualitas. Quam laudant angeli atque\narchangeli, cherubim quoque ac seraphim, qui non cessant clamare quotidie,\nuna voce dicentes:\n\n(It is truly meet and just, right and available to salvation, that we\nshould always and in all places give thanks to Thee, O holy Lord, Father\nalmighty, eternal God. Who together with Thy only\u2010begotten Son and the\nHoly Ghost art one God and one Lord: not in a singularity of one person,\nbut in a trinity of one substance. For what we believe of Thy glory, as\nThou hast revealed the same, we believe of Thy Son and of the Holy Ghost,\nwithout any difference or distinction. So that in confession of the true\nand eternal Deity we adore a distinction in the persons, and unity in the\nessence, and an equality in the majesty. Whom the angels and archangels,\nthe cherubim also and seraphim, praise, and cease not daily to cry out\nwith one voice, saying:)\n\nSanctus, sanctus, sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt c\u0153li et terra\ngloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.\n\n(Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of Thy\nglory. Hosanna in the highest.)\n\nBenedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.\n\n(Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the\nhighest.)\n\nThe Canon of the Mass.\n\nTe igitur, clementissime Pater, per Jesum Christum Filium tuum Dominum\nnostrum, supplices rogamus ac petimus, uti accepta habeas, et benedicas,\nh\u00e6c dona, h\u00e6c munera, h\u00e6c sancta sacrificia illibata, imprimis qu\u00e6 tibi\nofferimus pro Ecclesia tua sancta Catholica, quam pacificare, custodire,\nadunare, et regere digneris toto orbe terrarum, una cum famulo tuo Papa\nnostro N., et Antistite nostro N., et omnibus orthodoxis, atque Catholic\u00e6\net Apostolic\u00e6 fidei cultoribus.\n\n(We therefore humbly pray and beseech Thee, most merciful Father, through\nJesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, to accept and bless these gifts, these\npresents, these holy unspotted sacrifices, which, in the first place, we\noffer Thee for Thy holy Catholic Church, to which vouchsafe to grant\npeace, as also to preserve, unite, and govern it throughout the world;\ntogether with Thy servant N., our Pope, and our bishop N., as also all\northodox believers and professors of the Catholic and apostolic faith.)\n\nCommemoration of the Living.\n\nMemento, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum, N. et N. Et omnium\ncircumstantium, quorum tibi fides cognita est et nota devotio, pro quibus\ntibi offerimus, vel qui tibi offerunt hoc sacrificium laudis, pro se,\nsuisque omnibus, pro redemptione animarum suarum, pro spe salutis et\nincolumitatis su\u00e6, tibique reddunt vota sua, \u00e6terno Deo vivi et vero.\n\n(Remember, O Lord, Thy servants of both sexes, N. and N. And all here\npresent whose faith and devotion are known unto Thee, for whom we offer,\nor who offer up to Thee, this sacrifice of praise, for themselves, their\nfamilies, and friends, for the redemption of their souls, for the health\nand salvation they hope for, and for which they now pay their vows to\nThee, the eternal, living, and true God.)\n\nCommunicantes, et memoriam venerantes, imprimis glorios\u00e6 semper Virginis\nMari\u00e6, Genitricis Dei et Domini nostri Jesu Christi: sed et beatorum\napostolorum ac martyrum tuorum, Petri et Pauli, Andre\u00e6, Jacobi, Joannis,\nThom\u00e6, Jacobi, Philippi, Bartholom\u00e6i, Matth\u00e6i, Simonis et Thadd\u00e6i: Lini,\nCleti, Clementis, Xysti, Cornelii, Cypriani, Laurentii, Chrysogoni,\nJoannis et Pauli, Cosm\u00e6 et Damiani, et omnium sanctorum tuorum: quorum\nmeritis precibusque concedas, ut in omnibus protectionis tu\u00e6 muniamur\nauxilio. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.\n\n(Communicating with, and honoring in the first place, the memory of the\never\u2010glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of Our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, as\nalso of the blessed apostles and martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James,\nJohn, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon, and Thaddeus:\nLinus, Cletus, Clement, Xystus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus,\nJohn and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Thy saints, through whose\nmerits and prayers grant that we may be always defended by the help of Thy\nprotection. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.)\n\nHanc igitur oblationem servitutis nostr\u00e6, sed et cunct\u00e6 famili\u00e6 tu\u00e6,\nqu\u00e6sumus, Domine, ut placatus accipias; diesque nostros in tua pace\ndisponas, atque ab \u00e6terna damnatione nos eripi, et in electorum tuorum\njubeas grege numerari. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.\n\n(We therefore beseech Thee, O Lord, graciously to accept this oblation of\nour servitude, as also of Thy whole family, and to dispose of our days in\nThy peace; preserve us from eternal damnation, and rank us in the number\nof Thine elect. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.)\n\nQuam oblationem tu, Deus, in omnibus, qu\u00e6sumus, benedictam, adscriptam,\nratam, rationabilem, acceptabilemque facere digneris: ut nobis corpus et\nsanguis fiat dilectissimi Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi.\n\n(Which oblation to Thou, O God, vouchsafe in all respects to bless,\napprove, ratify, and accept, that it may be made for us the body and blood\nof Thy most beloved Son, Jesus Christ Our Lord.)\n\nThe Consecration.\n\nQui pridie quam pateretur, accepit panem in sanctas ac venerabiles manus\nsuas, et elevatis oculis in c\u0153lum, ad te Deum Patrem suum omnipotentem,\ntibi gratias agens, benedixit, fregit, deditque discipulis suis, dicens:\nAccipite, et manducate ex hoc omnes: Hoc est enim corpus meum.\n\nSimili modo postquam c\u0153natum est, accipiens et hunc pr\u00e6clarum calicem in\nsanctas ac venerabiles manus suas, item tibi gratias agens, benedixit,\ndeditque discipulis suis, dicens: Accipite, et bibite ex eo omnes: Hic est\nenim calix sanguinis mei, novi et \u00e6terni testamenti: mysterium fidei: qui\npro vobis et pro multis effundetur in remissionem peccatorum. H\u00e6c\nquotiescunque feceritis, in mei memoriam facietis.\n\n\n    After the consecration and elevation the priest proceeds:\n\n\nUnde et memores, Domine, nos servi tui, sed et plebs tua sancta, ejusdem\nChristi Filii tui Domini nostri tam beat\u00e6 Passionis, necnon et ab inferis\nresurrectionis, sed et in c\u0153lo glorios\u00e6 ascensionis, offerimus pr\u00e6clar\u00e6\nmajestati tu\u00e6, de tuis donis ac datis, Hostiam puram, Hostiam sanctam,\nHostiam immaculatam, panem sanctum vit\u00e6 \u00e6tern\u00e6, et calicem salutis\nperpetu\u00e6.\n\n(Wherefore, O Lord, we, Thy servants, as also Thy holy people, calling to\nmind the blessed Passion of the same Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, His\nresurrection from the dead and admirable ascension into heaven, offer unto\nThy most excellent majesty, of Thy gifts bestowed, a pure Host, a holy\nHost, an unspotted Host, the holy bread of eternal life, and chalice of\neverlasting salvation.)\n\nSupra qu\u00e6 propitio ac sereno vultu respicere digneris, et accepta habere,\nsicuti accepta habere dignatus es munera pueri tui justi Abel, et\nsacrificium Patriarch\u00e6 nostri Abrah\u00e6, et quod tibi obtulit summus sacerdos\ntuus Melchisedech, sanctum sacrificium immaculatam, hostiam.\n\n(Upon which vouchsafe to look with a propitious and serene countenance,\nand to accept them, as Thou wert graciously pleased to accept the gifts of\nThy just servant Abel, and the sacrifice of our patriarch Abraham, and\nthat which Thy high priest Melchisedech offered to Thee, a holy sacrifice\nand an unspotted victim.)\n\nSupplices te rogamus, omnipotens Deus, jube h\u00e6c perferri per manus sancti\nangeli tui in sublime altare tuum, in conspectu divin\u00e6 majestatis tu\u00e6, ut\nquotquot ex hac altaris participatione, sacro\u2010sanctum Filii tui corpus et\nsanguinem sumpserimus, omni benedictione c\u0153lesti, et gratia repleamur. Per\neundem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.\n\n(Most humbly do we beseech Thee, almighty God, to command these things to\nbe carried by the hands of Thy holy angel to the altar on high, in sight\nof Thy divine majesty, that as many as shall partake of the most sacred\nbody and blood of Thy Son at this altar may be filled with every heavenly\ngrace and blessing. Through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.)\n\nCommemoration of the Dead.\n\nMemento etiam, Domine, famulorum famularumque tuarum N. et N., qui nos\npr\u00e6cesserunt cum signo fidei, et dormiunt in somno pacis.\n\n(Be mindful, O Lord, of Thy servants N. and N., who are gone before us\nwith the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace.)\n\n\n    Here the priest, with hands joined, prays for such of the dead as\n    he wishes to pray for in particular. Then, extending his hands, he\n    continues:\n\n\nIpsis, Domine, et omnibus in Christo quiescentibus, locum refrigerii,\nlucis et pacis, ut indulgeas, deprecamur. Per eundem Christum Dominum\nnostrum. Amen.\n\n(To these, O Lord, and and to all that sleep in Christ, grant, we beseech\nThee, a place of refreshment, light, and peace. Through the same Christ\nOur Lord. Amen.)\n\nNobis quoque, peccatoribus, famulis tuis, de multitudine miserationum\ntuarum sperantibus, partem aliquam et societatem donare digneris cum tuis\nsanctis apostolis et martyribus: cum Joanne, Stephano, Matthia, Barnaba,\nIgnatio, Alexandro, Marcellino, Petro, Felicitate, Perpetua, Agatha,\nLucia, Agnete, C\u00e6cilia, Anastasia, et omnibus sanctis tuis: intra quorum\nnos consortium, non \u00e6stimator meriti, sed veni\u00e6, qu\u00e6sumus, largitor\nadmitte. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.\n\n(Also to us sinners, Thy servants, confiding in the multitude of Thy\nmercies, vouchsafe to grant some part and fellowship with Thy holy\napostles and martyrs: with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius,\nAlexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucia, Agnes,\nCecilia, Anastasia, and all Thy saints; into whose company we beseech Thee\nto admit us, not in consideration of our merit, but of Thy own pardon.\nThrough Christ Our Lord.)\n\nPer quem h\u00e6c omnia, Domine, semper bona creas, sanctificas, vivificas,\nbenedicis et pr\u00e6stas nobis.\n\n(By Whom, O Lord, Thou dost always create, bless, quicken, and give us all\nthese good things,)\n\nPer ipsum, et cum ipso, et in ipso est tibi, Deo Patri omnipotenti, in\nunitate Spiritus Sancti, omnis honor et gloria.\n\n(By Him, and with Him, and in Him, is to Thee, God the Father almighty, in\nthe unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory.)\n\nPer omnia s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum.\n\n(Forever and ever.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let us pray._)\n\nThe Pater Noster.\n\nPr\u00e6ceptis salutaribus moniti et divina institutione formati, audemus\ndicere:\n\n(Instructed by Thy saving precepts, and following Thy divine directions,\nwe presume to say:)\n\nPater noster, qui es in c\u0153lis, sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum\ntuum; fiat voluntas tua sicut in c\u0153lo et in terra. Panem nostrum\nquotidianum da nobis hodie; et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos\ndimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem.\n\n(Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come;\nThy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily\nbread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass\nagainst us. And lead us not into temptation.)\n\n_R._ Sed libera nos a malo.\n\n(_R._ But deliver us from evil.)\n\n_S._ Amen.\n\n(_P._ Amen.)\n\nLibera nos, qu\u00e6sumus, Domine, ab omnibus malis, pr\u00e6teritis, pr\u00e6sentibus et\nfuturis: et intercedente beata et gloriosa semper virgine Dei Genitrice\nMaria, cum beatis apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus\nsanctis, da propitius pacem in diebus nostris: ut ope misericordi\u00e6 tu\u00e6\nadjuti, et a peccato simus semper liberi, et ab omni perturbatione securi.\nPer eundem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivit et\nregnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus: per omnia s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum.\n\n(Deliver us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and\nto come: and by the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever\nvirgin, Mother of God, and of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, and\nAndrew, and of all the saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that\nthrough the assistance of Thy mercy we may be always free from sin, and\nsecure from all disturbance. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our\nLord, Who with Thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God: world\nwithout end.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_V._ Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The peace of the Lord be always with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n\n    The priest puts a particle of the Host into the chalice, saying:\n\n\nH\u00e6c commixtio et consecratio corporis et sanguinis Domini nostri Jesu\nChristi fiat accipientibus nobis in vitam \u00e6ternam. Amen.\n\n(May this mixture and consecration of the body and blood of Our Lord Jesus\nChrist be to us who receive it effectual to eternal life. Amen.)\n\n\n    The priest strikes his breast three times, saying:\n\n\nAgnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.\n\n(Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.)\n\nAgnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.\n\n(Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.)\n\nAgnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem.\n\n(Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world: give us peace.)\n\n\n    In Masses of _Requiem_, instead of _Miserere nobis_ is said: _Dona\n    eis requiem, Grant them rest_; and instead of _Dona nobis pacem_\n    is said: _Dona eis requiem sempiternam, Grant them eternal rest_.\n    The priest does not strike his breast, nor does he say the first\n    of the following prayers:\n\n\nDomine Jesu Christe, qui dixisti apostolis tuis: Pacem relinquo vobis,\npacem meam do vobis, ne respicias peccata mea, sed fidem Ecclesi\u00e6 tu\u00e6,\neamque secundum voluntatem tuam pacificare et coadunare digneris. Qui\nvivis et regnas, Deus, per omnia s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum. Amen.\n\n(Lord Jesus Christ, Who saidst to Thy apostles, I leave you peace, I give\nyou My peace: regard not my sins, but the faith of Thy Church, and grant\nher that peace and unity which is agreeable to Thy will. Who livest and\nreignest forever and ever. Amen.)\n\nDomine Jesu Christe, Fili Dei vivi, qui ex voluntate Patris, co\u2010operante\nSpiritu Sancto, per mortem tuam mundum vivificasti, libera me per hoc\nsacro\u2010sanctum corpus et sanguinem tuum ab omnibus iniquitatibus meis, et\nuniversis malis: et fac me tuis semper inh\u00e6rere mandatis, et a te nunquam\nseparari permittas. Qui cum eodem Deo Patre et Spiritu Sancto vivis et\nregnas, Deus, in s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum. Amen.\n\n(Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who, according to the will of\nThy Father, hast by Thy death, through the cooperation of the Holy Ghost,\ngiven life to the world: deliver me by this, Thy most sacred body and\nblood from all my iniquities, and from all evils; and make me always\nadhere to Thy commandments; and never suffer me to be separated from Thee.\nWho livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy\nGhost, God, forever and ever. Amen.)\n\nPerceptio corporis tui, Domine Jesu Christe, quod ego indignus sumere\npr\u00e6sumo, non mihi proveniat in judicium et condemnationem, sed pro tua\npietate prosit mihi ad tutamentum mentis et corporis, et ad medelam\npercipiendam. Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitate Spiritus\nSancti, Deus, per omnia s\u00e6cula s\u00e6culorum. Amen.\n\n(Grant that the participation of Thy body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I,\nthough unworthy, presume to receive, may not turn to my judgment and\ncondemnation, but through Thy mercy be a safeguard and remedy, both to\nsoul and body. Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of\nthe Holy Ghost, God, forever and ever. Amen.)\n\n\n    Taking the Host in his hands, and making a genuflection, he says:\n\n\nPanem c\u0153lestem accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo.\n\n(I will take the heavenly bread, and call on the name of the Lord.)\n\n\n    Striking his breast with humility and devotion, the priest says\n    thrice:\n\n\nDomine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum; sed tantum dic verbo, et\nsanabitur anima mea.\n\n(Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof: say but the\nword, and my soul shall be healed.)\n\n\n    Before receiving the sacred Host he says:\n\n\nCorpus Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam \u00e6ternam.\nAmen.\n\n(May the body of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life\neverlasting. Amen.)\n\n\n    After receiving the sacred Host:\n\n\nQuid retribuam Domino pro omnibus qu\u00e6 retribuit mihi? Calicem salutaris\naccipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo. Laudans invocabo Dominum, et ab\ninimicis meis salvus ero.\n\n(What return shall I make the Lord for all He has given to me? I will take\nthe chalice of salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord. Praising, I\nwill call upon the Lord, and shall be saved from my enemies.)\n\n\n    Before receiving the sacred blood:\n\n\nSanguis Domini nostri Jesu Christi custodiat animam meam in vitam \u00e6ternam.\nAmen.\n\n(May the blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life\neverlasting. Amen.)\n\n\n    After receiving the sacred blood:\n\n\nQuod ore sumpsimus, Domine, pura mente capiamus; et de munere temporali\nfiat nobis remedium sempiternum.\n\n(Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouth we may receive with\na pure mind; that of a temporal gift it may become to us an eternal\nremedy.)\n\n\n    At the ablution:\n\n\nCorpus tuum, Domine, quod sumpsi, et sanguis quem potavi, adh\u00e6reat\nvisceribus meis: et pr\u00e6sta, ut in me non remaneat scelerum macula, quem\npura et sancta refecerunt sacramenta. Qui vivis et regnas in s\u00e6cula\ns\u00e6culorum. Amen.\n\n(May Thy body, O Lord, which I have received, and Thy blood, which I\ndrank, cleave to my bowels; and grant that no stain of sin may remain in\nme, who have been refreshed with pure and holy sacraments. Who livest and\nreignest forever. Amen.)\n\nThe Post Communion.\n\nWe bless the God of heaven, and we will praise Him in the sight of all the\nliving: because He hath shown us His mercy.\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nMay the receiving of this sacrament, O Lord, Our God, avail to the\nsalvation of body and soul, together with the confession of an everlasting\nHoly Trinity, and of the undivided unity thereof. Through Our Lord Jesus\nChrist, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the\nHoly Ghost, world without end. Amen.\n\n_Let Us Pray._\n\nMay the oblation of this divine sacrament, we beseech Thee, O Lord, both\ncleanse and defend us; and by the intercession of the blessed Mary, the\nvirgin Mother of God, of St. Joseph, of the blessed apostles Peter and\nPaul, and of all the saints, free us from all sin, and deliver us from all\nadversity. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth\nand reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end.\nAmen.\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n_V._ Ite, missa est.\n\n(_V._ Go, you are dismissed.)\n\n_R._ Deo gratias.\n\n(_R._ Thanks be to God.)\n\n\n    When the _Gloria in excelsis_ has been omitted:\n\n\n_V._ Benedicamus Domino.\n\n(_V._ Let us praise the Lord.)\n\n_R._ Deo gratias.\n\n(_R._ Thanks be to God.)\n\n\n    In Masses of _Requiem_:\n\n\n_V._ Requiescant in pace.\n\n(_V._ May they rest in peace.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n\n    Before the blessing:\n\n\nPlaceat tibi sancta Trinitas, obsequium servitutis me\u00e6; et pr\u00e6sta, ut\nsacrificium quod oculis tu\u00e6 majestatis indignus obtuli, tibi sit\nacceptabile, mihique et omnibus pro quibus illud obtuli sit, te miserante,\npropitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.\n\n(Let the performance of my homage be pleasing to Thee, O Holy Trinity; and\ngrant that the sacrifice which I, unworthy as I am, have offered up in the\nsight of Thy majesty, may be acceptable to Thee, and by Thy mercy be a\npropitiation for me and for all for whom I have offered it. Through Christ\nOur Lord. Amen.)\n\n\n    The blessing, which is not given in Masses of _Requiem_:\n\n\nBenedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, et Spiritus Sanctus.\n\n(May almighty God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless you.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\nThe Last Gospel.\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n_S._ Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Joannem.\n\n(_P._ The beginning of the Gospel according to St. John.)\n\n_R._ Gloria tibi, Domine.\n\n(_R._ Glory be to Thee, O Lord.)\n\nIn principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum.\nHoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt, et sine ipso\nfactum est nihil quod factum est. In ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux\nhominum; et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebr\u00e6 eam non comprehenderunt.\n\n(In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word\nwas God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by\nHim: and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him was life, and\nthe life was the light of men: and the light shineth in darkness, and the\ndarkness did not comprehend it.)\n\nFuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Joannes. Hic venit in testimonium,\nut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non\nerat ille lux; sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera qu\u00e6\nilluminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et mundus\nper ipsum factus est, et mundus eum non cognovit. In propria venit, et sui\neum non receperunt. Quotquot autem receperunt eum, dedit eis potestatem\nfilios Dei fieri; his qui credunt in nomine ejus, qui non ex sanguinibus,\nneque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt.\nET VERBUM CARO FACTUM EST, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam ejus,\ngloriam quasi unigeniti a Patre, plenum grati\u00e6 et veritatis.\n\n(There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a\nwitness to give testimony of the light, that all might believe through\nhim. He was not the light, but came to give testimony of the light. That\nwas the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this\nworld. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world\nknew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But as\nmany as received Him, to them He gave power to be made the sons of God; to\nthem that believe in His name, who are born, not of blood, nor of the will\nof the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. AND THE WORD WAS MADE\nFLESH, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, as it were the glory of\nthe only\u2010begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.)\n\n_R._ Deo gratias.\n\n(_R._ Thanks be to God.)\n\n\n\n\n\nVESPERS FOR SUNDAYS.\n\n\n    Vespers are a part of the Divine Offices recited daily by the\n    priests. They consist of five psalms, a chapter, a hymn, the\n    canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary, _Magnificat_, and an Antiphon\n    to the Blessed Mother of God, which differs according to the\n    season. Although there is no express commandment to assist at\n    Vespers, yet every good Catholic will make it his duty to attend\n    when he can.\n\n\nPater noster, etc. Ave Maria, etc.\n\n(Our Father, etc. Hail Mary, etc.)\n\n_P._ Deus, in adjutorium meum intende.\n\n(_P._ Incline unto my aid, O God.)\n\n_R._ Domine, ad adjuvandum me festina.\n\n(_R._ O Lord, make haste to help me.)\n\n_V._ Gloria Patri, et Filio, * et Spiritui Sancto.\n\n(_V._ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.)\n\n_R._ Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, * et in s\u00e6cula\ns\u00e6culorum. Amen. Alleluia.\n\n(_R._ As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without\nend. Amen. Alleluia.)\n\n_In Lent._ Laus tibi, Domine, Rex \u00e6tern\u00e6 glori\u00e6.\n\n(_In Lent._ Praise be to Thee, O King of eternal glory.)\n\nPsalm CIX.\n\nDixit Dominus Domino meo: * sede a dextris meis.\n\n(The Lord said to my Lord: Sit Thou at My right hand.)\n\nDonec ponam nimicos tuos * scabellum pedum tuorum.\n\n(Until I make Thy enemies: Thy footstool.)\n\nVirgam virtutis tu\u00e6 emittet Dominus ex Sion: * dominare in medio\ninimicorum tuorum.\n\n(The Lord will send forth the sceptre of Thy power out of Sion: rule Thou\nin the midst of Thy enemies.)\n\nTecum principium in die virtutis tu\u00e6 in splendoribus sanctorum: * ex utero\nante luciferum genui te.\n\n(With Thee is the principality in the day of Thy strength, in the\nbrightness of the saints: from the womb before the day star I begot Thee.)\n\nJuravit Dominus, et non p\u0153nitebit eum: * tu es sacerdos in \u00e6ternum,\nsecundum ordinem Melchisedech.\n\n(The Lord hath sworn, and He will not repent: Thou art a priest forever\naccording to the order of Melchisedech.)\n\nDominus a dextris tuis * confregit in die ir\u00e6 su\u00e6 reges.\n\n(The Lord, at Thy right hand, hath broken kings in the day of His wrath.)\n\nJudicabit in nationibus, implebit ruinas: * conquassabit capita in terra\nmultorum.\n\n(He shall judge among nations, He shall fill ruins: He shall crush the\nheads in the land of many.)\n\nDe torrente in via bibet, * propterea exaltabit caput.\n\n(He shall drink of the torrent in the way: therefore shall He lift up the\nhead.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory be to the Father, etc.)\n\nPsalm CX.\n\nConfitebor tibi, Domine, in toto corde meo: * in concilio justorum, et\ncongregatione.\n\n(I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart: in the council of the\njust, and in the congregation.)\n\nMagna opera Domini: * exquisita in omnes voluntates ejus.\n\n(Great are the works of the Lord: sought out according to all His wills.)\n\nConfessio et magnificentia opus ejus, * et justitia ejus manet in s\u00e6culum\ns\u00e6culi.\n\n(His work is praise and magnificence: and His justice continueth forever\nand ever.)\n\nMemoriam fecit mirabilium suorum, misericors et miserator Dominus: * escam\ndedit timentibus se.\n\n(He hath made a remembrance of His wonderful works, being a merciful and\ngracious Lord: He hath given food to them that fear Him.)\n\nMemor erit in s\u00e6culum testamenti sui: * virtutem operum suorum annuntiabit\npopulo suo:\n\n(He will be mindful forever of His covenant: He will show forth to His\npeople the power of His works:)\n\nUt det illis h\u00e6reditatem Gentium: * opera manuum ejus veritas et judicium.\n\n(That He may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: the works of His\nhands are truth and judgment.)\n\nFidelia omnia mandata ejus, confirmata in s\u00e6culum s\u00e6culi, * facta in\nveritate et \u00e6quitate.\n\n(All His commandments are faithful, confirmed forever and ever: made in\ntruth and equity.)\n\nRedemptionem misit populo suo: * mandavit in \u00e6ternum testamentum suum.\n\n(He hath sent redemption to His people: He hath commanded His covenant\nforever.)\n\nSanctum et terribile nomen ejus: * initium sapienti\u00e6 timor Domini.\n\n(Holy and terrible is His name: the fear of the Lord is the beginning of\nwisdom.)\n\nIntellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum: * laudatio ejus manet in\ns\u00e6culum s\u00e6culi.\n\n(A good understanding to all that do it: His praise continueth forever and\never.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory, etc.)\n\nPsalm CXI.\n\nBeatus vir qui timet Dominum: * in mandatis ejus volet nimis.\n\n(Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he shall delight exceedingly in\nHis commandments.)\n\nPotens in terra erit semen ejus: * generatio rectorum benedicetur.\n\n(His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the righteous\nshall be blessed.)\n\nGloria et diviti\u00e6 in domo ejus: * et justitia ejus manet in s\u00e6culum\ns\u00e6culi.\n\n(Glory and wealth shall be in his house: and his justice remaineth forever\nand ever.)\n\nExortum est in tenebris lumen rectis: * misericors, et miserator, et\njustus.\n\n(To the righteous a light has sprung up in darkness: he is merciful, and\ncompassionate, and just.)\n\nJucundus homo qui miseretur et commodat, disponet sermones suos in\njudicio: * quia in \u00e6ternum non commovebitur.\n\n(Acceptable is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth; he shall order his\nwords with judgment: because he shall not be moved forever.)\n\nIn memoria \u00e6terna erit justus: *  ab auditione mala non timebit.\n\n(The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil\nhearing.)\n\nParatum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est cor ejus: *  non\ncommovebitur, donec despiciat inimicos suos.\n\n(His heart is ready to hope in the Lord, his heart is strengthened: he\nshall not be moved until he look over his enemies.)\n\nDispersit, dedit pauperibus: justitia ejus manet in s\u00e6culum s\u00e6culi: *\ncornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria.\n\n(He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth\nforever and ever, his horn shall be exalted in glory.)\n\nPeccator videbit, et irascetur, dentibus suis fremet et tabescet: *\ndesiderium peccatorum peribit.\n\n(The wicked shall see, and shall be angry; he shall gnash with his teeth\nand pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory, etc.)\n\nPsalm CXII.\n\nLaudate, pueri, Dominum: * laudate nomen Domini.\n\n(Praise the Lord, ye children: praise ye the name of the Lord.)\n\nSit nomen Domini benedictum, * ex hoc nunc et usque in s\u00e6culum.\n\n(Blessed be the name of the Lord: from henceforth, now, and forever.)\n\nA solis ortu usque ad occasum, * laudabile nomen Domini.\n\n(From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same: the name of\nthe Lord is worthy of praise.)\n\nExcelsus super omnes gentes Dominus: * et super c\u0153los gloria ejus.\n\n(The Lord is high above all nations: and His glory above the heavens.)\n\nQuis sicut Dominus Deus noster, qui in altis habitat: * et humilia\nrespicit in c\u0153lo et in terra?\n\n(Who is like the Lord our God, Who dwelleth on high: and looketh down on\nthe low things in heaven and in earth?)\n\nSuscitans a terra inopem, * et de stercore erigens pauperem;\n\n(Raising up the needy from the earth, and lifting up the poor out of the\ndung\u2010hill;)\n\nUt collocet eum cum principibus: * cum principibus populi sui.\n\n(That He may place him with princes: with the princes of His people.)\n\nQui habitare facit sterilem in domo: * matrem filiorum l\u00e6tantem.\n\n(Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house: the joyful mother of\nchildren.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory, etc.)\n\nPsalm CXIII.\n\nIn exitu Israel de \u00c6gypto: * domus Jacob de populo barbaro:\n\n(When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous\npeople:)\n\nFacta est Jud\u00e6a sanctificatio ejus, * Israel potestas ejus.\n\nJudea was made his sanctuary, Israel his dominion.\n\nMare vidit, et fugit: * Jordanis conversus est retrorsum.\n\n(The sea saw and fled: Jordan was turned back.)\n\nMontes exultaverunt ut arietes: * et colles sicut agni ovium.\n\n(The mountains skipped like rams: and the hills like the lambs of the\nflock.)\n\nQuid est tibi, mare, quod fugisti? * et tu, Jordanis, quia conversus es\nretrorsum?\n\n(What aileth thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee? and thou, O Jordan,\nthat thou wast turned back?)\n\nMontes, exultastis sicut arietes? * et colles sicut agni ovium?\n\n(Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams: and ye hills like the lambs of\nthe flock?)\n\nA facie Domini mota est terra: * a facie Dei Jacob.\n\n(At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved: at the presence of the\nGod of Jacob.)\n\nQui convertit petram in stagna aquarum: * et rupem in fontes aquarum.\n\n(Who turned the rock into pools of water: and the stony hills into\nfountains of waters.)\n\nNon nobis, Domine, non nobis: * sed nomini tuo da gloriam.\n\n(Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us: but to Thy name give glory.)\n\nSuper misericordia tua, et veritate tua: * ne quando dicant Gentes: ubi\nest Deus eorum?\n\n(For Thy mercy and for Thy truth\u2019s sake: lest the Gentiles should say,\nWhere is their God?)\n\nDeus autem noster in c\u0153lo: * omnia qu\u00e6cumque voluit, fecit.\n\nBut Our God is in heaven: He hath done all things whatsoever He would.\n\nSimulacra Gentium argentum et aurum, * opera manuum hominum.\n\n(The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold: the work of the hands of\nmen.)\n\nOs habent, et non loquentur: * oculos habent, et non videbunt.\n\n(They have mouths and speak not: they have eyes and see not.)\n\nAures habent, et non audient: * nares habent, et non odorabunt.\n\n(They have ears and hear not: they have noses and smell not.)\n\nManus habent, et non palpabunt: pedes habent, et non ambulabunt: * non\nclamabunt in gutture suo.\n\n(They have hands and feel not: they have feet and walk not, neither shall\nthey cry out through their throats.)\n\nSimiles illis fiant qui faciunt ea: * et omnes qui confidunt in eis.\n\n(Let them that make them become like unto them: and such as trust in\nthem.)\n\nDomus Israel speravit in Domino: * adjutor eorum et protector eorum est.\n\n(The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: He is their helper and their\nprotector.)\n\nDomus Aaron speravit in Domino: * adjutor eorum et protector eorum est.\n\n(The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: He is their helper and their\nprotector.)\n\nQui timent Dominum, speraverunt in Domino: * adjutor eorum et protector\neorum est.\n\n(They that fear the Lord have hoped in the Lord: He is their helper and\ntheir protector.)\n\nDominus memor fuit nostri: * et benedixit nobis.\n\nThe Lord hath been mindful of us: and hath blessed us.\n\nBenedixit domui Israel: * benedixit domui Aaron.\n\n(He hath blessed the house of Israel: He hath blessed the house of Aaron.)\n\nBenedixit omnibus qui timent Dominum, * pusillis cum majoribus.\n\n(He hath blessed all that fear the Lord: both little and great.)\n\nAdjiciat Dominus super vos: * super vos, et super filios vestros.\n\n(May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you and upon your children.)\n\nBenedicti vos a Domino: * qui fecit c\u0153lum et terram.\n\n(Blessed be you of the Lord; Who made heaven and earth.)\n\nC\u0153lum c\u0153li Domino; * terram autem dedit filiis hominum.\n\n(The heaven of heavens is the Lord\u2019s: but the earth He hath given to the\nchildren of men.)\n\nNon mortui laudabunt te, Domine: * neque omnes qui descendunt in infernum.\n\n(The dead shall not praise Thee, O Lord: nor any of them that go down to\nhell.)\n\nSed nos qui vivimus, benedicimus Domino: * ex hoc nunc, et usque in\ns\u00e6culum.\n\n(But we that live bless the Lord: from this time, now and forever.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory, etc.)\n\n\n    Instead of 113, Psalm 116 is often sung.\n\n\nPsalm CXVI.\n\nLaudate Dominum, omnes Gentes: * laudate eum, omnes populi.\n\nPraise the Lord, all ye nations: praise Him, all ye people.\n\nQuoniam confirmata est super nos misericordia ejus: * et veritas Domini\nmanet in \u00e6ternum.\n\n(Because His mercy is confirmed upon us: and the truth of the Lord\nremaineth forever.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory, etc.)\n\nThe Capitulum.\n\nBenedictus Deus et Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi, Pater\nmisericordiarum, et Deus totius consolationis, qui consolatur nos in omni\ntribulatione nostra.\n\n(Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of\nmercies, and the God of all comfort, Who comforteth us in all our\ntribulations.)\n\n_R._ Deo gratias.\n\n(_R._ Thanks be to God.)\n\n\n    Here is usually sung a hymn appropriate to the season of the year.\n\n\nHymn For Sunday.\n\nLucis Creator optime,\nLucem dierum proferens,\nPrimordiis lucis nov\u00e6,\nMundi parans originem.\n\n(O great Creator of the light,\nWho, from the darksome womb of night,\nBroughtst forth new light at nature\u2019s birth,\nTo shine upon the face of earth.)\n\nQui mane junctum vesperi\nDiem vocari pr\u00e6cipis;\nIllabitur tetrum chaos,\nAudi preces cum fletibus.\n\n(Who, by the morn and evening ray,\nHast measured time and called it day,\nWhilst sable night involves the spheres,\nVouchsafe to hear our prayers and tears.)\n\nNe mens gravata crimine,\nVit\u00e6 sit exul munere,\nDum nil perenne cogitat,\nSeseque culpis illigat.\n\n(Lest our frail mind, with sin defiled,\nFrom gifts of life should be exiled,\nWhilst on no heavenly thing she thinks,\nBut twines herself in Satan\u2019s links.)\n\nC\u0153leste pulset ostium:\nVitale tollat pr\u00e6mium:\nVitemus omne noxium:\nPurgemus omne pessimum.\n\n(Oh, may she soar to heaven above,\nThe happy seat of light and love;\nMeantime all sinful actions shun,\nAnd purge the foul ones she hath done.)\n\nPr\u00e6sta, Pater piissime,\nPatrique compar unice,\nCum Spiritu Paraclito,\nRegnans per omne s\u00e6culum. Amen.\n\n(This prayer, most gracious Father, hear,\nThy equal Son incline His ear,\nWho, with the Holy Ghost and Thee,\nDoth live and reign eternally. Amen.)\n\nThe Magnificat,\n\n_Or Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary._\n\nMagnificat * anima mea Dominum.\n\n(My soul doth magnify the Lord;)\n\nEt exultavit spiritus meus * in Deo salutari meo.\n\n(And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.)\n\nQuia respexit humilitatem ancill\u00e6 su\u00e6: * ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent\nomnes generationes.\n\n(Because He hath regarded the humility of His handmaid: for behold from\nhenceforth all generations shall call me blessed.)\n\nQuia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: * et sanctum nomen ejus.\n\n(For He that is mighty hath done great things to me: and holy is His\nname.)\n\nEt misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies, * timentibus eum.\n\n(And His mercy is from generation to generation: to them that fear Him.)\n\nFecit potentiam in brachio suo: * dispersit superbos mente cordis sui.\n\n(He hath showed might in His arm: He hath scattered the proud in the\nconceit of their heart.)\n\nDeposuit potentes de sede, * et exaltavit humiles.\n\n(He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the\nhumble.)\n\nEsurientes implevit bonis: * et divites dimisit inanes.\n\n(He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich He hath sent\naway empty.)\n\nSuscepit Israel puerum suum: * recordatus misericordi\u00e6 su\u00e6.\n\n(He hath received Israel His servant: being mindful of His mercy.)\n\nSicut locutus est ad patres nostros: * Abraham, et semini ejus in s\u00e6cula.\n\n(As He spoke to our fathers: to Abraham, and to his seed forever.)\n\nGloria Patri, etc.\n\n(Glory, etc.)\n\n\n    For the _Magnificat_, Pope Leo XIII. granted an indulgence of 100\n    days, to be gained by reciting it devoutly and with contrite heart\n    once a day. (September 20, 1879.)\n\n\n    Then follows the prayer, which is different every day.\n\n\n_V._ Dominus vobiscum.\n\n(_V._ The Lord be with you.)\n\n_R._ Et cum spiritu tuo.\n\n(_R._ And with thy spirit.)\n\n_V._ Benedicamus Domino.\n\n(_V._ Let us bless the Lord.)\n\n_R._ Deo gratias.\n\n(_R._ Thanks be to God.)\n\n_V._ Fidelium anim\u00e6, per misericordiam Dei, requiescant in pace.\n\n(_V._ May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God,\nrest in peace.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\nPater noster, etc. (_secreto_).\n\n(Our Father (_in secret_).)\n\n_V._ Dominus det nobis suam pacem.\n\n(_V._ May the Lord grant us His peace.)\n\n_R._ Et vitam \u00e6ternam. Amen.\n\n(_R._ And life everlasting. Amen.)\n\n\n    Then is sung one of the following anthems, according to the time.\n\n\n_From Advent to the Purification._\n\nAlma Redemptoris Mater, qu\u00e6 pervia c\u0153li,\nPorta manes, et stella maris, succurre cadenti,\nSurgere qui curat populo: tu qu\u00e6 genuisti,\n\n(Mother of Jesus, heaven\u2019s open gate,\nStar of the sea, support the fallen state\nOf mortals; thou whose womb thy Maker bore,)\n\nNatura mirante, tuum sanctum genitorem:\nVirgo prius ac posterius: Gabrielis ab ore,\nSumens illud ave, peccatorum miserere.\n\n(And yet, strange thing, a virgin as before:\nWho didst from Gabriel\u2019s hail this news receive;\nRepenting sinners by thy prayers relieve.)\n\n_In Advent._\n\n_V._ Angelus Domini nuntiavit Mari\u00e6.\n\n(_V._ The angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.)\n\n_R._ Et concepit de Spiritu Sancto.\n\n(_R._ And she conceived of the Holy Ghost.)\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let Us Pray._)\n\nGratiam tuam qu\u00e6sumus, Domine, mentibus nostris infunde, ut qui, angelo\nnuntiante, Christi Filii tui incarnationem cognovimus, per Passionem ejus\net crucem, ad resurrectionis gloriam perducamur. Per eundem Christum\nDominum nostrum.\n\n(Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts, that we,\nto whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, has been made known by the\nmessage of an angel, may, by His Passion and cross, be brought to the\nglory of His resurrection. Through the same Christ Our Lord.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_After Advent._\n\n_V._ Post partum virgo inviolata permansisti.\n\n(_V._ After childbirth thou didst remain a pure virgin.)\n\n_R._ Dei genitrix, intercede pro nobis.\n\n(_R._ Mother of God, intercede for us.)\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let Us Pray._)\n\nDeus, qui salutis \u00e6tern\u00e6 beat\u00e6 Mari\u00e6 virginitate f\u0153cunda humano generi\npr\u00e6mia pr\u00e6stitisti: tribue qu\u00e6sumus, ut ipsam pro nobis intercedere\nsentiamus, per quam meruimus Auctorem vit\u00e6 suscipere, Dominum nostrum\nJesum Christum Filium tuum.\n\n(O God, Who, by the fruitful virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, hast\ngiven to mankind the rewards of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech Thee,\nthat we may be sensible of the benefits of her intercession, by whom we\nhave received the Author of life, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_From The Purification Till Easter._\n\nAve, Regina c\u0153lorum!\nAve, Domina angelorum!\nSalve, radix! salve, porta!\nEx qua mundo lux est orta.\n\n(Hail, Mary, queen of heavenly spheres!\nHail, whom the angelic host reveres!\nHail, fruitful root! hail, sacred gate!\nWhence the world\u2019s light derives its date.)\n\nGaude, Virgo gloriosa,\nSuper omnes speciosa,\nVale, O valde decora,\nEt pro nobis Christum exora.\n\n(O glorious Maid, with beauty blest,\nMay joys eternal fill thy breast!\nThus, crowned with beauty and with joy,\nThy prayers with Christ for us employ.)\n\n_V._ Dignare me laudare te, Virgo sacrata.\n\n(_V._ Vouchsafe, O sacred Virgin, to accept my praises.)\n\n_R._ Da mihi virtutem contra hostes tuos.\n\n(_R._ Give me power against thy enemies.)\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let Us Pray._)\n\nConcede, misericors Deus, fragilitati nostr\u00e6 pr\u00e6sidium; ut qui sanct\u00e6 Dei\ngenitricis memoriam agimus, intercessionis ejus auxilio a nostris\niniquitatibus resurgamus. Per eundem Christum Dominum nostrum.\n\n(Grant us, O merciful God, strength against all our weakness; that we, who\ncelebrate the memory of the holy Mother of God, may, by the help of her\nintercession, rise again from our iniquities. Through the same Christ Our\nLord.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_From Easter Till Trinity Sunday._\n\nRegina c\u0153li, l\u00e6tare! Alleluia.\n\n(O Queen of heaven, rejoice, Alleluia.)\n\nQuia quem meruisti portare, Alleluia,\n\n(For He Whom thou didst deserve to bear, Alleluia,)\n\nResurrexit, sicut dixit. Alleluia.\n\n(Is risen again, as He said. Alleluia.)\n\nOra pro nobis Deum. Alleluia.\n\n(Pray for us to God. Alleluia.)\n\n_V._ Gaude et l\u00e6tare, Virgo Maria. Alleluia.\n\n(_V._ Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary. Alleluia.)\n\n_R._ Quia surrexit Dominus vere. Alleluia.\n\n(_R._ Because Our Lord is truly risen. Alleluia.)\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let Us Pray._)\n\nDeus qui, per resurrectionem Filii tui, Domini nostri Jesu Christi, mundum\nl\u00e6tificare dignatus es; pr\u00e6sta, qu\u00e6sumus, ut per ejus genitricem Virginem\nMariam perpetu\u00e6 capiamus gaudia vit\u00e6. Per eundem Christum, etc.\n\n(O God, Who, by the resurrection of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, hast\nbeen pleased to fill the world with joy: grant, we beseech Thee, that by\nthe Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may receive the joys of eternal life.\nThrough, etc.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\nFrom Trinity Sunday Till Advent.\n\nSalve, Regina, mater misericordi\u00e6, vita, dulcedo, et spes nostra salve. Ad\nte clamamus, exules filii Hev\u00e6. Ad te suspiramus, gementes et flentes, in\nhac lacrymarum valle. Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuos misericordes\noculos ad nos converte. Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui nobis\npost hoc exilium ostende, O clemens, O pia, O dulcis Virgo Maria!\n\n(Hail to the Queen who reigns above, Mother of clemency and love! Hail,\nthou our hope, life, sweetness! We, Eve\u2019s banished children, cry to thee.\nWe, from this wretched vale of tears, Send sighs and groans unto thy ears;\nOh, then, sweet advocate, bestow A pitying look on us below! After this\nexile let us see Our blessed Jesus, born of thee. O merciful, O pious\nMaid, O gracious Mary, lend thy aid!)\n\n_V._ Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix.\n\n(_V._ Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.)\n\n_R._ Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.\n\n(_R._ That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.)\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let Us Pray._)\n\nOmnipotens, sempiterne Deus, qui glorios\u00e6 Virginis Matris Mari\u00e6 corpus et\nanimam, ut dignum Filii tui habitaculum effici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto\nco\u2010operante pr\u00e6parasti; da, ut cujus commemoratione l\u00e6tamur ejus pin\nintercessione ab instantibus malis, et a morte perpetua liberemur. Per\neundem Christum Dominum nostrum.\n\nAlmighty and eternal God, Who, by the co\u2010operation of the Holy Ghost,\ndidst prepare the body and the soul of the glorious Virgin Mother Mary,\nthat she might become a worthy habitation for Thy Son: grant that, as with\njoy we celebrate her memory, so, by her pious intercession, we may be\ndelivered from present evils and eternal death. Through the same Christ\nOur Lord.\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n_S._ Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum.\n\n(_P._ May the divine assistance always remain with us.)\n\n_R._ Amen.\n\n(_R._ Amen.)\n\n\n\n\n\nEXPOSITION AND BENEDICTION OF THE MOST HOLY SACRAMENT.\n\n\n    When the priest opens the tabernacle, and incenses the Blessed\n    Sacrament, is sung the hymn:\n\n\nO salutaris Hostia,\nQu\u00e6 c\u0153li pandis ostium;\nBella premunt hostilia,\nDa robur, fer auxilium.\nUni trinoque Domino\nSit sempiterna gloria,\nQui vitam sine termino\nNobis donet in patria.\nAmen.\n\n(O saving Victim, opening wide\nThe gate of heaven to man below!\nOur foes press on from every side;\nThine aid supply, Thy strength bestow.\n\nTo Thy great name be endless praise,\nImmortal Godhead, one in three!\nOh, grant us endless length of days\nIn our true native land with Thee.\nAmen.)\n\n\n    Then is sung the hymn, _Tantum ergo Sacramentum_.\n\n\nTantum ergo Sacramentum\nVeneremur cernui:\nEt antiquum documentum\nNovo cedat ritui;\nPr\u00e6stet fides supplementum\nSensuum defectui.\n\n(Down in adoration falling,\nLo! the sacred Host we hail:\nLo! o\u2019er ancient forms departing,\nNewer rites of grace prevail;\nFaith for all defects supplying\nWhere the feeble senses fail.)\n\nGenitori Genitoque\nLaus et jubilatio,\nSalus, honor, virtus quoque\nSit et benedictio:\nProcedenti ab utroque\nCompar sit laudatio.\n\n(To the everlasting Father,\nAnd the Son Who reigns on high,\nWith the Holy Ghost proceeding\nForth from each eternally,\nBe salvation, honor, blessing,\nMight and endless majesty!)\n\n_V._ Panem de c\u0153lo pr\u00e6stitisti eis. [Alleluia.]\n\n(_V._ Thou didst give them bread from heaven. [Alleluia.])\n\n_R._ Omne delectamentum in se habentem. [Alleluia.]\n\n(_R._ Containing in itself all sweetness. [Alleluia.])\n\n_Oremus._\n\n(_Let Us Pray._)\n\nDeus, qui nobis sub Sacramento mirabili, Passionis tu\u00e6 memoriam\nreliquisti: tribue, qu\u00e6sumus, ita nos corporis et sanguinis tui sacra\nmysteria venerari, ut redemptionis tu\u00e6 fructum in nobis jugiter sentiamus.\nQui vivis, etc. Amen.\n\n(O God, Who, under a wonderful sacrament, hast left us a memorial of Thy\nPassion: grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of\nThy body and blood that we may ever feel within us the fruit of Thy\nredemption. Who livest, etc. Amen.)\n\n\n    Here the Benediction is given with the Blessed Sacrament, all\n    bowing down in profound adoration.\n\n\nAdoremus in \u00e6ternum Sanctissimum Sacramentum!\n\n(May we forever adore the Most Holy Sacrament!)\n\n\n\n\n\nDEVOTIONS FOR CONFESSION AND COMMUNION.\n\n\n\n\nConfession.\n\n\nBefore Confession.\n\nA Prayer For Sincere Contrition.\n\nI have now, O my God! aided by Thy grace, endeavored to discover the\nnumber of my transgressions, and have examined, to the best of my power,\nthe state of my conscience. But, alas! O Judge of the living and the dead!\nhow far different is my judgment from Thine! How many offences are still\nperhaps hidden from my view, though perfectly known to Thee! But, my God!\nas I am persuaded it is not so much a knowledge of their number, as sorrow\nfor their deformity, that Thou requirest, I now earnestly implore of Thee\nto give me that lively, sincere, efficacious contrition, which I know is a\nnecessary condition of my pardon. My heart was formed by Thee, Thou alone\ncanst change it; it is in Thy hands, and though most ungrateful, most\ninsensible, it is not too obdurate for Thee to penetrate and soften. One\ndrop of Thy adorable blood, one of those precious tears which my offences\ndrew from Thy eyes, would suffice to produce in my soul the most lively\ncontrition. Ah! look on me, eternal Light! and my understanding will be\nenlightened to conceive the enormity of sin; touch my heart, and it will\nbe broken with sorrow for having ever offended Thee. Convert me, and I\nshall be converted; for my destruction, my misery, and my misfortune, is\nfrom myself, but my salvation must come from Thee, O my most merciful\nFather! from Thee, Whom I have so ungratefully abandoned, and so\ngrievously offended.\n\nAct of Contrition For Those Who Are Guilty of Mortal Sin.\n\nO infinite majesty of my God! I am so full of shame at the sight of the\ningratitude and malice of which I find myself guilty before Thee, that I\ndare not raise my eyes to heaven. I confess, O most gracious and merciful\nLord, that by the multitude and enormity of my sins I have deserved to be\nabandoned by Thee, and condemned to eternal torments. Ah, unhappy being\nthat I am, how can I have dared to offend Thee! Can it be, O my Saviour,\nthat I have trampled under foot Thy blood, by which I was redeemed; and\nthat I have thus renewed the pains of Thy Passion and of Thy death! Ah,\nwhy, why did I not die at once, rather than displease Thee! How could I\ndare to offend against Thee, Who art infinite goodness, wisdom, and\nbeauty!... Thee, Who art perfection itself!... Thee, Who art my God, my\nCreator, my beginning, my end, my happiness, my all!... Thee, from Whom I\nhave received my being, my life, and all that I am!... Thee, Who hast\nguided and protected me with the tenderest love under the shadow of Thy\nwings!... Thee, Who hast adopted me for Thy child, and made me heir to Thy\neternal kingdom!... Thee, Who hast redeemed me by Thy most precious blood,\nand hast so often nourished me with Thy most sacred body and blood in the\nSacrament of the Eucharist! And yet, notwithstanding these, Thy great and\nmanifold blessings, I have offended Thee, O my God! I have abandoned Thee,\nto league with Thy enemies against Thee. I have preferred a vile\ngratification to Thy love. Oh, ingratitude! Oh, delusion! Oh, madness! Ah,\nwhen shall I detest my sins as much as they deserve! O my sweet and\nmerciful Lord Jesus, of Whose goodness there is no end, and of Whose mercy\nthe treasure is infinite, have pity on me, and save my soul! Pardon me, O\nmost bountiful Lord, pardon me, I entreat Thee, by the merit of Thy bitter\nPassion and death! Remember not my iniquities, but regard Thy infinite\nmercy. I promise that, by the help of Thy grace, I will never fall into\nthem again. From this very moment I break all the ties that bind me to the\nworld, to the flesh, to the devil, and to sin. I am from this moment\nfirmly resolved to trample under foot all worldly vanities, and to\nconsecrate myself entirely to Thy holy love. Oh, never allow me to fall\nback into my old habits of sin! Never permit that honors, or interest, or\npleasure, or pride, or the love of life, or the fear of death, or any\nother motive, shall cause me to swerve from Thy divine commands. Grant\nthat I may keep them with my whole heart, though it should cost me the\nsacrifice of my life, and of all I hold dearest in the world.\n\nAh, what has been my folly and my wickedness in having so often and so\ngrievously offended my God, my heavenly Father, my gracious and loving\nRedeemer! What ingratitude, what an excess of malice! At the very moment I\nwas receiving with one hand the greatest favors and graces from this my\nmost tender and merciful Lord, with the other I was plunging a dagger into\nHis bosom\u2014I was crucifying Him again within my soul! I have sold myself to\nthe devil for a worthless pleasure; I have renounced the kingdom of heaven\nand all the joys of paradise for a trifling enjoyment; I have signed the\ndecree for my eternal damnation to gratify my pride; I have condemned\nmyself to suffer an eternity of torments and all the agonies of hell, to\nindulge an unworthy passion! Ah, who will give to my eyes a fountain of\ntears, that I may weep and lament over my sins!\n\nO my divine Redeemer, Whose love I have unhappily despised, Whose blood I\nhave trodden under foot, Whose wounds I have reopened, and Whose death I\nhave renewed by my sins! How can I present myself before Thee after so\ngreat an excess of ingratitude and malice! O my gracious Saviour, what\nhadst Thou done to me that I should treat Thee so cruelly! Thou hast\nreconciled me to Thy Father by Thy death, and I have again drawn down upon\nmyself His indignation by repeated sins. Thou hast snatched me from the\nslavery of the devil, and I have again entangled myself in his snares.\nThou hast healed my wounds, and I have inflicted fresh ones on myself.\nThou hast delivered me from the eternal flames of hell, to which I was\ncondemned by my sins, and I have cast myself into them again. Thou hast\nobtained heaven for me, and I have sold the right which Thou didst\npurchase at the price of Thy blood, for a trifling pleasure, for a\ncorruptible crown. Is it possible to conceive folly, stupidity, malice,\nequal to mine! I confess it here before Thee, O Lord; I detest it from the\ndepths of my soul; and resolve to die a thousand times rather than fall\nagain into it. Ah, wilt Thou reject a contrite and humble sinner, when\nThou didst come down from heaven to call sinners to repentance? Wilt Thou\nrefuse to receive this strayed sheep which returns from his wanderings,\nafter Thou hast sought him so long, to bring him back to the fold? Wilt\nThou reject this prodigal child, who comes to throw himself at Thy feet,\nafter Thou hast so much grieved over his loss? Wilt Thou leave me forever\nto groan under the insupportable weight of sin, when Thou didst invite all\nthose who are burdened to cast their load at Thy feet? Thou didst absolve\nthe sinful woman when, kneeling before Thee, she implored Thy mercy; Thou\ndidst remit the sins of the publican when he humbled himself in Thy\nTemple; Thou didst pardon the good thief when he acknowledged Thy power on\nthe cross; and shall I be the only one to whom Thou wilt refuse grace? No,\nmy adorable Saviour, not so. I trust that, however unworthy I have made\nmyself of pardon, yet Thou wilt grant it to me, and that Thy precious\nblood will appease Thy Father\u2019s wrath against me, and wash away the stain\nof my sins. Offer it, then, to Him for me, O Lord, and apply it so\neffectually to me that I may be entirely cleansed, and may be judged\nworthy to enter into the blessed mansions, where nothing defiled can be\nadmitted. Amen.\n\nAct Of Contrition For Venial Sin.\n\nProstrate at Thy feet, O Lord, I ask Thy pardon for all the failings and\nnegligences which my frailty, my ignorance, and my malice have caused me\nto commit against Thy infinite majesty, especially for all those which I\nhave perpetrated since my last confession. I am confounded, Lord, when I\nremember their number, and how much I have displeased and offended Thee by\nthem. Ah, how little do I love Thee! how little do I love my neighbor!\nWith what coldness, with what cowardice have I attended to Thy service!\nHow much on the contrary have I yielded to self\u2010love, and how much I still\nretain of affection for creatures! Oh, how rarely do I enter into myself,\nand think seriously of Thee! How filled with distractions are my prayers,\nmy meditations, and all my exercises of devotion! How much vanity enters\ninto all my actions! how much attachment to my own will, my own ease, and\nmy own convenience! Ah, Lord, draw me, I entreat Thee, out of the abyss of\nmy misery, and purify me from the multitude of my sins. Art thou not\noverwhelmed with shame, O my soul, at the sight of the many offences which\nthou hast committed against thy sovereign Lord? Is it thus that thou\nservest a God of infinite majesty? Is this what thou hast promised Him so\noften, and to which thou art engaged by the holiness of thy vocation?\nKnowest thou not that the least sin is an offence to the infinite majesty\nof God, that it contains an infinite malice, that it is an evil which\ninsults and offends thy most loving Father, thy most bountiful Saviour,\nthy most sweet and merciful Lord? Ah, if thou didst but know what venial\nsin really is; if thou didst but comprehend the stain which it produces\nupon thee, the deformity, the wounds it occasions in the eyes of God; the\ntorment which it draws upon it in the other life, the danger to which it\nexposes thy salvation, thou wouldst give a thousand lives, if thou hadst\nthem, rather than sully thy conscience with it. Thou feelest a difficulty\nin conceiving a bitter sorrow for thy ordinary faults, because they are\nvenial; but this arises from thy want of light. The saints, to whom God\ncommunicated in abundance His supernatural inspirations, wept day and\nnight bitterly over their faults, which were slighter than those thou dost\ncommit daily.\n\nIt is enough, O my God, that slight as these sins appear, they have\ndispleased and offended Thee, to induce me to conceive an extreme horror\nfor them, and to make me employ all my efforts to correct them. I love\nThee, O God of love; I praise and glorify Thee, O infinite majesty! O\npurity of heart, which cannot endure any attachment or affection to the\nslightest sin, how lovely art thou! How happy is he who is possessed of\nthee, for thou renderest us favorites of God, thou makest our souls\ntemples of the Holy Ghost, and dost draw down upon us all the graces and\nblessings of heaven! I will omit no pains that I may obtain thee in\nfuture. But it is from Thee alone, O Lord, that I may hope for this\nhappiness: I am too weak to aspire after it by my own efforts. Thou alone\ncanst enrich me with a gift so precious; grant it to me, I pray Thee, O my\nGod. Amen.\n\nGood Resolutions.\n\nSince I have had the misfortune to offend Thee, O my God, and that I\ncannot recall the past, I resolve at least, with the assistance of Thy\ngrace, to repair it by henceforth carefully avoiding all that displeases\nThee. I will shun sin, with its sources and occasions, particularly those\nsins into which my natural frailty most frequently leads me. I will adopt\nthe means suggested by Thy minister for the correction of my faults,\nlistening to his words as if spoken by Thyself. I know, O my God, what I\nshould have to apprehend from the severity of Thy justice, if Thy anger\nhad not been appeased by the merits of Jesus Christ. I feel that Thou wilt\nnot reject the prayer of Thine innocent Son, Whose blood pleads for me,\nHis guilty creature. In this hope, O God of goodness! I present myself at\nThy tribunal, there to accuse myself of my sins, entirely, sincerely, and\nhumbly, with full confidence that Thou wilt ratify in heaven the\nabsolution pronounced on earth. Holy Virgin! Mother of grace and mercy!\nRefuge of sinners! intercede for me, that in this confession I may receive\nfull pardon for the past, and grace to avoid sin in future. My good angel!\nwho hast been the witness of my transgressions, help me to rise from my\nevil habits, and obtain for me strength against future relapses. Amen.\n\nAfter Confession.\n\nPrayer After Confession.\n\nCan I persuade myself, O Lord! that, criminal as I was a few moments\nsince, I am now, by the grace of the sacrament, purified from my sins! God\nof mercy! Who, by the absolution pronounced by Thy minister, hast cleansed\nme from my iniquities, and restored me to Thy favor, shedding on me Thy\nprecious blood, and applying to my soul the virtue of Thy sacred wounds,\nhow shall I acknowledge the wonders of Thy love! Truly, O Lord, are Thy\nmercies above all Thy works! How shall I prove my gratitude to Thee, O\ndivine Benefactor of my soul! I will offer Thee this day, and all the days\nof my life, a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and incessantly extol Thy divine\nmunificence. I will consecrate my whole existence to Thee, shunning sin,\nand loving Thee with my whole heart. Oh, permit not that I should again\ntrample on the blood which saved me, and grieve the Heart which was broken\nfor me. Give efficacy to my desire nevermore to offend Thee: fortify my\nweakness; preserve me from occasions of sin; grant me the grace of steady\nperseverance in my good resolutions. O Strength of the weak! in proportion\nas I distrust myself, so do I firmly hope in Thee; grant me, then, Thy\nall\u2010powerful assistance, on which alone I rely. Prostrate at Thy feet, O\nmy Saviour! with the penitent Magdalen, I implore this, as the greatest of\nall favors. O Father of mercies! I know that Thou art reluctant to destroy\nthe vessel of clay Thy hands have formed; strengthen me, then, against\nfuture relapses. Holy Virgin, support me by thy powerful protection; all\nye angels and saints, intercede for my conversion and sanctification.\n\nOffering of the Penance Enjoined at Confession.\n\n\n    Before leaving the chapel offer your penance, or such portion as\n    you can, prefacing it with the following or some appropriate\n    prayer.\n\n\nO God of sanctity! of myself I have no means of satisfying Thy rigorous\njustice, but I offer Thee an abundant satisfaction in the infinite merits\nof a God\u2010man. I present Thee, O my God! the Sacred Heart of Thy Son,\nfilled with sadness and pierced with wounds for me, that Thy justice may\nthus be appeased. I unite my sufferings to the bitter pangs of my dying\nSaviour. May the abundance of His merits, and the immense charity of His\nHeart, supply for the imperfection and insufficiency of my works. O Lord!\nWho hast severed my chains, strengthen me with Thy grace, that I may never\nresume them; that I may conquer the bad habits which have been so long\nopposed to Thy spirit, and courageously resist the temptations to which I\nhave hitherto so easily yielded. Amen.\n\nAspirations, Some Of Which May Be Used Advantageously Before Or After\nConfession.\n\nMy Lord and my God, I sincerely acknowledge myself a vile and wretched\nsinner, unworthy to appear in Thy presence; but do Thou have mercy on me,\nand save me.\n\nMost loving Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, and am\nunworthy to be called Thy child; make me as one of Thy servants, and may I\nfor the future be ever faithful to Thee.\n\nIt truly grieves me, O my God, to have sinned, and so many times\ntransgressed Thy law; but wash me now from my iniquity, and cleanse me\nfrom my sin.\n\nI detest my sins, O Lord: I abhor my wickedness: I confess my ingratitude,\nand seek refuge in Thy mercy.\n\nFrom this moment I purpose nevermore to offend Thee: oh, let me suffer all\nkinds of pain and infamy, nay, even death itself, rather than return to my\nformer course of life, and live Thy enemy.\n\nO loving Father, assist me by Thy grace, that I may bring forth worthy\nfruits of penance, and not suffer my sins to go unpunished.\n\nNow, O Lord, I begin to live, not trusting in my own strength, or in the\nresolutions I make, but in the multitude of Thy mercies. Perfect, O God,\nthe work which Thou hast begun in me. Thou hast given me peace and\nunderstanding; but, wretched sinner that I am, how ungratefully have I\nabused all Thy gifts! And yet now, with all the tenderness of a loving\nFather, Thou recallest me from sin, and rescuest me from hell and\neverlasting damnation.\n\nAlas! my soul is full of anguish and confusion at the recollection of the\nmany sins whereby I have offended Thee, my merciful Redeemer, made myself\na slave to the devil, and provoked Thy anger.\n\nOh, that I had never transgressed Thy commandments, nor fallen into such\nan abyss of misery and calamity! Oh, that I had never sinned! Happy those\nsouls who have preserved their innocence: oh, that I had been so happy!\n\nBut now I am resolved, with the help of Thy grace, to be more watchful\nover myself, to amend my failings, and fulfil Thy law. Look down on me\nwith the eyes of mercy, O God, and blot out my sins.\n\nForgive me what is past, and, through Thine infinite goodness, secure me,\nby Thy grace, against all my wonted failings for the time to come.\n\nMy sins surpass in number the sands of the sea, and I confess myself, O\nLord, unworthy of Thy mercy; but Thy goodness is above all my offences.\n\nThou hast declared, O Lord, that there is joy in heaven for the conversion\nof a sinner; grant me, then, the grace of true repentance, and let heaven\nrejoice at my amendment.\n\nThou willest not the death of a sinner, but that he be converted and live.\nGrant me, then, that spiritual life which I need; for behold, O Lord, I\nsincerely desire to live to Thee.\n\nThou didst come, O dear Redeemer, not to call the just, but sinners, to\nrepentance; behold a miserable sinner here before Thee: oh, draw me\npowerfully to Thyself.\n\nHave mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy; and, according to\nthe multitude of Thy tender mercies, blot out my iniquities. Sprinkle me\nwith Thy precious blood, and I shall be whiter than snow.\n\nLet not Thy precious blood, my dear Saviour, be shed for me in vain; but\nmay it now bring forth in me the fruit of sincere repentance, and open to\nme the way to life everlasting.\n\nHow great is Thy goodness, O Lord, in having so long spared such a\nworthless servant, and waited with so much patience for his amendment!\nWhat return shall I make for Thy infinite mercies? Oh, let this mercy be\nadded to the rest, that I may nevermore offend Thee: this single favor I\nearnestly beg of Thee, O Lord, viz., that I may for the future _renounce\nmy own way to follow Thine_.\n\nHelp me, O Lord my God, and have compassion on my sinful soul. Amen.\n\n\n\n\nCommunion.\n\n\nBefore Communion.\n\nA Prayer Which May Be Said Some Days Before Communion.\n\nO Lord Jesus Christ! Whom I aspire to receive in a few days within the\ntemple of my soul, I come to implore that Thou wilt Thyself prepare Thy\ndestined abode, cleansing it from every stain, and enriching it with\nornaments worthy of Thy presence. Grant me an increase of faith, hope, and\ncharity; grant me true contrition, and profound humility; grant me to sigh\nwith holy Simeon for Thy coming, and, like him, to centre in Thee alone\nthe ardent affections and fervent desires of my heart. O Lord! Whose\nthrone is surrounded by cherubim and seraphim! Whose presence is felt by\nall creation, Whose spotless sanctity the angels themselves contemplate\nwith awe, I acknowledge my extreme unworthiness to receive Thee; but\nanimated with lively confidence in Thy paternal goodness, I conjure Thee\nto prepare me Thyself, and to supply from the treasury of Thy abundant\nmercies for all my deficiencies. O Thou Who hast come on earth to save me,\nand Who by Thy sufferings hast opened heaven to receive me, grant me grace\nto profit by all Thou hast done and endured for my salvation!\n\nAspirations Which Should Be Used The Days Preceding Communion.\n\nAs the wearied hart pines for the refreshing water, so does my soul thirst\nfor Thee, O Lord!\n\nMy soul sighs for the possession of God; when shall I come and appear\nbefore Him? Lord, I come to Thee; but how shall I prepare the way for\nThee? I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; say but the\nword, and my soul shall be healed.\n\nHow can I receive Thee into a heart so full of iniquities, and yet how can\nI abstain from the living Bread come down from heaven to give life to the\nworld?\n\nHave pity, I beseech Thee, on me, a sinner; and deign to prepare Thyself a\ndwelling in my heart; grant that from Thy adorable body may proceed a\nvirtue to give strength and life to my soul.\n\nPrepare me for Thyself, O Jesus! and render me worthy of Thy visit; look\non me, O Lord! and inflame me with Thy love; that I may run after the odor\nof Thy perfumes.\n\nGrant me humility of spirit, and pure charity, to render me worthy of\nparticipating in the blessed food of heaven.\n\nI wish to attract Thee by my love, and to enjoy Thy presence in the centre\nof my soul. O my God! my life! my all! I beseech Thee to come into my\nheart, and to unite me to Thyself forever.\n\nAct Of Faith.\n\n\u201cBehold, He cometh leaping upon the mountains, skipping over the\nhills.\u201d\u2014Cant. ii. 8. Ah, my most amiable Saviour, over how many, what\nrough and craggy mountains, hast Thou had to pass in order to come and\nunite Thyself to me by the means of this Most Holy Sacrament! Thou, from\nbeing God, hadst to become man; from being immense, to become a babe; from\nbeing Lord, to become a servant. Thou hadst to pass from the bosom of Thy\neternal Father to the womb of a Virgin; from heaven into a stable; from\nthe throne of glory to the gibbet of a criminal. And on this very morning\nThou wilt come from Thy seat in heaven to dwell in my bosom.\n\n\u201cBehold He standeth behind our wall, looking through the windows, looking\nthrough the lattices,\u201d Cant. ii. 9. Behold, O my soul, thy loving Jesus,\nburning with the same love with which He loved thee when dying for thee on\nthe cross, is now concealed in the Most Blessed Sacrament under the sacred\nspecies: and what doing? \u201cLooking through the lattices.\u201d As an ardent\nlover, desirous to see his love corresponded with, from the Host, as from\nwithin closed lattices, whence He sees without being seen, He is looking\nat you, who are this morning about to feed upon His divine flesh. He\nobserves your thoughts, what it is that you love, what you desire, what\nyou seek for, and what offerings you are about to make Him.\n\nAwake, then, my soul, and prepare to meet thy Jesus; and, in the first\nplace, by faith say to Him: So, then, my beloved Redeemer, in a few\nmoments Thou art coming to me? O hidden God, unknown to the greater part\nof men, I believe, I confess, I adore Thee in the Most Holy Sacrament as\nmy Lord and Saviour! And in acknowledgment of this truth I would willingly\nlay down my life. Thou comest to enrich me with Thy graces, and to unite\nThyself all to me; how great, then, should be my confidence in this Thy so\nloving visit!\n\nAct Of Confidence.\n\nMy soul, expand thy heart. Thy Jesus can do thee every good, and, indeed,\nloves thee. Hope thou for great things from this thy Lord, Who, urged by\nlove, comes all love to thee. Yes, my dear Jesus, my hope, I trust in Thy\ngoodness, that, in giving Thyself to me this morning, Thou wilt enkindle\nin my poor heart the beautiful flame of Thy pure love, and a real desire\nto please Thee; so that, from this day forward, I may never will anything\nbut what Thou willest.\n\nAct Of Love.\n\nAh, my God, my God, true and only love of my soul, and what more couldst\nThou have done to be loved by me? To die for me was not enough for Thee,\nmy Lord; Thou wast pleased to institute this great Sacrament in order to\ngive Thyself all to me, and thus bind and unite Thyself heart to heart\nwith so loathsome and ungrateful a creature as I am. And what is more,\nThou Thyself invitest me to receive Thee, and desirest so much that I\nshould do so! O boundless love! incomprehensible love! infinite love! a\nGod would give Himself all to me!\n\nMy soul, believest thou this? And what doest thou? what sayest thou? O\nGod, O God, O infinite amiability, only worthy object of all loves, I love\nThee with my whole heart, I love Thee above all things, I love Thee more\nthan myself, more than my life! Oh, could I but see Thee loved by all! Oh,\ncould I but cause Thee to be loved by all hearts as much as Thou\ndeservest! I love Thee, O most amiable God, and I unite my miserable heart\nin loving Thee, to the hearts of the seraphim, to the heart of the most\nblessed Virgin Mary, to the Heart of Jesus, Thy most loving and beloved\nSon. So that, O infinite good, I love Thee with the love with which the\nsaints, with which Mary, with which Jesus love Thee. And I love Thee only\nbecause Thou art worthy of it, and to give Thee pleasure. Depart, all\nearthly affections, which are not for God, depart, from my heart. Mother\nof fair love, most holy Virgin Mary, help me to love that God Whom thou\ndost so ardently desire to see loved!\n\nAct Of Humility.\n\nThen, my soul, thou art even now about to feed on the most sacred flesh of\nJesus! And art thou worthy? My God, and who am I, and Who art Thou? I\nindeed know and confess Whom Thou art Who givest Thyself to me; but dost\nThou know what I am who am about to receive Thee?\n\nAnd is it possible, O my Jesus, that Thou Who art infinite purity desirest\nto come and reside in this soul of mine, which has been so many times the\ndwelling of Thy enemy, and soiled with so many sins? I know, O my Lord,\nThy great majesty and my misery; I am ashamed to appear before Thee.\nReverence would induce me to keep at a distance from Thee; but if I depart\nfrom Thee, O my life, whither shall I go? to whom shall I have recourse?\nand what will become of me? No, never will I depart from Thee; nay, even I\nwill ever draw nearer and nearer to Thee. Thou art satisfied that I should\nreceive Thee as food, Thou even invitest me to this. I come then, O my\namiable Saviour, I come to receive Thee this morning, all humbled and\nconfused at the sight of my defects; but full of confidence in Thy tender\nmercy, and in the love which Thou bearest me.\n\nAct Of Contrition.\n\nI am indeed grieved, O God of my soul, for not having loved Thee during\nthe time past; still worse, so far from loving Thee, and to gratify my own\ninclinations, I have greatly offended and outraged Thy infinite goodness:\nI have turned my back against Thee, I have despised Thy grace and\nfriendship; in fine, O my God, I was deliberately in the will to lose\nThee. Lord, I am sorry, and grieve for it with my whole heart. I detest\nthe sins which I have committed, be they great or small, as the greatest\nof all my misfortunes, because I have thereby offended Thee, O infinite\ngoodness. I trust that Thou hast already forgiven me; but if Thou has not\nyet pardoned me, oh, do so before I receive Thee: wash with Thy blood this\nsoul of mine, in which Thou art so soon about to dwell.\n\nAct Of Desire.\n\nAnd now, my soul, the blessed hour is arrived in which Jesus will come and\ntake up His dwelling in thy poor heart. Behold the King of heaven, behold\nthy Redeemer and God, Who is even now coming; prepare thyself to receive\nHim with love, invite Him with the ardor of thy desire; come, O my Jesus,\ncome to my soul, which desires Thee. Before Thou givest Thyself to me, I\ndesire to give Thee, and I now give Thee, my miserable heart; do Thou\naccept it, and come quickly to take possession of it.\n\nCome, my God! hasten; delay no longer. My only and infinite good, my\ntreasure, my life, my paradise, my love, my all, my wish is to receive\nThee with the love with which the most holy and loving souls have received\nThee; with that with which the most blessed Virgin Mary received Thee;\nwith their communions I unite this one of mine.\n\nMost holy Virgin and my Mother Mary, behold, I already approach to receive\nthy Son. Would that I had the heart and love with which thou didst\ncommunicate! Give me this morning thy Jesus, as thou didst give Him to the\nshepherds and to the kings. I intend to receive Him from thy most pure\nhands. Tell Him that I am thy servant and thy client; for He will thus\nlook upon me with a more loving eye, and now that He is coming, will press\nme more closely to Himself.\n\nAfter Communion.\n\nAct Of Welcome.\n\nAh, my Jesus, my love, my infinite good, my all, be ever welcome in the\npoor dwelling of my soul! Ah, my Lord, where art Thou! to what a place art\nThou come! Thou hast entered my heart, which is far worse than the stable\nin which Thou wast born; it is full of earthly affections, of self\u2010love,\nand of inordinate desires. And how couldst Thou come to dwell there? I\nwould address Thee with St. Peter: \u201cDepart from me, for I am a sinful\nman.\u201d\u2014St. Luke v. 8. Yes, depart from me, O Lord, for I am indeed unworthy\nto receive a God of infinite goodness; go and find repose in those pure\nsouls who serve Thee with so much love. But no, my Redeemer; what do I\nsay? Leave me not; for if Thou departest, I am lost. I embrace Thee, my\nlife; I cling to Thee. Mad indeed have I been in having separated myself\nfrom Thee for the love of creatures; and in my ingratitude I drove Thee\nfrom me. But now I will never more separate myself from Thee, my treasure;\nI desire to live and die united to Thee. Most blessed Virgin Mary,\nseraphim, and all souls, do you who love God with pure love lend me your\naffections, that I may worthily attend on my beloved Lord.\n\nLoving Aspirations To Jesus In The Blessed Sacrament.\n\n\n    They can be used either before or after communion, or in visiting\n    the Blessed Sacrament.\n\n\n1. \u201cGo forth, ye daughters of Sion, and see King Solomon in the diadem\nwherewith his mother crowned him in the day of his espousals.\u201d\u2014Cant. iii.\n11. O daughters of grace, O ye souls who love God, quit the darkness of\nearth, and behold Jesus, your King, crowned with a crown of thorns; the\ncrown of contempt and suffering with which the impious synagogue, His\nmother, crowned Him on the day of His espousals,\u2014that is to say, on the\nday of His death, by the means of which He espoused Himself on the cross\nto our souls. Go forth again, my soul, and behold Him all full of\ncompassion and love, now that He comes to unite Himself to Thee in this\nSacrament of love.\n\nHas it indeed, then, cost Thee so much, my beloved Jesus, before Thou\ncouldst come and unite Thyself to souls in this Most Sweet Sacrament? Wast\nThou indeed obliged to suffer so bitter and ignominious a death? Oh, come,\nthen, without delay and unite Thyself to my soul also. It was at one time\nThy enemy by sin; but now Thou desirest to espouse it by Thy grace. Come,\nO Jesus, my Spouse, for nevermore will I betray Thee; I am determined to\nbe ever faithful to Thee. As a loving spouse, my whole thought shall be to\nfind out Thy pleasure. I am determined to love Thee without reserve; I\ndesire to be all Thine, my Jesus\u2014all, all, all.\n\n2. \u201cA bundle of myrrh is my Beloved to me; He shall abide between my\nbreasts.\u201d\u2014Cant. i. 12. The myrrh plant when pricked sends forth tears, and\na healthful liquor from the wounds. Before His Passion, our Jesus\ndetermined to pour forth His divine blood from His wounds in so painful a\nway, to give it afterwards all to us for our salvation in this bread of\nlife. Come, then, O my beloved bundle of myrrh, O my enamored Jesus; Thou\nart indeed a subject of grief and pity to me, when I consider Thee all\nwounded for me on the cross; but then, when I receive Thee in this Most\nSweet Sacrament, Thou becomest, indeed, to me more sweet and delicious\nthan a bunch of the choicest grapes can be to one who is parched with\nthirst: \u201cA cluster of cypress my love is to me, in the vineyards of\nEngaddi.\u201d\u2014Cant. i. 13. Come, then, to my soul, and revive and satiate me\nwith Thy holy love. Ah, what sweetness do I feel in my soul at the\nthought, that I have to receive within myself that same Saviour of mine\nWho for my salvation was pleased to be drained of all His blood, and\nsacrificed on a cross! \u201cHe shall abide between my breasts.\u201d No, my Jesus,\nnevermore will I drive Thee hence; and Thou shalt nevermore have to leave\nme. I am determined ever to love Thee, and to be always united to and\nclosely bound up with Thee. I will always belong to Jesus, and Jesus will\nbe always mine; forever, forever, forever \u201cHe shall abide between my\nbreasts.\u201d\n\nAct Of Thanksgiving.\n\nMy God and Lord, I thank Thee for the grace which Thou hast this morning\nbestowed upon me, of coming to dwell in my soul; but I would wish to thank\nThee in a manner worthy of Thee and of the great favor which Thou hast\ndone me. But what do I say? how can such a miserable creature as I am ever\nworthily thank Thee?\n\nFather Segneri says that the feeling most becoming a soul who communicates\nis that of wondering astonishment at the thought, and to repeat, \u201cA God is\nunited to me; a God is mine!\u201d David said, \u201cWhat shall I render to the Lord\nfor all the things that He hath rendered to me?\u201d\u2014Ps. cxv. 12. But I! what\nreturn shall I make to Thee, my Jesus, Who, after having given me so many\nof Thy good things, hast this morning, moreover, given me Thyself? My\nsoul, bless, then, and thank thy God as best thou canst. And thou, my\nMother Mary, my holy advocates, my guardian angel, and all ye souls who\nlove God, \u201cCome and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what\ngreat things He hath done for my soul.\u201d\u2014Ps. lxv. 16. Come and bless and\nthank my God for me, admiring and praising the truly great graces which He\nhas granted me.\n\nAct Of Oblation.\n\n\u201cMy Beloved to me, and I to Him.\u201d\u2014Cant. ii. 16. Should a king go to visit\na poor shepherd in his hut, what can the shepherd offer him other than his\nwhole hut, such as it is? Since, then, O Jesus, my divine King, Thou hast\ncome to visit the poor house of my soul, I offer and give Thee this house\nand my entire self, together with my liberty and will: \u201cMy Beloved to me,\nand I to Him.\u201d Thou hast given Thyself all to me; I give myself all to\nThee. My Jesus, from this day forward I will be no longer mine; I will be\nThine, and all Thine. May my senses be Thine, that they may only serve me\nto please Thee. And what greater pleasure, says St. Peter of Alcantara,\ncan be found than that of pleasing Thee, most amiable, most loving, most\ngracious God? I at the same time give Thee all the powers of my soul, and\nI will that they shall be all Thine; my memory I will only use to recall\nto mind Thy benefits and Thy love; my understanding I will only use to\nthink of Thee, Who always thinkest of my good; my will I will only use to\nlove Thee, my God, my all, and to will only that which Thou willest. My\nmost sweet Lord, I offer, then, and consecrate to Thee this morning all\nthat I am and have,\u2014my senses, my thoughts, my affections, my desires, my\npleasures, my inclinations, my liberty, in a word, I place my whole body\nand soul in Thy hands.\n\nAccept, O infinite majesty, the sacrifice of the hitherto most ungrateful\nsinner Thou hast ever had on earth; but who now offers and gives himself\nall to Thee. Do with me and dispose of me, O Lord, as Thou pleasest.\n\nCome, O consuming fire, O divine love! and consume in me all which is\nmine, and which is displeasing in Thy most pure eyes, so that from\nhenceforward I may be all Thine, and may live only to execute, not Thy\ncommands and counsels alone, but all Thy holy desires and good pleasure\nalso. Amen.\n\nO most holy Mary, do thou present this offering of mine to the most\nBlessed Trinity with thine own hands; and do thou obtain their acceptance\nof it, and that they may grant me the grace to be faithful unto death.\nAmen, amen, amen.\n\nAct Of Petition.\n\nO my soul, what art thou doing? The present is no time to be lost: it is a\nprecious time, in which thou canst receive all the graces which thou\naskest. Seest thou not the eternal Father, Who is lovingly beholding thee?\nfor within thee He sees His beloved Son, the dearest object of His love.\nDrive, then, far from thee all other thoughts; rekindle thy faith, enlarge\nthy heart, and ask for whatever thou willest.\n\nHearest thou not Jesus Himself Who thus addresses thee: \u201cWhat wilt thou\nthat I should do to thee?\u201d\u2014St. Mark x. 51. O soul, tell me what dost thou\ndesire of Me? I am come for the express purpose of enriching and\ngratifying thee; ask with confidence, and thou wilt receive all.\n\nAh! my most sweet Saviour, since Thou hast come into my heart in order to\ngrant me graces, and desirest that I should ask Thee for them, I ask Thee\nnot for the goods of the earth\u2014riches, honors, or pleasures; but grant me,\nI beseech Thee, intense sorrow for the displeasures I have caused Thee;\nimpart to me so clear a light, that I may know the vanity of this world,\nand how deserving Thou art of love. Change this heart of mine, detach it\nfrom all earthly affections; give me a heart conformable in all things to\nThy holy will, that it may seek only for that which is more pleasing to\nThee, and have no other desire than Thy holy love: \u201cCreate a clean heart\nin me, O God.\u201d\u2014Ps. l. 12.\n\nI deserve not this; but Thou, my Jesus, deservest it, since Thou art come\nto dwell in my soul: I ask it of Thee through Thy merits, and those of Thy\nmost holy Mother, and by the love which Thou bearest to Thy eternal\nFather.\n\n\n    Here pause, to ask Jesus for some other particular grace for\n    yourself and for your neighbors. Do not forget poor sinners, or\n    the souls in purgatory.\n\n\nEternal Father, Jesus Christ Himself, Thy Son, has said: \u201cAmen, amen, I\nsay to you, if you ask the Father anything in My name, He will give it\nyou.\u201d For the love, then, of this Son, Whom I now hold within my breast,\ndo Thou graciously hear me and grant my petition.\n\nMy most sweet loves, Jesus and Mary, may I suffer for you, may I die for\nyou; may I be all yours, and in nothing my own! May the Most Blessed\nSacrament ever be thanked and praised! Blessed be the holy and immaculate\nconception of the Blessed Virgin Mary!\n\nActs Of The Love Of God.\n\n1. My God, my sovereign good, would that I had always loved Thee!\n\n2. My God, I detest the time in which I loved Thee not.\n\n3. How have I lived so long without Thy holy love!\n\n4. And Thou, my God, how hast Thou borne with me!\n\n5. I thank Thee, O my God, for so much patience.\n\n6. Now I desire to love Thee forever.\n\n7. I would rather die than cease to love Thee.\n\n8. My God, deprive me of life rather than permit that I should cease to\nlove Thee.\n\n9. The grace I ask of thee is, that I may always love Thee.\n\n10. With Thy love I shall be happy.\n\nGlory be to the Father.\n\n                  \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n1. My God, I desire to see Thee loved by all men.\n\n2. I should consider it a happiness to give my blood, in order that all\nmen may love Thee.\n\n3. Blind are they who love Thee not.\n\n4. Enlighten them, O my God.\n\n5. Not to love Thee, O sovereign good, is the only evil to be feared.\n\n6. Never will I be of the number of those blind souls who love Thee not.\n\n7. Thou, O my God, art my joy and all my good.\n\n8. I desire to be wholly Thine forever.\n\n9. Who shall ever be able to separate me from Thy love?\n\n10. Come, all created beings; come, all of you, and love my God.\n\nGlory be to the Father.\n\n                  \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n1. My God, would that I had a thousand hearts to love Thee!\n\n2. Would that I had the hearts of all men to love Thee!\n\n3. How I should rejoice were there many worlds, who might all love Thee!\n\n4. I should be happy if I could love Thee with the heart of all possible\ncreatures.\n\n5. Thou, indeed, dost merit it, O my God!\n\n6. My heart is too poor and too cold to love Thee!\n\n7. O woful insensibility of man, in regard of this sovereign good!\n\n8. Oh, the blindness of worldlings, who know not true love!\n\n9. O blessed inhabitants of heaven, who know it and love it!\n\n10. O happy necessity, to love God!\n\nGlory be to the Father.\n\n                  \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n1. O my God, when shall I burn with love for Thee?\n\n2. Oh, how happy would be my lot!\n\n3. But since I know not how to love Thee, I can rejoice at this, that so\nmany others love Thee with all their hearts.\n\n4. I rejoice at this particularly, that the angels and saints love Thee in\nheaven.\n\n5. I unite my feeble heart to their inflamed hearts.\n\n6. Would that I could love Thee as well as those saints who have been most\ninflamed with love for Thee!\n\n7. Would that I had for Thee a love similar to that of St. Mary Magdalene,\nSt. Catharine, and St. Teresa!\n\n8. Or such as that of St. Augustine, St. Dominic, St. Francis Xavier, St.\nPhilip Neri, St. Aloysius Gonzaga.\n\n9. Or as that which was entertained for Thee by the holy apostles; and\nparticularly by St. Peter, St. Paul, and the beloved disciple.\n\n10. Or, in fine, as that with which the great patriarch St. Joseph loved\nThee.\n\nGlory be to the Father.\n\n                  \u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\u2010\n\n1. Would, moreover, that I could love Thee as the Blessed Virgin loved\nThee upon earth!\n\n2. As she loved Thee, particularly when she conceived Thy divine Son in\nher virginal womb, when she brought Him into the world, when she nourished\nHim with her milk, and when she saw Him die.\n\n3. Would that I could love Thee as she loves Thee now, and as she will\nlove Thee forever in heaven!\n\n4. But to love Thee as Thou deservest to be loved, O God, infinitely good,\neven this would not suffice.\n\n5. I should wish, moreover, to love Thee as the divine Word made man loved\nThee.\n\n6. As He loved Thee at His birth.\n\n7. As He loved Thee expiring on the cross.\n\n8. As He loves Thee continually in the tabernacles where He lies hid.\n\n9. As He loves and shall love Thee forever.\n\n10. In fine, my God, I wish to love Thee as Thou lovest us; but since that\nis impossible, grant that I may love Thee as well as I know how, as much\nas I can, and as much as Thou wishest me. Amen.\n\nGlory be to the Father.\n\n\n    Then say the following prayer:\n\n\nO God, Who hast prepared invisible rewards for those who love Thee, pour\nforth some of Thy love into our hearts, to the end that, loving Thee in\nall and above all, we may obtain the accomplishment of Thy promises, which\nsurpass all desire; through Our Lord Jesus Christ, etc.\n\n\n    You may also add the following:\n\n\nLift up thine eyes, O my soul; behold and see the power of thy King, the\ngrace of thy God, the love of thy Saviour, now that thou art so near to\nHim. Take now thy rest, taste and see how fair and how comely is the\nSpouse thou hast chosen. See what the delights are of that country towards\nwhich thou art sighing. See how fair the splendor of that crown for which\nthou toilest. See what is the essence and what the infinite grandeur of\nthy God, Whom thou hast loved, Whom thou hast worshipped, for Whom thou\nhast constantly longed.\n\nO God of my life, what praises worthy of Thee can I offer Thee? Truly I\nknow not. What shall I render unto Thee, O my well\u2010beloved, for all the\nbenefits wherewith Thou hast overwhelmed me? Thou in me, and I in Thee, O\nJesus, my one good; this is the thank\u2010offering I set before Thy glory. I\nhave nothing else beside. My one only offering is what I am in Thee, my\nlife in Thee.\n\nO God, Thou sacred object of my love, expand my heart in Thee, enlarge my\nsoul, and fill me with Thy glory. Oh, when shall it be said unto my soul:\n\u201cTurn again into thy rest, for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee\u201d?\nWhen, oh, when shall I hear that blissful word: \u201cCome, enter into the holy\nplace of the rest of thy Spouse\u201d? O Jesus? my sweetest peace, when shall I\nlay me down and take my rest in Thee, whilst Thou showest me all Thy\nglory?\n\n\n    Pius VII., by a rescript, Aug. 11, 1818, granted an indulgence of\n    three hundred days to all the faithful who should recite, with a\n    contrite heart, a succession of acts of the love of God, arranged\n    in form of a crown, with five Glory be to the Fathers, etc. By\n    saying them ten times a month for a whole year, a person may gain\n    a plenary indulgence on any day he may choose; confession,\n    communion, and prayers according to the Pope\u2019s intentions being\n    supposed.\n\n\n\n\n\n[Transcriber\u2019s Note: Obvious printer\u2019s errors have been corrected.]\n\n\n\n\n\n\nFOOTNOTES\n\n\n    1 Page 234.\n\n    2 This novena is begun on the twenty\u2010ninth of November.\n\n    3 The novena is begun on the sixteenth day of the month.","title":"Our Monthly Devotions","tradition":"scripture-revelation","translated_text":null,"word_count":163909}