Pr^rtnua SllanJi and A Compilation of Prayers from Approved Sources by The Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood Edmonton, Canada Published at the MONASTERY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD 555 Union Street Manchester, New Hampshire All Rights Reserved Nihil Obstat JAMES C McGUIGAN. V.G., Censor Deputatus, Imprimatur ^ HENRY JOSEPH OTEARY, D.D., Archbishop of Edmonton, TO ADORE “(Slarg to tv UltooJi of TO REPAIR “SITIO” REV. MOTHER CATHERINE AURELIA OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Foundress of the Institute of the Adorers of the Precious Blood. TO SUFFER DEDICATION To the Pure and Immaculate Mother d God, and Our Mother — To the Venerabh Foundress of our Institute — ^vereni] Mother Catherine Aurelia of the Precioui Blood — and to the beloved Mothers of th< whole world, this little book is lovingl; dedicated by THE SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Manchester, New Hampshire May the sweet name of “Mother” in scribed on its title P^ge, draw down a hid- ing from Heaven on the Idtle book itse and be an inspiration to all vvho open U - Qinre each one may consider it as dedi^te to his orher dearVther - whether livii| or departed. HAIL, BLOOD OF JESUS! 2llooli anil i9lotl|ier There are soft words murmured by dear, dear lips, Far richer than any other; , i. j But the sweetest word that the ear hath heard Is the blessed name of “Mother/* O magical word! may it never die From the lips that love to speak it. Nor melt away from the trusting heart That even would break to keep it. Was there ever a name that lived like this? Will there ever be such another? ^ The Angels have reared in Heaven a shrine To the holy name of “Mother.** OFFERING OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD TO THE ETERNAL FATHER TO OBTAIN HIS BLESSING Eternal Father, we offer Thee the Most Precious Blood which flowed for us from the wound in the right hand of Jesus, and by the merits and virtue of this Precious Blood we ^pplicate Thy Divine Majesty to grant us Thy holy benediction in order that by it we may be protected against our enemies and delivered from all evil. May the blessing of God the Father Al- mighty, Son, and Holy Ghost descend upon us and abide with us for ever. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be to the bather. —100 days’ ind., each time, Plenary month.-rLeo XII., Oct. 25, 1823. once a PRAYER TO THE HOLY GHOST Holy Ghost, Spirit of the Father and of the Son, let the might of Thy love be felt, more and more, in the hearts of men. Let Thy hght shine on the souls of men who are wan- dering in darkness. Turn them to the life- giving Heart of Jesus and to the healing stream of His Most Precious Blood, strengthen souls that love Thee, perfect in them Thy seven gifts, and Thy twelve fruits. Make them Thy temples here, that- Thou mayest be adored by them forever. Amen. 6 MATER CHRISTI Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, What shall I ask of thee? I do not sigh for the wealth of earth For the joys that fade and flee; But, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, This do I long to see— The bliss untold which thy arms enfold, The Treasure upon thy knee. Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, He was All-in-All to thee. In the winter’s cave, in Nazareth’s home. In the hamlets of Galilee; So, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, He will not say nay to thee; When He lifts His Face to thy sweet embrace, Speak to Him, Mother, of me. Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, The world will bid Him flee. Too busy to heed His gentle voice. Too blind His charms to see; Then, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, Come with thy Babe to me; Tho’ the world be cold, my heart shall hold A shelter for Him and thee. Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, What shall I do for thee? I will love thy Son with the whole of my strength. My only King shall He be. 7 Yes! Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, This will I do for thee, Of all that are dear or cherished here. None shall be dear as He. Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, I toss on a stormy sea; O lift thy Child as a Beacon Light, To the Port where I fain would be! And, Mother of Christ, Mother of Christ, This do I ask of thee — When the voyage is o'er, oh! stand on the shore And show Him at last to me. HYMN TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Glory to Thee, O Blood of our Saviour, We adore Evermore, Blood of the Eucharist and Calvary. Thou, O Jesus, art my portion, • Here on earth, and after above. * To Thy Blood I bring the homage Of my heart and all my love, ril live, O Jesus, for Thy glory. Immolating all to Thee, Thy cross. Thy Eucharist divine. Have alone sweet charms for me. From Thy wounds, all torn and bleeding, I behold a painful sight. Crimson Blood-drops ever flowing. Pleading love both day and night. 8 It flows, yet sinners, so ungrateful. Mock its pains with laughing jeers, At least Virgins whom Thou lovest. With Thy Blood shall mingle tears. Come infuse the grace and fervor. That should fill my heart for Thee; A deep love, that never seeketh. Save Thy cross its joy to be. And when the guilty world forgets Thee Heedless of Thy Blood Divine, My God, with seraphic ardor. Come inflame this heart of mine. If by pain and immolation I could see the sinner rest Safe within Thine arms paternal, This reward would be the best. While in this weary land of exile My sole joy is found near Thee, With Thy Grace and Blood so Precious I await eternity. The above is a translation of “Gloire au Sang,^’ the favorite hymn of our Holy Foundress, Mother Catherine Aurelia OUR INSTITUTE Believing that it will interest our many friends to know something of the first clois- tered, contemplative Order founded in the New World, we give in the following pages a short sketch of its origin, aims and observ- ances. 9 ORIGIN Rev. Mother Catherine Aurelia of the Precious Blood (Aurelia Caouette), was bom in St. Hyacinthe, Canada, on July 11th, 1833. God, who had chosen and predestined this humble young girl for a great and sublime mission, poured into her privileged soul the divine treasures of His infinite love and eternal mercies, and inspired her with the belief that she was called by Him to found a Religious Community of Adoration and Reparation to the honor and glory of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was also His good pleasure that thej reality of this inspiration should be tested by that ‘'patient waiting^ which serves sol well as a spiritual crucible to consume all| that is not gold in our pious desires. The! project of a Monastery of the Precious Blood was considered for several years before being put into execution; and it was only after long and serious deliberations, numerous obstacles and incredible contracfictions that the austere dream of her life was fully realized. It belonged to His Lordship, Msgr. Joseph La Rocque, Bishop of St. Hyacinthe, by vir- tue of his Episcopal authority, to lay the foundation of the new Institute, and on September 14th, 1861. the Cross rose radiant- ly on a new Calvary. A new Congregation was founded in the Church — the first Con- 10 temflative Community was established in Canada. The institute of the Adorers of the Most Precious Blood came into existence, and the humble home of the Foundress be- came the cradle of the Institute. The blessing of Divine Providence was with it at its beginning, even as it is today, and the Institute now counts thirty-four Monasteries. It was ordained that the closing years on earth of the noble and holy Msgr. La Rocque should be devoted to the solidification and organization of his Institute. Obliged by ill health to resign the administration of his diocese, shortly after the foundation of the Community, he retired to the Monastery of the Precious Blood, where, as the beloved object of the solicitude of his spiritual daughters, he lived amongst them to the end, untiringly devoting himself to their religious interests. With the concurrence of the Mother Foundress, and that of him, who from her childhood had been her spiritual director, Msgr. J. S. Raymond, Bishop La Rocque composed the Constitutions of the Community, and the Treatise on devotion to the Precious Blood, as well as several vplumes of meditations on the same theme. This revered Founder passed peacefully to a better life on November 18th, 1887. On the 20th of October, 1896, Mother Catherine Aurelia of the Precious Blood had the sweet and supreme consolation of seeing her Institute judged worthy by Rome, of being solemnly and definitely approved. 11 Enriched with the most extraordinary and supernatural gifts, having reached the highest degree of union with God, consumed by the ardor of her love for the Blood of Christ, and her vehement desires for the heavenly Fatherland, the Venerable Found- ress passed away peacefully on July 6th, 1905, during the Octave of the Feast of the Precious Blood, having still on her dying lips, the aspiration of her life, her “Sitio” of love: “I Thirst.” Her blessed and ever cherished memory remains with her religious family, as a powerful attraction towards the Eternal Home, that City of Peace where flows the River of Life, whose empurpled waves in- ebriate her forever with joy and immortali- ty. Numerous graces, striking favors re- ceived, attest the credit she enjoys wdth God, and testify to the greatness of the virtues of this Virgin apostle; this eminently holy and truly seraphic soul. Her Institute has spread in a marvellous manner, counting at present, besides the various Houses in the United States and Canada, Sanctuaries of the Precious Blood in the Eternal City, in Cuba, and in both China and Japan. Glory to the Blood! May It enfold the whole world in Its Salutary Waves I The Sisters came to Manchester from Brooklyn, New York in 1898 at the invitation of His Excellency, the Most Reverend Denis M. Bradley, first Bishop of Manchester. 12 AIM OF THE INSTITUTE The Sisters Adorers of the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are devoted to contemplative life, and, like all contem- plative religious, they consecrate themselves, in the solitude of the cloister, to a life of silence, recollection, prayer, penance, and good works. To fulfill their title of Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood, they fervent- ly venerate and adore the Most Precious Blood, shed in ignominy and suffering, glorified in Jesus, triumphant in heaven, or really present on the altar. To adoration and love they unite reparation, offering them- selves in order to repair, as far as fragile creatures can, the ingratitude and outrages of which this Divine Blood is the object, on the part of so many sinful and impious men. As complement of their end as religious, they honor and glorify in a special manner, Mary conceived without sin, whose Immaculate Womb furnished the source of the Blood of the Word made flesh. The characteristic spirit of the Sisters of the Precious Blood is then essentially resumed in a fervent and habitual devotedness to the worship of the Precious Blood—in the honor paid to our Immaculate Mother—in the constant practice of offering to heaven their exercises of piety and their holy works, in order to obtain their own sanctification, the conversion of sinners, and the graces of which the Holy Church has need. 13 OBSERVANCES The Spiritual Exercises are made in com- mon. The principal daily exercises are : Meditation, Holy Mass, the Divine Office (for the Choir Sisters), General and Particu- lar Examens, Visit to the Most Blessed Sacrament, Spiritual Reading, The Way of the Cross, the Beads, and at the evening prayer the Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood are recited for all the intentions recommended during the day. The Sisters rise at midnight, for the Hour of Reparation in the presence of the Most Blessed Sacra- ment. Daily Perpetual Adoration of the Most Precious Blood is established in each of their Monasteries. The Community enjoys the privilege of having Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament day and night, on the First Sunday of each month, and during the Forty Hours* Devo- tion, which takes place four times a year. The Venerable Mother Foundress of this Institute had an elevated idea of manual labor, and by her exhortations, writings, and example, inculcated the same spirit in the minds of her spiritual children. Between the spiritual exercises the Sisters are occu- pied in the various duties of the Monastery as well as in those undertaken for their sup- port, viz. : the making of Church linens, vest- ments, altar breads, painting of crucifixes, etc. 14 The Sisters also comply with the desire of persons who ask their prayers by making novenas for their intentions. Seven lamps are kept burning in honor of the Most Precious Blood, by means of sub- scriptions, for the three following intentions: 1. In reparation for all the outrages committed throughout the world against the Most Precious Blood. 2. To obtain special graces for poor sinners. 3. For all the intentions recommended to the prayers of the Community by those who subscribe. For affiliation to the Archconfraternity of the Precious Blood, for Cords of the Pre- cious Blood (for the sick), for stamps, hearts of the Precious Blood, etc., and for novenas for any intentions, apply to the MONASTERY OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD 555 Union Street Manchester, New Hampshire, U. S. A. WHO DOES GOD’S WORK WILL GET GOD’S PAY Who does God's work will get God’s pay However long may seem the day, However weary be the way. Though powers may thunder “Nay!” No human hand God’s hand can stay. Who does His work will get His pay. 15 God hurries not, nor makes delay, Who works for Him will get His pay. Some certain hour, some certain day. He does not pay as others pay. In gold or land or raiment gay, In goods that perish and decay. But God's high wisdom knows a way. And this is sure, let come what may, Who does God’s work will get God’s pay. PRAYER FOR MISSIONARIES O Sacred Heart of Jesus! with Thy most tender love regard Thy missionaries, who, for Thy love and for that of the souls so precious to Thee, have cheerfully forsaken native land and kindred and all that was dear to them. Grant that help may be extended to them to carry on their work, and let not their hearts be wrung with the grief of being compelled to send away the souls who come to them begging the bread of eternal life. Comfort them in hardships and privation. Make them feel that Thou art with them in their solitude and give them grace to persevere unto the end in the life of abnegation Thou hast destined for them. O Sacred Heart, for Thine own glory’s sake, be mindful of Thy missionaries. Amen. Lift up your eyes, ye toilers! Lift up your eyes and see The fields that are white with ‘‘harvest,” Waiting for you and me. 16 f Waiting for you to reap them, Waiting from day to day — YOU to go forth and seek them, ME to lift hands and pray. Harvests of souls! so beauteous They won from Heaven our God! Ravished Him from the Father To dwell on this sin-stained sod. And He calls us, to help Him seek them. To gather them to the Fold — Sheep, that He loves with His Sacred Heart, Heirs to glory untold! Youth and age ! they are straying. Ah ! how He yearns for them ! The precious fruits of His Passion — Beautiful souls of men! They thirst for the Truth that will save them, They cry out, to us, each day — YOU to go forth, and speak the Word, ME, to lift hands and pray! Shall we turn from this "‘whitening harvest”? Are we Is^gards that cry, “Not yet”? Shall we see them starve by the wayside. Dying in vain regret? No! Let us go forth and win them. For the work of the Master is there — YOU with the cry of the Gospel, MEl, with the yearning of prayer. 17 GLORY TO THE BLOOD OF JESUS! DEVOTION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Blessed are they that wash their robes in the Blood of the Lamb.—Apoc. 21:14. The Devotion of the Precious Blood exists from the beginning of ages, since it was the first imparted to fallen man. We must thence infer that it ought to be a devotion wide- spread as the world. Is not everybody re- deemed by the Precious Blood? Is it not to It that we owe, every one, our salvation? And if, hereafter, an everlasting crown rests upon our brow, will it not be the purchase of this Divine Blood? . . . The Sacred Heart has indeed loved us with a love of surpassing tenderness; and to that love we owe Its long suffering with us ; and yet, neither the Sa- cred Heart nor the gaping wounds of Jesus have been our Redemption ; that which has redeemed us — freed us from hell — is the Most Precious Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since, therefore, our salvation is the fruit of that Blood, since to It we are in- debted for Heaven, with its unfading joys, is it not just that we should, each and all, embrace Devotion to the Precious Blood, render It special worship, even daily hom- age? The conformity of this Devotion with our needs has established for it a claim of universality, and one so generally acknowl- edged to be just that it has suggested the descriptive title of “Devotion of the Elect,” a title so well adapted to the Precious Blood that not a dissenting voice is raised against it. 18 THE VOICE OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD 0 come yt to the Banquet, To the Feast of My Precious Blood. The table is spread and ready Bedecked with roses—both blossom and bud. Roses Pm waiting to shower On those for whom I have bled, Roses for you and for others, Roses snow-white and blood-red. E’en as a Child in the manger 1 craved for the love of men, ’Tho a helpless Babe on My bed of straw Yet looking ahead to Calvary I saw I’d still thirst for the love of men. Then come to Me, O ye faithful. And comfort your Saviour’s Heart Come to Me; do not tarry; I’ve graces and gifts to impart. To you who have ever been faithful. Yet perhaps have known sorrow and pain, To you who have favors you seek for Goes My fond invitation again. Bring your trials and crosses to Calvary; Place them there beside Mine Own ; For the God-Man of Calvary, dear ones, Has the greatest of sorrows known. I’ve asked you before. Did you heed Me? I’ve pleaded. Have I pleaded in vain? Have recourse to the Blood of your Saviour; ’Twill take from you every stain. 19 Bring your trials and crosses to Calvary; Place them there at the foot of the Tree, And list ! to the voice of your Saviour, As I plead, “Friends, come unto Me.’’’ Bring your chalice of suffering with you To catch the drops of My Precious Blood; And throughout your lives I will scatter My roses—both blossom and bud. Kneel at the Banquet railing And whilst My Light and My Grace your soul flood. Partake of the Bread of Angels, Partake of My Precious Blood. And the Dove of Peace will enter Your heart thro’ the open door Whilst a wave of My Blood will Bring in to you, gifts and favors. So come and Adore ! 'Tis our Lord Himself who is calling. Hark ! to the Precious Blood’s plea. Unite with your friends in the cloister; Place your wants at the foot of the Tree, In this world there are few of us perfect. We have faults; we need help spiritually. Then join in our Solemn Novena; Place your cares at the foot of the Tree. REPARATION Daily, in breathless awe, we see the bread, the wine. Assume under this mystic veil a Majesty Divine ! W Most Precious Blood, Thou fount of life, our lowly homage take, Accept our prayers, our sighs, our tears for Sinless Mary’s sake! Mother Immaculate ! to thee our eyes we fondly raise! Grant us thine aid, and join us in our prayer of love and praise. In marble hall, on rocky path, at last on Calvary’s Hill, ' See, drop by drop, the Precious Blood, shed at the Saviour’s will ! While pitiless, unloving eyes are raised to see Him die, “I thirst !” it rings around the world ! the dying Saviour’s cry! The midnight hour, mysterious beneath the starry pall. Within the cloister we adore, by rapture held , in thrall ! Sweet Sacrament ! within the place where hallowed memories cling. Lives lost in Thee ! pure souls, free hearts, their loving tribute bring! EFFICACY OF THE OFFERING OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF JESUS Saint Mary Magdalen de Pazzi, in one of her revelations, received a command from Almighty God to offer the Blood of Jesus Christ to disarm the anger of God about to 21 fall on sinners. After this instruction re- ceived from Heaven she imposed upon her- self the obligation of offering the Blood of Jesus Christ at least fifty times a day for the living and for the dead. The seraphic soul did this with such great fervor and piety that on many occasions she obtained the conversion of a multitude of sinners, and this our Lord showed her in a vision. One day, when she was in an ecstasy, she was heard to exclaim : “Every time that a crea- ture offers the Blood by which she was re- deemed, she offers to God a gift of infinite value, surpassing all other gifts/' SEVEN OFFERINGS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Be- loved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for the propagation and exaltation of my dear Mother, the Holy Church, for the safety and prosperity of her visible head, the Holy Roman Pontiff, for the cardinals, bishops and pastors of souls, ^ and for all the ministers of the sanctuary. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Blessed and praised for evermore be Jesus who hath saved us by His Precious Blood! 22 2. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Beloved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for the peace and concord of Catholic kings and princes, for the humiliation of the enemies of the holy faith and for the happiness of all Christian people. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc. 3. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Be- loved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for the repentance of unbelievers, the extirpation of all heresies and the conversion^of all sinners. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc. 4. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Be- loved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all my relations, friends and enemies, for the poor, the sick, and those in tribulation, and for all those for whom Thou wiliest that I should pray or knowest that I ought to pray. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc. 5. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Be- loved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all those who shall this day pass to another life, that Thou mayest deliver them from the pains of hell and admit them the more readily to the possession of Thy glory. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed be to the Father, etc. 23 6. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Be- loved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all those who are lovers of this treasure of His Blood, for all those who join with me in adoring and honoring It, and for all those who try to spread the devotion to It. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc. 7. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the merits of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, Thy Be- loved Son and my Divine Redeemer, for all my wants both spiritual and temporal, for the holy souls in fjurgatory and particularly for those who, during their lifetime, were most devoted to this price of our redemption and to the sorrows and pains of our dear Mother the most holy Mary. Glory be to the Father, etc. Blessed and praised, etc. Blessed and exalted be the Blood of Jesus now and always and through all eternity. Amen. 300 days’ Ind. each time. Plenary once a month when recited daily. PRAYER TO THE HOLY CROSS (Feast, Sept. 14th) Hail, O Holy Cross, my light and my strength ! bond of my redemption, my salva- tion and my glory. Hail, O Holy Cross, my refuge and my shelter ! Hail, emblem of 24 grace, consolation of the afflicted, impreg- nable wall against the power of the evil spirit ! Hail, standard of peace, empurpled by the Blood of Jesus, and ornamented by His Sacred Limbs as though by precious stones! O Holy Cross, thou through whom we have obtained eternal glory, be my victor over all inimical powers, the remedy for all my ills, my support in my weariness, and the guarantee of the resurrection of my body. May Jesus, the Man-God, our Saviour, Who shed His Blood for us, protect me through Thee and conduct me to my heavenly home. Amen. MY CRUCIFIX I bear it everywhere. I prefer it to all things. I often read of beautiful things That carry my soul aloft on wings, But aught they say, or e’er can sing, Such peace to me can never bring As my Crucifix. It brightens my day and cheers my night. And makes life’s heaviest burdens light; Nor beauties of nature, nor charms of sea Such depths of thought can unfold to me As my Crucifix. It speaks in a low, mysterious way. And says what creatures can never say. Ah! who will tell me the value of pain And the merit patient suffering can gain As my Crucifix. 25 When bowed beneath the weight of woe i That only our Crucified Lord can know, Who then can comfort my aching soul And urge it onward towards the goal, As my Crucifix. The trees and flowers all speak of God's love. And the sky reveals it from above. But neither flowers, clouds nor sun Can tell what His love for me has done. As my Crucifix. THREE OFFERINGS OF THE PRE- Clous BLOOD IN THANKSGIVING FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF MARY'S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Recited before the Stations of the Cross) Eternal Father, in union with the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, and in her name, and in union with all the Blessed in Heaven and all the Elect upon earth, I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges conferred on Thy most obedient Daughter, especially in her Immaculate Conception. I offer Thee also this Most Precious Blood for the conversion of all sinners, for the propagation and exalta- tion of our Holy Faith, for the conservation and prosperity of the Sovereign Pontiff of Rome and according to his intentions. Glory be to the Father, etc. 26 Eternal and Incarnate Word, in union with the Most Holy and Immaculate Virgin, and in her name, and in union with all the Saints and Angels in Heaven and all the Elect upon earth, I offer Thee Thy Most Precious Blood, in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges con- ferred on Thy most loving Mother, especially in her Immaculate Conception. I offer Thee also Thy Most Precious Blood for the conver- sion of all sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of our Holy Faith, for the con- servation and prosperity of the Sovereign Pontiff of Rome and according to his intentions. Glory be to the Father, etc. Holy and Eternal Spirit, in union with and in honor of the Immaculate Virgin Mary and in her name, and in union with all the Angels and Saints in Heaven and all the Elect upon earth, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in thanksgiving for the gifts and privileges conferred on Thy most faithful Spouse especially in her Immaculate Concep- tion. I offer Thee also this Most Precious Blood for the conversion of all sinners, for the propagation and exaltation of our Holy Faith, for the conservation and prosperity of the Sovereign Pontiff of Rome and according to his intentions. Glory be to the Father, etc. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ in expiation of my sins and for the wants of Holy Church. 27 STATIONS OF THE CROSS FIRST STATION We adore Thee, O Christ, and we praise Thee. Because by Thy holy Cross, Thou hast redeemed the world. Jesus is Condemned to Death The judgment of death pronounced upon Thee, O Jesus, is a sentence full of iniquity on the part of the Jews who demanded it, on the part of Pilate who pronounced it, and on the part of all mankind whose sins are the sole cause of it. The righteous suffers instead of the guilty, hell has lost its rights. The mystery of our justification is accomplished: may I, by a sincere and constant repentance, efficaciously participate therein. Holy Mary, may I bear upon my heart the wounds of my crucified Jesus. SECOND STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus is Laden with His Cross Although Jesus is already exhausted with fatigue and pain, and although His strength has abandoned Him, the inhumanity of His executioners takes a cruel pleasure in burden- 28 Him with a heavy cross. The divine Re- deemer offers this additional pain to His Father in order to atone more amply for our sins. O my God, when shall I begin to do penance ? Holy Mary, etc. THIRD STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus Falls the First Time My Saviour, Thou fallest under the weight of the Cross or rather under the burden of my innumerable sms. O divine Jesus, how eloquently the feebleness of Thy holy human- ity tells of the acuteness of the pain which tortures it and the severity of Thy penance ! May Thy divine grace aid me to walk worthily in Thy footsteps. Holy Mary, etc. FOURTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus Meets His Afflicted Mother The eyes of Jesus meet the eyes of Mary! Mary sees the face of her only and adored Son covered with spittle and Blood. Jesus sees the face of a tender and beloved mother bathed in tears more bitter than all the bitterness of 29 death: “My Mother, I leave thee and I will- ingly go to my death to save ungrateful men.” ^‘Go, my Son, leave Thy mother and may Thy death save them all!” O ineffable martyrdom of maternal love and filial piety! Eternity alone can compute thy extent and worth. Henceforth shall I consider any sacri- fice on earth too great when offered in expia- tion of my sins? Holy Mary, etc. FIFTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. The Cyrenean Helps Jesus to Carry His Cross If Simon the Cyrenean is forced to help Jesus to carry His cross it is because the malice of hell fears that His sufferings may cause death before He reaches the summit of Golgotha, and deprive His enemies of the frightful pleasure of seeing Him delivered up to the horrors of the last punishment. O good Cyrenean, I wish to join thee in bearing His burden and sympathising in His sorrows; I wish, above all, to unite myself to Him, to suffer with Him, through Him and for Him. O Jesus, by this union it is not we who carry Thy cross, it is Thou who carriest ours and who grantest us grace to change it into a tree of life. Holy Mary, etc. 30 SIXTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Th^, etc. Veroivica Wipes the Face of Jesus Insults and outrages are multiplying apace about the divine victim. At every step Jesus’ face which angels adore bears fresh witness to them. The sight so stirred the indignation of Veronica, that, in spite of the soldiers and the menaces of the multitude, she determined, by an act of splendid and courageous piety, to make such amends as lay in her power. O my God, how long will human respect retain my homage captive? No, my Master, no more weakness, no more timidity, when Thy service and glory are at stake. Holy Mary, etc. SEVENTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus Falls a Second Time The second fall of our Redeemer under the weight of the cross should remind us of our falls and relapses into sin. Who can count them? O my soul, arise, hasten to return to God, and' be careful not to follow in thine own "ways. He who so often turns aside from the true path will fall into the abyss and perish. • Let us then watch over all our thoughts. 31 all our words and all our ways. Vigilance is the mother of safety. Holy Mary, etc. EIGHTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus Speaks to the Women of Jerusalem What a consolation for the daughters of Israel to hear once more the gentle voice of their divine Saviour; “Weep not over Me.” O Jesus, to allay our ills Thou forgettest Thine own ! Here is a mystery intended to animate our confidence notwithstanding our falls. But, in order that presumption may not cause us to trespass on the limits of lawful confidence, let us listen to this threat: “If in the green wood they do these things, what shall be done in the dry ? O my God ! may a due blending of confidence and fear be, hence- forward, the salutary drink for my soul. Holy Mary, etc. NINTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Try, etc. Jesus Falls a Third Time When Jesus fell for the third time, He was almost on the summit of Calvary. Alas, what a striking picture for those who, after spend- ing many years in piety and fidelity to their 32 duties, lose their crown at the very moment they were about to receive it. What a subject for serious and profound reflection and what a powerful motive for perseverance ! Lord, may this perseverance be mine: by all the struggles the laborious paths of Cal- vary cost Thee, I entreat Thee to bestow it on me. Holy Mary, etc. TENTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus is Stripped of His Garments The Son of the Virgin Mary is stripped of His garments. My God ! said He to His Father by the mouth of the prophet: Thou alone knowest the mystery of My shame and confusion. And yet it has to be endured that God’s majesty might receive that glory where- of man’s pride has sought to rob it ; that man himself might be reinstated in that glory which he has forfeited by sin. Pride took away our garment of innocence, and, with it, our dignity and our glory. True glory will only return to us through profound humiliation and con- tempt of ourselves. Holy Mary, etc. ELEVENTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. 33 Jesus is Nailed to the Cross O Jesus, my divine Redeemer, the hour for Thy crucifixion has struck! . . . Adorable Victim, I see Thy feet and Thy hands nailed to the stake of Thy sacrifice. Now the cruelty of the deicides triumphs; it enjoys the tortures of the sufferer, but the divine Lamb does not give vent to a moan or to a sigh. His un- alterable gentleness confounds the barbarity of His enemies; He prays for them; He asks for their forgiveness ; He deems. Himself happy in suffering for their salvation. Pains, nails and thorns, these are His desire, His pleasure, His burning thirst. O Jesus, grant that we may understand this thirst and be refreshed by it. Holy Mary, etc. TWELFTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by. Thy, etc. Jesus Dies on the Cross My Jesus! my Saviour and my Master, Thou diest on the Cross! O how beautiful is Thy death ! Thou diest of love ! All Thy thoughts, all Thy words, all Thy actions, even to Thy last sigh, are thoughts of love, words of love, actions of love. St. John, the well- beloved disciple, reveals to us that God is love! O Jesus ! Thou art our God, for Thou art all love. At His last sigh all creatures published His sovereign power: the earth trembled, the Heavens were clad in mourning. 34 O my God, it is by the practice of Chris- tian perfection that I, Thy disciple, am to show that Thou art God and the King of my heart. Help me, O Jesus, for without Thee I can do nothing. Holy Mary, etc. THIRTEENTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus is Taken Down From the Cross O most holy Virgin, who can fathom this mystery of desolation into which thy tender and loving heart is plunged! It is not by one sword only that Mary is transpierced. I see as many buried in her soul as there were instruments in the Passion of her Son; and yet, I behold her in the attitude of the most perfect resignation, because she likewise wishes, above all things, to accomplish the will of her God, despite the bitterness of the chalice. She knows that, at the bottom of the chalice, the salvation of the world lies, and, in our interest, she does not wish a drop to be lost. O afflicted heart of Mary! I have been the cause of thy sorrows; thou wilt hence- forward be the object of my most tender and most constant devotion. Holy Mary, etc. 35 FOURTEENTH STATION We adore Thee, etc. Because by Thy, etc. Jesus is Placed in the Sepulchre The hatred of the deicides is satisfied: Jesus is in the sepulchre. His voice, which condemned vice and launched anathemas against hardened hearts, need no longer be feared. Death has chilled His tongue forever. Thus gloried the Jews; thus still glory the impious and the deicides of our day. For them Jesus is no more . . . He is a lifeless God . . . You are deceived, you are wil- fully blind: Jesus Christ lives and reigns now and forever. His death is regeneration; it is life, eternal life. If we wish to imbibe abundantly of this immortal life, in His adorable Blood, let us not cease to meditate, to contemplate, to bless. His passion and death. DE PROFUNDIS De profundis clamavi ad te Domine : Domine, exaudi vocem meam. Fiant aures tuae intendentes, in vocem deprecationis meae. Si iniquitates observaveris Domine : Do- mine, quis sustinebit. Quia apud te propitiatio est: et propter legem tuam sustinui te Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in verbo ejus : speravit anima mea in Domino. 36 A custodia matutina usque ad noctem speret Israel in Domino. Quia apud Dominum misericordia : et copiosa apud eum redemptio. Et ipse redimet Israel: ex omnibus ini- quitatibus ejus. Requiem aeternum dona eis Domine. Et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen. Domine exaudi orationem meam. Et clamor mens ad te veniat. OREMUS Fidelium Deus omnium Conditor et Re- demptor, animabus famulorum famularumque tuarum, remissionem cunctorum tribue pec- catorum : ut indulgentiam, quam semper optaverent, piis supplicationibus consequantur. Qui vivis et regnas in saecula saeculorum. Amen. ACT OF THANKSGIVING Act of thanksgiving to the Blessed Trin- ity for all the benefits of God’s mercy, par- ticularly for the gift of the Precious Blood, price of man’s redemption. V. Incline unto my aid, O God! R. O Lord ! make haste to help me! V. Deus in adju- torium meum in- tende. R. Domine ad ad- juvandum me fes- tina. 37 V. Glory be to V. Gloria patri, the Father, etc. etc. Pater, Ave* Pater, Ave, We beseech Thee, Te ergo quaesumus, therefore, help Thy tuis famulis subveni, servants whom Thou quos pretioso san- hast redeemed with guine redemisti. Thy Precious Blood. 7 times. 300 days. (S. P. Ap. Mar. 23, 1933) OREMUS Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui unigeni- tum Filium tuum mundi redemptorem consti- tuisti, ac ejus Sanguine placari voluisti, con- cede, quaesumus, salutis nostrae pretium solemni cultu ita venerari, atque a praesentis vitae malis ejus virtute defendi in terris ut fructu perpetuo laetemur in coelis: per eum- dem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancte Deus, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen. Benedictio Dei Patris, et Filio, et Spiritus sancti descendat super nos et maneat semper. Amen. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus sancti. Amen. TRUST HIM Trust Him when dark doubts assail thee. Trust Him, when thy strength is small; Trust Him, when, to simply trust Him, Seems the hardest thing of all. 38 Trust Him; He is ever faithful, Trust Him! for His will is best; Trust Him! for the Heart of Jesus, Is the only place of rest. HOPE A little while the labor. Eternal the repose; A little while the trials That with this life will close And then unending gladness, And an unfading crown, A day on whose calm beauty The sun goes never down, A little while in exile. With no abiding place. And then the Home eternal. Unveiled the Bridegroom's Face. Is any cross too heavy Or any task too hard That Jesus lays upon thee. And Jesus will reward? One night the shadows linger. And then the morning breaks. And God's own Hand the burden From weary shoulders takes; And thou shalt see His glory. And hear His words — “Well done, The strife for ever over. The battle fought and won. 39 NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD! By the Voice of Thy Blood, O Jesus! I would press Thee, solicit Thee, importune Thee, though Thou seemest to reject my sup- plications, I will not leave Thy bleeding feet until Thou hearest me. Too many graces, too many mercies have come from Thy Blood, for me not to hope, even to the end in its efficacy. Then, O Jesus I by the Precious Blood seven times shed for the welfare of men, by each drop of that Sacred Price of our re- demption, by the tears of Thy Immaculate Mother, I beg of Thee, I supplicate Thee, hear my earnest prayer. (Here specify your request). O Thou, who, during all the days of Thy mortal life, consoled so many sufferings, healed so many infirmities, raised so often the sinking courage,—Thou wilt not fail to have pity on a soul who" cries to Thee from the depths of her an^ish ! Oh no, it is impossible I Another sigh from my heart, and from the wound in Thine own, will flow to me upon a wave of Thy merciful Blood the grace so ardently desired. Oh Jesus! hasten the moment when Thou wilt change my tears into joy, my sighs into thanksgivings. Holy Mary, Source of the Divine Blood! I beg Thee not to lose this occasion of glorify^ ing the Blood which made Thee Immaculate. Amen* 40 prayer to the precious blood o Sacred Blood, that flowed so copiously seven times for my salvation, I love Thee, 1 praise Thee, I adore Thee with the deepest feeling of gratitude 1 The purest foun^n from which Thou didst flow makes Thy memory so sweet. O Precious Blood, with trumpet tones Thou speakest to me of the love of my God and Redeen^r. How I , c plore my coldness and indifference towards Theel Now, at last, I wish to return love for love, blood for blood, if necessary. As often as my pulse beats, it shall greet Thee, Thou sweet Guest of my soul, and shall return to the arteries warmed and punned by Ihy love As long as the blood courses through my veins, it shall flow only for love of Thee; it shall circulate only for Thy interests and it shall turn cold and stand still only bec^se I am about to love Thee in eternity. Oh, let this stream of Thy love flow through every heart and inebriate it with holy My dearest Mother Mary, I beseech Thee with confidence, obtain for me, alth^^ thy unworthy child, the blessing of God the Father, by covering me with the merits ot thy Son Jesus, that I may regain my eternal birthright in Heaven. Clothe me every ey^ ning, Sweet Lady of Mt. Carmel, but espMial- ly on the eve of my life, with the Dyed Garments” of the Precious Blood. Amen. 41 APPEAL TO THE DIVINE PROMISES OF OUR LORD (To be recited in time of trial and sufferine or when m quest of a special favor.) and you Thv luif M Mary,Thy Most Holy Mother, and through the merits of Thy Most Precious Blood, I seek hea^°^^’ ^ prayers may be O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc. Vr’ “All that you will ask My Father in My Name, He will grant you, with Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, from Thy Father in Thy Name and Blood^^i Most Precious Blood, I humbly and earnestly ask that my prayers may be heard. ^ O God, come to my assistance, O Lord, make haste to help me Glory be to the Father, etc. earth iair* “Heaven and na^. ’’ K tif ^^y Shall not pass, by the intercession of Mary Thv Tm- nra35r t^ h ‘hat myprayers may be heard. 42 O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me. Glory be to the Father, etc. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, the merits, love and sufferings of His Sacred Heart, the tears and sorrows of our Immaculate Mother, as the price of the favor I wish to obtain from Thy infinite goodness. Amen. A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS O Jesus, Great King, Good Shepherd, Eternal Prelate, Thou who hast given to Thy servants a royal priesthood, bless Thy priests. Let Thy almighty love surround them and preserve them from all evil. Remember, O Heart of Jesus, they are the object of Satan’s deadliest snares. Keep them in the safe citadel of Thy Sacred Heart. There let them be sanctified. May they be one with Thee, and one among themselves. Bless their labors with abundant fruit, and may they to whom they have ministered, be their joy here and hereafter their eternal recompense. Amen. “Tu es sacerdos in aeternum.”—Heb. V :6. A PRAYER FOR PRIESTS Keep them, I pray Thee, dearest Lord, Keep them, for they are Thine — 43 Thy priests whose lives btirn out before Thy consecrated Shrine. Keep them—Thou knowest, dearest Lord— The world—the flesh are strong. And Satan spreads a thousand snares To lead them into wrong. Keep them for they are in the world Though from the world apart, When earthly pleasures tempt, allure — Shelter them in Thy Heart. Keep them, and comfort them in hours Of loneliness and pain When all their life of sacrifice For souls seems but in vain. Keep them, and oh, remember Lord, They have no one but Thee Yet they have only human hearts. With human frailty. Keep them as spotless as the Host — That daily, they caress — Their every thought and word and deed, Deign, dearest Lord, to bless. CONSECRATION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD O Jesus, fairest of the children of men. Thou whom I see crushed beneath the weight of my sins, covered with wounds. Thy hands and feet pierced with nails, Thy side opened with a lance, I adore Thee and recognize Thee as my Lord and my God and 44 as my beloved Redeemer. Pierced with grief at sight of the Blood flowing Thy wounds for the redemption of souls, 1 feel irresistibly urged to consecrate to the worship of this regenerating Blood and, by an exemplary life, to atcme for all the profanation of the Blood of Thy divine Wounds on Calvary and which It still re- ceives daily in the veins of Thy baci^d Body present mystically on the altar. By this consecration —^which I beg Thee to ac- cept, O my Saviour, I desire to spend my whole life in proving to Thee my gratitude and my love by paying frequent homage to Thy Precious Blood and by propagating this devotion as far as in my power. I desire every pulsation of my heart to be a renewal of this consecration, a constantly repeated act of love for this redeeming Blood, a perpetual offering of Its merits in behalf of sinners and all the souls dear to me, and a hymn of un- ceasing praise in union with that of the saints and all the blessed in heaven: “To the Lamb who redeemed us in His Blood, be honor and glory and benediction forever.** O Mary, Mother of the Divine Redeemer, obtain for me the grace of adoring fervently throughout my life the Blood of thy divine Son and of singing forever Its mercies in heaven. Amen. THE WAY OF THE CROSS Oh, which is the road that will lead me home? I have wandered far away, 45 The clouds gather and night draws near; And I would no longer stray. road that will lead me home** Ihe shadows so quickly fall, And I cty aloud in my doubt and fear, But I hear no answering call. Oh, which is the road that will lead me home? bo many will lead astray, And I would go home to my Father’s house It 1 could only find the way. the way of the cross is the only way then why should I longer stray? Though storm clouds gather and night come down. It will lead to eternal day. ACT OF REPARATION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Adorable Jesus, Lamb without spot who ceasest not to pour forth Thy Divine Bloodm order to appease the justice of Thy Heavenly Father; innocent and thrice holy Victim, who hast paid for the guilty a ran- som infinite in merit and in sacrifice. I render thanksgiving for Thy benefits to us, and to make some poor amends for the crimes committed upon earth. Lord, how small, alas ! are the num- ber of those who do Thee honor, and how numerous, on the Contrary, are they who 46 despise and trample under foot Thy Precious Blood! How many daily satiate Thee with the opprobrium of Calvary! O Jesus! by the potent voice of Thy Di- vine Blood, and in the name of the infinite merits of Thy heart-rending Passion, I im- plore Thy mercy, not for myself alone, but for the many souls who, resisting the call of grace, refuse to seek, at the foot of the Cross, or under the shadow of the Tabernacle, pardon and life. Pity, gentle Jesus! pity all these; pity also those who dare to approach Thee all uncleansed, and to mingle Thine adorable Blood with the mire of their sins. Yes, pity, mercy, pardon! We implore these graces in the name of Thy Blood and Thy Eucharist ! Most holy Mary, bless me! Take my heart, hold it fast, and keep it in perpetual adoration before the altar; that there it may ever be, glorifying Jesus, and making reparation for the outrages offered to His Blood. THE ONLY THINGS THAT COUNT What does it matter if dark or bright, The days shall speed to the silent night? If sky-fields glisten with starry bloom. Or lie in the shadows of rayless gloom; What will it matter if sun or rain Gladden with pleasure or sadden with pain; If only there comes with each circling hour Newness of patience and grace and power? 47 What matter if days be brief or long, Silent with sorrow or merry with song; Strong in eloquent word or deed, Service for others or sore self-need? What does it matter if earnest prayer Seems to be answered by pain and care, If only each step of the upward road Is one pulse nearer the Heart of God? Naught can be gain to us, bringing His loss. Nothing be beautiful hiding His Cross, Nothing be bitter. His smile makes sweet, No way be lonely that ends at Christ’s feet ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD Blood of Jesus, inebriate me! O Jesus, my Beloved Saviour, ever pres- ent in the Tabernacle, to be the strength, the joy and the food of souls, I come to con- secrate myself to Thy Precious Blood, and to pledge Thee my sincere love and fidelity. Pierced with sorrow at the remembrance of Thy sufferings, the contemplation of the Cross, and the thought of the outrages and contempt lavished by ungrateful souls upon Thy dear Blood, I long, oh my Jesus, to bring joy to Thy Heart, and to make Thee forget my sins, and those of the whole world, by consecrating my body and soul to Thy service. I desire, my Jesus, to live hence- forth, only by Thy Blood and for Thy Blood. I now choose it as my greatest treasure and the dearest object of my love. 48 O merciful Redeemer, deign to regard me as a perpetual adorer of Thy Most Precious Blood, and be pleased to accept my prayers, my deeds and my sacrifices, as so many acts of reparation and love. Heavenly Wine, Giver of purity and strength, pour down upon my soul Make of my heart a living chalice from which grace shall constantly flow on those that love Thee, and especially on poor sinners that offend Thee. Teach me to honor Thee and to make Thee honored by others. Give me power to draw to Thee cold and hardened hearts, that they may feel how infinitely Thy consolations surpass those of the world. O Blood of my Crucified Saviour, detach me from the world, and the spirit of the world. Make me love suffering and sacrifice, after the example of St. Catherine of Sienna, who loved Thee so much, and whom I choose again today as my special patroness. O Precious Blood, be my strength amid the trials and struggles of exile. Grant that at the hour of death 1 may be able to bless Thee, for having been the comfort and the sanctification of my soul, before becoming, in heaven, the everlasting object of my love and praise. Saints of God, who owe your happiness to the Blood of Jesus; angelic spirits, who sing Its glory and power ; august Virgin, who to It owest the privileges of Thy Im- maculate Conception and Divine Maternity, help me to pay to the Precious Blood of my Redeemer a perpetual homage of adoration, reparation and thankgiving. Amen. 49 ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD AND THE BLESSED VIRGIN FOR CHILDREN Blood of my Saviour, a thousand times adorable! Blood a thousand times Precious! Thou, Which dost adorn the baptismal inno- cence of children, deign to bless this young soul whom we consecrate to Thee this day. O sweet Jesus! hide beneath the vivifying waves of Thy Most Precious Blood the little (name) so that he (she) may grow in grace and holiness all the days of his (her) life. Deign to look upon him (her) as a perpetual adorer of Thy Divine Blood in as far as the designs of Providence will permit and grant that all his (her) prayers, deeds and sacrifices may be so many acts of reparation and love. O Immaculate Virgin, ever spotless through the Blood of Jesus, thou who art called the “Flower of the Field” and the “Lily of the Valley,” look down lovingly from Thy heaven- ly throne upon this dear child; may he (she) • grow up also under Thy maternal care, shield- ed by Thy blessings, and may every day of his (her) life be marked by Thy benefits. Most Holy Virgin whom the Church calls “Morning Star,” shine upon this soul now commencing his (her) earthly pilgrimage, preserve him (her) from shipwreck, and un- til the last moment of his (her) life may he (she) keep pure and unsullied the robe with which, through the Blood of Jesus, he (she) 50 was invested in holy baptism. Take his (her) family also under Thy protection, O Mary. Bless his (her) pious parents, remove far from them every temporal or spiritual mis- fortune, and may peace, charity and all virtues dear to thy pure and holy heart dwell ever in their midst. Amen. PRAYER FOR PRESERVATION FROM A SUDDEN AND UNPROVIDED DEATH Lamb of Calvary, Thou only salvation of my soul, I beseech Thee to blot out in Thy Blood, the sins of my entire life, and by virtue of this same Blood preserve me from the evils of this world, especially from a sud- den and unprovided death. Aid me in my last agony. Amen. By the merits of this Most Precious Blood, I O Jesus, be merciful to us, and save from I everlasting death the souls that are dear to j me. Amen. I My God, I offer Thee all the Masses this I day celebrated throughout the world, for sinners in their agony, and for those who shall be overtaken by death today! May the Pre- I cious Blood of Jesus, our Redeemer, obtain \ mercy for them. < —Indul. of 300 days.—Pius X., Dec. 18, 1907. 51 PRAYER TO JESUS CRUCIFIED O my Crucified Saviour, deign to listen favorably to the prayer I now address to Thee for the hour of my death, when the approach of that dreadful moment will render me incapable of all sentiment. Oh Jesus, when my dying eyes can no longer look upon Thee, remember the loving glance I now cast upon Thee, and have mercy upon me! When my parched lips can no longer kiss Thy sacred wounds, remember the kisses I now press upon them and have mercy on me. When my stiffening fingers can no longer hold the crucifix, remember the fervor with which I clasp it at this moment, and have mercy on me. When my swollen and motionless tongue can no longer pronounce a single word, re- member the invocation I now make Thee. “Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I recommend my soul to you.*' —300 days’ indul., once a day. Plenary in- dulgence twice a year, on usual conditions. — Pius X., Aug., 1903. EFFICACIOUS PRAYERS FOR THE FAITHFUL DEPARTED Have mercy, O gentle Jesus, on the souls detained in Purgatory. Thou who for their ransom didst take upon Thyself our human nature and suffer the most cruel death, pity 52 their sighs and the tears they shed when they raise their longing eyes toward Thee, and by virtue of Thy Passion cancel the penalty due to their sins. May Thy Blood, O tender Jesus, Thy Precious Blood, descend into Pur- gatory to solace and refresh those who there languish in captivity! Reach forth Thy hand to them, and lead them into the realms of refreshment, light and peace. Amen. My God, Thou hast taken from me those very dear to me in this world. Vouchsafe Thyself to supply the place of all in my re- gard and to replace them in my heart. They deserved my attachment. I was devoted to them, and I hoped to enjoy their love and assistance much longer. Thou hast disposed otherwise. May Thy Holy Will be accom- plished! The great consolation which I have in their loss, is the hope that Thou hast re- ceived them into the bosom of Thy mercy, and that Thou wilt vouchsafe one day to unite me to them. If a deficiency of satis- faction for their sins detain them in suffering, I offer Thee for their intention, all my prayers and good works, and above all my resignation in the loss which I have experienced. Render this resignation complete and worthy of Thee. Amen. PRAYER TO THE MOST PRECIOUS BLOOD Most Precious Blood of life eternal, price and ransom of the world, whose saving streams nourish and cleanse our souls, ever 53 pleading man’s cause before the throne of heavenly mercy! From the depths of my soul I adore Thee; fain would I, were I able, make Thee some compensation for the outrages and wrongs thou dost ever suffer from men, thy creatures, and most of all from those who in their rashness cease not to blaspheme Thee. Who will not bless this Blood of infinite value ? Who will not burn for love of Jesus who has shed It all for us? What were I but for this Blood which hath redeemed me? What was it that drew Thee from the veins of my Lord, even to the last drop ? Ah ! it was naught else but love. O boundless love, which gave to us this saving balm beyond all price, welling from the fount of immeasurable love! Give to all hearts to all tongues, power to praise, hymn and thank Thee, now and forever, and throughout all eternity! Amen. V. Thou hast redeemed us, O Lord in Thy Blood. R. And made us a kingdom to our God. LET US PRAY Almighty and everlasting God, Who hast appointed Thine only-begotten Son to be the Redeemer of the world, and hast been pleased to be reconciled unto us by His Blood, grant us, we beseech Thee, so to venerate with solemn worship the price of our salvatiop, that the power thereof may here on earth keep us from all things hurtful, and the fruit of the same may gladden us forever hereafter in Heaven. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. (Roman Missal) 54 —An indul. o£ five years. Plenary indul- gence on the usual conditions once a month for the daily recitation of this prayer. (S. P. Ap., July 15, 1935) “O SACRED HEART OF JESUS, 1 PLACE MY TRUST IN THEE’' “O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee,’’ Whatever may befall me, Lord, Though dark the hour may be. In all my joys, in all my woes. Though naught but grief I see. “O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place my trust in Thee.” When those I love have passed awav And I am sore distressed, O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I fly to Thee for rest. In all my trials, great or small, My confidence shall be. Unshaken, as I cry, dear Lord, ‘T place my trust in Thee.” This is my one sweet prayer, dear Lord 1 My faith, my trust, my love. But, most of all, in that last hour, When death points up above. Ah! then, sweet Saviour, may Thy face Smile on my soul set free. Oh may I cry with rapturous love, ‘T’ve placed my trust in Thee.” 55 LITANY OF THE SACRED HEART Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of Heaven, God, the Son, Redeemer of the world, God, the Holy Ghost, Holy Trinity, one God, Heart of Jesus, Son of the Eternal Father, Heart of Jesus, formed by the Holy Ghost in the womb of the Virgin Mother, Heart of Jesus, substantially imited to the word of God, Heart of Jesus, of Infinite Majesty, 3 Heart of Jesus, Sacred Temple of God, Heart of Jesus, Tabernacle of the Most High, Heart of Jesus, House of God and Gate of Heaven, Heart of Jesus, burning furnace of charity, Heart of Jesus, abode of justice and love. Heart of Jesus, abyss of all virtues. Heart of Jesus, most worthy of all praise. Heart of Jesus, king and centre of all hearts. Heart of Jesus, in Whom are all the treas- ures of wisdom and knowledge. Heart of Jesus, in Whom dwells the full- ness of divinity, 56 Have mercy on Heart of Jesus, in Whom the Father was ' well pleased, Heart of Jesus, of Whose fullness we have all received, Heart of Jesus, desire of the everlasting : hills, [ Heart of Jesus, patient and most merciful, Heart of Jesus, enriching all who invoke Thee, Heart of Jesus, fountain of love and holi- . ness, I Heart of Jesus, propitiation for our sins, Heart of Jesus, loaded down with oppro- ' brium. Heart of Jesus, bruised for our offences, Heart of Jesus, obedient unto death, I Heart of Jesus, pierced with a lance, Heart of Jesus, source of all consolation. Heart of Jesus, our life and resurrection. Heart of Jesus, our peace and reconcilia- tion. Heart of Jesus, victim of sin. Heart of Jesus, salvation of those who trust in Thee, Heart of Jesus, hope of those who die in Thee, Heart of Jesus, delight of all the saints, Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world. Spare us, O Lord! Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, 0 Lord! Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us! V. Jesus, meek and humble of heart. R. Make our hearts like unto Thine. 57 Have mercy on us! LET US PRAY O Almighty and Eternal God, look upon the Heart of Thy dearly beloved Son, and upon the praises and satisfaction He offers Thee in the name of sinners and for those who seek Thy mercy; be Thou appeased, and grant us pardon in the name of the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. —300 days.—Leo XI IL, April 2, 1899. NOVENA TO THE SACRED HEART Divine Jesus, Who hath said, “Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you,” behold me prostrate at Thy feet, animated with a lively faith and confidence ^in these promises dictated by Thy Sacred Heart and pronounced by Thy adorable lips. I come to ask a favor. (Here mention the request.) To whom can I address myself if not to Thee, whose Heart is the inexhaustible source of all graces and merits? Where should I seek, if not in the treasury which contains all the riches of Thy clemency and bounty? Where must I knock, if it be not at the door through which God communi- cates Himself to us and through which we go to God? To Thee, then, O Heart of Jesus, I have recourse. In Thee I find consolation when afflicted, protection when persecuted, strength when overwhelmed with trials, light in doubt 58 and darkness. I firmly believe Thou canst bestow on me the graces I implore, even though it should require a miracle. Thou hast only to will it and my prayer is granted. I own I am most unworthy of Thy favors, O Jesus, but this is not a reason for me to be discouraged. Thou art the God of mercies and Thou will not refuse a contrite and humble heart. Cast on me a look of pity, 1 beseech Thee, and Thy compassionate Heart will find in my misery and weakness a pressing motive for granting my request. O Sacred Heart ! whatever may be Thy decision with regard to my request, I will never cease to adore, love, praise and serve Thee. Deign, my Jesus, to accept this, my act of perfect submission to the decree of Thy Adorable Heart, which I sincerely desire may be fulfilled in and by me, and all Thy crea- tures, for ever and ever. Amen. PRAYER TO THE WOUNDED SIDE OF JESUS (ST. GERTRUDE) O Lord Jesus, compassionate Pelican, who hast cleansed us in Thine own Blood, I give Thee thanks for the sweet and adorable Wound of love which Thou didst receive on the Cross when Thine all-conquering love opened Thy sweet-flowing side, and wounded Thy most Sacred Heart with an arrow of love. Blessed for ever be that life-giving stroke, and that hallowed wound, and blessed 59 be the adorable Blood and water of salvation which gushed forth from it, to wash away all our sins ! I am all defiled, wash me, O com- passionate Jesus ! Pour upon me that all- ethcacious water. I am weak, strengthen me by the unction of that Sacred Blood, and grant that, at my last hour, my portion and heritage be but one drop of that Divine Stream. O most loving Jesus! by Thy pierced Heart, 1 pray Thee, wound my heart with that arrow of love, abide in it, that it may be filled with Thy glowing love for ever. Amen. —40 days’ indulgence. A DAILY OBLATION TO THE SACRED HEART Jesus, my only Treasure, I give Thee every one of my thoughts, actions, breathings, steps and movements from now until the hour of my death. Come for me then, dear Jesus, and grant me the grace I most humbly and ardent- ly crave, that of dying in Thy Sacramental embrace while yet incorporated with Thy Sacred Body, and of being presented by Thee to Thy Eternal Father, spotless from the Fountain of Thy Precious Blood. Amen. MEMORARE TO JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH [Inexpressible graces have been received through the use of this prayer, which in one cry of confidence, links together those three most dear and holy names :—Jesus, Mary, Joseph.] 60 Remember, Heart of my Jesus, Immacu- late Heart of Mary, and you, O Glorious Saint Joseph, that no one has ever had re- course to your protection, or implored your assistance without obtaining relief. Animated with the like confidence, I come laden with the weight of my sins, to prostrate myself before you. O merciful Heart of Jesus, Immaculate Heart of Mary, and you, O Glorious Saint Joseph, reject not my petitions, but graciously hear and grant them. Amen. NOVENA OF CONFIDENCE TO THE SACRED HEART O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I have asked Thee for many favors, but I plead for this one. Take it, place it in Thine open, broken Heart and when the Eternal Father sees it covered with the mantle of Thy most Precious Blood, He will not refuse it. It is not my prayer, but Thine, O Jesus. O Sacred Heart of Jesus, I place all my trust in Thee. Let me never be confounded. Amen. Sacred Heart of Jesus, I believe in Thy love for me. —300 days.—Pius X.) 61 OUR LADY OF GOOD SUCCESS Our Lady, our Queen, our Mother, in the name of Jesus, and for the love of Jesus, we implore Thee to take our cause in thy hands, and to grant it good success. Many miracles have been obtained by the recital of this little prayer. PRAYER FOR DAILY NEGLECTS Eternal Father, I offer Thee the Sacred Heart of Jesus, with all Its love, all its suf- ferings and all Its merits: First—-To expiate all the sins I have committed this day and during all my life. Gloria Fatri. Second—To purify the good I have done badly this day and during all my life. Gloria Fatri, Third—To supply for the good I ought to have done, and that I have neglected this day and during all my life. Gloria Fatri. A poor Clare, who had just died, appeared to her abbess, who was praying for her, and said to her, “I went straight to Heaven, for, by means of this prayer, recited every eve- I 2ill my debts.’* 62 ACT OF CONSECRATION To the Sacred Heart O Lord Jesus, I consecrate my heart to Thee. Place it within Thine Own. Therein I wish to breathe, to love, to live unknown to men, and known only to Thee. It is in this Sacred Heart, I shall find strength, light, courage, and true consolation. When sad, it will rejoice me; when troubled and disquieted, it will encourage and uphold me. O Heart of Jesus ! may my heart be the altar of Thy love: May my tongue publish Thy bounty, my mind meditate on Thy per- fections, my memory preserve for ever the precious remembrance of Thy mercies. May all in me express my love for Thy Pleart, O Jesus, and may my heart be dis- posed to offer Thee every sacrifice. O Heart of Mary, the most amiable, com- passionate, and merciful, after that of Jesus, present to His Divine Heart, my love, my resolutions, my consecration. It will be moved by my miseries; it will deliver me from them. After having been my protectress on earth, O blessed Mother, Thou wilt be my Queen in Heaven. Amen. Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon us. —100 days’ indulgence. Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us. —100 days’ indulgence. 63 PRAYER TO THE SACRED HEART May all the words that I speak be dipped in the Blood of Thy Sacred Heart, O Jesus, that they may be so many arrows to pierce the hearts of all who hear them with love for Thee. Amen. TREMENDOUS VALUE OF THE MASS At the hour of death the Masses you have heard will be your greatest consolation. Every Mass will go with you to judgment and plead for pardon. At every Mass you can diminish the tem- poral punishment due to your sms, more or less, according to your fervor. Assisting devoutly at Mass, you render to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord the great- est homage. He supplies for many of your negligences and omissions. He forgives you all the venial sins which you never confessed. The power of Satan over you is dimin- ished. You afford the souls in Purgatory the greatest possible relief. One Mass heard during your life will be of more benefit to you than many heard for you after your death. You are preserved from many dangers and misfortunes which would otherwise have befallen you. You shorten your Purgatory by every Mass. 64 Every Mass wins for you a higher degree of glory in Heaven. You receive the priest’s blessing, which Our Lord ratifies in Heaven. You kneel amidst a multitude of holy angels, who are present at the adorable sacri- fice,. with reverential awe. You are blessed in your temporal goods and affairs. When you hear Mass and offer the Holy Sacrifice in honor of any particular saint or angel, thanking God for favors He bestowed on him, you afford Him a great degree of honor, joy and happiness, and win his special love and protection. Every time you assist at Mass you should, besides other intentions, offer it in honor of the saint of the day. MORNING OBLATION O • merciful God, I most humbly beg a share in all the Masses that shall be offered and all the Holy Communions that shall be made, from the rising of the sun until the going down thereof, for myself and all those who are dear to me, for all who pray for me, for all who may have ever injured me, or whom I may have injured; for my dear par- ents, relatives, and benefactors; for all who may be delayed in Purgatory through my fault; for the Holy Souls for whom Our Blessed Lady and St. Joseph desire help; for those in Purgatory who, during life, were 65 especially devoted to the Adorable Sacrament, to the Precious Blood, to the Sacred Heart, or to the Bitter Passion and Death of our Divine Lord ; for the poor, the sick, the afflicted in body; for all who are grievously tempted, for all who are suffering crosses, either spiritual or temporal; for those in their last agony, for poor, obdurate sinners, and for those who have none to pray for them; for the just, that they may receive the crowning grace of perseverance; finally for all religious communities. O my dear Angel Guardian, and Angel Guardians of all those, both living and dead, for whom I ask a share in the Holy Masses, and Holy Communions, deign in your loving sweetness and charity to offer them on our behalf. Eternal Father, I most earnestly desire to gain all the indulgences attached to my prayers and actions of this day (here form your in- tention either for the Holy Souls or whatever your devotion may suggest), and humbly offer them for these intentions. SPIRITUAL COMMUNION O Blood of Jesus Christ! I adore Thee, in Thy Eucharistic Presence on the Altar! I believe in Thy power and sweetness! I long to receive Thee within my poor needy heart! Come then to me, O Blood! Thou art my light, my life, my all! -^0 days’ indulgence. 66 VISIT TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT My Lord Jesus Christ, I most firmly believe that Thou art here present in the Most Holy Sacrament of the Altar. I adore Thee with the most profound respect. I unite my adora- tion with that of angels and saints and with all the homage Thou renderest Thy Eternal Father in the most Blessed Sacrament. Precious Blood of Jesus, really present in the Sacred Host, enlighten our intelligence, enkindle within us Thy love, take possession of our minds, circulate ever in our veins, may our every sense be marked with Thy divine unction, may our hearts beat alone for Thy glory and our lips for ever exalt Thee. Amen. Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us. Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Con- ception of the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. —300 days’ ind., each time. — Leo VIII., Sept. 10, 1878. PRAYERS WHICH MAY BE SAID AT THE OFFERTORY When the Priest offers the Host I place upon the paten my heart, the hearts of all those near and dear to me, especially the hearts of my relatives; the hearts of all those for whom I have promised to pray; the hearts of all those who have injured me; the hearts of all those whom I may have injured; the hearts of all the agonizing. 67 Jesus, when Thou changes! the bread into Thy ^ Body, change our hearts into hearts pleasing to Thee. When the Priest offers the Chalice I place within the chalice the souls of all the faithful departed, especially my relatives and all for whom I should pray; the souls of those for whom I may have forgotten to pray ; the souls most devoted to the Precious Blood; the Sacred Heart and the Blessed Virgin ; the souls of the most abandoned. Jesus, when Thou changes! the wine into Thy Precious Blood, bring these poor souls from their place of suffering into Eternal Happiness. Mother of Sorrows ! Mother of Christ ? You had influence with your Divine Son when on earth, you have the same influence now in heaven, pray for me, obtain from your Divine Son.my request, if it be His Holy Will. WELCOME TO JESUS THROUGH MARY I hold within my heart, O Mother Queen, Thy little Son, thy Child. The right is thine. And yet, by wondrous gift, this grace is mine ! ’Twas thou who first within thy heart serene Thy God received. By mortal eyes unseen He dwelt secure, thy loving heart His shrine. In First Communion with the Word Divine Thou hadst a foretaste of our Gift supreme. O thou, sweet Mother, who didst first em- brace 68 Our God, teach me Thy potent way of grace, That in the precious moments that are mine I may constrain my Guest, thy Son Divine, To bide with me. Oh, may He ne’er depart! Behold — His living chalice, my unworthy heart ! PREPARATION FOR COMMUNION From an old Irish Tradition “My loving Lord, a thousand welcomes ! O Son of Mary, I love You; indeed I do. Who am I at all that You should come next or near me? O God of Heaven! make a little corner for me in Your Heart, and never while there’s life in me let me lose my place there; and after death may I still hide there. Amen.” “Have pity on me, O Blessed Mother ! Talk to my God for me. Tell Him I’m a poor, ignorant creature, full of nothing but sin and misery, but that I love you. His own dear Mother; and that I am a poor servant, and, for your sweet sake, to help and pity me. Amen.” COMPENSATION There is a peace that cometh after sorrow. Of hope surrendered, not of hope fulfilled, A peace that looketh not upon tomorrow. But calmly on a tempest that is stilled. 69 A peace that lives not now in joy's excesses Nor in the happy life of love secure; But in the unerring strength the heart pos- sesses, Of conflicts won, while learning to endure. A peace that is, in sacrifice secluded, A life subdued from will and passion free, 'Tis not the peace that over Eden brooded, But that which triumphed in Gethsemane. A PRAYER To Offer Up Holy Communion As Viaticum My God, if I am to die this day, or sud- denly at any time, 1 wish to receive this Communion as my Viaticum. I desire that my last food may be the Body and Blood of my Saviour and Redeemer ; my last words, Jesus, Mary and Joseph; my last affection, an act of pure love of God, and of perfect contrition tor my sins ; my last consolation to die in Thy holy grace, and in Thy hoiy love. Amen. PRAYER TO GAIN A PLENARY INDUE- GENCE AT THE HOUR OF DEATH “My Lord and my God! from this moment, with a peaceful and submissive heart, I accept death from Thy Hands, with all its pains and sufferings, and in whatever manner it may please Thee.” 70 (Whosoever, after Confession and Com- munion, for this intention, recites the above prayer, even lon^ before death, and while in full health, will gain a plenary indulgence applicable to himself or herself at the hour of death).—Pius X., March 9, 1904. 5 Paters, Aves, Glorias, for the intentions of the Sovereign Pontiff. MY HAND IN MOTHER MARY^S Mother, the King—my Lord and thine Has made my heart His resting place. And well thou knowest that my breast Is no fit home for such a Guest. How may I stand before His Face, Knowing my weakness and disgrace. Unless I feel thy hand in mine, OH, MOTHER MARY ! With thy own mantle cover me. Lend me the jewels thou didst wear, That clinging trust no storm could shake, That love which made thy true heart break. Thy deep and self-effacing prayer. Thy willingness His grief to share. So shall He find me like to thee, OH, MOTHER MARY! Whether He comes with joy and peace Or brings His own dear gift of pain. Help me to give Him welcome meet His coming with grave smile to greet. If tliou but aid me, not in vain Will be my hope His heart to gain. And with His love thine shall increase. OH. MOTHER MARY! 71 Keep in my heart all through the day, The thought of Him like sweetest song, And though that heart should hotly throb Watch, that no hurt my peace may rob. Win me the victory over wrong. Teach me to suffer and be strong. From Him and thee let me not stray OH, MOTHER MARY! PRAYER TO BE SAID AT MASS Whilst the Precious Blood is present in the Chalice O God, whose goodness is infinity, and whose property it is always to have mercy and to spare, the children of a sinful world seek Thy mercy through the heart of Thy Mother. In the sweet heart of Thy Mother Mary they seek refuge. May the pleading of that heart be heard by Thee. • May the Precious Blood that heart furnished, the. Precious Blood present upon Thy altar, ap- pease Thy justice, rightly irritated by the sins of men. May Thy Holy Spirit move upon the troubled waters of this fallen world, and let there be light, the light of Thy mercy, O God, most Holy Trinity, whose mercy is magnificent and will shine by Mary for ever and ever. Amen. BEFORE COMMUNION O most sweet Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, lend me, I beseech thee, thy Immaculate Heart to receive my Jesus, that so I may receive Him by thee, by whom the world received Him. . 72 O Jesus ! I offer Thee Thy sinless Mother’s Heart, with its perfect dispositions at the moment of Thy Incarnation, and in all her Communions. Come to me now by her, as I come to Thee by her. With her heart let me receive Thee. AFTER COMMUNION O my Queen! thou hast given me Jesus in thy heart, therefore now, with the same true heart, entertain Him for me, adore Him, thank Him and implore Him for the graces thou knowest me to need, in particular . . . (Here say the Magnificat, in union with our Lady’s). PRAYER O most loving Jesus, meekest Lamb of God, I, a miserable sinner, salute and worship the most sacred wound of the shoulder on which Thou didst bear Thy heavy cross, which so tore Thy flesh and laid bare Thy bones as to inflict on Thee an anguish greater than any other wound of Thy most blessed body. I adore Thee, O Jesus most sorrowful. I praise Thee, I bless and glorify Thee and give Thee thanks for this most sacred and most painful wound, beseeching Thee, by that exceeding pain and by the crushing burden of Thy heavy cross to be mericful to me, a sinner, to forgive me all my mortal and all my venial sins, and to lead me on towards heaven along the way of the cross. Amen. 73 PRAYER FOR FINAL PERSEVERANCE O Jesus, my Saviour, my God, by Thy Sacred Heart, by the most pure Heart of Thy Virgin Mother, by whatever is pleasing to Thee in heaven and on earth, I beg and entreat Thee, grant me holy perseverance— * grant me patience. Give me grace and cour- age that I may efficaciously employ the means which Thou hast given. Say this prayer three times: Sweet Heart of Jesus be my love, svv^eet Heart of Mary be my salvation. . —Three hundred days’ indulgence. PRAYER Our Father, Who art in heaven, I ask of Thee three things this day : that Thou wilt help me to repair before my death, all the graces I have lost through my own fault; that thou wilt assist me in attaining that degree of merit and perfection destined for me, and which I may have frustrated by my infidelities; and finally, that Thou wilt deign to pardon me all the sins which I have caused others to commit,, and restore to them all the graces I have caused them to lose. I ask these graces of Thee, O Holy Trinity, through the Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the intercession of the glorious Saint Joseph, Patron of the Umvcrsal Church. Amen. 74 THE NAME OF MARY “Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array ?”- Mary, our sweet loving Mother, Can my tongue her beauty tell? All the splendor of her glory. Raised on high with God to dwell. There is naught on earth to mirror Our great Queen so chaste and fair, Yet, the silent voice of nature Whispers sweetly everywhere THE NAME OF MARY, She, Judea’s fairest lily. Purer than the mountain’s snow, Brighter than the rays of sunshine, Than the diamond’s lustrous glow. Hence I love earth’s fragrant lilies. Emblems of her purity. For their rare translucent whiteness. Breathes so sweetly unto me THE NAME OF MARY. She, that modest, fragrant lily. Crystal chalice e’er unstained, To receive the Blood of Jesus, From eternity .ordained. Hence, I love the hidden valleys, Where the whitest lilies blow. And their magic silent voices Whisper all my heart would know, THE NAME OF MARY. 75 Tiien the “Mystic Rose’" we call her, From the ardor of her love, Which delights the King of Heaven, And the angel hosts above. Hence I love to gaze in silence On the blushing rose so sweet, For its soft and crimsoned petals, Ever to my heart repeat THE NAME OF MARY. She is called the “Star of Morning,’' Fairer than the moon, we say. Stronger than a mighty army Set in battle’s long array. Hence I love the starlit heavens, And the brilliant Queen of Night, For I see in gazing upward, Through that pathless field of light, THE NAME OF MARY. Angels bright in heaven’s mansions Have compared their spotless Queen To the morning dawn so lovely. Breaking on the earth serene. Hence I love the rising incense Of the summer morning air, When the waking mountains echo, To my heart as if in prayer, THE NAME OF MARY. So, as through this life I journey. All reminds me on my way. Of that name which is of sunshine. In the dark and cloudy day. 76 May my tongue proclaim its glory, Sing its praise at every breath, When the scene of life is closing May my comfort be in death, THE NAME OF MARY. If on earth it is so soothing, To repeat that name in prayer, What will be my joyous rapture When my Mother’s bliss I’ll share Then near her bright throne in glory, All her beauty I will see. There to praise with angel voices Through a long eternity, THE NAME OF MARY. ACT OF CONSECRATION TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY O Immaculate Virgin, . good and tender Mother, behold us humbly prostrate at thy feet. We consecrate our hearts to thee. Deign to cast a look of love and pity upon us, upon this house, and upon our entire congregation. We are not worthy, it is true, O Mary, we are sinners; but in this lies our misery and our claim on thy compassion. Thy maternal heart cannot reject the entreaties of thy children gathered round thee. ^ May that heart deign to fill our hearts with the treasures of grace, of merits, and of virtues with which it overflows. 77 Obtain for us, O Holy Virgin, the knowl- edge and love of the Incarnate Word, thy Divine Son, and a most intimate union with Him. Ask Him to govern, protect and sanc- tify all the members of our community. May He nil them with zeal for their own perfection and for the salvation of souls. We confide to thy care, dearest Mother, all our needs, all our interests spiritual and temporal. Place them in the Heart of Jesus, with our desires and our prayers, and be thou our advocate. Protect us, help us, Q good and tender Mother, and bless this community which glories in being dedicated in a special manner to thy Immaculate Conception. Amen. A PRAYER Consecrating the Last Three Hours of Our Life to the Most Holy Virgin By the late Rev. Ildefonso M. Izaguirre, O.P. Prostrate at thy feet, and humiliated by my sins, but full of confidence in thee, O Mary, I beg thee to accept the petition my heart is going to make. It is for my last moments, dear Mother, I wish to request thy protection and maternal love, so that in that decisive instant thou wilt do all thy love can suggest in my behalf. To thee, O Mother of my soul, I conse- crate the last three hours of my life. Come to my side to receive my last breath, and when death has cut the thread of my days. 78 tell Jesus, presenting to Him my soul: “1 love it!'^ That word alone will be enough to procure for me the benediction of my God and the happiness of seeing thee for all eternity. I put my trust in thee, my Mother, and know it will not be in vain. O Mary! pray for thy child, and lead him to Jesus! Amem Recommended to be recited after Holy Communion, THE MEMORARE Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary! that never was it known that any one who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, and sought thy intercession, was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother ! to thee I come; before thee I stand, sinful and sorrow- ful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate! despise not my petitions, but, in thy mercy, hear and answer me. Amen. —300 days’ ind., each time. —Plenary ind., once a month, on usual con- ditions. 79 A PRAYER TO PLACE OUR HOME UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY O Holy Virgin Mary, conceived without sin, I choose thee this day, to be the Lady and Mistress of our home, and I pray thee, in the name of the Most Precious Blood of Jesus, thy Divine Son, and of thy Immacu- late Conception, to preserve it from fire and lightning, from tempests and thieves, from cholera, influenza, diphtheria, malaria, and all other contagious and pestilential diseases. Bless and protect every member of our family, preserve us from sin, from sudden and unprovided death, and from all other evils and accidents, in the name and through the merits of the most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. TO THE MOTHER OF DOLORS O Mother of Dolors ! by the anguish and love with which thou didst stand beneath the cross of Je'sus, stand by me in my last agony. To thy maternal heart I commend the three last hours of my life. Offer these hours to the Eternal Father, in union with the agony of our dearest Lord. Offer in atonement for my sins the Precious Blood of Jesus, mingled with thy tears, on Calvary, to obtain for me the grace to receive Holy Communion with dispositions of perfect 80 love and contrition immediately before my death, and to breathe forth my soul in the actual presence of Jesus, in the Blessed Sacra- ment. Dearest Mother, when the moment of my death has at length arrived, present me as thy child to Jesus, and sa>^ to Him, “Forgive her and receive her this day into Thy kingdom.” EXERCISE IN HONOR OF THE SEVEN DOLORS Hail Mary, 7 times, and after each Hail Mary : Bid me bear, O Mother Blessed ! On my heart the wounds impressed, Suffered by the Crucified. —300 days’ ind., once a day. Plenary, once a month.—Pius IX., June 28th, 1876. PRAYER TO OUR LADY OF PROMPT SUCCOR O Mary, Mother of God, who amidst the tribulations of the world, dost watch over us and over the Church of thy Son, be to us and to the Church, truly Our Lady of Prompt Succor. Make haste to help us in all our necessities, that in this fleeting life thou mayest be our succor, and obtain for us .... (Here ask the particular favor you desire). 81 Help us to gain life everlasting through the merits of Jesus, Thy Son, our Lord and Re- deemer. Amen. —100 days’ indulgence. Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be to the Father. Our Lady of Prompt Succor hasten to our help. (Three times). V. Our Lady of Prompt Succor pray for us. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. LET US PRAY O Almighty and Eternal God who dost see us surrounded by so many dangers and miseries, grant in Thy infinite goodness, that the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Thy Divine Son, may defend us from the evil spirit, and protect us against all adver- sities; that she may obtain for us (here ask for the particular favor you desire) and safely guide us to the kingdom of heaven; through the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. ECCE ANCILLA DOMINI Our Blessed Lady said to St. Gertrude: “Whoever shall devoutly recall to my mind the joy I felt in uttering the words, ‘Be- hold the handmaid of the Lord!’ I will most truly show him that I am his Mother,, and will unfailingly succor him” 82 O Mother of all blessedness, august sanc- tuary of the Holy Ghost, I praise and greet Thee, and with most devout intention of mind recall to thee that unspeakable joy which thou didst feel when with calmest trustfulness thou didst commend to the Divine Will thy whole unreserved being and all that was to be done in thee and to thee, saying, “Behold ! the handmaid of the Lord,” beseech- ing thee that thou wouldst show thyself my Mother, and evermore succor me with the saving help of thy compassionate heart. Amen. PRAYER OF ST. GERTRUDE TO MARY [In the XIXth chapter of the Revelations of Gertrude, we are told that the Blessed Virgin promised the inestimable treasures of her loving compassion to those who salute her in the following prayer. “And at the hour of their departure,” she added, “I will appear to them, clothed with radiant beauty, and will pour into their souls heavenly sweetness and consolation.”] Golden Ave Maria Hail Mary ! Lily of spotless whiteness, thou didst ravish the gaze of the adorable Trinity dwelling in the eternal sojourn of light and peace. Hail, Rose of celestial sweet- ness, Virgin Immaculate, whom the King of heaven and earth chose for His Mother and Whom thou didst nourish with thy virginal milk, pour into my soul torrents of Divine grace. Amen. 83 EFFICACIOUS NOVENA OF THE THREE “AVE MARIA’' O Mary, Virgin most powerful, to whom nothing is impossible, by this same power which the Father Almighty has graciously conferred upon thee, I beg of thee, assist me in my present need. Since it is within thy power to help me, abandon me not, O Advocate of the hopeless and miserable who have recourse to thee! ; It seems to me that the granting of this favor would tend to the glory of God, thine own honor, and the good of my soul. If then, as I think, it is according to the amiable and most holy will of God, inter- cede for me, I beseech thee, O Mediatrix most powerful, with thy Divine Son, who can refuse thee nothing. Once again, I ask thee, in the name of that boundless power which our Heavenly Father has communicated to thee, and in honor of which I say in union with St. Mectildes, to whom you first revealed the salutary practice of the Three Ave Maria ; Hail Mary, etc. Holy Virgin, who art so justly called Seat of Wisdom, because Wisdom itself, the Word of God, reposed in thee. . . . 0 thou to j whom this Adorable Son communicated His divine knowledge in such measure as the most perfect creature could receive it . . . thou knowest full well how great is my present trouble, and how much I need thy assistance. 84 Confident then in this divine Wisdom, I abandon myself entirely into thy hands, that with strength and sweetness thou mayest arrange all to the greater glory of God and the good of my soul. Deign then to come to my help by the means which will attain this end. O Mary, Mother of divine Wisdom, deign to obtain this precious grace which I beseech of thee. I ask it in the name of that incom- parable wisdom with which Thy Son, the Word of God, has enlightened thee, and in honor of which I say, in union with St. Anthony of Padua and St. Leonard of Port- Maurice, the most zealous preachers of thy Three Ave Maria. Hail Mary, etc. O kind and loving Mother, verily Mother of Mercy, thou, who in these latterv times hast been pleased to call thyself “Mother most merciful,” at thy feet I entreat thee, evidence thy compassionate kindness towards thy child. The greater my need, the greater the compassion it will awaken in thee. Full well I know, that in no way do I merit this grace which I desire so ardently, I who have so often saddened thee, by of- fending thy Divine Son. But if I have been guilty, very guilty, sincerely do I repent of having wounded the tender, loving Heart of Jesus and thy own. Besides, art thou not, as thou didst reveal to St. Bridget, “the Mother of repentant sinners”? Forgive me, then, my past ingrati- tude and considering only thy merciful kind- 85 ness as well as the glory which will reflect upon God and thyself, obtain for me from His merciful goodness, this grace which I beg through thy intercession. O thou who hast never been invoked in vain. O clement ! O merciful ! O sweet Vir- gin Mary! deign, deign to help me, I beseech thee, by this merciful kindness with which the Holy Spirit has filled thee for us, and in honor of which I say with St. Alphonsus Liguori, the Apostle of thy mercy and the doctor of the Three Ave Maria. Hail Mary, etc. PRAYER TO INVITE THE BLESSED VIRGIN TO BE PRESENT AT OUR DEATH Most holy Virgin Mary, by the love and fidelity with which thy Divine Son, when fastened to the cross, confided thee to Saint John, I confide to thee my soul, my body, my thoughts, words, actions and life, especially the end thereof—that moment which wdll decide my fate for eternity. As thou didst invite thy Son to thy most holy death, so I also invite thee to mine, entreating thee to be present thereat, in the name of the love with Avhich thou didst assist at the death of thy Jesus. By the tears thou didst shed at seeing Him incline His head and expire in such torments, vouchsafe in thy maternal bounty, to watch beside me and the members of the Confraternity of the Precious Blood of thy Divine Son, and leave us not until thou hast introduced us into paradise. Amen. 86 GOLDEN HAIL MARV^ One fervent Hail Mary with love and thought said Is better than volumes of prayers poorly read, If time and one’s duties prevent a long prayer, Just say one Hail Mary with fervor and care. The “golden Hail Mary” which from the heart springs, The greatest of blessings from Mary it brings - And we never will know till before Mary’s throne How that daily Hail Mary brought us to her home. If we dwell on the words, “Mary, Mother of God,” Do we not honor Jesus, her Son and her Lord? And — “pray for us now and at the hour of our death” — That moment when spiritual foes will be met. Ah ! that is the moment we’ll surely need aid ; And to Mary we’ll turn, that sweet, lowly hand-maid. Be sure she will help you if truly you say One single Hail Mai^—just one every day. NOVENA TO OUR LADY OF LOURDES The spirit and obiect of the devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes is to congratulate Mary on the definition and the dogma of her Im- maculate Conception. A holy priest, writing on 87 this subject says: “Let us all congratulate Mary Immaculate—old and young—rich and poor; let no one separate from this choir of congratulators, no, not even poor sinners ; let them approach Mary with confidence, detesting their sins, desiring to break their chains, and however great their iniquities, the Immaculate Virgin will associate them with her glorious triumph. Let the just congratulate her, and she will grant them never to be conquered in the struggle of life. Let the afflicted, the tempted, the desponding, congratulate her ; they will obtain resignation, grace and consolation to their souls. Let all who desire to obtain grace from Mary, congratulate her for some days with faith, love and confidence, and they may rest assured of obtaining the favor demanded .if needful to their souls, or an- other more necessary one, of which, perhaps, they thought not.” am the Immaculate Conception” [Words of Mary Immaculate to Berna- dette in the apparition at Lourdes, 25th of March, 1858]. PRAYER “Be blessed, O most pure Virgin, for having vouchsafed to manifest thyself all resplendent with light, sweetness and beauty, in the grotto of Lourdes, saying to the simple child who contemplated thee in ecstasy: “ ‘I am the Immaculate Conception.’ Obtain for us to comprehend the great blessing of the proclamation of this glorious dogma. A thousand times we congratulate thee, O Mary 88 Immaculate, show thou art our Mother. Grant us ever to rernember this great favor and render to the Divine goodness suitable thanks- giving. May the whole world reap the fruits of this thy triumph, and enjoy lasting peace and happiness. Let there be always and every- where not only ardent and joyful congratu- lators, but also zealous propagators of the work of congratulation. O Mary Immaculate inflame our hearts with one ray of the burning love of thy pure heart. Let them be consumed with love for Jesus and for thee, in order that we may more worthily congratulate thee here below and merit to congratulate thee one day in a glorious eternity. Amen. (Aspiration). A thousand times we con- gratulate thee, O Mary Immaculate ! Show thyself our Mother. One Pater and Ave. for Pope Pius IX., who defined the dogma of the Immaculate Conception and instituted the Feast of the Most Precious Blood. EVENING PRAYER TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER Night in falling, dear Mother—the long day - is o'er, And before thy loved image I’m kneeling once more ; To thank thee for keeping me safe through the day. To ask thee this night to keep evfl away. 89 Many times have I fallen today, Mother, dear. Many graces neglected since last I knelt here; Wilt thou not in pity, my own Mother, mild. Ask Jesus to pardon the sins of thy child? I am going to rest, for the day’s work is done. Its hours and its moments have passed one by one; And the God who will judge me has noted them all — He has numbered each grace. He has counted each fall. In His Book they are written against “the last day”; O Mother, ask Jesus to wash them away; For one drop of His Blood, which for sinners was spilt. Is sufficient to cleanse the whole world of its guilt. And if ere the dawn I should draw my last breath, And the sleep that I take be the long sleep of death. Be near me, dear Mother, for dear Jesus’ sake. When my soul on eternity’s shore shall awake. MEMORARE TO OUR LADY OF THE SACRED HEART Remember, O our Lady of the Sacred Heart! the unlimited power that thou pos- sessest over the Heart of thy adorable Son. Full of confidence in thy merits, I come to 90 implore thy protection. O Sovereign Mis- tress of the Heart of Jesus ! of that Heart which is the inexhaustible source of all graces and which thou canst open at thy pleasure, and cause all the treasures of love and mercy, of light and salvation, that this Heart encloses, to descend upon man, grant me, I conjure thee, the favor I solicit. No, I cannot bear a refusal, and because thou art my Mother, O our Lady of the Sacred Heart ! favorably receive my prayer, and vouchsafe to grant my petition. Amen. NOVENA FOR THE FEAST OF THE ASSUMPTION—THE SEVEN BEATITUDES 1. Rejoice, Spouse of the Holy Ghost, in the bliss which thou dost taste in paradise that because of thy purity and virginity, thou art exalted above the choir of angels. Ave Maria. Blood of Christ triumphant, be thou glori- fied in the beatitudes of the Queen of heaven. 2. Rejoice, Virgin Mother of God, in the joy which is thine in paradise that as the sun illumines the entire world here below, even so is all paradise embellished by thy glory. Ave Maria. Blood of Christ triumphant, etc. 3. Rejoice, Daughter of God the Father, that all the choirs of Angels, Thrones, Dominations, and all the Blessed Spirits honor and revere thee, and, recognizing thee 91 as the Mother of their Creator^ render obedi- ence to the least indication of thy will. Ave Maria. Blood of Christ triumphant, etc. 4. Rejoice, Handmaid of the Most Holy Trinity, that all the graces asked by thee of thy Son are straightway accorded and that even as says Saint Bernard, none is granted except it pass through thy blessed hands. Ave Maria. Blood of Christ triumphant, etc. 5. Rejoice, Most Illustrious Princess that thou meritest the peculiar glory of being seated at the right of thine All Holy Son, at the right hand of the Eternal Father Himself. Ave Maria. Blood of Christ triumphant, etc. 6. Rejoice, Hope of Sinners and Refuge of the a&cted, for the great joy that thou possessest in paradise, in that the Eternal Father will reward all those who praise and revere thee, by His grace in this world and by His glory in the other. Ave Maria. Blood of Christ triumphant, etc. 7. Rejoice, Daughter, Mother and Spouse of God, that all the graces, the beatitudes and the favors which are thy portion in paradise shall never grow less, but abide the . same throughout eternity. Ave Maria. Blood of Christ triumphant, etc. 92 A PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O most beautiful flower of Mount Car- mel, Fruitful Vine, ^lendor of Heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immacu- late Virgin, assist me in this my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me, and show thou art my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth. I humbly beseech thee from the bottom of my heart, to succor me in this necessity. There are none that can withstand they power. O, show me herein thou art my Mother. O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for Us wFo have recourse to thee. (3 times). Sweet Mother, I place this cause in thy hands. (3 times). CONSECRATION TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER My Queen, my Mother ! I give myself entirely to thee, and to show my devotion to thee, I consecrate to thee this day, my eyes, my ears, my mouth, my heart, my whole being without reserve. Wherefore, good Mother, as I am thine ovm, keep me, guard me, as thy property and possession. (Ejaculation). My Queen, my Mother! remember I am thine own. Keep me, guard me as thy property and possession. —Indulgence, 100 days, once a day. —Plenary indulgence, once a month, 40 days’ indulgence for ejaculation. 93 OFFERING TO JESUS AND MARY AT HOLY COMMUNION BEFORE COMMUNION O most sweet Virgin Mary, Mother of God and my Mother, lend me, I beseech thee, thy Immaculate Heart to receive my Jesus, that so I may receive Him by thee, by whom the world received Him. O Jesus ! I offer Thee, Thy sinless Mother’s heart, with its perfect dispositions at the moment of Thy Incarnation, and in all her Communions. Come to me now by her, as I come to Thee by her. With her heart let me receive Thee. AFTER COMMUNION O my Queen ! thou hast given me Jesus in thy heart, therefore now, with the same true heart, entertain Him for me, adore Him, thank Him and implore Him for the graces Thou knowest me to need. And now, O Blessed Lady, since thou hast so generously given me Thy Jesus once more, and thyself with Him, I give Him back to thee and myself with Him;. His infinitely precious Heart, and my poor inconstant heart in It, as a drop in an ocean of love; beseech- ing thee to accept the drop for the ocean’s sake, and the abundance of the ocean in supply for the deficiencies of the drop. Amen. 94 NOVENA FOR THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION BEGINNING NOVEMBER 29th I salute thee, O Immaculate Queen I I greet thee, O blissful Sanctuary of the Di- vinity! By thy Immaculate Conception, the Deity has formed for itself a Tabernacle in which to repose. I rejoice in thy surpassing splendor, and I offer, in praise and thanks- giving to the transcendent Trinity, the Blood of the August Victim slain from the founda- tion of the world. O Mary! temple of count- less praises! O Mary, my Mother, all mine! I take refuge in thy heart. Let me dwell there, sheltered from harm and all-occupied with the worship and the love of our Saviour. Blessed be the holy and Immaculate Con- ception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God ! Blessed be the Blood which pre- served thee stainless and enriched thee with graces and privileges beyond all compare ! Hail Mary, three times. LITTLE CROWN OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION In the name of the Father, etc. Blessed be the Holy and Immaculate Conception of the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God. Then say the Our Father, once, the Hail Mary, four times, Glory be to the Father, once. 95 Blessed be, etc., one Our Father, Hail Mary four times. Glory be to the Father, once. Blessed be, etc., as before. PERFECT TRUST Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust. My loving God, in Thee; Unwavering faith, that never doubts Thou choosest best for me! Best, though my plans be all upset; Best, though the way be rough; Best, though my earthly store be scant; In Thee I have enough. Best, though my health and strength be gone, Though weary days be mine. Shut out from much that others have; Not liiy will, Lord, but Thine! And even though disappointments come, They, too, are best for me; To wean me from this changing world. And lead me nearer Thee. Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust That looks away from all; That sees Thy hand in everything. In great events or small! That hears Thy voice—a Father’s voice-^ Directing for the best,. Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust, A heart with Thee at rest! 96 DEVOTIONS IN HONOR OF ST. JOSEPH [Special favors have been obtained by the recital of the following short prayers and versicle in honor o^ the Glorious St. Joseph] O Glorious St. Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, to you do we raise our hearts and hands, to implore your powerful inter- cession in obtaining from the benign heart of Jesus all the helps and graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death, and the special favor we now implore. . . . O Guardian of the Word Incarnate, we feel animated with confidence that your prayers in our behalf will be graciously heard before the throne of God. [Then the following versicle is to be said seven times, in honor of the seven joys and sorrows of St. Joseph:] V. O Glorious St. Joseph, through the love you bear to Jesus, and for the glory of His name. R. Hear our prayers and obtain our petitions. PRAYER O Glorious St. Joseph, Spouse of the Im- maculate Virgin, obtain for me a pure, humble and charitable mind, and perfect resignation to the Divine Will. Be my guide, father and model through life, that I may merit to die as thou didst, in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Help us Joseph, in our earthly strife, ever to lead a pure and blameless life. —300 days’ Indulgence. 97 SEVEN JOYS AND SORROWS OF ST. JOSEPH 1. Chaste Spouse of the Most Holy Mother of God, by the sorrow with which thy heart was transpierced when Mary returned from Hebron and by the joy thou didst feel when the Angel revealed unto thee the mystery of the Incarnation, obtain for me from Jesus, through the heart of Mary, the grace to sur- mount all uneasiness that may trouble the peace of my soul, and let me imbibe peace from the Adorable Heart of thy Son Jesus, the prince and source of all true peace. Pater, Ave. Gloria. 2. Foster Father of Jesus, by the bitter grief thy heart endured when thou didst be- hold the Divine Infant laid in a crib, and by the joy thou didst feel in seeing the Magi recognize and adore Him, pray for me and obtain that my heart purified by thy inter- cession, may become a living crib where the Saviour of the world will receive and bless my homage. Pater. Ave. Gloria. 3. O thou to whom God didst confide His only Son, by the grief which pierced thy heart at sight of the Blood which the Divine fnfant shed at the Circumcision, and by the joy thou didst experience when the Angel commanded thee to give Him that sacred and mysterious name “Jesus” obtain that the merits of this Precious Blood may be applied to me, and that this Divine Name may be engraved upon my heart. 98 Pater. Ave. Gloria. 4. August Minister and Sacred Confidant of the Ploiy Ghost, by the cruel anguish with which thv heart was torn when Simeon de- clared that the Pleart of Mary would be pierced by a sword of sorrow, and by the joy thou didst afterwards experience when this holy Saint added that the Divine Infant would be the salvation and resurrection of many,, ob- tain that I may sympathize in the sorrows of Mary and have a share in the salvation which Jesus came to bring upon the earth. Pater. Ave. Gloria. 5. Glorious Ambassador of the Most Holy Trinity, by the extreme affliction which the command to flee into Egypt caused thy heart, and by the joy thou didst feel on seeing the idols overturned on the arrival of the living God, grant that by destroying all impression of sin, the empire of my passions may be annihilated in my heart. Pater. Ave. Gloria. 6. Faithful Coadjutor of the great Council by the bitter sorrow with which the loss of the Divine Infant overwhelmed thy heart, and by the great and holy joy with which thou wast inundated on finding Him in the Temple in the midst of the doctors, I conjure thee- to prevent my losing this loving Jesus, even for a moment, but should that grievous misfortune ever befall me, grant me a share of thy zeal in seeking Him, and obtain that I may find Him again nevermore to lose Him. . Pater. Ave. Gloria. 99 7. Faithful Steward of the house of God, by the grief thy heart experienced when death came to separate thee from Jesus and Mary thy sole treasure, and by the ineffable joy thou dost feel when the patriarchs in Limbo learned from thy mouth the news of their redem.ption and saluted thee as the foster Father of the Messiah, the spouse of His Virginal Mother and the holiest of mortals, obtain for me the grace of sincere repentance and grant that I may die pronouncing the sweet names of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Pater. Ave. Gloria. —lOQ days’ ind., once a day. 300 days’ ind., every Wednesday in the year. Pope Pius VII. LITANY OF ST. JOSEPH Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us, Christ, hear us, Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven. Have mercy on us. God, the Son, Redeemer of the world. Have mercy on us. God, the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, St. Joseph, ^ Illustrious Son of David, ^ Splendor of Patriarchs, ^ Spouse of the Mother of . God, 2 Chase Guardian of the Virgin, CIh 100 Foster-Father of the Son of God, Watchful Defender of Christ, Head of the Holy Family, Joseph most just, Joseph most pure, Joseph most prudent, Joseph most courageous, Joseph most obedient, Joseph most faithful, Mirror of patience. Lover of poverty, Model of all who labor. Glory of family life, Preserver of virgins, Mainstay of families. Solace of the afflicted, Hope of the sick. Pray for us. Patron of the dying, Pray for us. Terror of the demons. Pray for us. Protector of the Holy Church, Pray for us. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world. Spare us, 0 Lord! Lamb of God, who takest away the sms of the world. Graciously hear us, 0 Lord! Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world. Have mercy on us. V . He made him lord over his household. R. And ruler of all his possessions. let us pray O God, who by Thy unspeakable providence didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, merci- fully grant that as we venerate him for our 101 protector on earth, we may be found worthy to be aided by his intercession in heaven. Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen. ACT OF THANKSGIVING TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY FOR THE PRIVILEGES GRANTED TO ST. JOSEPH O Eternal Father! I adore Thee, I love Thee, and I thank Thee with all my heart, because in thy infinite power thou hast chosen St. Joseph to be the spouse of Mary Immacu- late. In thanksgiving for this privilege and for all the favors bestowed on St. Joseph, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Glory be to the Father, etc. O Eternal Son! I adore Thee, I love Thee, and I thank Thee with all my heart, because in Thy infinite wisdom. Thou hast chosen St. Joseph to be Thy Foster-Father on earth. In thanksgiving for this privilege and for all the favors conferred on St. Joseph, I offer Thee Thy Most Precious Blood. Glory be to the Father, etc. O Eternal Holy Spirit! I adore Thee, I love Thee, and I thank Thee with all my heart, because in Thy infinite love, thou hast chosen St. Joseph to be the guardian of Jesus and Mary. In thanksgiving for this privilege and for all the favors conferred on St. Joseph, I offer Thee the Most Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. Glory be to the Father, etc. 102 PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH TO OBTAIN A SPECIAL FAVOR O Blessed St. Joseph, tender-hearted father, faithful guardian of Jesus, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, I pray and beseech thee, to offer to God the Father, His Divine Son bathed in Blood on the cross for sinners, and through the thrice holy name of Jesus obtain for u^ of the Eternal Father the favor we implore . . . Appease the Divine anger so justly in- flamed by our crimes. Beg of Jesus mercy for thy children. Amid the splendors of eternity, forget not the sorrows of earth. Be mindful of those who suffer, those who pray, those who weep. Stay the Almighty arm which smites us, that by thy prayers and those of thy most holy spouse the Heart of Jesus may be moved to pity and to pardon. Amen. MEMORARE TO ST. JOSEPH Remember, O amiable and powerful pro- tector, St. Joseph, that, according to the testimony of thy devoted servant, St. Teresa, no one ever implored thy intercession with devotion and confidence without obtaining re- lief. Animated by this sweet and consoling hope, I come to thee, O worthy spouse of the Virgin of virgins, and prostrate at thy feet I seek refuge and protection. O thou who hast borne the glorious title of father of Jesus, reject not my humble 103 prayer, but hear it favorably, and present it for me to Him, who disdained not to be called thy Son, and who will not refuse my petition. Amen. Most pure heart of St. Joseph, chaste spouse of the Mother of God, foster-father of her adorable Son, guardian, confidant, and imitator of both, in yirtue of these illus- trious prerogatives, and of the power granted thee on earth and in heaven, I beseech thee, obtain for me a heart resembling thine, in its silence, meekness, humility, charity, in obedi- ence, and chastity. O heart of St. Joseph, deign to watch over me, to assist me every day of my life, and obtain for me the great grace, to die like unto thee, in the arms of Jesus and Mary. Amen. PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH, COMFORT OF THE SORROWFUL IN DESPAIRED-OF CASES O thou, whom no one eyer yet invoked in vain, thou, whose power with God is so great, that it has been truly said, “In heaven, Joseph commands rather than supplicates.” Tender father, intercede for me! St. Joseph, be my adyocate with thy divine Son, whose foster-father and faithful protector thou wert here below. Add to all thy glories, that of gaining the despaired-of cause that I confide to thee. I believe, yes, I believe thou canst obtain m.y deliverance from the troubles that 1G4 overwhelm me, and the desolation in which my soul is plunged. I have the firm hope ^hat thou wilt neglect nothing in favor of the afflicted who invoke thee. Humbly prostrate at thy feet, dear bt. Joseph, 1 implore thee to have pity on my tears, cover me with the mantle of thy merci- ful protection, and bless me. Amen. UNFAILING PETITION Holy St. Joseph, spouse of Mary, be mind- ful of me, pray for me, watch over me. Guardian of the paradise of the new Adam, provide for my temporal wants. Faithiui guardian of the most precious of all treasures, I beseech thee to bring this matter to a happy end, if it be for the glory of God and the good of my soul. Amen. SPLINTERS FROM THE CROSS Little headaches, little heartaches, Little griefs of every day. Little trials and vexations, How they throng around our way! One great cross, immense and heavy. So it seems to our weak will. Might be borne with resignation. But these many small ones kill. Yet all life is formed of small things, Little leaves make up the trees. Many tiny drops of water Blending, make the mighty seas. ^ 105 So these many little burdens Pressing on our hearts so hard, All uniting, form a life’s work, Meriting a grand reward. Let us not then by impatience Mar the beauty of the whole. But for love of Jesus bear all In the silence of our soul. Asking Him for grace sufficient To sustain us thro’ each loss And to treasure each small offering As a splinter from His cross. NOVENA PRAYER TO THE “LITTLE FLOWER” O little Teresa of the Child Jesus, who during thy short life on earth became a mirror of angelic purity, of love strong as death, and of whole-hearted abandonment to God, now that thou rejoicest in the reward of thy virtues, cast a glance of pity on me, as I leave all things in thy hands. Make my troubles thine own—speak a word for me to our Lady Immaculate—whose flower of special love thou wert—to the Queen of heaven who ‘'smiled on thee at the dawn of life.” Beg her as Queen of the Heart of Jesus to obtain for me by her powerful intercession, the grace I yearn for so ardently at this moment, and that she join with it a blessing that may strengthen me during life, defend me at the 106 hour of death, and lead me straight on to a happy eternity. Our Father, Hail Mary, and “Little Teresa, pray for me,” three times. MEMORARE TO THE LITTLE FLOWER Remember, O Most Gracious Little Rose Queen, your promises of never leaving any request made to you without an answer, and of coming down to earth to do good. Full of confidence in your power with the Sacred Heart, we implore your intercession in our behalf and beg of you to obtain the Rose we so ardently desire. Amen. LITANY OF THE “LITTLE FLOWERS ST. TERESA OF THE CHILD JESUS Lord, have mercy on us, Christ have mercy on us. Lord, .have mercy on us, Christy hear us, Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of Heaven, Have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the World, Have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, Have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, One God, Have mercy on us. Holy Mary, Holy Mother of God, Holy Virgin of virgins, 107 Our Lady of Victory, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus, Saint Teresa of the Holy Face, “Little Flower of Jesus,” Special Favorite *of Mary, Favored by her heavenly smile. Devoted Child of St Joseph, Child of predilection from thy infancy, Angel of the cloister. Most perfect Religious, Poor in desires. Chaste dove. Most submissive. Beautiful Flower of Carmel, Fragrant Lily of purity. Sweet Rose of charity, Modest Violet of hiunility. Shedding sweet perfumes upon earth. Aid of Missionaries, Converter of hardened hearts. Kind Physician of the ills of the body, Curer of diseases. Heavenly Healer of the afflictions of the soul. Worker of prodigies. Wonder of our age, Vessel of Giod's power. Helper in our many needs. Saint Teresa who loved God so ardently. Who had such wonderful trust in Him, Who, while immersed in the love of God, wert yet a “little victim,” Who said you would “spend your heaven in doing good upon earth,” 108 Pray for us. Who said you “would not take your rest until the last soul was garnered in, Who told us to call you “Little Teresa, Who breathed forth your pure soul in an Act of the Love of God, Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Spare us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who takest away the sms ot the world. Graciously hear us, O Lord! Lamb of God, who takest away the sms ot the world. Have me^y on us! Pray for us. Saint Teresa of the Child Jesu^ That we may follow in your little way, and that our last words may be like unto yours : “My God, I love Thee ! LET US PRAY Merciful Father, in the words of Smnt Tere'a T beg of Thee in the name of Ihy sweet Jesus, of the Blessed Virgin and of the Saints, to inflame me with Thy spirit ot love, and to grant me the grace of winning much love for Thee. Amen. MY PRAYERS Do I mean the prayers I offer, do I feel the words I say, , t- i. t i i When, before our heavenly Father, 1 kneei from day to day, ^ t • r When, at morning and at evening, 1 incline ’to seek His face. And my voice goes up in pleading to -tlis glorious throne of grace? 109 When my voice goes up in pleading, does my heart go with it too? There are many things I ask Him that His might and grace may do; Petition on petition goes up to meet His ear, Oh, are they such petitions as our Father loves to hear? I tell Him of my wants, my needs^ but when I turn away. Do I think of what I asked for. do I watch as well as pray? Do I strive against temptations, do I seek like Christ to live. Do I use aright the blessings that so freely He doth give? My prayers are with much speaking, yet, when I leave the spot. How quickly are its memories fled—how soon those prayers forgot! Oh, if the thought that gave them birth, so lightly treasured be. How can I think God’s mercy will remember them for me? Yet, one petition further. Lord, wilt Thou not dei^ to hear? Oh, let Thy Spirit breathe anew through all my daily prayer. Then help me as I pray, to live, kept by Thy grace divine, And the glory of the prayer and life, alike O Lord, be Thine. 110 PRAYERS OF ST. GERTRUDE AND ST. MECHTILDE Salutation of the Wounds of Jesus. When St. Gertrude had recited this prayer 5,466 times, in honor of all the Wounds of our Lord Jesus, He appeared to her in vision, having on each Wound a rose flashing with a golden splendor, and greeted her tenderly, saying: “Behold, I will appear to thee, in this refulgent form at the hour of thy death, and I will cover all thy sins, and adorn thee with a glory, like that with which thou hast adorned my Wounds by thy salutations; and all who use this or any similar devotion shall receive the like favor.” In order to make up this number, and become a partaker of this promise of Christ, you may say the following prayer five times a day for three years, adding the oblation, which our Lord directed to Mechtilde to repeat after each division of five. Glory be to Thee, most gracious, sweetest, most benign, sovereign, transcending, efful- gent, and ever peaceful Trinity,, for the roseate Wounds of Jesus Christ, my chosen and only Love. OBLATION (To be said after each five repetitions) O Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, accept this prayer, with that surpassing love, with which Thou didst endure all the Wounds of Thy most Holy Body. Have mercy on me, and on all sinners, and on all the Faithful, living and departed. Grant them grace and mercy, remission of sins, and ever- lasting life. Amen. Ill PRAYER TO JESUS [Our Lord promised St. Gertrude, that if any one should praise God for her, and give Him thanks for the love wherewith He had chosen her from Eternity, He would assuredly grant him whatever he asked, provided that it tended to his salvation.] O most compassionate Jesus, Giver of all good and all grace, may all that are in the round world, and the depth of the sea and the compass of heaven, give thanks to Thee, and praise Thee with that infinite, everlasting, and unchanging praise, which floweth forth from Thee, and floweth back unceasingly upon Thee again, for the exceeding love wherewith Thou didst shed into the heart and soul of Thy beloved Spouse Gertrude, so great a flood of graces, and of loving kindnesses, and didst reveal to the world the mysteries of Thy tender compassion through her. Thine own chosen and peculiar instrument Wherefore, from my inmost heart, I render Thee utmost thanks; and I beseech Thee, on behalf of all in heaven, on earth or in purgatory, through that ineffable divine love, wherewith Thou didst from all Eternity, elect to special grace Thy loving and most faithful servant, and didst in Thine own appointed time, draw her so sweetly to Thee, and unite her so intimately to Thyself, and dwell with such delight in her heart, and crown her life with an end so blessed, that Thou wouldst condescend gra- ciously to hear and answer my petition. I recall to Thy mind now, O most Compassion- 112 ate Jesus, the promise Thou didst make to Thy beloved spouse, in Thy great and super- abounding goodness, that Thou wouldst most assuredly grant the prayers of all who come to Thee, through her merits, and interces- sion in all matters concerning their salvation, binding Thyself, moreover, if Thou didst not at once grant their petition, to bestow on them threefold in Thine own good time, from the omnipotence, the wisdom, and the tender kindness, of the Adorable Trinity. Calling thus to Thy mind, this. Thy faithful promise, I beseech Thee, leave me not desolate, but bestow on me the salutary effect of my petition. Amen. AN EFFICACIOUS PRAYER TO ST. GERTRUDE I praise and greet thee, O most blessed virgin, Gertrude, through the sweetest Heart of Jesus, thy Spouse; and through that Heart I magnify the goodness and condescension of the ever-adorable Trinity for all the grace which has ever flowed forth from that un- fathomable abyss for thy salvation ; beseeching thee by that mutual love which united thy pure heart to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, that thou wouldst look on me as commended to thy care in life and in death, and be my faithful advocate with God. Amen. TO ST. BENEDICT [St. Benedict said to St. Gertrude: ^‘Who- ever shall delight in recalling to my mind the 113 grace which was vouchsafed to me, of dying while I was standing and praying, I will assur- edly be with him in the hour of his death, and will stand between him and his enemies, wher- ever their assault is most deadly and furious.”] O most glorious patriarch, holy father, Benedict, I recall to thy mind now, that great and glorious grace bestowed on thee, by our Lord, of breathing out thy last sigh as thou didst stand praying, on which account thy lips now exhale a fragrance which ravishes all the saints with delight; beseeching thee to be with me in the hour of my death, with loving fidelity, and to place thyself between me, and the enemies, round about me, wheresoever thou seest them rage most furiously against me, so that, protected by thy presence, I may escape all their snares, and reach the joys of heaven safe and blessed forever. Amen. TO ST. MARY MAGDALEN [St. Mary Magdalen s^iid to St. Mechtilde: ‘'Whoever shall give God thanks for all the tears I shed upon the feet of Jesus, our most merciful God will grant him through my inter- cession, remission of all his sins before his death, and a great increase of love of God.”] O most merciful Jesus, I give Thee thanks for that work of piety which the blessed Mary Magdalen wrought on Thee, when she washed 114 Thy feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed them and anointed them with fragrant ointment; where- by she obtained from Thee such signal grace that Thou didst pour into her heart and soul so great love of Thee, that she could love nothing apart from Thee; beseeching Thee, that by her merits and intercessions Thou wouldst vouchsafe to give me tears of true repentance and pour into my heart Thy divine love. Amen. PRAYER TO JESUS SUFFERING [Our Lord said to St. Mechtilde: “Behold, I make over to thee all the bitterness of My Passion, that thou mayest offer it to me again as though it were thine own possession. And whoever shall do this, shall receive double at my hand, and whenever he renews this offering he shall surely receive the double ; and this is that hundredfold which a nian receives in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting.'’] O most gracious Jesus, Redeemer and Saviour of the whole human race, I recall to Thy mind with gratitude and love, all the sorrow and anxiety which Thou, my Creator and my God, didst feel in Thine agony, when Thou didst pray yet longer, and didst bedew the earth with the sweat of Blood, wrung from Thee by Thine exceeding anguish, desire, and love, beseeching Thee by all and each of those most sacred drops, all which I here offer 115 Thee with devout affection, that Thou wouldst wash away all the stains of my sins. I recall to Thy mind Thy being unjustly bound with heavy chains, Thy innumerable stripes and blows, and all the contumely and the blasphemy wherewith Thou wast assailed, when all pro- claimed Thee a deceiver of the people; when Thou wast falsely accused before Pilate, ignominiously mocked by Herod, and set aside for an impious robber ; and when all the whole multitude clamorously demanded that Thou shouldst be crucified. All this Thou didst endure with such love and such patience that although Thou couldst by one look have appalled Thine adversaries, and with one word convicted the false witnesses against Thee, yet Thou didst submit to be led like a sheep to the slaughter, and stand before Thy judge with Thy head bowed in humility. Thine eyes fixed on the ground, not once opening Thy mouth to speak one word of complaint at the lying accusations brought against Thee. Wherefore I give Thee thanks on behalf of all mankind, and offer Thee all the outrages and insults heaped on Thee, in satisfaction for all the insults I have offered Thee by my sins. I give Thee thanks also and I recall to Thy mind Thy most cruel and excessive scourging, wherewith Thy whole body was so gashed and tom, that from the sole of Thy foot to the top of Thy head there was no soundness in Thee. I set forth now before Thee, likewise, that intolerable anguish Thou didst feel when the crown of thorns was so harshly forced upon Thy kingly 116 head, when the sharp thorns pierced Thy head and Thy brow, and were thrust into Thy brain, and Thy most gentle loving face, into which the angels desire to look, was covered with slow trickling drops of Thy roseate Blood. O most pitiful Jesus, I now recall to Thy mind, the unutterable anguish which thrilled through Thy whole body, when Thou wast fastened to the cross with ^ iron nails, when Thou wast lifted up on high on Thy cross, and blas- phemed by the Jews, mocked in Thy thirst with vinegar and gall, and hung up between two robbers, as the refuse and off-scouring of all creatures. Lastly, Q most gracious Jesus, I recall to Thy mind with gratitude and com- passion all and each of the sorrows Thou didst feel throughout Thy whole most sacred body and especially in Thy sweetest Heart, by rea- son of Thy foreknowledge that Thy most bitter, most shameful, most guiltless Passion would be of no avail to so many ; and when Thy deified Heart itself broke with excessive love and grief, and Thy most holy soul quitted Thy blessed body with an inconceivable pang! For all these. Thy sorrows, I give Thee infinite thanks; and through Thy sweetest Heart, in the power of the Holy Ghost, in behalf of, and with the love of all creatures, I offer Thee all Thy grief, and pain, and torment of body and soul, throughout all the time of Thy Passion, for all the sins I have committed, for all the good I have left undone or done negli- gently, and to turn away all the punishment I have so justly deserved. Do Thou now 117 vouchsafe to ratify and accept this my obla- tion, and to absolve me from all my sins. Amen. Eternal Father, I offer Thee the adorable wounded Face of Jesus, through the inter- cession of Little Teresa, to obtain my request. THANKSGIVING FOR THE GRACES BESTOWED ON ST. MECHTILDE rOur Lord said to a devout person: “I will graciously incline Myself towards those who love My beloved Mechtilde for My sake, and will drL them to me And those who shall give me thanks for having exa.lted her so Mghly, I will make them partakers of her merits, and grant them divine consolations m the hour of death.”] I give thanks to Thy goodness, O my I give thanks to Thy condescension, that Thou hast chosen Thy beloved and blessed Mech- tilde to so great grace, and hast adorned her with such immense gifts and virtues. I rejoice together with Thee, O compassionate Jesus and I give Thee thanks for all the good Thou hast wrought in her, and wilt \vork in her forLermore. I thank Thee for that abound-; ing joy and that tranquil peace Thou didst, find in her. I give Thee thanks for tha ravishing influx of grace wherewith Thou didst incline Thy Heart towards her, and for all the 118 holy operaton Thy spirit within her. And I thank Thee for that perfect and m roubled delight Thou didst take in her seeching Thee devoutly to make me a partakir adorn me with the sainte to all the ?£ o„?'f„rSch”i, z' »i„rsu “Z“doS'r """ “ to Salute to the saints Heart of tZ 1”"^ the Sacredneart Of Jesus, and especially if you offer anZrnm\t^!u‘"^ because through It and icZtic de%hu"" consummate PRAYERS OF GREAT EFFICACY ^te?naPso™^and"^''L^'’ °f the ^ove of the EternaT ^ n '"y request. Son! for the love of the Eternal Sr’ gram m^*^® Eternal H™yrequest. ^ •teroa^P?.?,’ ^°'y Ghost! for the love of the [on, grant my’rSHt'' 'he Eternal ve? XS'^xZirinS’Z'.f''', >' '"t ary ana Joseph, grant my request ^ 119 O Mary, my Mother, for the love of the ever adorable Trinity, and for the love of Tesus and Joseph, obtain my request. O holy'st. Joseph, for the '^e ever adorable Trinity, and for the love of Tesus and Mary, obtain my request. O my blessed Patron, and you, my blessed Ancel Guardian, for the love of the ever adorable Trinity, and for the love of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, and all your blessed com- panions in glory, obtain my request. PRAYER USED BY YEN. CLEMENT HOFFBAUER, C.SS.R. O Almighty God! we raise our voices to Thee that Thou mayest hear and have PJ^y on us Thou canst assist us in a wonderful Znner God of sanctity, God of strength. Immortal God, have pity on us. We ‘^plore Thee through the pfegd ^ Finrniio-Vi the intercession of the blessea v irgui,i St jttof the Holy Magi Kings Gaspaiv Melchior and Balthassar, and of all Thy faints! to deign to grant us, here bgow tern, poral blessings, and above, the blessing eternal life. Amen. NOVENA FOR CHRISTMAS T TTeEfinninEr December 16th) Hail and blessed be the hour and the mo ment in which the Son of God was born o 120 the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ and of His Blessed Mother. Amen. NOVENA TO ST. ANNE TO OBTAIN SOME SPECIAL FAVOR Glorious St. Anne, filled with compassion for those who invoke thee, and with love for those who suffer, heavily laden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take the present affair which I recommend to thee, under thy special protection. Vouchsafe to recommend it to thy Daugh- ter, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and lay it before the throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to face, and with thee and Mary and all the Saints, praising and blessing Him for all eternity. Amen. Good St. Anne, mother of her who is our Life, our Sweetness and our Hope, pray to her for us, and obtain our request. (3 times). 121 PRAYER TO ST. RITA (Feast May 22nd) Blessed Advocate, whom Providence gave to His children at so late a day to win their hearts to Him, show that thou art truly the Patroness of Hopeless Cases, the Saint of the Impossible, as thou hast been called. Confort me by granting me the favor which I beg of thee, and I will in return praise thee and endeavor to imitate thy virtues. St. Rita, Advocate of the Impossible, pray- for me. St. Rita, Patroness of Hopeless Cases, pray for me. St. Rita, help me. O glorious St. Rita! You who wonder- fully participated in the Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ, obtain for me the grace to suffer with patience the pains of this life and protect me in all my needs. —^300 days’ indul.—Pius X., July 30, 1906. Those who say a *TIail Mary” and “St. Christopher, pray for me,” each morning, may hope to be preserved from accidents through- out the day. Pope Pius X. named St Chris- topher the Patron of Motorists. 122 ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA MIRACULOUS RESPONSORY If you seek for miracles, . Death, error, all calamities. The demons fly, and leprosy. And health succeeds infirmities. The sea obeys and fetters break. The lifeless limbs thou dost restore, Whilst treasures lost are found again. When young or old thine aid implore. All dangers vanish at thy prayer, The direst need doth quickly flee. Let those who know thy power proclaim — Let Padua say—These are of Thee. The sea obeys, etc. To Father, Son, may glory be, And Holy Ghost eternally. The sea obeys, etc. V. Pray for us, blessed Anthony. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. LET US PRAY O God! may the votive commemoration of blessed Anthony, Thy confessor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that we may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and deserve to enjoy eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. —100 days' ind. Plenary, once a month. 123 MEMORARE TO ST. ANTHONY Remember, O thou miracle-working Saint, that it never was heard that thou hast left without help or relief anyone who in his need had recourse to thee. Animated with the most lively confidence, nay, even with full conviction of not being refused, I fly for refuge to thee, O most favored and blessed friend of the In- fant Jesus! O eloquent Preacher of the Divine mercies, despise not my supplications, but, bringing them before the Throne of God, strengthen them by thy intercession, and obtain for me what I ask—help and consolation in my need, O most glorious, miracle-working, mighty St. Anthony. Amen. DEVOTION TO ST. ROCH PRAYER AGAINST SICKNESS O God, who didst promise St. Roch by an angel that all who had recourse to Him should have nothing to fear from pestilence and con- tagious maladies, grant that through his inter- cession we may be preserved from all dangers both of soul and body, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER IN TIME OF CONTAGION Glorious St. Roch, present in our favor thy efficacious prayers to the throne of Divine Mercy, that we may not be affected by the scourge of contagion. Preserve us, by thy 124 intercession, from the pestilence of the body; and above all, obtain for us deliverance from the more grievous maladies of the soul. Amen. Many cities have been speedily delivered from the plague by imploring the intercession of St. Roch; in particular, the City of Con- stance, during the General Council held there in 1414. St. Roch was born of a noble family in Montpelier, and making a pilgrimage of devotion to Rome, he devoted hmself entirely to serving the sick during a raging pestilence. (Lives of the Saints). PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL O glorious St. Michael, guardian and de- fender of the Church of Jesus Christ, come to the assistance of this Church, against which the powers of hell are unchained. Guard with especial care her August Head, and obtain that for him and for us the hour of triumph may speedily arrive. O glorious Archangel St. Michael, watch over us during life, defend us against the assaults of the demon, assist us especially at the hour of death. Obtain for us a favorable judgment and the happiness of beholding God face to face for endless ages. Amen. LET US PRAY Almighty and Eternal God, Who, in Thine own marvellous goodness and pity, didst, for the common salvation of men, choose the 125 glorious Archangel Michael to be the Prince of Thy Church: make us worthy, we pray Thee, to be delivered by His beneficent pro- tection from all our enemies, that at the hour of our death none of them may approach to harm us ; rather do Thou vouchsafe unto us that, by the same Archangel Michael we may be introduced into the presence of Thy most high and divine Majesty. Through the merits of the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER TO THE ARCHANGEL GABRIEL O loving messenger of the Incarnation, descend upon all those for whom I wish peace and happiness. Spread your wings over the cradles of new-born babes, O thou who didst announce the coming of the Infant Jesus. Give to the young a lily petal from the virginal sceptre in your hand. Cause the Ave Maria to re-echo in all hearts that they may find grace and joy through Mary. Finally, recall the sublime words spoken on the day of the Annunciation: — “Nothing is impossible with God,” and repeat them in hours of trial to all those I love that their confidence in our Lord may be re-animated when all human help fails. Amen. memorare to the angels Remember, O most Blessed Spirits, that Jesus, the Eternal Truth, assures us you re- joice more at the conversion of one sinner 126 than at the perseverance of many just. En- couraged by these most sweet words, I, the least of creatures, humbly entreat you to re- ceive me as your client, and make of me, unto you, a cause of true joy. Do not, O Blessed Spirits, reject this petition, but graciously hear and obtain my request. Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom His love commits me here, Ever this day be at my side. To light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen. A PRAYER IN TIME OF AFFLICTION, WARS, PESTILENCE, ETC. [Francis John Bartholomew, a Passionist Monk of SS. John and Paul at Rome, a most holy man, who had frequent revelations, once saying Mass, thought of the scourges about to fall on the world — wars, famine, pestilence, etc., when the following prayer was revealed to him, and he was told that whosoever recited it, with devotion, would be preserved from all dangers, with which the whole world will be visited :] PRAYER O Jesus, Divine Redeemer, be merciful to us and to the whole world. Amen. O Powerful God! O Holy God! O Im- mortal God ! have pity on us, and all who are in the whole world. Amen. 127 Pardon and mercy, O my Jesus! during these present dangers. Pour on us Thy most Precious Blood. Amen. O Eternal Father! be merciful to us. By the Blood of Jesus Christ, Thy only Son, be merciful to us, we beseech Thee. Amen. Amen. Amen. O God, be appeased by the supplications we address to Thee, and through the interces- sion of the ever Blessed Virgin Mary, the glorious St. Joseph, and all the Saints, defend us from all dangers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. PRAYER OF ST. BENEDICT LABRE [During the pilgrimage to Fabriano to venerate the body of St. Ramould, St. Bene- dict Joseph Labre received hospitality from a pious family with whom he remained some hours. On going away he asked for a sheet of paper, on which he wrote a prayer in Latin, which he left with his hosts, assuring them that, if they recited it with faith, their houses and those of their neighbors would be pre- served from destruction by fire, lightning and earthquakes. Some years afterwards a terrible earthquake destroyed many houses in Fabri- ano ; but that in which the Saint had stopped, and also those adjoining, received no injury, although situated in the quarter which suffered most. The inhabitants naturally attributed this preservation to the prayer of the holy men- dicant, of which the following is a copy:] 128 TRANSLATION Jesus Christ, King of Glory, came in peace. God was made man. The Lord was made Flesh. Christ was born of the Virgin Mary. Christ walked in peace through the midst of them. Christ was crucified. Christ died. Christ was buried. Christ rose again. Christ ascended into heaven. Christ conquers. Christ reigns. Christ commands. May Christ defend us from all evil. Jesus is with us. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory. PRAYER OF THE CHURCH TO THE FOURTEEN HOLY HELPERS IN TIME OF NEED Pray for us, all ye ho.y Helpers! That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. PRAYER Almighty God, Who crowned the fourteen Holy Helpers with eternal glory on account of their excellent virtues ; and distinguished them especially that we should have recourse tothem in our necessities, we pray Thee give us the graceto imitate their virtues, and to die a happy death, through their merits. Grant us pardon for our sins. Thy assistance in all our good works, so that we may continue in Thy love to the end, and after this life be rewarded with the crown of eternal happiness. Through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 129 O' Glorious Saint Brigid, Patroness of Ireland, Mother of the Churches, Help Us in Our Needs Protect the Irish Church and preserve the true faith in every Irish heart at home and abroad. Obtain for us all the grace to walk faithfully in the path of Christian perfection during life, so as to secure a happy death, with life everlasting, in thy blessed company ; through Christ our Lord. Hail Mary, St Brigid, pray for us. (Three times.) PRAYER TO ST. BRIGID Dear St Brigid, brilliant star of sanctity in the early days of our faith and love for tlie Omnipotent God Who has never forsaken us, we look up to you now in earnest hopeful prayer. By your glorious sacrifice of earthly riches, joys and affections obtain for us grace to “seek first the kingdom of God and His justice” with constant trust in His Fatlierly care. By your life of laborious charity to the poor, the sick, the many seekers for light and comfort, obtain for us our requests and grace to be (k)d’s helpers to the utmost of our power during our stay on earth, looking forward, as you did, to our life witli Him during Eternity. Amen. Adveniat Regnum Tuum Eucharisticum! ' 130 PRAYER TO OBTAIN THE CANONIZA- TION OF THE BLESSED PETER JULIAN EYMARD Lord Jesus, Thou who didst give to Thy faithful servant, the Venerable Peter Julian Eymard, the privilege of so perfectly know- inpf the ineffable treasures of Thy Eucharist, of being inflamed with Its love, of devoting himself to Its adoration, and of causing It to be perpetually glorified all over the world, grant us by his merits and intercession, with the view to obtain his canonization, the graces we now earnestly ask of Thee. . . . (Here make request) Grant us especially to become like him faithful adorers in spirit and truth of Thy Divine Sacrament and, while aiming at the acquisition of Christian virtues, and especially of true humility, to live the life of union with Thee, which is the principal effect of Com- munion in our souls. We place our prayer under the protection of the Immaculate Virgin, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, and of Saint Joseph, the first of Thy adorers. “Praised and blessed forever be the Most Holy and Divine Sacrament!” Our Lady of the Most Blessed Sacrament, pray for us! Pater, Aye, Gloria. Saint Joseph, pray for us ! ” ‘ 131 PRAYER TO ST. JUDE St. Jude, glorious Apostle, faithful servant and friend of Jesus, the name of the traitor who dishonoured your Divine Master has made you be forgotten by a great many, but the Church invokes you as the special patron of hopeless cases. Pray for me that I may receive consolation and help from on high in my trials (especially . . . ) May 1, in union with you and all the elect, praise God for all eternity. St. Jude, pray for me and for all who invoke you. Appease for us the God of all goodness. Amen, AN OFFERING OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD FOR SOULS O my God, I beg of Thee in union with the Immaculate Heart of Mary, through the merits of the Precious Blood offered Thee in every Sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, to grant that this day one mortal sin may be averted, one soul in doubt be converted to the truth, one soul about to die in sin may receive the grace of repentance and a happy death, and the deliverance of that soul in purgatory which is nearest heaven. I wish by this offering, to console the Heart of Jesus in agony for the souls lost through the teaching of error against the true Church of Christ Jesus, Our Lord. Amen. —40 days’ indulgence. 132 PRAYERS FOR THE DYING • Most merciful Jesus, lover of souls, I pray Thee, by the agony of Thy Most Sacred Heart, and by the sorrows of Thy Immacu- late Mother, wash in Thy Blood the sinners of the whole world, who are now in their agony, and are to die this day. Amen. Heart of Jesus, once in agony, have mercy on the dying. —100 days’ indulgence. Plenary Indulgence once a month if the above prayers are said three times a day. O St. Joseph, Foster Father of Jesus Christ, and true Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, pray for us and for those dying today (or tonight). —300 days’ Indulgence. Jesus, Alary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. Jesus, Mary^ and Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you. —300 days’ Indulgence. Sweet Heart of Mary, be my salvation. —300 days’ Indulgence. THY WILL BE DONE These words are a sweet refuge prepared for us by the good God in the midst of this arid and weary desert which we call life. Thy Will be Done! Repeat these words when heart-broken by solitude and crushed by neglect, and they will 133 [ be for you a consoling friend, a sustaining support, a loving heart which will remain always with you. Thy Will be Done! Repeat these words, timid and anxious heart, uncertain of the path to follow, and knowing no longer of whom to seek counsel, and they will be to you a light which will guide you in the way to heaven. Thy Will be Done! Repeat these words with every breath, with every pulsation of your heart, with every movement of your lips. God will always understand them as you intend them. Some- times as a prayer, as an act of resignation, as an act of faith in time of trouble, as an act of hope in time of fear^—always as an act of love ! Thy Will be Done! Yes, then, my God, Thy will be done I Thy will be done! I say it from the depths of my soul ; and into the abyss of these supreme words I cast myself, my body, my soul, my whole being, and all that I love here below! Thy Will be Done! Thy Will be Done! REFLECTION Here below, we taste of suffering only drop by drop. In heaven, happiness is a tor- rent of delight, in which our souls shall be lost. —Abbe Durand. 134 LEAN UPON MY ARM, MOTHER “Pray lean upon my arm, mother, Your form is feeble now, And silvery are the locks that shade The furrows on your brow. “Your step is not so strong, mother, As in the days gone by. But strong as ever is the love. That beams within your eye. “When I was a babe, mother. With tender love inspired. You carried me for many an hour Until your arm was tired. “From childhood up to manhood^s years, Through every pain and ill. You watched me with a loving eye. You watch my welfare still. “And shall I fail you now, mother. When all your strength has fled. Neglect to guide your feeble steps As through life’s vale you tread? “Your eyes are dim with age, mother, Care lines are on your brow. The little feet you guided once Are strong to guide you now. “Then lean upon my arm, mother. Henceforth life’s journey through; What you did so long for him. Your boy will do for you.” 135 THE UNINVITED GUEST Wheresoever Pity shares Its bread with Sorrow, Want, and Sin, And Love the beggar’s feast prepares The UNINVITED GUEST comes in . . . UNHEARD, because our ears are dull, UNSEEN, because our eyes are dim, He walks the earth. The Wonderful And all good deeds are done TO HIM. I shall pass through this world but once. If, therefore^ there be any good thing I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow- creature, let me do it now; let me not defer it nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. PRAYER FOR THE BEATIFICATION OF MOTHER CATHERINE AURELIA OF » THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Precious Blood, life and love of the Heart of Jesus, whence thou didst flow as the supreme expression of His tender love for mankind; Bloody shed in suffering and igno- miny, with an inexpressible charity, flowing in thousands of hearts for the purification of souls ; blessed Blood of Christ, I love Thee, I praise Thee, and adore Thee with the most profound sentiments of gratitude! . . . In the name of this Precious Blood, a thousand times adorable, I beseech Thee, O Jesus, deign to listen to the prayer which I 136 address to Thee with all the ardor of my de- sires for the beatification of Thy humble servant, Catherine Aurelia of the Precious Blood, whose whole life was a hymn of praise and love, a sacrifice of reparation to Thy Sacred Blood, the august price of our redemption. To labor by prayer and penance for the conversion of a sinful world, to obtain grace and pardon for poor sinners by cleansing them in the regenerating bath of Thy Divine Blood ; to enkindle in all hearts the holy flame of love by which she herself was en- tirely consumed; such was the sole ambition of this virginal heart devoured with zeal for the glory of Thy Precious Blood and the sal- vation of souls ! . . . O most sweet Redeemer, glorify then the lover of Thy Blood, Thy faithful Ador- er, by the solemn judgment of the Church, which will place on her brow the aureola of the blessed ! . . . Manifest to the world the heroic virtue of this hidden soul, for the ex- tension of the worship of Thy Most Precious Blood and the triumph of Thy humble servant. Amen. NEARING HOME Does not earth seem a little place, . and its troubles and difficulties, things of small account when we think of Heaven? Not quite yet, but soon, very soon, we shall, be there. Suddenly, when we least expect, there will rise before our eyes a new and limitless 137 Shore. Our ears will be filled with the sound of breakers, echoing as they beat on it for- ever: “Eternity! Eternity!” We shall drop anchor; the perils of the way will be over; we shall be Home at last. We will hold on our course steadily, then, patient with trials that pass so soon, patient with others, patient above all with ourselves. We will keep our eyes fixed on Heaven, and steer for it straight, thinking more of the joys at the end of the voyage, than of the troubles by the way. And as travellers bound for a far-off country provide themselves with all they need for the life out there, and when its shores are sighted gather all together and put them- selves in readiness to appear befittingly where they are expected, so will we be on the alert, gathering together good works, and putting all things in order, that we may be ready to land without delay. Oh, surely it will be a joy above all joys to us when we reach that Heavenly Shore — that we have not disappointed Him who made us for Himself. All along that shore there will be joy on our account some day. The news of our nearing Home will have gone before. There will be preparations for wel- coming us on all sides. Close, close to the shore will be waiting feet, the outstretched arms, the eager faces, the longing hearts of those who loved us here—father, mother, sister, brother, and the friend whose voice and example helped us on, to whose love we turned in every need, whose going away left life so 138 lonely and so dark. These will be there to meet us; these will be looking out over the waters, listening for the first sounds of our drawing near. Oh ! the joy standing by their side again, safe with them upon that shore, where part- ings are never seen, nor mourning nor crying shall be any more, for the former things have passed away. Can our hearts bear more than this? Is there more than this awaiting us? Yes, for He in Whom all other loves are centered, is there waiting and expecting—the God who is all in all to us, Who made us for Himself, Who loved us all through the long eternity before we had any being. Who planned for us, watched over us, bore with us through that little space which we call life. Who is going to give Himself to us as our eternal reward. Oh! the joy above all joys that we have not disappointed Him ! Will not our hearts break with that excess of gladness! To think that the infinite God should condescend to think Himself repaid for all we have cost Him ! That our salvation and eternal happi- ness should be a joy to Him! Then, why, O Lover of my soul. Should I not love Thee well. Not for the sake of winning Heaven, Nor of escaping Hell? Not for the sake of gaining aught, Nor for seeking a reward, But as Thou first hast loved me, O ever loving Lord! 139 MEMORARE OF THE RELIGIOUS Remember, O best of Fathers, and tenderest of Spouses, that in answer to Thy call, I have left my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters. I have left them struggling with the tribulations, the cares and the thousand sorrows of life. O Jesus, be their consolation, their support, their assistance, their all. May they shed their tears in the bosom of a friend, and may that friend be Thyself. To Thy Heart, O Beloved, I entrust every member of my family, all those who have done me good, all those I have loved. Deign to extend over each one of them Thy transpierced Hands, to cover them all with Thy most efficacious pro- tection and to admit them all into that Sacred Heart broken by love upon the cross ; inundate them with the Blood of Thy Wounds that their life and death may be filled with Thy blessings. With the confidence of love, I abandon these beloved souls to Thee; ah! grant that one day I may find them all again in Heaven. Amen. * We beseech Thee, O Lord, help the souls in Purgatory whom Thou hast redeemed by Thy Precious Blood. —Ind. 300 days each time.—Pius XV., Sept. 13, 1908. 140 O! SWEETEST RABBONI When I am dying how glad I shall be That the lamp of my life has burnt out for Thee, That sorrow has darkened the pathway I trod, That thorns, not roses, were strewn o’er the sod ; That anguish of spirit full often was mine. Since anguish of spirit so often was Thine. O ! sweetest Rabboni, how glad I shall be To die with a hope of a welcome from Thee. TO JESUS—MY SOLE TREASURE Oh, sweet Jesus, Who art really present in the Host before which I bow down. Thou Who seest and hearest me at this moment, condescend to grant my prayer. Make me understand that in possessing Thee Who art in the Tabernacle, I possess the Treasure of treasures, beside which everything else is as nothing. May Thy sacramental presence be henceforth the constant and dominant thought of my life, in praying and in working in holy places and in all other places whithersoever Thy will shall call me. May the inner sight of my soul come ceaselessly in search of Thee I here, until at last it shall rest here, as far as j is possible for me, never again to turn aside. Make me to understand all the good that Thou hast hidden for me in that Tabernacle, which holds Thee for love of me, so that I may fly to Thee at once in every necessity, Q Host Jesus! in my trials and temptations, in my afflictions, in my daily shortcomings, since there lies the cure for all my infirmities; 141 to Thee, my Redeemer, Who art the great healer of all my afflictions and ' the only mediator between me and my heavenly Father. Oh, Jesus, Thou for Whom the apostles gave up all, when Thou saidst to them, “Follow Me,” be my only good; Thou, Whom the Jews followed in order that they might see and hear Thee, forgetting to provide for their own sustenance, draw me towards Thee; Thou for Whom the martyrs shed their blood, suffered torments, and gave up their lives, make me Thine; Thou for Whom the Blessed Virgin gave up all domestic joys and the good things of this world, detach me from all except Thy- self ; Thou for Whom the hermits and holy religious gave up their fortunes, their wealth and all the fleeting things of this earth, be everything to me; Thou for Whom the saints gave up their passions, their self-love, and all the gratifications of this life, make me to love Thee as they did, so that, like them, I may realize that Thou art the real treasure of our souls, their supreme good and their only friend. Oh, Eucharistic Jesus, be alone my One and my All on this earth and for all eternity. Say to me that in waiting for heaven I may keep Thee company here below, making atonement for so many souls who forget Thee, suffering to win for Thee souls that will love Thee, praying that Thou mayest be known, surrounding Thee with marks of my respect, working to make Thee known and loved, uniting myself to Thy sacrifice, praising Thee in Thy eucharistic humility, possessing Thee by frequent Holy Communion, living by Thee 142 and in Thee; every instant glorifying through Thee, the Father and the Holy Ghost. Amen. —(An indulgence of 50 days is attached to the recital of this prayer). MOTHER, HOME AND HEAVEN The words of sweetest meaning To erring mortal given — Of purest, deepest feeling Are “Mother, Home and Heaven The magic name of “Mother” Revives in every heart The feeling first awakened Of that dear parent’s part. And cold must be that bosom, Devoid of love and soul That is not moved to goodness By a “Mother’s” mild control. With “Home” we all remember Some vision of the past — A May-day in the morning. Too beautiful to last. When flowers of lowly beauty Beguiled our youth to tears. Concealing ’mid the roses. The thorns of riper years. Yet when the past is challenged, Wherever we may roam, The word that is most eloquent, Is that dear one of “Home.” The Christian to the future His earnest gaze extends While in the brightened distance 143 The bow of promise bends» His weary foot has trodden The devious paths below, But now the glorious “Heaven’^ Whose light is all aglow. His cares are nearly over, His troubles soon will cease, For smiles of resignation Assure him of his peace. Of the three words of beauty, I know not which is best; Two speak of love and happiness, And one of future rest. I feel that “Heaven” is dearest. And yet I cannot tell. For “Mother” hlls the heart with love, And “Home” has charms as well. Then let these three united be. Nor shall the tie be riven. For words of thrilling melody. Are “Mother, Home and Heaven.” PRAYER TO DIVINE PROVIDENCE O Sweet and Tender Providence of Gk)d, into Thy hands I commend my spirit ; to Thee I abandon myself, my hopes, my fears, my desires, my repugnances, my temporal and eternal prospects. To Thee I commit the wants of my perishable body, to Thee I com*- mit the far more precious interests of my immortal soul, for whose interests I have nothing to fear while I withdraw it not from Thy bosom. Though my faults are many, my misery great, my spiritual poverty extreme, my hope in Thee surpasses all. It is greater 144 than my difficulties, stronger than death. Though temptations should assail me, I will hope in Thee, though I should sink beneath my weakness, I will hope in Thee still, though I should break my resolutions a thousand times, I will look to Thee confidently for grace to keep them at last ; though Thou shouldst slay me, even then will I trust Thee, for Thou art my God, my Father and my Friend. Thou art my kind, my tender, my indulgent Parent, and I am Thy loving child, who cast myself into Thy arms and beg Thy blessing, who put my trust in Thee, and so trusting, shall never be confounded. Providence did provide. Providence can provide. Providence will provide. O loving Providence of God we commit this cause to Thee. PRAYER TO OUR BLESSED MOTHER FOR GOOD CROPS Mother of God, Our Mother and Queen, Thou who didst produce into this world Jesus, the Divine Grain, which was to be crushed on Calvary to become the Daily Bread of our souls and the source of our strength and consolation in our pilgrimage through this vale of tears into Eternity, watch, we beseech Thee, O Our Lady, over our fields, our homes, our country, and grant that we. Thy unworthy children, growing the grain which is to be- come the food of man’s body in the daily bread and the food of his soul in the Blessed Eucharist, may enjoy peace, plenty and happi- 145 ness in the fields of this world whilst awaiting the happiness of the enjoyment of Thy pres- ence in the ever-fertile fields of Heaven. Amen. Our Lady of the Prairies, pray for us. Holy Choir of Virtues, pray for us, pre- serve us from storms and hail. PRAYER OF A RELIGIOUS BEFORE THE BLESSED SACRAMENT HAIL BLOOD OF JESUS ! O Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, how often have the deepening shadows of this chapel allured me into Thy adorable presence where, prostrate before Thee in worshipful love, I have tasted the sweetness of Thy divine consolations and the strength of Thy encouragement. On the day I entered religious life, it seemed to me I was making a great renuncia- tion; yet, I gave all to the full, O my Jesus, because I loved Thee. In the midst of the world had come the call of Thy irresistible Voice, and nothing of the goods that earth could offer weighed aught in the balance with Thee, my God, and the holiness and purity of my desires. By the light with which Thou hast since flooded my mind, and the depth of the charm of that divine friendship which has blessed my life, I have realized that, in vowing myself wholly to Thee and in giving up into Thy Hands the hopes and aspirations of my girlhood’s soul, I was, in truth, making no sacrifice but, like the sister of Martha, choosing the better part. 146 Eternal praise, and thanks, O my good Master, for having bound me to Thyself by these chains of love, and for having given to my religious life spiritual delights so deep and true that, in their radiance, all human joys are dimmed or eclipsed. What shall I render unto Thee, O Lord, for such priceless gifts so freely given? To this involuntary cry of my over-indebted soul comes Thy divine Voice, responding from the depths of the Tabernacle: “My child, give Me thy heart!” “What! O my Jesus, Thou contentest Thyself with such littleness ! Thou declarest Thyself well satisfied when that source of weakness and imperfection, which is my heart, shall be in Thy possession! May Thy holy will be done ! Since the hour of my entry into this holy state, I have not ceased offering to Thee the oblation of my entire being—my intelligence with all its powers, my will with its energies, my heart wth its affections. Today, I renew this oblation, absolutely and completely. I give Thee my heart, O my sweetest Saviour: do with it as Thou wilt, reign Thou therein as Supreme Master and King. If Thou shouldst wish to crush it by trials, or make it bleed by suffering, be it done according to Thy Will ! Out of the pain shall my love arise purged and tempered by the fire; for, in Thy tender Mercy, Thou hast slowly taught me sorrow’s sacred worth. I know this was the means by which Thou didst see fit to redeem mankind ; this the power by which Thou hast brought hearts innumerable 147 under Thy magnetic spell. I know Thy Cross is the mystic garden wherein thrive the hardy fruits of virtue and true conversion of life. And if it shall please Thee to exalt my spirit amidst the ecstasies of faith and the transports of hope, again, may Thy blessed Will be for ever done! I shall aspire but the more ardently after the glories of Heaven, when Thou wilt have given me on earth to taste something of its indescribable joys. O my Eucharistic Jesus, let me never cease from contemplating and studying the loveliness of Thy divine personality! These eternal thoughts, taking living root in the fibers of my being, will create my heart anew and arouse my will to more effective action. May Thy Holy Spirit dwell, at every instant, in my soul ! May the noisy pre- occupations of the earth never disturb the order of this interior citadel, but may prayer and penance go forth towards Thee to expiate the crimes of the world and to draw down Thy blessings! Vouchsafe, O my adorable Jesus, that in this Community there may reign a sovereign peace, a holy liberty of spirit, an earnest activity springing from loyal, personal love of Thee, great faithfulness to the Rule, and in mortification, even, true joy and gaiety of heart ! Grant that, although despising the world, I may yearn for its return to Thee with the ambitious hopes and the all-pervad- ing zeal of an apostle. May I, finally, be consumed with holy love of Thee, that it may inspire all my life, 148 transform my death, and one day open to me the portals of the city of pure love, where, with Mary, my Mother, I will sing forever the mercies of Thy Most Precious Blood. Amen. THEY WAIT FOR ME How sweet it is upon that life to ponder. To rest secure, nor question, nor insist. Knowing so well that in the country yonder 1 shall find all that I have ever missed. I sometimes think that when the day shall greet me. Binding earth’s broken friendship’s fragile chain. How I shall thrill as one by one they meet me. The dear ones I have longed to see again. I have no fear, no wearying sense of losses. For thoughts of the glad meeting will enthrall ; I shall be strong to bear my daily crosses. The loved ones wait and I shall find them all. O softly will their voices fall upon me. My deaf ear opened to their every word. My poor eyes dazzled by their greater glory Of which no eye hath seen, nor ear hath heard. How I shall smile as tenderly they fold me In their dear arms, the arms I knew so well. And trembling in a joy no words have told me I join the ranks today invisible. 149 And so I wait and work, the vast expansions Of doming Heaven nearer as I go, Content to feel within the many mansions They wait for me, the ones who loved me so. MARY My own sweet Immaculate Mother! When death’s dreary shadows draw nigh. Wilt thou come from thy throne in heaven. And teach me thyself how to die? Oh! come by St. Joseph attended. Let me hear the sweet tones of thy voice, Saying now that my exile is ended. The time is at hand to rejoice! Bring me home to the Heart of my Master, To the land overflowing with bliss. Where my joys shall be deep and undying To repay all my sorrows in this! PROMISES OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST to Sr. Marie of St. Peter 1. “I will give you My adorable Face, and each time that you present It to My Father, My Mouth will open to plead your cause.”—March, 1848. 2. “In proportion to the care you take in making reparation to My Face, disfigured by blasphemies, I will take care of your soul dis- figured by sin. I will imprint My Image on it and render it as beautiful as when it was washed in the waters of Baptism.”—Nov. 3rd, 1845. 3. “By My Holy Face you shall work Miracles.”—Oct. 27th, 1845. 150 4. “By My Holy Face you will obtain the conversion of many sinners. Nothing that you ask in making this offering will be refused to you. If you knew how pleasing the sight of My Face is to My Father.”—Nov. 22nd, 1846. 5. “Our Lord,” said Sr. Marie of St. Peter, “promised me, that he will imprint His Divine Likeness on the souls of those who honor His most holy Countenance.” “This Adorable Face, is as it were, the seal of Divinity which has the virtue of reproducing the likeness of God in the souls that are applied to It.”—Nov. 6th, 1845. 6. “My daughter, I give you My Face and My Heart, I give you My Blood; I give you My Wounds : draw out and pour abroad, buy without money. My Blood is the price of souls. Ask My Father for as many souls as I shed drops of Blood during My Passion.”— Dec. 21st, 1846. 7. “In offering My Face to My Father they will appease His anger and they will purchase as with celestial coin pardon for poor sinners.”—Nov., 1846. 8. “Our Lord promised me,” said Sr. Marie of St. Peter, “for all those who defend His cause in this work of reparation, by words, by prayers, or in writing, that He will defend them before His Father; at their death He will purify their souls by effacing all the blots of sins, and will restore them to their primi- tive beauty.”—March 12th, 1846. 151 PRAYER TO THE HOLY FACE Composed by Saint Teresa of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face O Jesus, Who in Thy cruel Passion didst become the ‘‘Reproach of men and the Man of Sorrows,” I worship Thy Divine Face. Once it shone with the beauty and sweetness of the Divinity; now for my sake it is be- come as the face of a “leper.” Yet in that disfigured Countenance I recognize Thy in- finite Love, and I am consumed with the desire of loving Thee and of making Thee loved by all mankind. The tears that streamed in such abundance from Thy Eyes are to me as precious pearls which I delight to gather, that with their infinite worth I may ransom the souls of poor sinners. O Jesus, Whose Face is the sole beauty that ravishes my heart, I pray Thee to im- print in me Thy Divine Likeness, and I im- plore Thee so to inflame me with Thy Love, that it may quickly consume me, and I may soon reach the Vision of Thy glorious Face in Heaven. Amen. —300 days’ Indulgence.—Pius X, Feb. 16, 1906. ACT OF REPARATION For all the Outrages that Jesus Christ has Suffered in His Sacred Face I adore and praise Thee, O my Divine Jesus, Son of the Living God, and I make 152 reparation to Thee for all the outrages that Thou hast endured for my sake, in all the members of Thy Sacred Body, and particular- ly in Thy Divine Face. Hail, Amiable Face, bruised with blows, soiled with spittle, and disfigured by the ill-treatment which the im- pious Jews made Thee suffer. Hail, O beauti- ful eyes, all bathed with the tears that Thou hast shed for our salvation. Hail, sacred ears, tormented by an infinity of blasphemies, of injuries, and bitter mockeries. Hail, O holy mouth, full of grace and sweetness for sinners, and embittered with vinegar and gall by the monstrous ingratitude of those whom Thou hadst chosen for Thy people. In repara- tion for so many ignominies, I offer Thee all the homage which Thou receivest, particular- ly in the places where Thou art honored by a special worship, in which I join with all my heart. Amen. FOR LOVED ONES DEPARTED One hour with Thee in silent adoration In the dim quiet of Thy holy place. Pleading for those who weep in desolation Craving the pity of Thy sacred Face. What joy, e’en though in sorrow, thus to be One little hour, my God, with them and Thee I One hour with Thee—it is the old, old fashion. Hands clasped in theirs, I seek the Sacred Heart ; 153 Unlock the bounty of Thy sweet compassion, Reach down Thy hand and take them where Thou art. If still my loved ones suffer, set them free, In this one hour, my God, with Thee. OFFERING OF THE HOUR OF ADORATION August Mother of a Crucified God! I come to adore the Blood of thy Jesus ; that Blood which my sins have caused to flow and which has been shed only to deliver me from the x Eternal malediction pronounced against them. Moved to repentance, penetrated with ^ gratitude, I should wish to render to the generous Blood of my beloved Redeemer . every homage of glorification and love: of - thanksgiving and reparation which He has a » right to expect from those whom He has j redeemed at so great a price. j Permit me, then, O our Lady of the i Precious Blood! to fall on my knees before 1 thee, most humbly begging thee to bless. me. i Yes, dearest Mother, bless me; bless this | “Hour of Adoration’* and deign to unite it ; to the three hours of agony during which ^ thou didst adore the Soul of thy Crucified | Son transpierced with sorrow; the bleeding , victim exposed on the Altar of the Cross. Impregnate my heart with all the sentiments ’ which filled thine own and communicate to it that spirit of adoration, compassion, repara- ] 154 Uon and zeal which was so sweet to Jesus Crucified and so useful to souls. Oflfer to God perpetually immolated on the altar, all the pious exercises by which, during the hour of adorati^ I wish to render homage to His Hivine Blood. Penetrate me with the devotion of which this Blood is the source in order that I rnay adore it in a manner which may glorify It, repair the outrages of which it is the object, save a countless number of souls and, above all, obtain that not one of those who will appear today before the throne of Bternal Justice may be rejected from the number of the Elect who are to receive un- ending mercy, love and happiness. May thy intercession, O Mary! obtain these paces for the glory of the Blood of thy Son Jesus! Amen. AN EVENING VISIT “Stay with us. Lord, tonight. Stay to adore and praise, and give thanks for us whilst we seep; to draw down mercy andppe upon the world; to succor from earth’s pbernacles the holy suffering souls in purga- tory in their long night of weary pain. *tay with us, to ward off the anger of our crowded cities with their crimes mat call to Heaven for vengeance. innocent, to sustain the tempted, to raise the fallen, to curb the power of the evil one, to prevent sin. 155 “Stay with us, to comfort the sorrowing, to bless the death-beds, to grant contrition to the dying, to receive unto the arms of Thy mercy the thousands that this might rnust come before Thee for judgment. O Good Shepherd, stay with Thy sheep. Secure them against the perils that beset them. Stay, above all, with the suffering and the dying. Grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.' Be our merciful Shepherd to the last, that without fear we may appear before Thee as our Saviour and our Judge." Amen. NOVENA TO THE PRECIOUS BLOOD Holy and Eternal Father, behold I present myself before Thee, begging Thee to listen favorably to the supplication I most humbly address to Thy Divine Majesty. It is not m my name I pray, but in the name of Jesus Whom I have offended, and Who pardons me mercifully. I substitute Him in my plac^ It is His Divine Blood which I present to Thee, O God of goodness, repeating a thousand times from the depth of my heart: Jesus Crucified is my reparation, I offer Him to Thee; Jesus Crucified is my Victim, my Holocaust, my Host, I offer Him to Thee; Jesus Crucified is my tender solicitude for sinners and my sorrow for their offences and my own, I offer Him to Thee; Jesus Crucified is my prayer as His Blood is my voice, I offer Him to Thee; Jesus Crucified is my faith, my hope and my love, I offer Him 156 to Thee: Jesus Crucified is my ad.oration, I offer Him to Thee; Jesus Crucified is my zeal for Thy glory and for that of His Precious Blood, I offer Him to Thee; Jesus Crucified is my surety, as His Blood is pa^raent of a 1 my debt, I offer Him to Thee. O Lord look upon this God Who annihilated Himself for Thv glory and, for love of Him, forgive us all our sins; grant «sall the favors which we solicit by the voice of His Blood and of His Woundsf and arrest the course of outrages which is incessantly renewed against Him. Amen. LITTLE WHITE GUEST You have come to my heart, dearest Jesus, I am holding You close to my breast; Fm telling You over and over You are welcome, O Little White Guest. I love You, I love You, my Jpus. 0 please do not think I am bold ; Of course, you must know that I love You, But I’m sure that You like to be told. And now that You’ve come, dearest Jesus, To nestle so close to my breast, 1 whisper, “I love You, my Jesus, You are welcome, O Little White Guest. I’ll whisper, “I love You, my Jesus, And ask that we never may part; I love You, O kind, loving Jesus, And press You still nearer my heart. 157 And when I shall meet You in Heaven, My soul then will lean on Your breast, And You will recall our fond meetings. When You were my Little White Guest. These books are for sale at: The Monastery of the Precious Blood 555 Union Street, Manchester, New Hampshire, U. S. A. 158 INDEX Page Prayer to the Holy Ghost Aims of the Institute of the Precious Blood Prayer for Missionaries Devotions to the Precious Blood Seven Offerings of the Precious Blood Prayer to the Holy Cross Stations of the Cross Novena Prayers to the Precious Blood Prayer for Priests Consecration to the Precious Blood (Adults) Consecration to the Precious Blood (Children) Prayers for the Faithful Departed Prayers to the Sacred Heart Prayers for Mass Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Devotions in honor of St. Joseph Devotions in honor of the Little Flower Prayers of St. Gertrude and St. Mechtilde Prayers of Great Efficacy Novena for Christmas Novena to St. Anne Novena to St. Rita Novena to St. Christopher Novena to St. Anthony Novena to St. Roch Novena to St. Michael Prayer to Archangel Gabriel Memorare to Holy Angels 6 9 16 18 22 24 28 40 43 44 50 52 55 64 75 97 106 111 119 120 121 122 122 123 124 125 126 126 Prayer in Time of Affliction 127 Prayer to the Fourteen Holy Helpers 129 Prayers to St. Brigid of Ireland 130 Prayer for Canonization of Ven. Pere Eyniard 131 Prayer to St. Jude 132 Prayers for the Dying 133 Prayer for Beatification of Mother Cath- erine Aurelia of the Precious Blood 137 Memorare of the Religious 140 Prayer To Jesus—My Sole Treasure 142 Prayer to Divine Providence 145 Prayer to Our Blessed Mother for Good Crops 146 Prayer of a Religious Before the Blessed Sacrament 147 Devotions in honor of the Holy Face 151 Offering of the Hour of Adoration 155 An Evening Visit 156 Little White Guest (Poem) 157 / Printed by Granite State Press, Inc., Manchester, N. H., U. S. A.