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/i?X
THS
MISSION B
A :iiA>i0AL or
INSTRUCTIONS AND PRAYERS
ADAPTED TO PBESKXVK
•THE FRUITS OF THE MISSION
DBAWir CHIBFLT FROM
WORKS OF ST. ALPHONSUS LIGUORI
MEW AKD niPBOVKD EDITIOW
QUEBEC
PRINTED BY AUGUSTIN^
Place d'Armes
1870
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'•■' -- ■■^■i^
-*mm^.'!if\il>ynt
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The . Mission Book . has received the commenda-
tion of many distinguished Prelates in Europe, as a
work ernmently Ottcd for the instruction of the
faithful and the promotion of solid piety. We
cbft^rfully permit its publication.
t JOHN,
, > Archbishop of New York
New York, September 8, 1858.
i'«if).
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PREFACE.
Tms little volrnne, called the « Mission^Book, » is in-
tended us a companioju to the Sermons and Instrnctions of '
the Mission. Its object is to aid those who attend the
Mission to make it well, and to help them, after the
Mission is over, to rrmomber the sacred truths they hare
heard, to practice the good /-solutions they have made
and to preserve the gifts of grace they have received. The
want of such a Uttle Manual for the Mission was long ago-
felt, by missionaries laboring in Europe, and they accor-
dingly proi^ared one, which has been, from time to time
published In different languages, and with such variations
ai? were thought suitable and proper. It has had a wide
circulation, and has carried with it a great blessing in se-
veral different countrirs, and particularly in Austria
Bohemia, Belgium, Holland, and France. The English
Mi.sion-Book was j repared some years ago, on the basis
of ttic^Gcrman edition, but it was entirely remodelled and
enriched T.ith mucli additional matter, In order to make it
more useful to Catholics in the United States. Since that
time i.^. has been ocea-ionally revised and corrected anew.
f.nd It has now once more been subjected to a careful re-
vis on, and improved by the addition of much Interesting
and useful matter. *
In this little book you will And, dear Christian Reader, a
pia.:andKimplo compendium of the instructions of the
Mission, in the form of instruction on the Sacraments, and
Christian Duties, i id Meditation, and Spiritual Reading on
the great truths of religion. You will find also, the forms
of private and public Devotion, which are commonly con-
tained in a Prayer-Book. Thousands of Catholics in thl&
country, have, witt-in a few years past, found this little-
8
4
1 1 1
PREFACK.
^cok next to the Mission itself, a most precious and a mos*
efficacious means of grace, for themselves and for their
famlhes Use it then, diligently, for the sake ofy6ur eter!
nal salvation Use It also for the salvation of your children
4indtho«o intrusted to your care, and fcr the salvation of
^ISf Jf?v!^"^ ^u ^^""'^ '^^'^ ^"^ unJnstruoted, who are
^areless of their religion, and who are living si^^i UveB
In this way you may save your own soul, and rescue the
souls of many others from eternal perdition.
EXPLANATION OF THE MISSIOK : THE WAY TO MAKE IT V7ELL '
AKD HOW TO PRESERVE ITS FRUITS. *
A Mission is a series of Spiritual Exercises
giv-en publicly m a Church for several days
or for one or more weeks in succession. These
oxercises include daily Mass and Benediction,
with other public prayers, Sermons, and Ins'
tructions, and the admini.strationofthe sacra-
ments of Penance, and the Holy Eucharist,
its end IS to enlighten and instruct the mind
to excite the conscience, to inflame the will'
and to renew the whole inward ard outward
i lie by the solemn truths, and wholesome^
tioctrinos of religion. The Papal Benediction
IS U8ual]y given at the close of the Mission, by
.special authority of the Holy See, and those
who receive this Benediction can gain a Plew'
nary Tndulgciice, if they have attended the '
exereiscP, and have made a good confession
and Communion. There is a partial Indul-
gence ot two hundred days attached to each
one of the exercises of the Mission. If the
31i:,siou XJontiiiues ibr ten days, another Pie-
nary indulgence granted to all those who per-
. PREFACE. c
S'gain^ ■'^'"*""' Exercise., for ten di^^my-
In oif'er that a Mission should succeed well
t'/il^7 neecBsary that it should be annonn!
ced to the ];eople t« o weeks fcefoio the oren-
.ng.mxlthat .hey .hould be urged and ex-
horted to attend the l:.^■crc■ites. It is a mo^t
salmary practice to oficr np public prayers
wmvthen> dur ngthe interval }br its s^ucC
and to request them to siiy certain spccia
prayers for the tame intention, every day fn
IJriv.ite. 'J ""J' in
When the Mission is opened in aParish all
should ha.lrt as a singu/ar and special bl'es
ing irom lleaTcn. a he Mission is usually
opciicd on a Sunday and the first Sermon k
pi-caehcd at High Mass. otrmon is
In this Sermon yon will hear the nature and
«dvnntage,s of the Mission, and the way to
make the Mi^l^ion well, A.lly explained Vet
every one, therefore, make it a point to attend
< .e introductory Sermon. After this yon
should attend all the £xerci.es-the EvonC
■Wens «ud Morning Instn.c( ion.-diligent^
loo . n i ^'."''0"* 'hi« constant attend-i ••
■luce t' will he impossible for you really to
.f:ain the Ihiits of the Mi«ion. Kven IfVu
tl 6 .acntico and attend the Exercises. It is
in\ ted to do It, and Iho great good which von
will gain IS worth any sacrifice and any la C
How many who come in from the remote parts
«
PREFACE.
of thQ parieb just as the Mission is closing, ar&
sentawav unheard, or if they arc permitted tO'
DPfioeive the Sacraments, arcdeprivedof all the
Specitil Gi-aces and Blessings of the Mission?
Besides attending the exercises, you must
from the beginning break off every habit of
mortal sin, avoid all bad company, and shun
All dangerous places and occasions of sin.
You must also pray fervently in church and
at home, that you may make the Mission
well. Perhaps your eternal salvation depends
on it and the everlasting destiny of your soul
may be decided now.
And then, dear Christian, after you have
made the Mission well, and have obtained its
precious graces, you must take care that you
do not fall into the fatal mistake of supposing-
that you have no more to do — that the grace
of the Mission will of itself keep you from
falling, and secure your eternal salvation.
If you have made the Mission well, you
have only taken the first step of a long jour-
ney, and made a good beginning in the great
work of your salvation, \\lAch must employ
your whole lifetime. The Mission is no substi-^
tute for the good works of the Christian Life,
by which a sinner can escape hell and gaiii
heaven, without a solid and lasting conversion.
If your good resolutions pass away witi the
excitement of the Mission— if, after the Mis-
sion, you again allow years to pass in the ne-
glect of your Easter Duty ; if you neglect
Mass on Sundays; if you rolapse intx) habit*
PSStACE.
7'
of T ce and violate anew the vows of your
baptism, which you have ratified at the foot
of the cross -your salvation will be in the
greatfest danger. Watch ovei^ Vourself then
rma^'?:f !'^' ^"^"y^ diligencevlil zeri
Mi^fof t i"^ '" ^'°"'' heart the fruits of the
^ern'r™" v^''*'' *° ^^^^^ *hem until
the end ol your life, use faithfully the follow-
ing means of perseverance. ^ "" '"WW
1. You mnst avoid the occasions of sin. Evil
company and dangerous amusements are the
great highways to sin and hell. In your baptism
you promised to renounce tliede^il and ffi
the t fl r°"f' '''•*^'''''^°''<'' no^ «ndfor ever,
wrens, the tavern-bar, the liquor-shop, and
toi e ver the person whose company has alread v
proved dangerous to your puritf. " lie iS
lovethdanger shall perishin'it."(^ccli.iii. 27)
ihl'IZ"'"'^ ««^^oo<Z books. What was it in
the Mission inspired you with so many holy
not ,f V^^V ^'r '^ "« W« resolutions fwTait
mlndthelT °^^''' «hasingawayfromyour
,? wff 1 fif^''? """i""' °^^^'^ ^O'-ld. and filling
Jhen <Lf.' r T"^' '"'^^' «f f«'*h flay asidf
infl f l^ •n''"'! T""""^®' ♦'^^ dangerous novel,
and the silly tales of the newlpaners and
ho>^:^n^-" "'"!'' '^'^y ^«y ^^"^Sl and
U?; wo,l "1?'^'*,'''? *''" ^'^"^ of the Saints,
tne worlds of St. Alpnonsus, and other devont
writers of the Catholic Chnrr^i, and abovT^t
the Gospels of the New Testament, whi^
8
PRBFAGE.
If
contain tho life of our Lord Josus Christ on
earth, his holy lesson^ to man, and the history
of 'his death. ! .
' ' S.' You must frequent the Sacraments. Con-
fession and communfion are fountains of grace
which God has jilaced at our doors for common
use. Without confession 3'onr conscience will
Boon become hardened; blinded, and loaded
with guilt. The Body and Blood of Christ is
the food of the Christian's soul. Without fre-
quent communion that soul will faint for want
of nourishment, and fall into sin. How many
dio to the grace and friendship of God from
pure starvation, because they let months and
months go by without communion. The
Saviour of the world mys, that unless you
eat his flesh and drink his blood, vou shall
have no life in you. (S.John, vi. 54.) Eesolve
then to receive this Bread of Heaven at least
once in the month.
4. You must pray, " Without me, " says Je-
sus Christ, " you can do nothing. " (S. John,
XV,. 5.) You cannot.do any thing Whatever for
your soul's good; you cannot take a single
step in the way of salvation without the grace
of God, and that grace you must obtain by
l)rayer. '' If any of you want wisdom, let him
ask of God, who givcth to all abundantly. "
(S- James, i. 5.) Be constant, therefore, in the
habit of prayer. Say every day, without fail^
yc . r morning and evening jn-a jera. Be ])resent
not only at the Mass on Sundays and Holy
days, as tke Church commands, but as often
PRIFACE. g
on^3n*- ^^7 especially in tho moment
of temptation, before the evil thcmeht ha»
time to gain etrength, and GoU win alwav,
give yo« the victory. The promise of final
perseverance and of salvation, is to those wh«
are constant n>,dpor.evoringinprryei"" And
c.Xl', ''' '!f *'"''' o»e that , 'hall W
called u23on the name of the Lord shall vJ
saved. " (Joel, ii. 32.) ' ^'*" ^
+h?!'*" '•'""•' ^''^•'•i- <-"l'"slian, recall to mind
the graces given to you during the AliBsinr
and renewthe firm n.ohuion toput in pracUce
the above mcan.s so necessary to prescn-e ?hom
te ned for you by (he intercession of tro
BlG..sod \,rg,n, niKl that shom.y help vou to
keep them, offer to Jier the following jletitL: '
PRAYKR rem rEP.SEVJRVKrp : ■; - ,
lov^d 'sfe Y"t^"' ''^^"^' ""'J -".V o^WV be-
loved Mother I least mvselfat (hv feet to
obHtod'^n'"" "" f". S™«™ ^^•"'^•h thcH a*t
ohtamcd for mo during (ho IIolv Mission
How swefet it is to remember all Iho.socS-nal
my heart, and taught me to rircparc for death
and judgment! How joyful was h. t n«,
when first I resolved to change my life and
keep the commandment.s of OVxl ! ilowXeat
ll.c peace of my heart after 1 had made^hat
sincere confession of all my sin.s IK^vw shall
I forget that delightful hoiir, when I rccom
mended my soul and salvatib.to,tht mother^
•',-s>-
to
PREPAC2.
ii.!lli
xjare ; — that Bolemn hour also when I renewed
the vows of my baptigm, and then received
the Papal Benediction, with ti^e plenary In-
dulgence of the Church. How happy would I
be, could I persevere in that same state of life
until the last breath of life I But, alas ! the
world is full of danger-.. Satan is seeking
always to ensnare my s6ul, and the frailty of
the human heart is so great! Oh I no, Mother
of God I I cannot persevere by my own
etrongth. I should fall :nto mortal sin ; and
oh I if that sin should be my last, and remain
unforgiven !
Therefore, oh ! Mother of God, take my
heart into thy keeping, and maintain rne in
these my firm resolutions. 'Never will I sin
any more. Kovcr will I utter sinful words,
never follow dangerous amusements, keep
evil company, or expose my soul to ;Iio oc-
casions of sin; never more will I neglect
prayer, or the sacraments of the Church, and
so lose again ali the fruits of my conversion,
liow I am a child of God. Jesus Christ, thy
divine 8on, is my friend, the angels are my
companions. Oh ! Holy Lady ! am I not a dear
child of thine J Keep mo ever in thy loving
heart. ^Maintain theso resolutions in my soul.
Pray for mo, thy child, to Jesus thy divine
Son ; and should Satan overcome to seducb
my soul, then will I pray to thee.
Oh I Mother, help rao, watch over mo, support
me ; never let mv soul bo peparatod from
Jesus Christ, thy Son and my liecf comer. Amen.
i#Jliii.i.iiiiiii,
USEFUL TABHFS
FESTIVALS OF OBLIGATION.
The Movable Feasts are :
The Immovable Feasts are :
Jan. 1 The Crucoicisiov
J«n. 6. The EpiPnANy.
ISi' fr: X]i^ ANNUNCIATION.
Aug. h). PiTK Assumption
Nov 1 all-Saints.
Uee. 2o. ClIKISTMAS.
VincemTei^Du'b^oTTutl^^^^^^^ LoiUs, Mobile,
CUMCLSION E^AIa^ny A?;!f,^' «"^^ Chlea-o, the Cr,2
CHRistin^eno?fe?Cj^oA>UgJt^^^^ ^"^'^ ^"««p"»
DAYS OP FASTING.
2 ?"f;,f"^"^^'«r^'ABVENT.
si Tn^ R;^^.;fvv!:^';;'?.S''^'^>' excepted.
Viz (he ^v>cl;u4^mvs;'FS^^^^^^
tJiatoly nffor tho First Hi Hv f r^" '"■' »3••S-ilnm..'
woek --Inunedlatelv r'or ffi]^^ Whitsun-
Hunu...t.S^-;.!;-;^ai^^^^
on Tho hT, Jxhry^SlJ'^nl^^^^^ "'^"^ uBundny, i,, is kept
mast i.ot bo Jn.fore i.ch> iVsU,?!'':'' '','•'? ''-'.v, whirl,
{'•^softheCJiurc'hfu) n1i,?'"i'^';i» V» »'bsrrv,. tho
for f^ome legitimate cause. ^ ^^ '^I'^'.S unless cAemptea
H
^^ USEFUL TABLES.
te'' f^'-'A^" *he Friday pftheEmberSaysisl^^n^
Friday Id Advent on which there is an obligation to S J
BAY3 OF ABSTINENCB.
1. Thb RrNDAYs IN Lent.
Frlda^^ Fridays, except when Christmaa falls upon a
N. B.—A day of abstinence is that on which w? aro nnt
allowed U,eat flesh-meat. All who have aitSlnedt^ the S?a
of reason are obliged to observe these days. ^
THE ORDINARY PRATERS.
.viTlX^'STas&ws?'"^ "^^^^^^ *^ <^^-^- "~
THE LoKD's Prayer, ..... ^^^h
The Hail Mary . '. }{
The AfosTLKs' Creep, . ...*.* }l
The Ten Commandments, ! oH
The PRKCEr-rs OF THE Church, oS
Tfbx * '''^ '''' ^''^''^"' "''^''' Charity a"ndc6ntri'.
The (yoNKiTEOR, '. *. *■*'*' In
THE am;ekS!'*^""''"'' (^"^ ^'""'^**«»«"). • f V/n • -^
How TO Ba'i'TIZK in case of NECJCbSITT ! ! * i 280
^
GENERAL DEVOnONS.
PRAYERS FOR DAILY DEVOTION.
tmon use
HOW TO PRAY.
are^t^o omerent kinds of pmj"/r,"iS£^ren"fe
or speaking M'lth the volcoe ""^^^any set fbrm of words;
commonl?Ys^Zdl'a?coTdi,^S t^^^^^^
Word«.lti^to8jJ%?rec^'rmV<ii'°'''^ '^^°^ J ^^ «thc?
oWym'i^tlll^^rvT''''^'' ^^^-^^ ^ the «ighi of
13
SI' ■
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14
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
!
•'ill
'fJii
MORNING DEVOTIONS.
** The wise man will give 7iis heart to resort early to the
, Lord that made him, and he will pray in ths sight of the
Most High', he will open his mouth in prayer, and make
supplication for his sins." Eccll. xxxix. 6, 7.
If you would spend a holy day, dear Christian, you must
begin it in a holy way.
As soon therefore as you awake, and it is time to get up
raise your thoughts immediately to God, make the holy
Bignofthe cross, dress quickly, fall upon your knees, and
begin to pray.
I. Thank God that he has again permitted you to see
another day, and guarded you against every evil duriuir
the night. ,^
II. Ask him with childlike confidence to keep you, dur-
ing the day, from sin, and every other evil.
III. Oflfer to him all your thoughts, words,, and actions of
the day, uniting them to the sufferings and death of Jesus
Christ.
IV. Make a firm resolution to commit no sin during the
whole day. Be on guard esiieolally against your most fre-
quent and besetting sin. Consider well all the dangers and
occasions of sin, which you are likely to meet with, and
reflect upon the means by which you may escape from
them. Make a firm resoluUon to resist manfully every
temptation which may fall in your way, and aak of God the
necessary grace to do sa
All this can be done inwardly In your own heart, without
any sound of your voice, or motion of your lips ; but If yon
find It easier to recite vocal prayers, you can make use of
i>ae n>riuwii% furm.
r
IU.ItT PBAYERg.
15^
*'^^"'^^r^^i*'^~ijr\_ri.
MORNING PaAYERS.
IN" the name of the Father, and of the Son
» and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. '
^ THANKSGIVING.
f\ MY God ! I adore thee, and I love thee
y with my whole heart. I th^nk thee for all
the benefits which thou hast granted me, and
especially for having protected me so mepw
cilully this night.
PRAYER FOR NECESSARY GRACE.
f) JJ^ '^^^"^ ^ ^^^^ ^® ^^ thy hands this day.
I^Mary, holy Virgin 1 may I find shelter
under thy protecting mantle. And do thou,
O heavenly Father I help me for the love of
Jesus and of Mary. My Guardian Angel, and
all my patron Saints, help me by your holy
prayers. i
GOOD INTENTION.
T^ u'fl' F7 ^""^^ ^ ^^^^ ^^1 *bat I shall do,
J- all that I may suifer during the day which,
IS now begun I unite all my actions and
sufferings to the sufferings of Jesus and Mary,
and I make the intention now to gain all the
indulgences to which I may be entitled, for
any good works of mine this day.
I JT God tlflmily resolve u flvfrom sin nr^fl
i*X I implore thee for Jesus' 'sake to crint
me the grace of perseverance. And especially
n
hi
16
OENERAL DEVOTIONS.
i
III)!
I am resolved that in every trial, tauing
refuge in thy holy will, the prayer o( my
heart shall be, '' O Lord I thy will be done ! '''
Hero set before your mind the labors, and other occupa-
tions In which you are lilcely to be engaged throughout
the day. Consider well how you can order all yourallairs
for the honor of God, and the geod of your neighbor. Call
to mind your usual faults, also the dangers and the
occasions of sin to wnich you will bo exposed, and make
the firm resolution to guard yourself carefully against
these temptations and occasions ; and especially against
thatone which you know to be the greatest and most
dangerous of all. Say then, with a sincere heart :
f\ MY God 1 1 am resolved to avoid this sin of
^-^•^ above all others, and with the greatest
care, and to be on my guard against this
dangerous occasion .
Then recommend yourself to the Intercession of Mary, to
all the Saints, and to your holy Guardian Angel. •
f\ MOST Holy Mary, Mother of God I and
v/ ye blessed Saints of Paradise, pray to God
for me, that I may not oifend him to-day by
any sin. And thou. Holy Angel, who art
given to me by God for my Guardian, keep
me this day from falling into any deliberate
sin.
^onfimflh.^n^*^® greatest possible devotion and at-
tontion the following prayers :
THE LORU'$ PRAYER.
AUR Father who art in heaven ! hallowed
V/ be thy name. Thy kingdom come: thy
will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give
us this day our daily bread: and forgive us
our trettptttises, as we forgive them that tress-
DAILY PRAYERS.
17
pass against US. And lead us not into temnta
tion, but deliver us from evil. ^^^^pta-
Amen.
HAIL MARY.
H'^T^»5'Sf' ^"i' of grace I Our Lord is with
, S^*®- ,^'essed art thou amongst women
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb jSus'
now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
THE CREED.
Cieator of heaven and earth ; and in Jesus
Sed bv th^.T^ra" J^J'^' ^'^^ ^»« «««-
ceivea by the Holy Ghost, born of the Viro-in
^^•, suffered under Pontius PHate, was
hen t'h'i'.l!-''^ *"^^ ^^^- ^« d«^««nd«d into
hell , the th.m aay he arose from the dead
Stland'o^r ""rT'^'"" ""«*h 't^o
right hand of God, the Father Almisrhtv
from thence he shall come to judge th7&
and the dead. I believe in the lloly GW^
& ?he?*°'" ^'•"'^^' '""^ co™-«nion o^
of f h«'h -? ^'"'S^r^^^^ of sins, the resurrection
of the body, and the, life everlasting.
Amen.
f^S^/tWef^r^n^.?? ??f? ■"..honor of the
MM
18
GENERAL D-.I^OTIONS.
ACT OF TAITH. *
w
f\ MY God ! who art the infullibio Truth I I
' ' boliove every thing which the Holy Church
commandy me to believo because thou hast re-
vealed it to her. I believe that thou art the
Creator of heaven and earth, that thou dost
reward the just in Paradise, and j^unish the
wicked eternally in Hell. I believe that thou
art one divine Essence in three Persons,,
namely ; the Father, the Son, and the Holy
Ghost. I believe the incarnation, the passion^
and the death of Jesus. In a word, I believo
all that the Holy Church believes. I thank
thee for having made me a Christian, and I
protest that I will live and die in this holy
faith.
ACT OF HOPE.
OMY God ! I confide in thy promises, be-
cause thou art faithful, powerful, and mei*-
ciful, and hope through the merits of Je&us
Christ, for the pardon of my sins, final perse-
verance and the everlasting glory of Paradise.
ACT OF CHARITY.
OMY God 1 1 love thee with all my hearty
and above all things, beeause thou art in-
finitely good, and worthy of infinite love, and
for love of thee I love my neighbor as myself^
* According to a concession of Pope Benedict XIV.,
granted in December, 1754, an indulgence of seven Tears
and seven quarantains (280 days) may be gained by de-
voutly repeating these acts. If recited daily for amonti, with
confession and oommuDion made in (h« ttovaoa ttf tbo:
OQiUti, a pi«nAr7 iadulg«noe it gauMcl
I
ACT OF C()NTRri'ION.
tf
ri MY God ! I am heartily sorry for all my
\J sins, because by them I have lost heaveo
and deserved the lire of hell, but more than
all because I have offended thee, O mv God
who art infinitely good, and worthy of all my
love ; but now I am firmly resolved, by the
help of thy grace never to sin against thee
any more, aad to avoid all the occasions of siu.
r.r'^.'r StJ* *^?' ^^i profitable exercise for those whoso
way of hio allows of it, to make atleasta qia?tcr SS
hour's meditation after theh- morninff prayers p\)rt^m^
purp<)se you can make use of any approved hc^ok of aii?
the celebrated « Following 'of Christ.'" hv ThomVa" .^
fcT.tf''/''^^'^y«" have none Of tiisl, b<S>ks, eS^wor
i?r J''? upon something yon remember of thImsS
HOW TO PASS THE DAY IN A HOLY MANNER
I.
Wherever you go, whatever you do bo always like
one who walks in the presence of Cod. Bemembe?
that he IS present everywhere, that his eye follows
thouISs'^'' '"' """"^ *^'^^ ^' ^'''''^^ y°^^^ ^^st secret
n.
Begin every thing you undertake with a ffood inr
temion and keep in mind the words oftheWlo^
all for the glory of God. «— 1 Cor. x. .31.
nti
20
iiii»
l! :i
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
AT WORK.
T^f^^n y°^T^^^»^ y?Y ^°^^ say^i All for thee,
Lord— O my Jesus, all for thee I i
IN TEMPTATION.
When you are tempted to anger, say—, my Jesus
give me patience I Bless me, Mary, my Mother .'
U wicked thoughts come in your mind, say quickly
— . Jesus and Mary, help me ! . Repeat the Hail Marv
or some other prayer, until you have banished them.
AT THE ANGKLUS.
W'^en the bell rings for the « Anerelus. . at morninff
noott, and evening, remember how the Son of God be,
came man in the womb of Mary, and say as follows -
The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary
And she conceived of the Holy Ghost. '
Hail, Mary, Ac.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
my it be done unto me according to thy word.
Hail, Mary, &c.
And the Word was made flesh.
And dwelt among us.
Hail, Mary, 4c,
PRAYERS.
pOUR forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy
X grace into our hearts, that we, to whom
the mcrrnation of Christ thy Son was made
known by the message of an angel, may, by
his passion and cross, bo brought to the glory
ofhis resurrection, through the same Chrisi
our Iiorri- Am^n
DAILY rBATEKS.
2t
BEFORE MEALS.
Before meals, say—" Bless us, O Lord, and
these thy gifts which we are about to receive
from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord.
Amefi.
AFTER MEALS.
Aft6r meals say-" We give thee thanks,
Almighty God, for all thy benefits, who livest
and reignest world without end. Amen
^ « May the souls of the faithful departed rest
m peace! Amen.''
EVENING DEVOTIONS.
tC 1^&LX%^. ^ti^, to^^<^s^evenina, ana
Having begun the day well by prayer let nravpr
also sanctify th^ close. Remember th^at^you are 'no w
one day nearer to eternity. Who knows^'? G^d wm
seat? ^''"' ''"^ '^'' ""''^ "^^^^ ^'^''^ his judgment'
to «ov H '""^'^ excellent practice in a Christian family
to say th« even.ng prayers in common, for they S
a grea blessing upon the house, c W/iiretwool three
<ire gathered together in my name, . says Ss Christ
.here I will be in the midst of them. / Ought not so
ShTr"^' ''°" '"' '-'''' '' "^^^^ -« ^-« to'prly
following pL^^^^^ ^^°"^^ ''^''''> ^' i«««t' Of the
I. Thnnlf fi-nH fnr, oil tu^ __, •__ ,
during tho"day past."" "" ™'' "* "^' ""'*'' y<">
if
I i
L'
t2
GENERAL DEVOTIONS,
II. Prny the Holy Ghost to onlighten you, that vow
may see «ncl be scrry lor the sins which youhavecom-
inillcd diirirg the day, and that you may do bettor I'or
the future.
III. Examine your conscience diligently. Consider
how ycu have passed the time from morning until
evening : in what you have dene wrong : what has
been the nature of your thoughts, words, and actions:
examine especially Iiow ycu have put in practice the
good resolution which you made in the morning.
IV. Excite in your heart a true sorrow for your
sms, and lor your neglecl (if any) in keeping the good
resolution you made.
y. Make once more a firm resolution to amend your
life, and ask God to give you his grace that you may
do so. And do all this, as if the last 3aight of your lif©
had come.
(;■ !■'' '?
',.,
f '' ■
'■:;j i»
'■: '
111 il i !
>, ' t
NIGHT PRAYERS.
In the name of the Father, &c. Amen.
THANKSGIVING.
OGEEAT and Almighty God 1 I kneel be-
lore thee to thank thee with my whole
heart for all the favors which thou hast be
stowed upon me this day: for my food ana
drink, my health, and all my powers of bod^
and soul. I thank thee for all thy holy lifxhh
and inspirations, for thy care and protection,
and for all those other mercies which I do not
think of now, or which I do not know howto
value as I ought. I thank thee for them all,0
heavenly i^hlhe?', through Jesus Christ ihy
DAILY PRAYERS.
PRAYER FOR LIGHT.
23
r\ ALL-WISEand all-seeing God ; thou who
V/ dost always look upon my actions, and
count all my Btepe, from whom no thought is
hid, enlighten my understanding that 1 may
clearly see what evil I have done this day
and what good I have left undone : move mV
heart that I may sincerely repent and amend.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE.
Have I not sinned this day—
hi ihovg/U ? By wiWingly entertaining some un-
chaste, uncharitable, or coveto" s thoughts ?
Jnword? By using immodest language—utterinff
oaths— curses--! les-passionates, slanderous, profane
or irreverent words ? Have I given scandal so '
In action? By being idIe?~slow and im'natipnt
about my work ? Have I not been in e?[l o^d'anger^
ous company? Done any immodest action? Been too
free in my manners ? Been rude, cross, or disobedient
towards my parents or superiors? Been unkind, insol-
vent malicious, cruel, cr unjust towards my neigh-
bor ? Have I given any bad example to my childrin
my servants, my neighbors ? ^ i"uren,
% omi^^zon? Have I refused or neglected to do any
act of charity ? Been watchful over my children and
others depending upon me, and careful for their sal
vation ? Have I omitted my prayers, my penance or
some other duty? ^ ^ s., "^y penance, or
Finally, examine whether vou have kpnt f ho r.aa^u,*t
you made In the morning. If nSt?conlider wf n^ww
was the cause of your fall, and seek on ttlL ^* ^**?*^
preserve you from falJing'in nature! FS?beSlsu^^^"fhi?
your whole Christian pcTection depends uront^^^ h^h*
gent examination of conscience. ^ *^*^ ^^-
fiavine finished this A-ramino4i<v*. «»^._j^i..,.
Uiefcilowing: — «-«« =aj^ wii-u ali your heart
3:4
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
CONTRITF PRAYtJl.
OFATHEE, infinitely good aud merciful t
I have offended tliee again to-day. Is this
the thanl'TG I owe thee for eo many and so
great favors V Alas ! I confess my guilt. I
am not worthy to be celled thy child. But
fitill, O heavenly Father, ihou art infinitely
good and juerciful : therefore I return to tJbee
With ) confidence, and on my knees, and in
Borrow, I pray theo to pardon all my sins
which I have committed this day, and all the
Bins of my whole life. From the bottom of
my: heart I repent, and am sorry for them,
Dot only because I have deserved punishment,
but because through them, O my Gcd, I have
dis])leased thee, my best and dearest friend,
and my Sovereign good. O that I had ner^er
offended thee 1 O that I could make amends
for what I have done 1
GOOD RESOLCTION.
I AM Berious-ly resolved to make a ainoere
confession of all my 8ine, and that soon ;
to shun all the occasions of sin ; to fnlfill all
my duties perfectly from this time forvvai^d,
and to die rather than to be guilty of any
mortal sin, and iKjfore all and witJa all ray
power I will endeavor to overconi*) that sin
which I commit Uie mo^t : {name it.) With
all ray heart I forgive all my enemies : jaadon
me also. O God of mercy I <]iiract m» tliy
liid» and vtmmn &dikM to tlM»o luijtil dntk.
Daily prayers.
2S
Berommend yowrgelf now to tbe protection of Mary. and.
01" aU the Saints and Augels of God, saying :
OLOED, I beseech thee, visit this houae,
smd drive far from it all tl^e snare n of the
enemy. May thy holy Angels dwell in it to
keep us all in peace, and let thy blessing be
upon us always, through Jesus Christ thy
Son our Lord.
Blessed Vii-gin Mary, after Clod my only-
hope ! holy Guardian Angel ! thou my patron
Saiiit and protector, and all yo blessed Saints
of God I pray forme during my life and in
the hour of my death.
Pray now for the living and the dead.
BLESS, O Lord, all my relations and ac-
quaintances, benefactors, friends, and on-
nemies. Protect and bless our holy Father,
Pope (Pius IX.), all the Eishops and Priests
of thy holy Church, my Pastor, my Confessor,
and all my superiors, both spiritual and tcm- .
poral. Help the poor, and all who are afflicted,
prisoners and travellers, the sick and the
dying ; convert all sinners, and heretics ; en-
lighten the infidels, and the heathen.
O merciful God 1 have pity also on the poor
FOuls in purgatory: put an end to their suffer-
ings, and bring them to eternal rest.
Then pay i ho LorcVs Prayer, tho *' ITail ^fary," and th©
Crcrcf, ns in tho mornlnf,'. Kercat also tiio tlirre Arts of
I^aith, Jlope, and t'hai-ity (i ago 18), and bay afterwards :
JJJY God II thank thee for having brought
-».»-■. mo safely throu^rii ihis dav, and I" — ' --
ipl<
thee to watch over mo also during this night>
26
11
i'
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
and to preserve me from every sin. I dedicate
to thee all my sleep, thai; with every breath
I draw, I may praise thee, thank thee, and
love thee as the Saints do in Paradise. Amen.
Go to bed now, with holy thon^hts, or repeating with your
lips some short fervent eja( lations of love, and continue
thus until you fall asleep. It you awake in the night, lift
up your thoughts immediately to God, that no evil Ima-
ginations may enter your mind, and if they should, say
promptly : '
O Jesus I O Mary I ^o, no, I will die rather
than do, or wish, or oven think of such a thing I
In the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
DEVOTION AT HOLY MASS.
" l^rtm the rising of the aun even to the going doWnr^mv
nmmets great among the Gentiles ; and ifi every place ihlre^i,
mcrtfice, and there ta offered to my name a clean oblation : for
my name X8 great among the Gentiles, aaith the Lord of JBoata."
— -Malach. i. 11. •' **"«*••
INSTRUCTION.
Of all the blessings and treasures which Jesas
Christ has bequeathed to his holy Church, the august
hnliy^r iV^'^rT^.^'tf ^'^' ^'?*^^^' "^^^t precious, and
inH hinnV'V\°^^^^.'? l^ the sacrilico of tho Lody
and blood of Jesus Christ, which is oflcred to the
heavenly Father on our altars under the species «r an-
pearancf^ of bread and wine. It was instituted by Our
Blessed Lord himself, in order to represent and con-
tinue that sacrifice which he made on the cross At Cal-
fest and bloody manner; the sacrifico of the Mass is
made in a mysterious and unbloody manner In a
SpdTfio'^M"""'- ^^^"^ '^ ^" «^>' when Christ is
©ilered in the Mass, wo cannot see him with our eyes
as the Jews saw him on the cross, his body, and h\%
wounds, and his blood, but all we can sc^ Is thiJ
humble appearance of bread and wine under which he
hides himself now from our sight. It is made Tn an
unbloody manner : that is to sav. in the Cs our
Lord does not die again, his life is not taken as for-
merly by the shedding of his blood. Alfhnf"i.''liT:
realiy present on the altar, he is there a's a living vic^
*Mn, his death 18 only represented. SincQ his lesuj.
27
28
GENERAL DEVOTIONS,
.;'! ! I i
, ^ii
reclion he is mr living Lord, and cannot die again.
t Christ being risen from the dead dielh no more :
death halh'no more dominion over him. »
Jesus Clirist, dying once on the cross, offered hiii>-
self up for us tohis heavenly Father: i fk has blotted
Old our sins by /lis blood that was shed for us, and by
his painful death, * and thus he hath reconciled us to
his Father. But in order to leave us a perpetual me-
morial of this, his great love, at that last supper which
lie partooii wilh his disciples, he took bread in his holy
hands, and aftor giving thanks to God, broke it, and
gave it to them to eai, saying. « This is my body
which is given for you ; do this for a commemoration
ofme.t Also lie look the chalice, and said, * This is
the chalice, the new testament in my blood which shall
be shed for you.* — St. Luke, xxii. 19, 20.
By these words, « JJo this in commemoration of
me, » Jesus gave to his Apostles, and their successors,
the Bishoj)s and Priests of the Church, the power to
change the bread and the wine into his most holy-
Body and Blond. The Priest blesses the bread and
wine as Christ did ; he speaks over them the same
words of consecration which Christ spoke; and thus
the bread and wine are changed now on the altar, as
they were at the last supper, into the Body and Blood
of Jesus Christ. As Jesus Christ sacrificed himself on
the cross to his heavenly Father for our sins, so here
on the altar he oilers himself up to the same heavenly
Father, by the hands of the Priest.
Afler the consecration which the Priest makes by
sayii g over tho bread and wine the same words which
Jesus Christ said at the last supper, there is no longer
any bread and wine on the nltiir, but the true and liv-
ing Jesua Christ, at the same time God and man,
really present, although hidden under aj)])earanccs ot
bread and wine.
The Priest offers up Jesus Christ to hisn heavenly
Father, in the name ( f the holy Catholic Church, and
Bires and ])raycrs of the faithful, is united with this
HOLY MASS.
29
ItisancxccJIentpraclico. tlicreforp for thn^n „,i.„
presont everyday: thv to l.ear Mass o , 8,Sy "A
"ui r r^'v'"'^" I'so ofr.ny other dovout oxm; se si
suit rd to your own loelin-s of devotion uniLff nil h«
jWiiU) your HUention to tjl^ intention"^ u;osS!c;rlg
MlAVf'R nKFOllE MASS.
/I LMTGIITY, infinite and I,olv God ' Eohnlr!
sacrifice thi«ououlo„rirw:^,.thy;fVhin;'hf
i m
|ri
'gwwaaaawMBa— —
SO
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
finite MajV-ty, because it is here thine only
and eternal Son is offered up as the victim. In
union with that most pure and perfect will
witli which that beloved Son has given himself
to be a sacrifice for us, I offer this holy Mass
in adoration of thy holy Name, in thanksgiving
for all thy past mercies, and in satisfaction
for my many sins. I offer it, moreover, that I
may obtain all those graces which I need for
my salvation, and a blessing upon my daily
life. (Here you may call to mind any special
favor which you desire to ask of God.) I offer it,
also, for the help and consolation of all those
for whom I am in duty bound to pray, and
for those who desire or need my prayers the
most; for those who are living (jiamethe7n if
you like) and for those who are dead (name
them.)
O God I prepare my heart, purify my mind,
blot out all my sins, that I may assist as I
ought at this most Iloly Sacrifice.
PRAYEHS FOR MASS.
When tho Piio^t at tho foot of the altar begins tlio Mass
with tho sign of tlio cross, bless yourself ut the ^nmo
time, enll to mind for a moment your sins, and then
recite with him also tho " Confiteok, " thus :
1 CONFESS to Almighty God, to blessed
Mary ever Virgin, to bleissed Michael tho
Archangel, to blessed John tho Baptist, to the
holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the
SttintH, and to you, Father, that I have sinned
PRAYERfi FOR MASS.
1%
^ceedmgly in thought, woi-d, and deed,
through my fault, through my fault, through
Tny most grievous fault, {here strike your breast
three times:) therefore I heseech the blessed
Mary ever Virgin, the blessed Michael the
Archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, tho
holy Aposlles Peter and Paul, all the Saints,
and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God
for me.
Pray then for pardon, thus :
Tl f AY God have mercy on me, forgive my
-^WJ. Bins, and lead me on to eternal life. May
the Almighty and Merciful God grant me the
pardon, absolution, and remission of my sins
Amen.
At the " Kyrie Eleison » repeat In your own language,
LOED, have mercy on us I Christ, have
mercy on us ! Lord, have mercy on us 1
GJ.LORYboloGodinthe
r highest ! and on earth
poaco to men ofgood will!
Wo prai^o thee, we hless
thee, wo adore thee, wo
glorify thee, we give
thanks to Iheo bocauso of
thy groat glory, O Lord
God, Heavenly King, God
tho Faihrr Almightv. O
Lord Jesus Christ the only
begotten Son : O Lord
God^, Lamb of God, Son
of tho Father, who lakest
GL R I A in excelsis
Deo, et in terra jiax
hominibus bon;i3 volunta-
tis. Laudamus t \ boiiedici-
mus te, adoranius le, glo-
rdlcainus te. Gratias agi-
mus iiJ)i i)ropter magnain
gloriam tuain, Douiine
Deus, Rex cadostis, Deus
Tatcr omnipotons. Dom-
ino Fill unigenite Jesu
Christe. Domino Dous,
Agnus Dli, Filius Patris,
rilli Inllic
j--- \.U.t.U i.llUUUI,
miserere nobis. Qui tollis I away the sins of the world.
32
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
II '
iiiiill
peccata mundi, suscipe
deprecationcm nostram.
Qui sedcs ad dexteram
Palris, miscrcro nobis.
Qiioniam Tu solus sanc-
tus, Tu solus Dominus,
Tu solus altissimus Jcsu
Ghriste, cum Sanclo Spir-
ilu, in gloria Dei Pa Iris.
Amen.
hum
Ijlllfi :;!!!!:
ha\Q mercy on us. Thou
that takest away the sins
of the world, receivo our
[rayers. Thou that sittest
at ihc right hand of the
Father, ];avo mercy on us.
F(.»* thou only art holy.
Tlifai only art the Lord.
Thcu oi;ly, O Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Ghost, art
most higli in the gltry of
God Ihc Father. Amen.
After the ''-Olorifi," the Priest turns to the people and
pronounces the salutatioi). ^ t ^ «"v*
Dcminns vobiscr.m. | The Lord he with you.
To which Jie Acolyte replies for the people,
El; cum s])iritu tuo. | And with thy spirit.
Then, as if to invito the whole congregation to unite their
intcnii:<.nsto hisc.wn intoiticn, Uio Pnest t^ays Obemu?
Ltt ii.s rray. The n f(.llGw.s the Cof(e(f, that is to fc^av
the ('(.111 cuor, btcaufc^c the Pjicst gathers together the
<l(>ir(s and praycLS of all present, and as a mediator
< l;ii,s them to (.od in the name of all tlie FaitMul.
Eepcat here the loUo Vf ing i rayer :
THE COLLECT.
ALMIGHTY and Eternal God! Lear the
praj'cr of thy people, and turn not away
from us thy most holy countenance on account
of our sins. Graciously listen to the prayers
of thy bcrvant, the Priest, who prays for the
salvation of thy people, and through thy
mercy grant that wo may obtain what wo
confidently ask of thee ; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
PRAYERS FOR MA.SS.
THE EPISTLE.
33
^^f^J"?^^^^ li^ Epistle. It consists commonly of a wr-
WHi,*'?,"? /^^' Wiiiings of the Prophets or AposSes
While this is read, you can repeat the following prayer i-
f\ MY God ! I adore thy Holy Spirit, who has
V^ spoken by thy Prophets and Apostles,
and BtiU speaks through the holy Church I
receive with humility all the commandments
and instructions which the holy Church irives
me through her Priests. Grant, O God, that
I may always believe what thy Church
teaches, and do what she commands; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE GOSPEL.
When the book i-s carried to the other end of the altnr
SUUKI up While the Priest is reading the G^o^pe^ ami p^raj
r\ DIVINE Saviour, how great was thy love
y to come thy^ elf ui)cn the earth to be our
teaci vi show m the way to heaven. Grant
me thi wthat I may listen with humility
to all th;. ' y which thou hast preached :
enlighten ,.y mind that I may understand
them ; renew my heart that I may love and
ollowthom. Grant me thy divine assistance
that i may never be ashamed of thy holy
(Tospel, but confess the same always in words
m well as in works ; who livest and reignest,
world without end. Amen.
,1..
'd'
u
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
ft
Hill
ill
THE CREED.
While fhe Priest Ig repeating the " Oredo." remAia standi
tog, and recite it also wlthTiln^, as follows : «--*«^
CREDO in unum Deum,
Patrem omnipotentem,
factorem coeli et terrse, vis-
ibilium omiiiuin et invis-
ibilium.
Et in unum Dominum
Jesum Christum, Filium
Dei unigenitum, et ex Pa-
tre natum aate omnia sae-
oula ; Deum de Deo, lumen
de lumine, Deuna verum
de Peo vero ; genitum non
factum, consubstantialem
Patri, per quern omnia
facta sunt. Qui, propter
nos homines, et propter
nostrum salutem, descen-
dit de coehs ; et incarnatus
estde Spiritu Sancto, ex
Maria Virgine ; ETHOMO
PAGTUSEST.' Crucifixus
etiam pro nobis, sub Pon-
tio Pilato passus, et se-
pultus est. Et resurrexit
tortid die, secundum scrip-
turas ; et ascendit in 003-
lum : sedet ad dexteram
Patri s : et iterum ven turns
est cum gloria judicare
vivos et mortuos ; cujus
regni non erit finis.
Et in Spiritum Sanctum,
I BELIEVE in one God,
the Father Almighty^
Maker of heaven and
earth, and of all things
visible and invisible.
And in one liord Jesus
Christ, the only begotten
Son of God, and born of
the Father before all ages ;
God of God: Light of
Light ; true God of true-
God ; begotten, not made ;
of the same substance
with the Father; by whom
all things were made.
Who for us men, and for
our salvation, came down
from heaven, and became
incarnate by the Holy
Ghost of the Virgin Mary,
AND WAS MADE MAN.*
He was crucified also for
us, suffered under Pontius
Pilate, and waft buried.
And the third day ho rose
again according to the
Scriptures, and ascended
into heaven, and sitteth
at the right hand of the
Father. And ho is to come
again with glory to judge
the living and the dead,
of whose kingdom there
shall be no end.
And in the Holy Ghost,,
the Lord and Life-giver,,
• Kneel in reverence of Christ's Incarnation.
PRAYERS FOR MASS.
35
qui ex Patre Filioque ] :ro-
cedit ; qui cum Patro et
Filio simul adoratur, et
conglorificatur ; qui locu-
tus est per jTophetas. Et
unani sanclam Catholicam
et Apostolicam JEcclesiam.
Gonliteor unum Baptisma
in remissionom peccato-
rum. Et expecto resur-
rectionem mortuorum, et
vitani venturi sseculi.
Amen.
who proceed eth from the
Father and the Son ; who,
together with the Father
and the Son, is adored and
glorified ; \\ ho spoke by
the Prophets. And ono
Holy, Catholic, and Apos-
tolic Church. I confess
one baptism for the remis-
sion of sins ; and I look
for me resurrection of the
dead, and the life of the
world to come. Amen.
THE OFFERTORY.
Here follows the Offertory ; that Is to say, the bread and
wine which are to be changed into the most holy Bodv
and B cod of our Saviour, are ofliered to Gpd. Say the
following prayer : ^^ "^
RECEIVE, O Father, infinitely \io\j, al-
mighty and eternal God, this oftering
which thy Priest presents to thee for us. I
believe most firmly and surely that it will
soon be changed into the true body and true
blood of Christ. Eeceive this offering. O
heavenly Father, for the glory of thy'most
holy name, for the pardon of my sins, in
thanksgiving for all thy mercies bestowed on
me, and that I may obtain new graces still,
especially those wdiich are most nocessary to
my salvation ; and also for all my superiors,
both spiritual and temporal. ; for my friends
and my enemies, and for all Christians, li-
ving and dead. Amen, . '
n\
*!.:i
36
eCKBIUL DBTOTiaMS.
M
m
ffhejpririt pwitoily tun»to the people. «nd««B, "Obatb
Pratbes, JVoi?/, m;y brethren. " By this, he aak« Ihosa
present to pray with him, that this «acrmce m«y to!
fileLsiugtoGocl. Then say : „ "^ "^
MAY the Lord receire this sacrifice from
thy hands, to the praise and glory of Ms
own name, and also for our benefit, and tlmt
of all his holy Church.
THE PREFACE.
^iJ^^®* *" *^® mtrodnction to the Canon of the Mmi,
Tbo Pnest soys in a loud voice, *'Per •mnia eceeuld
seBculortim: jVorld without end ;» which are the last
words of the Secket, or silent prayer, which he has JuBt
been saying. lie tiien begins^the Preface with the itoU
Syi-^.!!^PA*''^^?V' ",''', '^*'^"^.'.°"' «^t^e people, in who.©
name tlio Acolj^e duly replies :. *- *- » «■"
P. Dominns vcbiscum.
A. £l cum spiv iluluo.
P. Sursum corda.
A. Hahemus ad Domi-
num^
P. Gratiasagamus Domino
Deo nostro.
A. Dignum el juslum est.
P
A
P,
A
The Lord be with you.
And wilh thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We do lift them up to
the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks to
the Lord our God.
A. // is meet and just.
The Priest then goes on with the Preface. Unite with him
in the same prayer of praise and thanksgivii^g and «ty ;
IT is truly meet and just, right and salutary,
that we should always, and in all places,
give thanks to thee, O holy Lord, Almighty
Father, Eternal God, through Christ our Lord :
by whom the Angels praise thy Majesty, the
-Archangels adore it, the Powers tremble be-
fore it, the heavens, and the Virtues of heaven,
and the blessed Seniphs, also, with united exul-
tation praise it. Wo ])ray thee let our voices
ascend with th Irs to thee, while with the
deepest awe we confess, and cry (Sanctus),
Holy! holvl holy I Lord God of SoKor^fi, »
PRAYERS FOR MASS.
37
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory I Ho-
Banna in the highest ! Blessed is he that
coraeth in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in
the highest !
After the Sanctus, repeat the following words which are
nearly the same as those with which the priest beeins
now : *
THE CANON.
WE earnestly pray and beseech thee, most
merciful Father, through Jesus Christ
our Lord, that thou wilt accejit and bless these
gifts, these offerings, this unspotted sacrifice.
We offer them, first, for the holy Catholi«
Church, that thou wilt be pleased to keep it
in peace, to protect, imite, and govern it
throughout the whole world : together with
thy servant N , our Pope, and N , our
Bishop, and all the true believers and followers
of the holy Catholic Faith.
MEMENTO FOR THE LIVING.
"HE mindful, O Lord, of thy servants —
Here pray for those of your friends still living:, whose
welfare you wlfsh to recommend to God in this holy
Sacrifice.
Be mindful, also, of all here present, whose
faith and devotion are known to thee, for whom
we offer this ^^acrifice of jiraise, or who offer it
up for themselves, their families and friends.
We pray for the safety of their souls, for their
final perseverance and eternal happiness ; and
in fine, we recommend all their desires to
thee, the living, true and everlasting God.
II
• H
M
*'!<^ae
tt
138
«BiiERAL DirvofTnras.
At tbo same time, we honor the memory of
the ever gl-orious and immaculate Virgin
•Mary, the Mother of onr Loi\l and God Jesus
Christ ; and also of thy blessed A]X)stles. and
'all thy holy Mai'tyi-s and Saints who nave
lived and died in this holy faith which we
profess, and this only church in which wo live.
For the sake of their merits and their prayers,
'gi'antiiflin all things thy help and protection,
through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Wo beseech thee, also, O Lord, graciously
to accept this sacrifice at the hands of us, th}^
-eervants, and of thy Avholo family ; bless the
days of our life with thy lioly peace, save us
from everlasting damnation, and may wo be
counted ever among the number of thy elect
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
GGod, may til is otforing bo blessed, and in
every way acceptable and agreeable to thee;
and for our salvation's ^ako" bo changed into
thelbdyand l^iood of thy beloved Son, our
Lord Jesus Christ. Amc7i.
^t.tho CoNSFCRATiox, rpprosont to yourself, in a lively
. manner, CJiu-lst i. ; at the lust isui per, wlicii he took bread
In his iioly hands, blessed if, and Kiid, '• Thifi-:ntn}f Jiody
whirhiH iiirinforvnii,^^ and when lio took nbothocup
of Wine, wiyiDfif, " Tfii.ilif/ifuJtdlircohiu/J'iood. "Cherish
.and clinfjrl!* this ;,rtic!o if your faith, that Jo. us Christ,
wnoclii'd foryou on Uio < n ss, is r<a;ly, trnly, !;nd BubH-
t«nthdly ]Te:-^(nit, us sooiui8 tho Priest ]iroiiOi' noes the
pocred words <f eonsccrafion. With llrm faith, and
lUw^linmility ruiy to your Bavioiir and say.
iWiiEN Till-: SAt:ni:D host is ei.evaied.
« "RTTrTTvirx^
O
4/ V
■Ur,
4l,ni.
4 l.y-x«<
till/ liiiij-
* prescTit here, as Cod and Man, under the
form of bread. I adore thee with the deepest
PBAYERS FOR MASS.
39
e, savoiiB
reverence, as my Lord and my God. O Jesus,
"?^?T^ '^^ Z"^"* ^^""^ ^"^^y ' ^^y I die for thee
gladly I O Jesus, living or dying, let me b&
tnine I
AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE.
^J^^^^io"^. I believe that thou art here
VJ^l believe that thy most precious Blood''
which was poured out once upon the Cross for
a sacrifice to atone for our sins, is substantially
present in this cup, under the appearance of
wmo. Ah! holy blood of my Eedcemer, I be-
seech thee, wash and piirifv mo from all mv
sins.
After consecration, say with the Priest :
JOEING mindful, therefore, O Lord, of Jesu.^
^ Christ thy Son, our Lord, of his blessed
passion, his resurrection from the dead his
glorious ascension into heaven, we offer before
the throne of thy most excellent majesty, of
thy gifts and presents, a holy, pure and
unspottecl Host, tJie holy bread of eternal life,,
and the chalice of everlasting salvation
Le pleased to look upon tiiem with a propi-
tious and benignant countenance, and l4-
cioii.ly accept them as thou didst accept the
gifts of thy just servant Abel the sacrifice of^
the Patriarcli Abraham, and the holy sacrifice
the unspotted gift which was offered to thVe
!:i.iH>:iM\ ^'''^'J Melchisedech. Prostrate
;i:nn ""'''" ^"f . ^^limighty God, we beseech
thee command these offerings to be brought
up to thine altar on high, into the sight of
iti
!
i*
40
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
B
thy Divine Majesty, that all who partake of
the most sacred Body and Blood of thy Son
at this altar, may be tilled with every heavenly
.grace and blessing, through the same Chi'ist
our Lord. Amen,
MEMENTO FOR THE DEAD.
E mindful likewise, OLord, of thy servant,
I N and N , who are gone before us
with the sign of faitli, and rest in the sleep
of peace, (llere make menticn of those departed
friends wliom you wish to recommend csj)tcially
to the mercy of God, that their svffcringsmay he
lessened, or that they may be taken from their
place of torment to the abode of eternal bltss.)
To these, O Lord, and to all who sleep in
CL-ist, grant, wo beseech thee, a place of
refreshment, light, and peace, through the
^amo Christ our Lord. Amen.
To us, also, sinners though we are, yet thy
servants, and trusting in the multitude of
thy mercies, deign to grant some part and
fcilowship with thy holy Apostles and
J^artyrs, with John and Slc])hen, Matthias,
Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus,
Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy,
Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all thy
Saints: Into their company avo beseech thee
graciously to admit us, not weighing our
merits, but thine own mercy, through Christ
'" " O (I'.M^ fl^.riii do«t croato-.
our XiOr-u
.fianc
v*' iiv>isi
fy, quicken, bless, and impart all thcpo
-thy good gifts to us. I^y him, thoroforo, and
PRAYERS FOR MASS. 4^
^vith liim, and in him, to thee, O God, Almighty
Father, together with the Holy Ghost, he all
Jionor and glory, world without end. Amen,
PATER NOSTER.
Here, with the Priest, repeat the " Lord's Prayer " Our
Father who art in heavei), &c. Then ofler thGlbllowinir
petition : *
ITT'E beseech thee, O Lord, to deliver us
WW from all evils, ])ast, present, and to come,
and through the intercession of the blessed
and glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of
God, of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, of
Andrew, and of all the Saints, mer**ifully
grant peace in our days, that we, through the
help of thy mercy, may be always free from
sin, and safe fi-om every trouble, through the
same Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen.
When the Priest breaks the wicreU Host, and dropsanar-
ticle of it into the chalice, my with him :
MAY this commingling and consecration of
the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus
(Jhrist, become tw us who receive it the source
of eternal life. Amen.
AGNUS DEI.
nd
■don
At the "Agnus Dei, "slrlko your breast three limes a
pray to Jt\sup, tlio incanu c LamboiUod, for iho Dard
ol your Kuis, baying wIUj tlie Priest :
T AMB of God, who takest away the sins of
^ the world, have mercy on t/s /Lamb ol" God,
who takest away the ransofthe workl have
away
■ «Wi yy*m ji%^
jy v/i XiSi xAuiiu oi uou, WiiO takest
the sins of the woi-ld
, rive vspifce.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who hath said to th^
u
\ n
42
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
im
M-
Apostles, " Peace I leave with you, my peace
I give to you, " look not upon my sins, but
upon the faith of thy Church, and be pleased
to keep her according to thy will in peace
and unity.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who, according to thy Father's will, and by
the co-operation ofthclloly Ghost, hast given
life to the world through thine own death,
deliver me by this thy moat sacred Body and
Blood from all my sins, and from every evil.
Make mo cling to thy commandments always,
and never let me be separated from thee.
IfduringlhoMass, or aftprit, you receive lioly commu-
nion, you mny repeat with the Priest the following
additional prayer :
OLOED Jesus Christ, let not this communi-
cation of thy Body, which, all unworthy
as I am, I venture to receive, turn to my
judgment and condemnation, but rather
through thy tender compassion become my
safeguard both of body and soul, and a merciful
remed}^; O thou who livest iind reignest with
the Father, and the Holy Ghost, one God,
world without end. Amen.
THE rOMMUNIOX.
At the Bound of the little boll, when the Priest takes thp>
sacred llont in his hand, hefore hlH own communion,
strike your breast three times also, repeating Avith him
each time :
T OED ! I am not worthy that thou shouldst
Xj enter under my roof, but only speak the-
word, and my soul shall be healed.
PRAYERS FOR MASS.
43
la desirowltlUho Priest SS^^hJ'^^/l' "Siting yourself
THE LAST COLLECT.
After tno ----^V^^%l^f^jfo^;f^^« -^^«"^t^o
/^LMIGHTYGodll thank thee with my
7^ \^^\^^^^f t for all the meicies and benefits
thou hast bestowed on me, but above all that
thou hast given thy Son Jesus Christ to be
-..?i ^RT^'i'f ''^'u^^'* ^"'' "^"^' '^«^t l"8 Body
and Elood for he nourishment of our souls^
<J merciful God, watch over me, and forbid
that I should ever assist at this holy Sacrifice
in an irreverent man ner, or receive unworthily
Jesus Chhst our J-ord. Amen.
At the ITE MissA EST, and the Benediction of the Priest
say : *
1I|AY this service which is now ended bo
iwr pleasing to thee, O most holy Trinity
«nd grant that the sacrifice hero offered by
thy servant iho Priest, may be acceptable in
thy sight, and may brini^ reconciliation a^d
siilvation to mo and to all for whom it has
been offered : through Christ our Lord. Amen
May the Almiffhtv God I- V^n.^^
Holy CJhost,
Amen.
Pc...
bless us now and evermore.
s»^^*''™««=™
II I
44
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
THE LAST GOSPEL.
At the last Gospel, stini 1 up, and f ay
JESUS ! eternal Word of tho Father, thou
didst become man for ; )V0 of uh. I adbra
thee. I trust in thee. I love thee. Thou didst
come into the world to ^ ho^-. - ; the '.vay of
eternal life. Guide me, ( ) l'- 'vho art the
true light of the >j^orld, that I lu^y not vander
in the darkness of this life, but according to thy
light lead a holy life, and die a blessed death.
I'RAYER AFTER HOLY MASS.
OMOST merciful God, I thank thee for
having permitted mo to take part in this
holy sacritic*. Pardon me all my faults, my
coldness, and my distraction. I make the firm
resolution to sin no more, but to be so watch-
ful over all my thoughts, words, and actions^
that I may not lose the fruits of this holy
Bacrament. Grant me every necessary grace,
that I may sanctify myself in this world, and
possess thee eternally in heaven. Amen.
EJACULATIONS.
I adore thee every moment, O Living Bread
of Heaven, Great Sacrament !
Jesus, Heart of Mary, 1 pray thee send thy
blessing on my soul.
Holiest Jesus ! loving Saviour I I give thee
all my heart.
Tho same Topo Leo XTI., by tho same Refjcrlpt, grantpd—
TUK Indulgence OF im day;} to evory one who says the
above Eyaculations with contrition adding tlio lollowing ;:
May all know, adore, and praise every mo-
ment," always, the most holy and most divine
Sacrament.
MASS FOR THE DEAD.
AlphonsusLiguori.] ' ^'^"^^ and the works of St-
AT THE BEGINNING OF MASS.
•nELlYER me, O Lord, from eternal death
and the earth shall be shaken, when thou
Shalt come to jud^e the world with fire
Seized am I with trembling, and I fear for
that approaching trial, and that wrath to
come. Ol that day, that day of wrath, of
calamity and misery, that great and bitter
day indeed, when thou shalt come to judge-
the world with fire. *' ^
Eternal rest give them, O Lord rand let
perpetual light shine on them : may they rest
in peace, ^mew. ' ^
THE CONFITEOn.
T $;^^^f SS to Almighty God, to blessed
J- JMary, &c.
As in the other Mass. Pray, then, for pardon, thus :
May God have mercy on me, forgive mr
sms, and lead mo to eternal life!i\Jav the
almighty and merciful God grant mo the
Dardon. nhaftlnfi"/^». o,wl :.^ . .. ,,
i ; ^---"j wijvi iviuiSblUll OI au luy
45
B f
46
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
THE INTROIT.
When the Priest mounts the stops of the Altar, imagine
you hear the poor souls in Purgatory repeating the
following verses, as if to implore your prayers :
HAVE pity on rac, havo pity on me, at least
you, my friends, because the hand of the
Lord hath touched me. My flcBh is consumed,
ray bone hath cleaved to my skin, and nothing
but lips arc loft about my teeth. Have pity
on me, have pity on me, at least you, my
Mends. Job xix. 21. (Then pray.) Eternal
rest give them, O Lord : and let perpetual
light shine on them. May they rest in peace.
.Amen.
k KYRIE ELEISON.
OKD, have mercy on them ! ")
VTi .^1 +1 r.^ I L Repeat each
Christ, have mercy on them! v ^^^^i^^ ^.^^^^
Lord, have mercy on them ! )
THE COLLFCT. *
OGOD, the Creator and T^edeemer of all the
fiiithfal, give to the souls of thy servants
departed the remission of all their sins, that
through the help of ]nous supplications, they
may obtain the pardon which they have
iilways desired: Who livest and reignest^
Avorld without end. Amen.
TUB EPISTLE.
IN those days, the most valiant Judas, having
made a gathering, sent twelve thousand
ilrachms of silver to Jerusalem, for sacrifice to
"be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking
well and religiously concerning the resui^
L
MASS FOR THE DEAD.
47
imagine
iting the
at least
1 of the
isumed,
lothing
ive pity
'ou, ray
Eternal
rpetual
1 peace.
3 at eacli
3 times.
fall the
crvants
ns, that
18, they
y have
eignestj
, having
aousand
irifice to
hinking
3 resui-
rection. (For if h^ had not hoped that they
that were s am should rise a|ain, it would
have seemed superfluous and vlin to pray for
the dead.) And bec^„s^ J,, considered ^that
they who had fallen asleep with godliness
had great grace laid up for them. It is tlS
?f T^ !i ^""l^ ?"^ wholesome thought to' pray
(Gradual.)-Grant to them eternal rest, O
ihe just shall be in everlafitin^r remembrance •
he shall not fear the evil heaHng.-Ps cxi^
the faithful departed from the bonds of their
sins ; and by the assistance of thy m-ace mav
they escape the sentence of coTidemnatToif ^
and enjoy the bliss of eternal if^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -
also, and go on to toe Soepll "^'^' ^""'^ '""^ P^ss it over
DIES IR^.
Nig-her still, and still more nigh
Draws the Day of Prophecy, '
Doom d to meJt the earth and sky.
0. what trembling there shall be
When the world its Judge shall see,
looming in dread majesty !
Hark, the tram d with trilling i^r,^
From sepulchral regififis lone,'""'''
bummons all before the thron©
1/r'i'
J»St*
w.l
;'l
kfj
iPi
48 GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
Time and Death it doth appall,
To see the buried ages all,
Rise to answer at the call.
Now the books are open spread ;
Now the writing must be read,
Which condemns the quick and dead
Now, before the Judge severe,
Hidden things must all appear ;
Naught can pass unpunish'd here.
What, shall guilty I then plead ?
Who for me will intercede.
When the saints shall comfort need ?
King of dreadful Majesty !
Who dost freely justify,
Foun^, of Pity, save thou me !
Recollect, Love divine !
'Twas for lliis lest sheep of thine.
Thou thy gltry didst resign :
Satest wearied seeking me,
SulVeredst upon llio Tree :
Let not vain thy labor be.
Judge of Justice, hear my prayer I
Spare me, Lc^d, in mercy spare!
Ere the Reckoning-day appear.
Lo ! thy giucious face I seek !
Shame and grief are on my cheek ;
Sighs and tears my sorrows speak.
Thou didst Mary's guilt forgive.
Didst the dying thief receive,
Hence doth hope within me live.
MASS FOR THE DEAD.
Worthless are my prayers, I know,
xet, O cause mo not to go
M Into everlasting woe. '
Sever'd from the guilty band,
Make me with thy sheep to stand,
Piacingme on thy right hand.
When the cursed in anguish flee,
into flames of misery;
With the Blest then call Thou me.
;."PP^iant in the dust I lie i
My heart a cindrr, crush'd and dry
Help me. Lord, when death is nigh .'
Full of tears, and full of dread,
Is the day that wakes the dead,
Ulling all, with solemn blast.
From the ashes of the past.
Lord of mercy! Jesus blest!
Grant the Faithful light and rest.
THE GOSPEL.
A ^,^^^* *i^e, Jesus said to the multitudp nf
tiat Z S eottt ' ZZi ''' "? ^-
••ind thoy that near shall live For «« *if ?^'
ther hath life in himself "o hatM? ^® *"
the Son also to l^.Z^ t: S? ;^S he"
liath given him power to do iudn-m^V," /
tSrfo'''t.'\*^* Son ofn^an. A^oEi.ta"
tiiiS, for the hour onmMh «.i.^«^:^ _ii f, "^^ ^^
in the graves siali h^ar"the"volcr;f th^C
49
i'
¥
Ik
I
i
I
Hi
' I
^■1
ii^l
1.'!
ftO
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
%■ I'
l»^ i ;
iiflH
s.-^
of God; and they that havo done ^ood, shall
como forth uiito the resurrect ion ot life ; but
they that have done evil, unto the resurrection
of judgment. — St. John, v.
TEE OFFEHTOnY.
OLOIID Jesus Christ, King of Glory 1 do-
liver the sould of all the faithful departed
from the flumes of hell, and from the deep pit.
Deliver them from the lion's mouth, lest hell
swallow them, lest they fiiU into darkness;
and let thy stajidard-bearcr, St. Michael, bring
them into the-lk)ly light, which thou ha:st pro-
mised of old to Abraham and his posterity.
Wo OiTer thee, O Lord, a sacritico of praiso
and of prayer: accept it on behalfof the souls
wo commemorate this day, and let them pass
from death to life.
Ilorr^ make ;xn ofrcrlng, atso, of your own death and suf-
fering;i in union witii tho Holy Sacrifice, thus r
OMY God, I offer thee, also, tho hour of my
death, and all tho pains I am destined to
sulTer from this moment until my last breath.
Give me strength to bear them with perlect
conlbrmity to thy will. I cheerful ly offer the€,
moreover, all the pains which thou shalt pre-
pare lor me in puj'gatory. It is just that the
lire should punish in mo all the insults I hare
offered to thee. O holy prison, when shall I
find myself shut up in thee, secure of never
again being able to lose my God ? O holy fire,
when wilt thou puuify me fiom sO' many
stains, and reader me worthy to enter the
Land efbli^.ft?"! oiffiQi? all theae ■nains to tkv
¥m
MASS FOIl THE DEAD.
bl
glory uniting them witli the bitter pains of
Jesus passion. Eternal Father ! I sacrifice to
theeniylife aiidmyM'holo being. I entreat
thee accept this my sacrifice, in union with
and through the merits of this great sacrifice'
of Jesus Christ thy 8on. Amen. '^^^i*^^®
Almighty God, who art the guardian of
souls, the safeguard of salvation, and the con>-
fidcnce of all believers.,- look mercifully down
upon us, and through the merits of thy dear
feon, whoso sacred Body we offer in this sacri-
ticc bless the graves of our departed friends
that those mortal bodies which there repose'
after the course of this life is ended, may with
their happy souls at the great judgment day,
Enter not, OLord,intojudgment with these
thy servants, for with thee shall no man be
.liistihcd, except through thee the remission of
all his sins shall be accorded. We beseech
thee threfore, let not the sentence of thy ius-
tice he heavy upon those whom the earnest
prayer of Christian faith recommends ^othee-
but rather, by the succor of thy grace, may
they be found worthy to escape the avenging
.liidg;ment, who were signed with the se^l of
the Holy Trinity while they lived.
(xraciously regard, OLord, these gifts which
we offer thee for the souls of the fhithful de-
parted, that by celestial remedies made pure
tITo'T-T^' ^^ '^^ con,passionatemW:
inrou^h ^^sua ^nnsi iny Son, our Lord. Amen..
»■
1
!-*■'
ME4' jlS
52
! ';i'
ilj
I
tjl /
!■:'
i«|:
m
Mi'
GENERAL DEVOTIONS
When the Priest, turning towards the people, eavs.
" Orate Fratres, Pray, bjy Breturex, " answer:
MAY the Lord receivo this sacrifice from
thy hands, to the j^raiso and glor^- of his
holy name, for the salvation of our souls, and
for the repose of the faithful departed.
THE SECRET.
LOOK favorably down, O Lord, we beseech
thee, upon this Sacrifice which we offer
for the souls of thy departed servants, that as
thou wast pleased to bestow on them the merit
of Christian faith, thou raayest also grant
them its reward, through Jesus Christ thy Son
our Lord. Amen.
:HE PREFACE.
1
T id truly meet and right, just and salutary,
that wo should always and everj'whero
give thanks to choc, O Holy Lord, Almighty
Father, Everlasting Crod, through Christ^^our
Lord ; who by dying hath destroyed death
for us, and rising again hath renewed our life ;
and who hath left us this tremendous sacri-
fice as a propitiation for our sins, and for the
sins of the Faithful departed. Mercifully grajit.
therefore, that they, for whom it is ofibred
this day, may si^ecdily bo released from all
their suilcrings, and find eternal rest and jicr-
l^etual light with thee in Paradise; that there
wo, with them, may praise and cebbrate thy
]\fMift'«;tV- in f-nninnnTT A\rItl-> nil iha A nr«/^1« „»..l
Archangels, the celestial Powers, the blessed
Seraphs, and the whole Host of heaven, who
I
MASS FOR THE DEAD.
53
<;hant thy glory, evermore repeating: Holy!
Holy! Holy I is the Lord God of Amies ! tho
heavens and the earth are full of thy ^lorv !
Hosannain the highest ! Blessed is ho Who
Cometh in the name of the Lord I Hosanna in
the highest !
THE CANON.
11/?^ therefore siippliantly beseech thee, O
Wl/ lather of mercies, through Jesus Christ
thy bon, our Lord, graciously to accept and
hless this holy Sacritice, which we offer thee •
tor the peace and prosperity of the Holy Ca-
tliohc Church, for thy servant our Father,
JopeJN- , of our Bishops and clergy, and
for all thy faithful Catholic people : Ibi' tho
iiving, that they may prepare for death, and
ior the dead, that they may obtain eternal
rest.
MEMENTO OF THE LIVING.
"DE mindful, O Lord, of thy servants, I^^
J^and JN--, (IJcrc pause and recommend to
Ood any Iwing friend for whom ijou feel nn/ed to
Tray during this Mass,) audof all those friends
wiio are very near and very dear to mo, and
01 ail those who have asked for, or desire my
prayers, or for whom J ought especially to
pray; and so direct and strengtlien them by
thy holy grace, during life, that at the hour
of thoir death tho enemy may not i,rovail
i!x:;!ii!
j^ 1
iiiro
bestowed on the h
u^n eiOBus Christ our Lord.
hast
' ---..., v«.v/u^ii wuBUB v.iinsiour J
O Almighty and Merciful God I who
uraau racd both the means
':i
IS
M'l
|i :1
1-1
I f
54
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
of salvation and the gift of eternal life, look
graciously upon us thy servants, and cherish
these souls which thou hast created, that m
the hour of our departure, being free from
the stain of sin, we may merit to bo borne
upwards by the hands of the holy Angels to-
thee, our Creator.
Accept, O Lord, we beseech thee, this Sacri-
fice, which wo offer thee for the souls of the
faithful departed, and grant to us also, who
still remain, the grace of a happy death, that
by it being purged of all our faults, we Avho
in this life are afflicted by the scourges of
thy dispensation, may receive our eternal
rest in the life to come.
When the first sound of the bell announces that the Priest
la about to begin the consecration, say :
OGOD, may this offering be blessed, and in
Qvory way acceptable and agreable to
thee : and for our salvation's sake, and for the
comfort of departed souls, be changed into the
Bod}' and Blood of thy dear Son our Lord
Jesus Christ. Amen.
THE CONSECRjVTION.
At tlic elevation of the Sacred Host, profoundly bowing, say r
HAEL! true Body of Jesus Christ, m}'
Saviour ! O bless and sanctify my soul I
{Then add:) Give them eternal rest, O Lord*
At the elevation of the chollce, soy :
HAIL ! true Blood of Jesus Christ, my Re-
deemer !0 wash me pure from all my
sins! (Then add.) Give them etrmal rest, O
Lord. May they rest in peace.
i:
MASS rOR THE DEAD.
55
AFTER THE CONSECRATION.
r'OMMEMOEATINQ^, therefore, O Lord, the
v^ blessed passion oi' Jesus Christ thy Son
our Lord, his resurrection from the dead, and
his glorious ascension into heaven, we offer
before the throne of thy most excellent
Majesty, in behalf of these departed souls,
whom thy justice still detains in the pains of
temporal punishment, this most holy, pure,
and unspotted victim, the holy Bread of
otcrnal life, and the chalice of everlastino-
salvation. ^
A SPECIAL MEMFNTO OF THE DEAD.
BE mindful especially, O Lord, of thy ser-
vants :Nr and N , who are gone
before us with the sign of faith, and rest in
the sleep of peace. (Here make mention of those
departed friends whom you icish in particular to
recommend to the divine mercy.) To these and
to all who sleep in Christ grant, wo beseech
thee, a place of refreshment, light, and peace ;
through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, to thy servants departed,
that they may not receive a return of punish-
ment for their deeds, who in desire were
observersofthy will; and that as here true
faith has joined them to the company of thy
faithful, so there thy mercv may associate
tliem to the choir of Angels'!
O God, whoso attribute it is always to show
mercv. and in «i-»nro rtm i^umKiiT K/»cAr«,«,i- *i
lor the souls of thy faithful servants, whom
thou hast called out of this world, that thou
■n
M
56
GENIiRAL DEVOTIONS.
I I
If!'' "I
woulds not deliver them into the hands of the
enemy, nor forget them until the end, but
command them to be received by the holy
Angels, and so be led to Paradise, their true
country; that as they have believed and
ho])ed in thee, they may not suffer the pains
of hell, but possess everlasting joys.
O God, the light of faithful souls, be present
to our supplications, and grant to all thy
servants and handmaids whose bodies rcjst
in Christ, a scat of refreshment, a blissful
rest, and the light of glory.
We humbly pour our prayers to thee, O
Lord, for these thy servants, beseeching thee,
that whatever guilt they may have contracted
through human frailty, thou wilt mercifully
pardon, and place them in the seat of those
happy s^uls whom thou hast redeemed:
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
To us also, sinners though we are yet thy
servants, and trusting in the multitude of thy
mercies, deign to grant some part and
fellowship with all thy saints : Into their
company wo beseech thco graciously to admit
us, not weighing our merits but thy mercy :
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PATEll NOSTER.
Repeat with the rrioat, «« O'lr Fathn- who art in heaven
&G. ; ami then oiler tho following petition :
DELIVEll, O Lord, Ibeseech thee, tho souls
of thy servants from ail sorrow and sufl'er-
ing, and bring them to the nartieinatlor! nf
thy heavenly joys; and through tho interces-
i
MASS FOR THE DEAD.
57
eionofthe blessed and firlorious Mnry, ever
Yi^gin, Mo^cr of God, of the Holj Apostles
Peter and Haul, and Andrew, andofalltho
Saints^.mercjfully .^rrant to mealsothepardoii
of my Bins, grace to the remnant of my^av8
and peace in tho lio-r of my death, tliM so
through the help of ihy mercy, in the awful
hour of judgment I may stand before the face
of my accusing enemy without alarm: Throu«-h
Jesus Christ tky Son our Lord. Amen.
AGNUS DEI,
At the " Agnus Dei, » pray thus :
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
tho world I grant them nst.
Laittb of God, who takest away the sins %f
tho world I grant them rest.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of
the world ! grant them eternal rest.
rk J.ORD Jesus Christ, Bon of tho living God
ymio, according to ihy Father's will, and
by tho co-operation of thj, Ilo^yChost, hast^ri-
ven jifo to the world through thino own death,
deliver mo by this, thy mos^ nacrcd hody and
Blood, from all my sins, and from every evil •
make mo cling to thy commandments always'
and KevoHet me bo reparated ft;ftm thee. '
O Almi^orhtv and Merciful God 1^1 beseech
tnce,„may all these sacraments in %hich it is
our pvivilege to participate, be (ho^ means of
our purification ; andirrant thiit thJM fh.r c.^.
cjinco, may not bo to us a ground of accusa-
tion for otir |mnishment, but a salutary intei-* i-
' ^
,
m
88
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
l/ilhi!
hi
'I
t '
cession for our pardon : may it serve for the-
washing away of our guilt, for the strengthen-
ing of our frailty, and for a support against
all the dangers of the world, and to all thy
faithful people, whether living or dead, for the
remission of all their sins; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE COMMUNION.
At the signal given by the little bell, when the Priest, be-
fore receiving the Sacred Host, strikes his breast three
times, do the same, and say each time :
LOED I I am not worthy that thou shouldst
enter under my roof, but only speak the
word, and my soul shall be healed.
Here you may make the Spiritual Communion, (see page
109), uniting yourself in desire with the communion ol
the Priest. After which recite the following prayer of the
Church :
TO Almighty God, O dear departed Brethren,
we now commend you. May the bright
company of the Angels come to seek you ;
may the senate of the Apostles come to greet
you ; may the triumphant army cf glorious
Martyrs come to meet you; the glittering
throng of Confessors encompass you with
their lilies in their hands ; the choir of Virgins
receive you with songs of joy ; and a happy
rest embrace you on the bosoms of the Pa-
triarchs. May Jesus Christ appear to you with
u mild and cheerful smile, and give you a
place in his presence for ever. May you be far
removed from the horrible darkness, the hiss-
ing flames, the agonizing torments. May
Christ, who w»s cncci^ed for you, deliver you
I
I
MASS FOR THE DEAD.
5d
from yonr pams. xMay Christ, the Son of the
living God place you in the ever green and
pleasant pastures of Paradise, and may he, the
true Shepherd, acknowledge you among his
flock. Mny he absolve you from all your sins
and place you at his right Jiand in the inheri-
tance of hi8 elect May you see your Redeemel*
lace to face, and always in his presence, with
the nappy company of tho Blessed, enjoy the
fiweetnees of the vision of God for evermore
Amen. .
THE LAST GOSPEL.
For the last Gospel, read what follows :
I KNOW that my Redeemer liveth, and in
the last day 1 shall rise out of the earth •
and 1 shall be clothed again with my skin'
and m my flesh I shall see my God : whom
1 myself shall see, and my eyes shall behold
xmd not another. This my hope is laid up for
me in my bosom. Job, xix. 25—1 am the Re-
surrection and the Life : he that bclieveth in
me, although he be dead, shall live j and every
one that liveth and believeth in mo, shall not
die for ever : S. John, xi. ^25--And I heard a
voice saying unto me : Write, blessed are the
dead who die in the Lord ; from henceforth
now, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from
their labors, for their works follows them
Apoc. xiv. 13.
i2. Thanks be to God,
* ;:
^>0
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
Finally recommend yourselves to the souls in Purgatory
and say :
BLESSED Souls, I have prayed for you : I
now entreat you, who are so dear to God,
and 80 secure of never losing him any more,
to pray for me a miserable sinner, that am
exposed to sin every day, liable to die every
day, and in danger of being damned and of
losing God for ever.
(*•
iijil;
«SSS888S88K8iS88S8S»S888^S8SK8SK8S88KK88S888S«
ON HEARING THE WORD OF GOD.
" He that is of God, heareth the words of God." St John
Tlil. 47.
An important part of the Christian worship is list-
ijning to the word of God from the mouth of the Priest.
Let no one think himself so wise and so learned that
lie can do without it. Preaching is the means ap-
pointed by God to speak to our heart. Therefore, he
who will not hear the preachers of the Catholic Church,
shuts his ears against the voice of God, and despises
Jesus Christ, who says : c He thai heareth you, heareth
me, and he that despiseth you, despiselh me. »
Let no one say : I can read the word of God for
myself in the Bible ; of what use is preaching to me f
What ! do you dare to think that a human mind like
yours, created, limited, and full of darkness, is able, of
itself, to comprehend the mind of the eternal God? O!
beware, that you do not substitute your own thought
for that of God. No! dear Christian, the church of
the living God alone, guided and enlightened as it is
by the Holy Ghost, is able to know the mind of God
with infallible certainty, and to interpret the Holy
Scriptures without danger of error. She it is who an-
nounces to us the true doctrine of Jesus Christ, by her
Bishops, and their fellow-laborers, the Priests, and they
are the teachers to whom we must listen, unless we are
willing through a spirit of pride to expose ourselves
to the most dangerous errors.
±jMi Win you sav : I have at horno excelient explana-
tions of the Gospels, and other good books of instruc-
tion ; these will serve my purpose instead of preaching.
To this objection of yours, Saint Thomas of Villanova
61
■'t l
. .1" 1
41
62
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
:l;'t
^as aJrcady answered. « Tell me not, I am learned, I
tw,V0 at home the works of Augustiu, of Bernard^ 4q.
The letter is dead, the voice is living. The preaci^r is
the living voice of God. He is ' the voice of one crying
W^u .^ilderness. ' Jesus Christ said: 'The letter -
kilioth, the spirit maketh alive. ' The world, how was
It converted? Through the divine word PREACHED
by the Apostles. »
Listen then, to sermons with a pious and humble
mind ; judge not the Preacher ; look not for beautiful
words ; do not apply the sermon to others, but to
yourself alone ; consider the word of the Priest as the
voice of God, sounding in tha ear of your heart, and
calling you to penance, and often before and during
the sermon repeat in your heart the words of holy
bami^el : i S^eak, Lord! for the servant hearelh. »
PRAYER BEPOBE THE SERMON.
COME, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of thy faithful,
and kindle in them the Cre of thv love : thou v/ho
hast gathered Uie people of every tongue into tJie
unity of the laith. j. » **
GGod, who hast instructed the hearts of the faith-
ful by the illumination of the Holy Ghost, grant us by
the same spirit to understand what is right, and. to
rejoice always in his consolation, through Christ our
PRAYER AFTER THE SERMON." '
OLOR0 Jesus Christ, I thank thee for having
sown this day tlie seed of thy divine word in my
soul. Never permit, O Lord, this good seed to oe
taken away from my heart, or consumed by the heat
of impur and earthly desires, or choked up by the
thorns of worldly care ; but grant rather. that.throimh
Uiy blessing, thy word n:ay bring forth ftuit in me an
Jiundred fold, to eternal life. An^n ■•*-^-' -
t:-^ 1^^ ^rS i
DEVOTIONS AT VESPERS.
«.d!I^-."^^' ^^f ^ ^s "0 t«xpress commandment which
makes it a mortal sm to be absent Ihm Vesners IS
ev^ery good Catholic will make it his duly o attend
when lie can, and see that hisiamily are nresenraJ.o
Z'^'^'nT't"^ '^ '^"^*'^V the Lord's day and
the oilier IJoly days oi' obligation; but if a Ca l,olic
negects the pubhc servicer Church on .Sunday
alternoons, without any reasonable ('xcusc how can
m^llS^^J^/^^^^^^^^^^^^^l^^^^^^^^^-^^^-^o'sS,^
Be present, therefore, always in the cliurch at Ves-
pers, and employ the moments you spend iherc in
praying devoully. ^ ^ ^^^ *"
While the iViest and Choir are singim? the Offiro
you can follow them by usmg the following traS
t on or. jf you prcler, you may make use of some
other prayers, according to your devotion.
PRAYER BEFORE THE OFFICE.
f\ LORD, open my lips to praise thy holv
yj^mme: cleanse my heart also from pIi
perverse and wandering thoughts; enli-jiteu
my mind and inflame my heart, so that 1 may
Z±./3^!.^,*i^.r^^^'l3:, attentively, anJ
-- -zv.j, rtiiu iiiiiinj a gracious iiearinir in the
presence of thy divine Majesty . through
Christ our Lord. Amen. -^ . fe ...
64
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
THE VESPERS OF SUNDAYS.
Ill II
■'(I
First rcdtc nn '< Ovr Fallirr, " nnd a <' Hail Mary^ " and
then begin with the sign olthe Ciots, thus:
V. Deus in acljntcrium
meiim inicnde. .
R. Domine, ad adjuvan-
dum mo festina.
Gloria Patri, et Fi!io,
* et Spiritiii Sancto.
Sicut erat in irincii'io,
et nunc, el semper, * et in
secciila saicuiarum. Amen.
V. t Inclir^ unto my
aid. OGod. .
J{. Loid, make haste
lo help mo.
Glory ho to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the
Holy Ghost, as it was in
the hoginning, isnow, and
ever shall be, world with-
out end. Amen.
Before and after each Psalm 1p snng an Antiphon, which
varies according to the Festivals.
Anl. Dixit Dominus.
Anfiphon.
Faid —
The Lord
PSALM CIX.
(Dixit Dominus.)
A prophecy of the-exaltation and everlasting Priesthood
of Jesus Christ.
1. Dixit Dominus Do-
mino raeo, * Sede a dextris
meis.
2. Donee ponam inimi-
cos tuos, * scabellum pe-
dum tuorum.
3. Virgam virtutis tua)
emittet Dominus ex Sion :
The Lord said to my
Lord : Sit thou at my
right hand, until I make
thy enemies thy footstool.
, Jhe Lord will send
ifenh the sceptre of thy
VeSPKRS,
ry^ " and
into my
\Q haste
Father,
1(1 to the
t was in
low, and
■Id with-
1, which
c Lord
"iesthood
to my
at my
I make
Dotstool.
• dominaro in medio
Imicorum tuorum.
65
in
4. Tecum principinm in
dio y rtutis tiw, in snlcn-
dorihus sanctorum : * ex
utcro ante luciferum genu!
5. Juravit Dominus, et
non poDnitobit oum ■ * Tu
es sacordos in externum
secundum ordinem Mei-
cliiscdoch.
p. Dominus h dextrin
tuis:*conlrcgitin(Jicira^
sua? iTges.
7. JudicaJjit in nationi-
iaus, ini])lebit ruinas • *
conquassabit capita in\or-
ra miiltorum.
8. Do torronte in via
JJibot : * jiropterea exalta-
hit caput.
Gloria Patri, dc.
Anl. Dixit Dominus Do-
mino meo, Sedo h dextris
meis.
Ant. Fidelia.
power out of Sion : rule
thou in tho midst ( f ihv
onpuiies. '
.^Vith theo is iho nrin-
CM'iilily in t.';(3 dny r r thy
«'n;n^'lh.inUioJjno]iiness
ot thy sainls; fruiu tho
wonih hr-lbro the day-star
Tiip J.onl Jiath sworn,
and lio wilJ not re])ent •
ihoii art a priest /VjrevW-
.jccordinf,' to the order of
iMHchiscdocIj.
Tho Lci'd at thy ri'^ht
;and had, i;rokeu ifingJi,,
ll'<Y-"y^^^J^i3 wrath.
|o shall jud-o amonff
naiionslio shall lill ruins,
e shall rrush tho heads
ni tho land of many
lie shall drink or the
torrent in tho way: there-
ore shall he hit up the
iioad.
^^Glory be to the Father,
Anl. The Lord said to
my Lord, Sit thou at mv
right hand. ^
Anl. All his command-
ments —
1 send
of thy
€6
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
PSALM ex.
(Confitebor tibi, Doraine.)
The prophet gives thanks to GckI, and praises him for all
his graces and benelits to liis Church.
( r .^iii
1. Confitebor tibi, Do-
mine, in lolo cordo moo :
* in concilio Justorum, ct
congregatioiic.
2. Magna 0[)ora Domi-
ni : * oxquisita in omncs
voliintates ejus.
3. Confessio et mngni-
ficentia ofms (\ius : * ct
jusUtia ejus nianet in sa;-
culum sa.^culi.
4. Mcmoriam fecit mi-
rabiliimi siionim, niiseri-
cors ct miserator Domi-
nus : * cseam dedit limen-
tibus so.
5. Momor erit in sa'cn-
lum tcstamenti siii : * vir-
lutcm opcruni siioi'inn an-
nuntiabit populo sito.
C. Ut dot illis birrcdi-
talcm G(^ntiuni : * oj)era
manuuni ejus, Veritas el
judicium.
7. Fidelia omnia man-
data ejus, conlirmata in
I will praiso llioe, O
Lord, with my whole
heart : in the assembly
of the righteous, and in
the congregation.
Great arc the wrrks of
the Lore' : exquisite and
iigreeablo to all liis de-
signs.
His work is Jiis ]iraiso
and glory ; and liis justice
remaineih forever.
The mercirul and gra-
cious Lord hath appoint-
ed a memoi'ial of '^^'s won-
deii'ul works: !. hath
given food te them that
fivir him.
Ih^ will J)(^ forevei'
miiidful {)[' his covnant :
the j'lvalness of his works
will bopubiisli to liis peo-
ple.
To give Ihem the iu-
heriiaiice of the G/Mitiles :
the w(.iks (if his hnnds are
Irnth an.d insiiice.
True and histing are all
liis ordinances, conlirmed
VESPERS.
him for all
sasculum sseculi : • facta in
veritate et cequitate.
8. Redemptionem misit
populo suo: • mandavit
in ooternum testameiUum
siium. --
9. Sanctum et terribile
nomen ejus : * initium sa-
l)ientia3 timor Domini.
10. Intellootus bonus
omnibus facienlibus eum :
* laudatio ejus manet in
saocuJum satculi.
Gloria Patri, dc.
Anl. Fidelia omnia man-
data ejus ; conlirmata in
saeculum saeculi.
A7il. In mandatis.
67
forever and ever; made
m truth and justice.
He hath sent redemp-
tion to his people : ho hath
appointed his covenant
forever.
Holy and awful in his
name: the fear of the
Lord is the beginning of
wisdom.
All understand it right
who practise it: his praise
cndureth forever and evr>\
Glory be to the Father,
dc.
Afil. All his command-
ments arc faithful, con-
firmed forever and ever.
Ant. He shall delight—
PSALM CXI.
(Beatus vir.)
^V^iU.''J'^il&^^^ be surely happy
1. Bontusvir qui timet
1)0111 innm :' * in mandatis
'"jus volot niinis.
'?. Polens in terra orit
somon ejus : * generalio
I'-clorum benedicetur.
^. Gloria et divitlo) in
dime ejus : • et justitia
Blessed is the man that
fonroth the Lord: in his
coiiimandnients ho shall
take great delight.
Mighty on earth shall
bo his seed : (ho genera-
tion of fhn pi>rlitr>»..« „i,_ii
be blessed.
Glory and weallh shall
tif^ in his house : and his
61
GENERAL MVO^PlONS.
ejus hianet in sacculum
saeculi.
4. ExoTtttm est in teiie-
bris lumon rectis : " mise-
ricors, et iniserator et Jus-
tus.
5. Jucundus hdmo qui
miseretur et commodat,
disponet sermoncs suos in
juclicio : ' quia in ceter-
num non commovobiiur.
6. In memoria antorna
crit Justus : ' ab audiliono
mala non timobit.
7. i Paratum cor ejus
spcrare in Domino, con-
fu'rnatuni ost cor ejus : *
non commovobitur \h ncc
dcppiciat inimicos suos.
8. Dispersit, dedit j>au-
pcribus, juslilia ejus uui-
iict in .^a^culuni Fjnculi : *
cornu ejus exaltabilur in
gloria.
9. IVccator videbil ol
irascelur, doulibus suis
freniet et tabescct : * (ic
sidcriuui iieccatorum pe-
ribit,
Gloria Patri, Ac.
Anl. In mandalis ejus
cupit nimis.
Ant. Sit nomen Domi-
lii.
righteousness endu eth
forever and ever.
tie is men in darkiioss,
a li^^ht to the upright : he
is mere i All and just, com-
passionate.
Acceptable is the man
that sheweth mercy and
lendelh : ho shall order
his words with judgment,
and lie shall never give
way.
The righteous man shall
be in eternal remem-
brance : ho shalf not fear
anfl evil roj)ort.
His heart is ready to
hopo ill the Lord : his
heart is strent^^thened : he
shall not yield till ho de-
spise Jiis eni'uiies.
lie halhdislributpdand
given to the poor ; his
righleousness remaineth
Ibiw'ver : his ]^owcr shall
bo exalted in glory.
The sinner shall see if,
and be enraged : he shall
gnash his teclh and pine
away : the desiro of s.n-
ners shad iierislj.
(1 lory be to the Father,
iVe.
Ant. He shall delight
cxceediDgly jn his coui-
iiiaiidmoiils.
Ant. Blessed bo the
i ' :.«
VES^EH^.
(ii
PSALM CXII,
(Laudate, pueri, Dominum.)
the hunible.^ him=,elf, he does not lorget the poor aSa
1. Laudate, pueri, Do-
minum : * laudale iiomen
Domini.
2. Sit nomen Domini
iencdictum : ' ex hoc
nunc, et usque in secu-
Jum.
3. A solis ortu usque
ad occnsiim : * laudaJJilo
nomen Domini.
4. Excclsus super oin-
ncs gcntoa Dominus : * ot
super cffilos gloria ejus.
5. Quis sicut Domihits
Dons nosier, qui in altis
habitat : ' et li urn ilia re-
spicil in coelo et in terra ?
C. Suscitans a terra in
opem : * ot do stercoro
erigens pauperem.
7. lit colloeet eum cum
prmeipibus : * cum prin-
cipibus populi sui,
8- Qui habitare facit
stenleni in domo : * ma-
trem filionim Iflptantem.
Praise the Lord, ye ser-
vants of the Lord : praiso
y6 the name of the Lord.
Let the name of the
Lord be blessed : now and
for evermore. =
From the rising cf the
sun to the setting thereof;
worthy of ppeiso is ike
namo of the Lerd.
High is the -Lord above
all thonafions : and above
Iho heavens is bis glory.
Who is IjlvG unto the
Lord (,urGod, who dwell-
01 hen Iiigh :nrid behold-
etli what is below in heaven
and on oarlh ?
Who ft'oni 4he earHh
raiselJi up the npodv one :
and from the dungliili liPt-
eth r.p the poor one :
To place him with thn
princess : with the princes
of his ju'ople.
W^honiakMh «hft h.'>rrf>p
woman to dwell in her
iiouse : the .joyful mother
of many children.
/ '
'': ii
I'll If
>^0
GRNERAL DEVOTIONS.
Gloria Palri, Ac.
Anl. Sit nomen Do-
mini benedictiim in sae-
cula.
Anl. Nos qui vivimus.
Glory be to the Father^
Ac.
Ant. Blessed he the
name of the Lord for ever-
more.
Ant. But we that live.
PSALM CXVJ.
(Laudato Dominum.)
^^^^^'V*,^* invites the whole world to join in praislue
God for his mercy and truth. vi^iiaius,
1 . Laudato Dominum
omnes gcntes : * laudato
eum, Omnes populi.
2. QuonJaP' confirmata
est super nos miserioordia
ejus : • et Veritas Domini
manet in seternum.
Gloria Patri, &c.
Ant. Nos qui vivimus
l)enedi( iinus Domino.
O praise the Lord, all ye
nations ; praise him, all ye
people.
For his mercy is con-
firmed upon us ; and the
truth of the Lord remain-
eth forever.
Glory be to the Father,
Ac.
Ant. But we that live
bless the Lord.
THE LITTLE CHAPTER, 2 COIl. I.
Benedictus Deus, ot
Paler Domini nostri Jesu
Christi, Pater miscricor-
diarum, et Doug totius
consolationis, qui consola-
tur nos in omni Iribula-
tione nostra.
R. Deo Gratias.
Blessed be the God ancT
Father of our Lord Josus.
Christ, the Father of mer-
cies, and the God of all
comfort, who comforlelh
us in all our tribalalion.
H. Thanks be to God.
Then f<r)llow8 the Hvmn. whinh la nnt niwnva <i.» .»^»
BlSs'SVlr^'ln '^®" Is usual I'y sung on tho^Fiaste of'thi^
#1'
mm;
VB6PBII8.
HYMN.
n
Ave Maris Stella
Dei Mater Alma
Atque Semper Virgo
Felix Goeli porta.
Sumens illud Ave
Gabrielis ore,
Funda nos in pace
Mulans -Eva) nomen.
Solve vinola reis
Profer lumen cascis
Mala nostra pelle
Bona cuncta posce.
Mcnstra te esse malrem
Sumat per te preces
Qui pro nobis natus
Tulit esse tuus.
Virgo singularis,
Inter omnes mitis
Nos culpis solutes
Mites lac et castos.
Vitam praesta puram,
Ker para tutum,
Ut vidontos Jesum
Semper coUaDtomur,
Sit laus D?o Patri,
Summo Christo docus,
(Ave Maris Stella.)
Gentle Star of ocean I
Portal of the sky I
Ever Virgin Mother
Of the Lord Most High!
Oh I by Gabriers Ave,
Utter'd long ago,
Eva's name reserving,
Stablish peace below. '
Brea k the captive's fetters ;
Lighten blindness poor-
All our ills expelling, '
Every bliss implore.
Show thyself a Mother;
Who for us mcarnate
Did not thee despise.
Virgin of all Virgins!
To thy shelter take us :
Gentlest of the gentle I
Chaste and gentle make
us.
Still as on we journey,
Help our weak 'en-
deavor;
Till with thee and Jesus
We rejoice forever.
lilO
iiighest
Heaven,
To the Almighty Throe,
J
il
i
iii-i
72
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
Spiritui Sancto,
Tribus honor unus.
Amen.
: V. Dirigatur, Domine,
oratio mea,
R. Sicut incensum in
conspectu tuo.
Father, Son, and Spirit,
One same glory be.
V. May my prayer,
Lord, be directed,
U As incense in thy
sight.
^vSp? wiffiL*^?i*'''«"/^?^*l^«"nS' a^ Antlphon, which
varies with the different Feasts and seasons of tlie year.
THE MAGNIFICAT.
or Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
1. MAGNJFICAT * an
ima rnea Dominuu..
2. Et exultavit spiritus
mens : * in Deo salutari
meo.
3. Quia respexit humili-
tatem ancilia^ siue : * eccc
onini ex hoc, bcatau mo
<licent omnos genoralionos.
4. Quia fecit mihi magna
<fiii j)otons est ; * oi sanc-
tum nomen (mus.
•>. Et miscrioordia ojiis
a ftrogcnio in progenies,
* limontibus oum.
6. Fecit i)Olcnliaiu in
Jirachio suo : * disporsit
superbos incnlo cordis sui.
7. Doposuit potontos do
sodo : * ft oxaltavit Jni-
miles.
My soul doth magnify
the Lord, and mv spirit
hath rejoiced in God my
Saviour :
Because he hath re-
garded tJie humility of his
handmaid, for behold from
hcncefortii all genoralions
shall call mo blessed.
For ho that is inightv
hath done groat things to
mo, and holy is Jiis numo,
And his mercy is from
gontM-ation to gcnrrnlion,
to Iheni lliat fejir him.
llo halh showed might
in his Jirm : he halh scat-
tered the proud in tho con-
ceii of their hear!.
He hath put down tho
mighty from tiieir seat.
and hnt]l <iv;ihrt/l «l.r> 1.,
blc.
VESPBRS.
73
8. Esurientes implevit
bonis : * et divites dimisit
inanes.
9. Suscepit Israel pue-
nim suum : * recordatus
miseri cordial su£d.
10. Sicutlocutus est ad
patresnostros: * Abraham,
et semini ejus in Ssecula.
Gloria Patri, &c.
He hath filled the hun-
gry with good things, and
the rich he hath sent away
empty.
He hath received Israel
his servant, being mindftil
of his mercy.
As he spoke to my la-
thers, to Abraham and to
his seed forever.
Glory, &c.
PRAYER.
w;
rE beseech thee, O Lord, let all thy Saints
assist us wherever wo may be: thatwhilo
we venerate their virtues, we may also feel
their protection : Grant to these times in which
we live thy holy peace, and drive away all evil
from thy Church : Direct our lives, our actions,
and our wills, and those of all thy pendants in
the prosperous way of thy salvation : return
an everlasting reward to all our benefactors;
and to all the faithful departed grant eternal
rest Through Jesus Christ o'^r Lord. Amen.
After tho Prayer, which Is different every Sunday, follow
the vcrslcles and responses. ' *"""**
V. Dominus voblscum.
R. Et cum spiritu tuo.
V. Bcnedicamus Dom-
ino.
B. Deo Gratins.
V. Tho Lord bo with
you.
R. And with Ihy spirit.
V. Let us bless the
Lord.
n
V. Fideiium anima) perj V. May the souls of Vho
M4
'1
i
I
fi
ii IP
ill i!
ill,!!,!
-|ll|
I"
I
i I
74
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
misericordiam Dei requi-
escant in pace.
it. Amen.
faithful, through the mercy
of God, rest in peace.
R. Amen.
Then repeat « Our father- <tc., and afterwards ;
V. Dominus det nobis
suam pacem.
R. Et vitam eeternam.
Amen.
V. May God grant us
his peace.
R. And everlasting life.
Amen.
^^'^^SlrTL^rl^i^^^^on^^^^ the Mother or God,
{During Advent, and until the Purification.)
ALMA REDEMPTORIS MATER.
Alma Redeniptoris Mater
cnsepervia coeli, '
Porta manes, et stclla ma-
ns, succurro cadenti
Surgere qui curat. populo •
tu quae genuisti, '
Natura mirante, tuum
sanctum Gpnitorem,
Virgo prius ac posterius :
Gabrielis ab ore,
Sumeris illud Ave, pecca
torum miserere.
Dom
mi
v. Angelus
nuntiavit MaricT
^ li. Elconceiiil de Spir-
tiu Sanclo.
Mother of Jesus, heaven's
open gate,
Star of the sea, uphold our
fallen state.
thou, whose sacred
Womb thy Maker bore.
Remaining over virginal
and pure,
From sinful lips receive
tliat earnest Hail,
Which lirst from Gabriel,
hallowed herald, fell. .
V The Angel of the
l^otd declared unto Mary,
R. Awl she conceived by
the Uohi 'Viosl. ''
PRAYER.
(x^iiT^c^n ^"^"' 'f^'^- P«UR forth, we beseech
VTsumus. Dom.nn ....^ JT thee. Wd. thy grace
sumus, Domine, men-
tibus nostris infunde : ut
into our
«i'-«i l:;, liiiil
THfhERS.
7^
qui angelo nuntiante
Christi Filii tni incarna-
tionem cognovimus, per
passionem ejus et crucem
ad resunrectionis gloriam
perdticamur. Per eum-
dem Christum Dominum
nostrum. Amen.
we, to whom the incarna-
tion of Christ thy Son h-
been niado known by tae*
mcFsage of an angel, may
by his passion and cross;
be brought to the glory
of his resurrection. through
j the same Christ our Lord.
' Amen.
\Prom the Purification until Easter.)
AVE, REGINA CCELORUM.
Ave, regina coelorum,
Ave, domina angelorum.
Salve radix, salve porta,
Ex qua mundo lux est
orta.
Gaude virgo gloriosa.
Super omnes speciosa ;
Vale 6 valde, decora,
Et pro nobis Christum
exora.
V. Dignare me, lau-
dare te, Virgo sacrata.
i?. Da mihi virlutein
cnnirn hnvioe uino
I Hail Mary, Queen of
heaven above.
Whom radiant Angels
own and love !
Hail fruitful root, ha if
portal bright,
Whence streamed on
earth celestial light.
Hail glorious Maid, with
beauty blessed,
Far lovelier than the
loveliest,
O! crowned with graca
and ftlory thus,
Pray, Mary, pray to Christ
for us !
V. deign to let me
praise thee. Sacred Vir-
gin!
/?. And give me imweir
against thy memie^i.
i
1
' ri
mM
H
h>
'I'l
76
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
PRA.YSIB.
CONCEDE, mi9?TicDfs
Deus, fragilitati riob-
Iras praesidiura : ut qui
sancta3 Dei Cenetricis me-
moriam agimus, interces-
sionis ejus auxilio, a nos-
tris iniquitatibus resur-
gamus. Per eumdem
Christum Dominuiir nos-
trum. Amen.
GfiANT us, mercifal
God, a safef' lard
against all our v/eakxiess,
that we, who celebrate
the memory of the holy
Mother of Oci, may, by
the h^ip of her interces-
sion, rise again from our
iniquities, through the
same Christ our Lord.
Amen.
.From Easier until Trinity.)
REGINA CC^LI.
Regina coeli laetare, Al-
leluia.
Quia quem'meruisti por-
tare, Alleluia.
Resurroxit sicut dixit,
Alleluia.
Ora pro nobis Deum,
Alleluia.
V. Gaude et lajtarc,
Virgo Maria, Alleluia.
li. Quia surrcxii Uom-
iniis verCf Alleluia.
Joy to thee, Queen of
heaven. Alleluia 1
He whom thou wast
to bear. Alleluia !
As he promised,
arisen. Alleluia!
Pour for us to him thy
prayer. Alleluia !
meet
hath
V. Rejoice and be glad,
Virgin Mary, Alleluia I
/?. For the Lord is truly
risen, Alleluia
PRAYER.
DEUS, qui per resur-
rcctionom, Filii tui
Domini nostri Jesu Chris-
li miindum ia3tificurti dig-
nat'Ts os; praesta quajsu-
OGOD, who, by the res-
urrection of thy Son,
our Lord Jesus Christ,
liast been pleased to fill
the w(.4d with joy, grant,
VESPERS.
77
mus, lit per ejus genitri-
cem virginem Mariam
perpetuso capiamus gau-
<lia vita). Per cumdern
Christum Dominum nos-
trum. Amen.
we beseech thee, that by
his Mother, the Virgin
Mary, we may receive
the joys of eternal life,
through the same Christ
our Lord. Amm.
(From Trinily Sunday uniil Advent.)
SALVE, REGINA.
Salve, Rcgina, mater mi-
scricordia) !— vita, dul-
ccdo, et spes nostra,
salve !
Ad te clamamus
Filii Eva).
exules
Ad to suspiramus gemen-
tes ct llentcs in hac
lacrymarum valle.
Eia ergo, advocata nostra,
illos tuos misericordes
ocLilos ad ncs convertc.
Et ilesum, bcncdictum
fructum vcnlrist'M. no-
bis iK)st hoc e:: ilium
ostcndc.
Clemens, pia.^J diil-
cisvirgo Maria.
y. (Jra ]}ro nobis, sancta
Tivi gcnitri.v.
Mother of mercy, hail !
gentle Queen!
Our life, our sweetness,
and our hope, all hail !
Children of Eve,
To thco we cry from our
sad banishment.
To thcG wo send our sighs,
Weeping and mourning
in this tearful vale.
Come then, our Advocate,
O ! turn on us those pity-
ing eyes of thine.
And, our long exile
past,
Show us at last
Jesus, cf thy pure womb
the fruit divine ;
Virgin Mary. Moth-
er blest !
sweetest, gentlest,
holiest!.
V. Pray for us, holy
Mother cf God!
V-
mjE' Y
tl
I .1
B
;
1
f< '
9
if \t
1
^Ji
1
78
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
^'|i'
"'!ii'
Hj:
^ti :■ |i
ii
ii
B. Ut dignf efftdamur
promissionibus Chrisii.
R. That we may be-
made worthy of the pro-
mises of Christ.
PRAYER.
OJilNIPOTENS sempi-
terne Deus, qui glori-
ossD Virginis Matris MariaB
corpus et animam, ut dig-
num Filii tui habitaculum
eflBci mereretur, Spiritu
Sancto co-operante, prjp--
parasti : da, ut cujus com-
memoratione lcetamur,ejus
pia intercessioneahinstan-
tibus malis et a morte per-
Setua liberemur. Per eum-
em Christum Dcminum
nostrum. Amen.
V. Divinum auxilium
maneat temper nabiscum.
R^J^men.
A LMIGHTYand eternal
God ! who, by the co-
operation of the Holy
Ghost, didst prepare the
body and soul of the glo-
rious Virgin Motker Mttry,
that she might becomoa
worthy habitation lor thy
Son, grant, that as with
joy we celebrate her mem-
ory, so by her pious inter-
cession we may be deliv-
ered from present evils,
and from eternal death,
through the same Christ
our Lord. Amen.
V. May the divine as-
sistance remain always
with us.
R. Amen.
CONCLUDING PRAYER.
TO the most Holy and undivided Trinity, to
the crucified humanity of our Lord Jesus
Christ, to the most blessed and glorious and
ever faithful virginity of the Virgin Mary,,
and to the assembly of all the Saints in
heaven, may everlasting praise,. honor, power^
and glory be given, by every creature, and
to us, also, the remission of all our sins
through,, never ending ages. Amen,
DENEDICTIOIC.
79
v. Bleraed be the womb of the Virgin Mary, which
bore the Son of the eternal Father 1 3, y^ i^u
fi. And blessed be the breasts which nourished Christ
our Lord.
« Our Father, » and tHail Mary.»
^^^^^^^^^^S^^SI^S5K»«5H5B5a5ES5B^^
BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
Ordinarily at the close of the Sunday Vespers and AnmA
times on other occasions, is given the BeS?t?on^th
manS''^ Sacrament. ThSs is done toX' foUow^
The Priest, or sometimes a Deacon assistino- fv,« ^-4 *
goeauptothealtar, and opeXg thTtfhm?n«fe P/^*?^**
out the Most Blessed SacraSnt wh&h L k^n^ t^^^^
and leaves it thus on or above tne altar ^^SvSfJV*^^*^?*
View to the adoration o^the IkfthfS 'The^pSl}^^"^*
?«s^?^*^gh^J^^^^^^^^^^
^, ' 1
.» • n
HYMN.
{0 Salutaris Hostia.)
O Salutaris Hostia,
Quae coeli pandis ostium :
Bella premunt hostilia :
Da robur fer aux ilium.
Salutary Sacrifice !
Whose death has opened
Paradise :
By hostile war oppressed.
afraid,
To thee we look for strength
aud aid.
Wk
WM
4»
|«
'•it'
^1
ijiBl
^H
•w GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
Uni tjTinoque Domino, i Now to the triune God in
c.f .„ •. , . Heaven.
S.'t sempiterna gloria : Be .-everlasting glory giv-
en *
Qui vitam sine termino, Where life eternal in his
Nobis donet in patria. Invi^tes us to our Father-
I land.
HYMN.
(Tantum erio Sacramenfum.)
Tan turn ergo sacramcn-
timi,
Vciiereniur cernui ;
Et antiquum documentum,
Novo codat rilui ;
Prosstet fides suppleraen-
tuni,
Seni;uuiii (lefoctui.
Gonitori, Gonilo(juo,
Laus ct juJiilatio,
Salus, honor, virtus auo-
^ quo.
Bit ot bonodiclio :
Procedcnli ad utroque,
Down in adoration falling.
Lo ! the Sacred Host we
hail ;
Lo ! o'or anciens forms do-
parting.
Newer rif,'hts of grace pre-
vail :
Faith for all defects sup-
plying,
I v\ Jiero the feeble senses
fail.
To the everlasting Father,
And I ho Son who reigns
on high.
With the Holy Ghost pro-
ceeding
Forth from each eternally,
Be solvation, honor, Wa<?s-
ing.
BENEDICTION.
8t
Gompar sit laudatio.
Amen,
V. Panpm de coelo praes-
titisti eis.
li. Omne deleclamenium
in se habentem.
Might, and endless majes-
ty. Amm.
V. Thou liast given them
bread from heaven.
II Replenished with all
sweetness and delight.
PRAYER.
DEL jul nobis, sub
Sacramento mirabiii,
passion is tua) menioriam
reliqiiisti: tribuc, (jua3su-
mus, ita ncs corporis ol
sanguinis tui sacra nivs-
OGod, who has loft us
in tiiis wonderCul Sac-
rament a perpetual memo-
rial of thy passion : grant
us wo ])eseech thee, so to
revoronco (lio sacred mys-
tena venerar.. ut redemp- imcs of thy Dod and
tionisluilructum in nobis Blood.that we m.V con-
jngiler sontiamiis. Qui
vivis et regnus in s.Tcuia
seeculoruni. Amen.
linually lind in our souls
the ihiit of Ihy I^edemp-
licn : T!:ou wiio livest and
roignest world without
. end. A7)ien.
After Iho I'rlost lins Piirj? this rrrvrr Uio xvhUn x-ni? to i«< i
fn ; j; n"^^'"- ^'V"^-' I'J'"''.'-' iho Jnoustir.nop which con
or|>^s At this moment icnool .n!> o I x ouh^ i^'
fon;, to receive thi« .livinc b:c.sing of ouV\suVlL«rranJ
r\ MY (iod, lam sonj— T am sorry for my
^^ f^^ms: foro-ivo mo them, iind /^ivo mo my
part in this Lcavonly Uvs^mg ! 1 lovo theo, I
will lovo thee iiUyny^, and Bcek to ploasothee
in every tlioiight, in every word, and every
action of my life, f In the name of the Fa-
ther, and ofthe 8oii, and of tlie Holy GhoBt.
■ll
r y
iMi
!f i ■
'^=^=^=^3e$^^X:«^:XC«0$CCC^O$CCC^($CCC^^
CONFESSION.
EXERCrSES OF DEVOTION PREPARATORY TO CONFESSION.
'^flfp*'^T!,l"ifi5n^*^^'' confession mry be the last of your
iUfe«^i?«f^^*^^^' prepare yourc^elf lor It, as if you were
lying sick upon your death and already at fhS
borders of the grave. Ask Gc o give you t^offracl
to make agood examination of c.aseience and LheT[?ht
to see your sins clearly, and as they really a?S. '^^^
INVOCATION.
Q GOD, the Father of light I Thou who en-
^^ lightenest all men that come into this
worla, send into my poor soul a ray of the
holy light of love and contrition, that I mar
know, detest, and confess the sins, which I
have committed against thee. I desire to sec
my sins in all their enormity, and just as they
are in thy sight: I wish to detest them for
the love of thee, and to confess them with tho
same sincerity, as I should wish to do at the
moment of my death. Jesus, my God and Sa-
viour, I offer to thee tho examination which I
am going to make, and I look to thee with
confidence for tho grace to do it well. And do
thou, O Mother of God, assist me, thou who
art so full of comjoassion for sinners that de-
sire truly to repent of their sins.
Help me, my holy Guardian Angel I help me
to know all tho offences which 1 have com-
83
CONFESSION.
83
Havin
m.tted against my God. O ! all ye Saints In
heaven pray for me that 1 ma/brinTfor
worthy fruits of penance. Amen. ""
JVoio make your , xumination of conscience *
contrition lor your sins : excite in yourself a true
I. GoNHni^uAT.oN. Oflhe enormity of siji.
Con?: lor, first, the enormity of a mortal «in t. •
given the death-bloi to you Imrrial soul -^^L^"'
have drawn down upon vour<;plf iho „ ' . y^"
isliment of the livinM"o(rrrod whn "^k' ^"^ I^""'
goance is awful and terrible t hi tTf 1? ^V^^ ^'^"■
ever into HpII th?; hVi ', "^^^ '^ '^ '^^ who cast for-
' coiumiltod so ^reat and qh JnrHH- ' "^^^' "^^
While death i^^^^^'^J^l^^n^l^^'
the inhnito patience of this inost mercXl PoH ?
makes him wait until now for your'conversio;'' ''"
upon those faults and inm„rf!oi •^'^ ''- ''*'""*"' «'^n««
On the contrnrv Hul I u ""^ «f '^m.nation on j,. 22.
without con7es::^htd%I;^e\';;^r,\,^^^^^ J [-S while
nation of consoienoe wh .k^» • ^'^^^ *"ne to the exami-
the nature and number f»h«t!. '"'"d as far as possible,
pose, they "lake ^of tt t J^rFxS '''^ ^'"'-
this manual, page 285. Examination gjven in
»
JJ
i J
84
I
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
CONTRITE PRATER.
m
Q MY God 1 infinite and holy God, what
nave i cione ? I confess that my sins are
more in number than the hairs of my head
or the Bands on the sea-shore. And yet only
a single one of them all was enough for my
ruin. Yes, one of these mortal sins was enough
to rob me of heaven, enough to bringdown thy
angeriipon my defenceless head. Kell opened
under my feet when I committed the tk«t
and yet others followed, until now, like a
mountain they lie heavy upon my soul. Alas I
why am I not penetrated with horror and fear
at tho remembrance of my guilt ? Sinful sou^
whac Last thou gained by all these sins ? JN"olli-
ing, O my Lord, nothing but shame and sor-
row, guilt and remorse. They have left me
without joy in thepast,or hope beyond tho*
grave. ^ ^
But no, my most merciful Lord, there is
Btilihope for me: for I know that i^ I do
penance thou wilt forgive me. I do repent of
all my sins. I Iiate and detest them from the
bottom of my heart. I am truly sorry for mv
marl and senseless conduct, and I am resolved
to sm no more. From this moment I devote
the rest of my days to penance and a holy
life, lies, holy and merciful God, hear ray
firm resolve : Forgive mo this once, and rather
will I lose, a thousand times over, all the world
has of goods, pleasures, honors, health, oven
ri; h rf
CONFESSION.
85
'If
ltfe_itself, than ever separate from thy grace
co"-«sxrro> J4'^ ,t'r •— ^'- «
^hile iiili?ns of ren'l tolheo wet'left t^;'!i"'f
ncss of infldelity and horesv I h-™ ,„ t' o dark-
For al this thnn n«, 1 '"''' ''''"" '"'^' "-hou <lono f
made" all croa?ur"?or Zl.if'ZV'' '''''')''''' ' '
'^"'"■""■E PBAYEH.
WHAT base ingratitude I No tlier« ;«
cions graces which t^ - Ct «l,n! f P™"
niy thankless head. showered upon
O ungrateful sinne: that I am I Who wiP
give .,ghs enough to my heart, LnU tt-rtt
J I',
GENEIIAL DEVOTIONS.
my eyep. that I may weep for the death of my
feoul, and do peDauce as I ought for this trea-
chery to my God, of which I have been
guilty ? O, most merciful Lord, have mercy
on me ! I have a sincere desire, and make
now the firm rei^olution to offend thee no
more.
Alas i was it just, was it right, that after
being brought into existence by God, and
receiving innumerable benefits at his hand,
I should so ofUn and so deeply offend him as
I have done ? When this unseen and om.ni-
|xHent hand formed me in my mother's womb,
and gave me /^andH, feet, eyes, ears, and a
heart, was it for mc :o us'j them in this way
as so many instruments to insult and violate
thy sublime majesty ? /h ! unhappy eyes I
O wicked hands I O faithless heart ! you by
your mm have been the cause of grief to a
God of infinite goo^inesK, the most k>ving and
tender of Fathers.
III. Consideration. Upon ih4 love of Jesus Christ,
who suffered for our sins.
Look upon yrar (oving Raviour c^i the cross of Cal-
vary ! His sacred hands and feet are pierced through
and through willi rude nails hammered deep into the
wood : his kingly head is crowned with thorns : his
sacred body is covered with marks of the cruel
scourge ; and his unspeakable agony appears in his
dying eyes, and the convulsions of his sutfering limbs,
Who is it ? and what is the cause of this bloody
spectacle ? Ah ! sinner, ?t is your Saviour, and your
sins have brought him to this sad extremity. Yes, for
your saka hb became man, for the pardon of your sins
CONFESSION,
87
he suffered and died. Gruel Jews! cruel soldiorQ »
Lut mr more cruel sinners who, in our d^rstillcrS
their Lord and mock at his nairx; • fnr VS a 17
speaks of them when he sav. ^^'ihJ ^^t^P°^"®
to themselves the Son of gT nnlltZ "^"'^^7 ""^^^'^
CONTRITE PRAYER.
A LAS 1 accureed sins I how could I treat
titnL .<• '"'^^ 7^^,P according to the mul-
titude of my sms I Is this thy reward mv
dearest Saviour, for that innocent blood wCh
thou hast shed with so much love and sorrow
for my sake? Could I make thee no betteT
return than this ?-by my guilty pleasure^ my
brutal passions, my cold contempt of thy holv
ii^7±nT' K.'^Si" *^y ^^ce Vith shamed
and open thy bleeding wounds afresh ?
O Lamb of God I sacrificed and lifeless on
the cross remember that I am a soul redeem
ed by thy precious blood : pardon loo mv
sms for 1 am sorry for them from the i.,Uom
of my heart, les 1 raise thy wounded hand
to bless and pardon me. Receive the trahor
that now casts himself in sorrow at thy feet
Jly sins fill mo with terror, for I know that I
deserve to be in hell this moment, buTsure^
since thou hast died for me, thou will nJi
now refuse me mercy : Behold me here, O
my God I what wilt thou have me do ? shaU
I weep over my sins ? Indeed, I am Kwiy
it
■
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I
if II
■ <l
III
ill
iii
"U
88
GENERAL DEVOTIONS
for them, and detest them with my whole
soul. Shall I forsake them ? I do renounce
them, now and forever. Shall I spend the
remainder of my life in loving thee, and
serving thee ? This is my desire, and I am
resolved to do so. Eehold now I go to con-
fess my sins ! Great God ! give me grace to
confess them thoroughly, sincerely, and hum-
bly, and from this moment, never, never
offend thee any more. Holy Mary, mother
of mercy ! I recommend myself to thee, in
this solemn hour. My Guardian Angel, and
all my patrons Saints, pray to the Lord my
God for me.
For particular directions as to the manner of making vou*^
PENANCB^^'a^^^2^^'^^^^'^^^^'^ ^^ '^^^ SACKAMENr OP
A SHORTER EXERCISE.
(ft 'Persons wh o confess freq uently . )
INVOCATION.
f\ HOLY God, who art always ready to re-
^^ ceive sinners into thy favor, and to pardon
them, look mercifully upon my poor soul,
which after so many offences returns again
to thee, in order to obtain pardon through
thy Holy Sacrament. Grant me the neces-
sary preparation for this : enlighten my un-
derstanding, that I may see ""all my sins ;
soften my heart, that I may be truly sorry
for them ; direct my words, that I may make
a good confession, and thereby obtain for-
III.
CONFESSION.
89
i I
giveness ; and let not my self-love blind me
in any way. ^^uu. me
Holy Mary, Mother of mercy, and refuse
of poor sinners, pray for me now, thatlmfy
make this confession well, and so obtain mT
don, and the grace to amend my life ^
CONTRITE PRAYER.
ff J "J®^V' t"e traitoi- who has so oftfin
O ^J^ «r •,. ^ ''""'"''^ and humble heart,
O God, thou wilt not despise.'' I thank thea
that thou hast waited for me nnt U this dav
and hast not left me to die in my s ns ^^i
hope, through the merits of Jesus Chri t that
ha.-,ng been patient with me hithert^ 'tho„
vy.lt pardon mo now in this confession al the
Kins which I have committed. O m v GVI T
.•epentof all my sins, and am deepK^ed
for having committed them, bociuse I hive
wnned against a merciful and lovinTp , hi
and at the risk of myeternal sah^ti^n Ye,,'
I am sorry for them all, and with mv whole
heart, but not so much because of th?pun sh
ment which (hoy deserve as because the'v have"
offended thee, O infinite Goodness I ^
U my supreme and only God, I love thep
cetwhich Th '°^'°, '""'' ' '"-^"^ '^" «'- offen-
ces which I have been guilty of towards (hco
I have neglected thee :1 have not pa id (hce
i**^^';'^'''^''' b«'onK«tothee: I Eave bs!
insed thy favor and thy friendship, ancf ] have
LI
90
GENEBAL DEVOTIONS.
liii 'I
■iilti '!
i I
I
deserved to lose thee forever. For Jesus' sake
forgive me all my sins I With my whole
heart I repent oi them. I detest them I
repent not only of every mortal sin which I
have ever committed, but also of my venial
Pins, because by them also I have offended
thee I rc«olve for the time to come, with
the help of thy grace, to offend thee no more,
les! my God, I prefer to die rather than to
lall into sin any more.
If you should con/fess some sin Into which vou are In psrw.
P^Sifpw^S"'^^' T^^^^ expose Vou to it^and ask ^i?
Imendm^nt!''''' ^ ^'^^°* °"^ ^ ^^^ ^^^ «"^e«? mea^s Sf
i
PHAYER AFTER CONFESSION.
Q JESUS, how worthy art thou of my love
y and what thanks do I not owe I I hope
that through the meritsi of thy blood, thou
hast forgiven mo my sins. For this I thank
thee with my whole heart, and I burn with
the desire to praise thy mercy in heaven
through all eternity. Until now, O my God,
I have offended thee often, but for the time to
come, I will never offend thee again. I am
anxious to chan-e my life. Thou dost merit
ail my love, and therefore I will love thee
truly and dearly. I will never ae-Pin be sepa-
rated from thee. I have already promised
tliee rather to die than offend thee again
Once more I make this promise, and W
through thy mercy to keep it.
'Jtl
CONFESSION.
91
1 promise also to shun the occasions of sin.
and to tairo the following means to keep me
li'om lalhij again (here name the means),
mt thou i aowest my weakness, O my God
(oriye me thy grace, that I may remain true
unto thoe until my death, and teach me, in
the hour of temptation to have recourse to
thee. Mary, help i, ! Thou art the Mother
of perseverance, I place all my hopes in Thee.
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C5^?X^fe3^.^X^X5^5C^v^'v^E)C^
OF HOLY COMMUNION.
iNSTRUCTIOJS.
TAKEN FROM THE WRITINGS OF ST. ALPHONSTS LIGUORI.
Of all the holy Sacraments, the Sacrament of the
Altar is the holiest, the most excelleiit, and the great-
est. The other sacraments contain the graces and
gifts of God, but the Sacrament of the Altar con-
tains God himself. Hence the Angelic Doctor, St.
Thomas Aquinas, says : " The other sacraments are
established by Jesus Christ, in order to render men lit
either for receiving or administering this most holy
sacrament, which is the complement of spiritual life,
since the whole perfection of cur soul proceeds from
this same sacrament. For, indeed, the whole perfec-
tion of man consists in his union with God ; but there
is no more powerful means of uniting us with God,
than Holy Communion, through which the soul be-
comes one, as it were, with Jesus, as he himself de-
clared when he said, ' lie that ealelh my flesh, and
(irinketh my blood, ahideth in me, and I in him: "
(John vi. 57.)
The principal effect of this most holy Sacrament is
to preserve in man the life of grace. For this reason
It is called bread, be^^ause, just as common bread sus-
tains the life of the body, so this heavenly bread pre-
serves the life of the soul, which life is the grace of
God. Therefore, according to the Council of Trent,
*' it is the most powerful remedy to free us from our
daily faults, and to preserve us from mortal sin."
(Trid. Sess. xiii. c 2.)
92 '
J>
HOLY COMMUNION.
93
First of all, the Holy Communion infuses into our
hearts the love of God. Jesus Christ has expressly
declared that he came into the world for no other cause
than to kindle in our hearts the lire of his divine love.
''Irm comelo cast fire on the earth, and what will I
butthatitbekindlec'^'' (St. Luke xii. 49.) What is
there now on the earth that can better inflame the
heart tf man with divine love, than the Holv Sacra-
ment of the Altar, where the divine Redeemer gives
us himself entire ? Therefore the holy Council of
Trent teaches us that our Saviour in this Sacrament
" has poured out all the treasures of his love for us."
(Sess. xiii. c. 2.)
Men should desire nothing more or more ardontly
than to receive Jesus Christ, as often as possil^le, in
the Holy Communion.
It is known that the first Christians, as St. Luke
declares, went daily to the table of the Lord. " They
continued daily with one accord in the temple, and
broke bread from house to house. " (Acts, ii. 46.) By
bread all orthodox interpreters of Scripture under-
stand the Holy Communion. It is further known that
the Holy Church in the Council of Trent expressed
the wish that the faithful who were present at the
sacrifice of the Mass, should receive communion every
time, not only spiritually but actually. (Sess. xxii. c. 6.)
It is also known that the greatest saints made use
often of Holy Communion as the most effectual means
of advancing in piety and virtue.
What shall we say, then, of those Christians who do
not conform to the wishes of Jesus Christ and of the
holy Catholic Church, and who will not imitate the
cxamjile of all holy souls ? Alas ! I know that they
excuse themselves with the wretched pretext: We
are not worthy to go so often to ilic table of the Lord.
my God ! if worthiness were to be considered,
who would bo found truly worthy to receive commu-
nion ? No one but Jesus Christ would be so, because
God alone is worthy to receive God. But I assure you,
my dear Christian, that the longer you are absent from
Kf
'..,J;
94
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
I.'iil
communion, all the more unworthy will vou h& icy
uT.o'rn^lT''''''^ yc .goto'the talleofthe
Lord, so much th^ more numero-is will Jbe your fauUs
tecause you are thus deprived of tne principal meaifs
or treeing yours -If from sin, and amending your life
nainoly, the Holy Go.nmunion. ^ ^ ®'
But perhaps you will answer:" I do not know
tTu^ nv.s',r;'to'V'">''^''' ''''''' therefor"e1do"no'J
irubimj-soll to receive coinmun on. " But t<-ll mn
What d-, you then require, in order to know if you Tre
ango! of Gol wdl come to tell you? Should it not
satisfy you. if your Father-Confessor allows you vo^
communion ? Be sure that if your conferor nerS
you to redeye it, you may truest morrlo thaUha„\f
all the angels gave you permission, for Jesus Christ
y'o^u ?if t^ptrr^^r °^^^^' '^' ^'^ VriestsX'tlt
they^ff^^^S?^-?^^
either look upon It as a profanatio i, and blame it or
r[d,cule me, and make a laughing-stock of me. "To
this I answer, make your communion as often as
your Father-Gonlbssor permits, and with the good
intention of advancing in virtue, and let peonlf sav
wha they will The celebrated John of A^vHrsays^
that those who Dlame others for frequently arroachiS
Holy Gommunrn porlbrm the office of the devU aSd
Will you bo so foolish as to care for them ? '
Hear, too what St. Francis of Sales says • " If tho
rtc vTHovf^'.r'' '^' y°" why^Tso oftea
receive Holy Communion, answer them -Two rln^QP«
of men should go to communion oC;' namely the
perfect and the mperfect, the perfect, that SmSv
Porf 'clioV%h«^«f^' ™P.l^'^^^ '^'' "^^y may aS
J^IL :: ^J^® ^^^^^S' that they may T,ot become
The'sic'k'diatThf ' ''"' ^'^^ ^'^ bLome strong!
irahK 7u w^ *h^y ™^y recover health, and tlie
healthy, that they may not become sick. A^ fo? youj!
HOLY COMMUNION.
95
andweaf*"" to communion, as one imperfect, sick,
my God ! of what avail are all these miserable
evasions and excuses ? ripeak the truth, say i. out-
right, that you are not willing to go any oftener to
Holy Communion, because then v6u must ou t the
\ranities and sinful satisfactions 'of the world and
that you do not love this food of angel., because you
still ove creatures with inordinate alfection • that
you fear the reprooi which your Saviour might give
you, on account of your disorderly ani sinfulvvav of
life. It you w-^e to receive him often in the most holy
Sacrament. But take it seriously into considerit nn
lest your sinful lukewarmness sUild be yoSr r^^^^^
Never fear that on your death-be 1 yuu will reoroach
yourself on account of these conmumions wJiich voii
have received with contrition and devotion; bi- Mar
lest then -alas! perhaps to6 late!— you mav ronent
of having robbed yourself of so many graced, w Eh
you might hav;e obtained through the frequent worthy
reception of Holy Communion. ^
Go to communion then, often, my dear Christian as
often as your Father-Confessor will permit you to' do
FeasKlays "''^'' ''™^' '"^ '"''''■" '' '" '^'^Vnnclpal
Live, nevertheless, in such a way that von miffht
go communion daily ; for St. Augustine t,. aches u&
that such is the desire of the Holy Catholic Church.
PREPARATION FOR COMMU.NION.
To go to the table of our Lord, it is necessary Kt
To be ma state of grace. Woe to him who would
venture to approach the most holv table of the Lord
with a conscience stained with mortal sin. t-uch a
bad Christian would be guilty, like the traitor Judas
of sacri ege ; for of such an unfortunate one, it is writ-
ten :<• ^/i^/ a/'/e,' the mnrscl(ihQ Holy Communion i
Satan entered into him. " ""aunion,;
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86
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
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hi
Therefore, St. Paul, in words of earnest warning,
says to us : " But lei a man prove himself, and so let
him eal oflhai bread, and drink of the c/ialice ;for he
thai eateth and drinhelh umvorlhih/, ealelh and
drinkelhjiidgmsnl to himself, not discerninq the Bodu
of the Lord.'' (IGor.xi. 28) *^ -^
By this is meant, that he who receives communion
unworthily, commits the greatest outrage against the
Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and, like the Jews
who killed Jesus Christ, becomes also guilty of his
murder.
2. One must live w itti his neighbours in peace and
Christian unity. Communion means unioji, and is so
called because it is the image of the perfect union and
brotherly love of all the faithful in Christ. Jesus
Christ teaches us that we must not bring our sacri-
fices to.the altar, if we remember that our neighbour
has any thing against us ; with how much greater
reason are we bound not to approach the table of the
Lord, if we ourselves cherish in our heart a hatred
•gamst our neighbour ! We must lirst bo reconciled
With our enemy.
3. On the evening before communion, you ought to
prepare for it by devout prayer, and by reading some
pious book, and withdraw, in reverence for the holy
Sacrament, from all noisy and distractmg amusements
4. The Body of Christ must be received fasting,
4hat is, we must neither eat nor drink any thing after
midnight. But those v/ho are dangerously sick, anr*
receive this holy Sacrament as a viaticum, are dis-
jiensed from this.
5. Every one should approach the table of the Lord
with devotion, decently and modestly dressed, and
•Without any vain ornaments, or display of fashion.
HOLT OQHMUKIOV.
91^
PRAYERS BEFORE COMMUNION,
ACT OP FAITH.
li."l?) ^^^ ^ comef^ leaping over the mountains, » (Cant.
/I H ! my dearest Saviour, what wonderf u I and
Xl. almost insurmountable difficulties thoa
hadst to break through, in order that thoa
mightest come and unite thyself to me ia
^^is holy Sacrament ! Being God, it was neces-
sary to become man ; being infinite, to become
an mfant ; being Lord of all, to become a
slave ; from the bosom of thv eternal Father
thou, must pass into the womb of a virgin!
from heaven into a stable, and from thy thmne
ot glory to an infamous gibbet. And thi»
morning again from thy heavenly home thou
dost come to dwell in my heart.
" Behold he standeth behind our wall looking
through the windows, looking through the latti-
ces. (Cant. li. 9.) O my soul, behoJd thydear
Jesus all burning with that same love which
he bore thee, when he died for thee on tho
cross—behold him now under the sacramental
species ! Like an ardent lover he gazes upon
thee from the consecrated Host, and desires
to have thee answer to his love. From there,
although himself unseen, he teosthee; closely
lie watches thee that goest this morning to
teed on hi3 sacred flesh, that ho may di.cSver
what thy thoughts are, what thou lovest best
What thou v^esirost, what thou wculdst have
-:fr
fl
98
SEVmt^L DEVOTIONS.
from him, and what offering thou hast to pre-
sent him m return.
Courage I O my soul, and prepare thyself to
receive Jesus, first by faith, saying : Is it then
true, O my Beloved Redeemer, that in a few
monients thou wilt come into my heart ? O f
niy God, hidden and unrecognized by the most
ot men, I behove that thou art really present
m the most holy Sacrament of the Altar I
confess thee with my whole heart, and adore
thee in this sacrament as my Lord and Sa-
viour, and to confess this truth I would ffladlv
give my life. Thou dost come to enrich me
with thy graces, and to unite me wholly to
thyself: how great then should be my confi-
aence in a visit so loving as this I
ACT OF CONFIDENCE.
OMY heart, open wide to receive Him »
Thy Jesus can enrich thee with all ffood
he loves thee so much ; hope, then, for Ireat
favors from thy Saviour, who comes ^ thee so
tull of tenderness and love. Yes, dearest Je-
sus, thou art my hope. This is what I look
for from thy love— that since thou givest
thyself entirely to me this day, thou wilt
enkindle m my heart a beautiful flame of
pure love, and excite in me a sincere desire to
please thee, that for the time to come my
only wish may be to do what is pleasing to
HOLY COMinmiON.
ACT OP LOVE.
m
fi ^ ^S^^i ^7 ^od, thou alone art the truo
V/ friend of my soul. Couldst thou do more to
win my love than thou hast done for me ?
Thou hast not only been willing to die for me.
O my Divme Saviour, but thou hast even been
pleased to institute this holy sacrament, in
order to give mo thyself altogether, and thus
unite thyself intimately with so mean and
ungrateful a creature as I am. But this ia not
all—thou dost invite me thyself to receive
thee, and this is thine ardent desire. O infinite
incomprehensible love I a God desires to
givehimselfwhollytomel O my soul, dost
thou believe this ? What art thou doini? then?
Hast thou nothing to say ? O yes, my God I
infinite God I worthy of all love, thou alone
dost deserve the love of all thy creatures I
love thee with my whole heart. I love thee
above all things ; I love thee more than my life.
01 why can I not see thee loved by all, cher-
ished by all hearts as thou deservest? I love
thee, O my God I and in the fervor of my love
I unite my poor heart with the hearts of ali
the seraphim, and with the heart of Kary, and
wish that I might have the same love for thee
which all the saints bear thee, the same with
which thy divine Mother is inflamed. I love
only thee, for thou alone deservest all my
love. 01 blessed Mary, mother of holy love,
help to love my God aa thou desirest to see
him loved.
!:
'i
tr
iM
Ai
100
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
ACT OF HUMILITY.
SO then, my soul, in a few momeirts thou art
going to nourish thyself with the sacred
flesh of Jesus Christ. Art thou then worthy
to receive it ? O my God, who am I, and who
art thou ? indeed, I know well who thou art,
thou that givest thyself tome; but thou. Lord,
knowest thou who I am, I that am to receive
thee?
Is it possible, O my Jesus, that thou who
art purity itself, art so desirous to come and
dwell in my soul, which have so often been
the dwelling of thine enemy, and loaded with
so many sins ? I acknowledge, O Lord, all thy
Majesty, and my own deep misery. I blush
and am ashamed to appear before thee ; I
would in reverence withdraw from thee, but if
I leave thee, my Life, whither shall I turn ?
Where should I seek help, what will become
of me? JSTo, no! I will not leave thee. I will
rather draw nearer and nearer to thee every
day. Thou lov^st to have me receive thee for
my food, and ever invitest me. Well, then, I
come, O my dearest Saviour ! Yes ! ashamed
and deeply humbled by my sins, but full of
confidence in thy mercy and thy love to me, I
come to receive, thee into my heart this day.
ACT OF SORROW.
IT grieves me deeply, O God ofmy soul, that
hitherto I have not loved thee, that instead
of loving thee I have frequently even offended
HOLY COMMUNIOK.
tot
and d.8i^eased thy infinite goodness, in order
to satisfy my wicl^od indinations. I have
abandoned thee, in conte.npt of thy grace and
O m/r"r'''''lPi '■" "^^'"•^' I l^a^^ 'o«t thee,
O ray God, und that wilfully, I am sorry for
It. Ye,-,, Lora, my whole soul is full of grief. I
hate <.nd detest ail the sins that I havf com-
mitted both mortal and venial; I detest them
more than any other evil, because they hav^
injured thee who art infinitely good I hone
be no? r of ""'y'^^y ''r*'''-" "- i*"' ^f ^*
De not so O forgive mo before I receive thee ;
ce-insc, O my Ood -with thy precious blood
dwell "^ ^^"^ "^^ "^""'"S soon to
ACT OF DliSlRE.
TTA7E caanigo my soul. Seo ! the happy
AX moment has arrived, and thy Jesus is
comjng to dwell in thy heart. Bdiold th^
Lord of heaven and of earth, thy Saviour and
tl } (rod, who IS drawing nigh to thee, and
into tn.i heart that longs for thee; but before
thou giyest thyself to me, I will first give
myself to thee; seel I give up to thee ^his
Soroflt""'"" "' ""' '^'"*'^" *° '^^' p-
.„?°rf ' ^ ?/ ^'^' ""'"^ promptly and with-
out delay! My only and'infinite good, my
treasure, my life, my paradise, my- love, my
1'
ff
{'
B i
f. ..'
aaiiiiyil
102
6ENEBAL DEVOTIOlfS.
all ! O that I could receive thee with that
same love wherewith all the holiest and most
ardent souls have received thee until now, and
with which the most holy Virgin Mary re-
ceived thee. I unite this communion of mine
with theirs.
O most holy Virgin Mary, my Mother, see,
I am going now to receive thy divine Son. I
wish I might have thy heart in this moment,
and that love with which thou didst make
communion. Give thy Jesus this morning to
me, as thou didst give him to the Shepherds,
and to the three holy Kings. I desire to re-
ceive hipi from thy pure hands. Tell him that
I am thy devoted servant, then he will love
me more, and unite mo more closely in this
happy moment to himself.
When the Priest elevates the most Sacred Host, repeat
with him three times the following words :
r\ LOED, I am not worthy that thou shouldst
^^ come under my roof, but say only the
word, and my soul shall be healed.
Then with your eyes modestly cast down, but your head
erect, open your mouth, and advance your tongue a
little, and thus receive the Holy Sacrament. Be sure
not to make any hasty movement with your mouth
but let the Priest himself lay it upon your tongue.
Endeavor to swallow the holy Host by means of the
moisture on your tongue, without touching It with your
teeth, and least of all with your finger. If other commu-
nicants are still coming, and need to occupy your place,
then, shortly after receiving, but not immediately, retire
and make roojo. for them ; otherwise, especially when
the Communion is given out of Mass, you may remain
untU f- 9 Priest gives ius benediction.
fl
HOLT COmiCNION.
103
-THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION.
There is no prayer more acceptable to God and
more profitable to our own souls, than that which is
oflFered in thanksgiving after holy Communion. Christ
our Saviour remains present with us until the sacra-
mental species are consumed. During these sacred
moments we may imagine that we hear from the
moulhofJesus Christ himself these words, which ha
spake formerly to his disciples : - Bui me ye have Z
always willi you. " (St. John, xii. 8.)
It IS not well immediately after Communion to be-
gm reading in a book ; it is far better to pass some
few moments m a solitary and confldentiaf conversa-
tion with Jesus Christ, thus kindly present in our
heart, and to give silent encouragement to those
emotions and desires which naturally arise. It will
not do, however, to lose this precious time : and if
the mind begins to wander, we must fix our attention
immediately by means of the Prayer-Book
what treasures ofgrace can a pious soul obtain
it she converses in spirit with her beloved Jesus at
least a half-hour after holy Communion !
During the rest of the day, the devout soul should
often think of that great guest, whom she has received
in her communion.
■^»^»^»^»^N^^^
PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION.
ACT OF FAITH.
"DEHOLB I already my God is come to visit
^ me, already my Saviour is come to dwell
in my soul, already my Jesus is within me ;
he is come to be one with mc, and to make
me one with him, so that Jesus now belongs
to me, and I belong to Jesus. Yes I Jesus is
all mine, and I am all his. O infinite good-
V i
li
104
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
Ti'^cs ! O infinite mercy I O infinite love I a
God ha8 united himself with me, a God who
desires, to bo wholly mine I O my soul, now
that thou art so closely united to Jesus, now
that thou art one with him, what ait thou
doi.ig ? Hast thou nothing to say to him, wilt
thoL not speak to thy God who is present
wiihin theo ? Awaken then thy faith anew,
reii)embcr that the angels t*re around about
thco adoring their God, who now dwells in
thy heart. Adore thy Lord with tnem 1 Keep
recollected, and banish every other thought,
call together all ^.hy affections, and lay them
before thy God, and cay to him :
ACT OF WELCOME.
/^ MY Jesus ! my love, my infinite Good,
^^ my all J I welcome thee ; be always wel-
come to this home which i keep for thee in
my poor heart. Ah! Lord, where art thou,
whither hast thoo come ? Into my heart,
worse than the stable where thou wast born I
into my heart full of attachments, of self-love,
and of disorderly appetites. How couldst thou
(ihooso puch a dwelling as this ? Well might
I say to Ihee with St.'Peter : Depart fromme^
O Lordy for I am a sinner : Z am too unworthy
to have a God of infinite goodness ibr my
guest. Go rather repost in those puro souls,
who serve theo with so much love. But no,
uiy Redeemer, what do 1 say I Do not depart
embrace thee, O ray y\%, I attach myself in-
HOLY COMMDNION.
105
separably to thee. I have been only too foolish
m separating myself from thee for love of
creatures ; ungrateful wretch that I am I
have driven thee away from my heart. Bat
nowl wiL never separate myself from thse
to'th^e^''^' ^"^ resoived to live and die united
Most holy Virgin Mary, seraphs, souls who
love (xod with a pure love, lend me your aifec-
tions that I may entertain my dear Lord as
A ought.
ACT OF THANK-SGIVING.
I J^^i^^ *^^®®' ^ "^y ^^^^ ttnd my God,
-*- for the grace which thou hast shown to mo
this mornnig by coming to dwell in my soul.
Would that I could thank thee in a manner
worthy of thee and of the signal favor which
I have received I But what do I say r what
worthy tliankH could I render thee, miserable
creature that I am ?
Father Segnori says that the most suitable
aftectiou for a soul after communion, is the
vyonaor whKli gives rise to this thoight : a
Cxod mine I a God mine I - What shall I render
tv Jic Lmf.for all that he hath rendered to me r*
bo .aid Diwici, una I, what shall I render to
thoo, O my Jesus, to thac, whoaftor so many
Ws hast given mo thyself this morning ?
Thci-oiore, u my soul, bless thv God, and
thank hnu witli all thy power. ' And thou,
ivitjy, my mother, and von m^r »^„f,.«« o.,:..^.'
bum witli (hviiio lo^ro, " come and I will tell
;|
I V
111 iiiiiii
100
GKN^SRilL DBVOTiaNSL
yoid tfiAaf ^o<^ eMn^s the Lord hath done to my
soul, " Come bless and thank my God for me,
and idmire the w6ndroiis grace which I havo
received^
ACT OP SELF-OFFERING,
*' TMnr Beloved to me, and I to him, " (Cant. 1.
-"-*• 16.) If a king were to come and visit a
poor shepherd in his hut, what could the shep-
herd offer him but his hut such as it is ? Sintje
then, O my divine King Jesus, thou art come
to visit this poor house of my soul, I offer
thee my house, and my whole self, with my
literty and my will. " My Beloved to me, and
liahimi, " Thou hast given thyself all tome,
I give myself all to thee. No more, my Jesus,
will I bo my own ; henceforth I wish to
belong to thee, entirely to thee, and that all
my senses may be so entirely thine, that they
may serve only to please thee. And indeedf,
what greater pleasure can one have, said St
Peter of Alcantara, than to please thee, a
God most amiable, most loving and most grate-
ful. I give up to thee all the powers of my
soul, that thoy may be all and altogether
thine. Let my memory serve only to recall
thy benefits and thy love, my mind to think
of thee alone, who thinkest always of my
welfare, my heart to love only thee, my God,
my all, and lo will only that which thou
wiliest.
To thee, then, O my dearest Saviour, 1 con-
'cvi j*;,c »ii-^i iiuuiuiULu iiii i nave, ail i am, my
senses, my thoughts, my affections, my de*
BOI.y COMMO.VIOX.
107
sires, my tastes, my inclinations, my liberty
ti;VanT;'''li«'''' "Pn™^>'y ^"'l ^«"' in o
tny Jiands. Eeoeive, O infinite Maiestv this
sacrifice made to *hee here, by (hS'tun
grateful s,„„er that over exis'teLn earth who
now, however offers and gives himself alT to
accLi^^^^f,' ^° T'*'' "•" """^ dispose of me
accoiaing to thy pleasure, f /
Come, O burning fii-e, O love divine and
pSr to"tr "" ^'^"■'"■^ "^"^ whi'hisnot
mav be-all to ,LP"''^ "^f^' """ *^^^ hereafter I
may be all to ihee, may live to accomnlish thv
IZn.' ^ ^°°'* ?'*"'"'■« '" »» things
P most holy Mary I do thou present with
hX THn ut^'^'b^!^ r '^""^ t° the Moft
of f a, 1 fni T " "'■ '"'' *'^« acceptance
<„■♦. <• 1 ".?* I niayhave the grace to Im
faithful until death. Amen, Ame^, LJ '*
ACT OF PETITJOX.
ml'nn/ Z^"' "'•"h"i<loingnow? Thou
must not loao a moment of time f<,r fhia
time ,s prcciou., for thou now cans vorv
ca^ly obtan, all the graces thou w tk ^
feeest thou not how lovingly the iVcriial
.^ hvheaH r"°;' /'""-;- "°^^' "'"^ ''« b«ho I
in it\} jjoart hi8 be bved Son ^hn nhiW.f ^^i •
t7ot;r""'r"\^"'-''*'>-«^Toher
tiiou^ht, awakon thv faith, nnnn iU^KulJ^:
ana as k whater'^- ^ '— • ' ^ ' ^ ' ' "-^ "^«i t,
hear how Jesus himself
thou wilt, host thou
not
*■
f
says to thee: '< What
108
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
Wilt thou have me do for thee ? Speak, be-
loved Boiil, what dost thou desire of me ? I
have coDie in order to make thee rich and
happy; ask with confidence, and thou shalt
receive every thing thou desirest."
Ah! my dearest Saviour, since thou art
come to me to fill me with graces, and de-
sirest me to ask them of thee, I ask for no
earthly goods, nor riches, nor honors, nor
pleasures. Give me, I beseech thee, a great
sorrow for all the displeasure which thou hast
received from me. Give me a great light to
Bhow me the vanity of the world, and how
much t^ou art worthy of being loved. Chanffe
my heart, detach it from all earthly affec-
tions, and give me a heart perfectly conform-
ed to thy holy wii:, which seeks after thy
good pleasure alone, and aspires to nothine
else than to thy holy love.
I do not deserve all this, O my Jesus, but
thou deservest it, thou who hast come to dwell
m my soul. I ask it through thy merits,
ttrough the merits of thy holy Mother, and
^y the love thou bearest to thy eternal Father.
Here pause for a time, and ask of Jesus some special ffraco
for yourself or your neighbour. Do noiforJS.vooftS.
ners, and the souls in purgatory. ^ *^ ®"*
Eternal Father ! Jesus Christ himself has
said to us: "Amen, amen, I say to you; if
vou^ask the Father anything in my name,
^7u^ F^^'V^y'"''^' (John xvi. 23.) For love
lieart, hear me, and grant me what I now ask.
nOLY COMMU\!0\.
109
Objects of my dearest love, Jesus and
Mary I let me suffer for you, let me die for
you, grant that I may belong wholly to you.
and never to myself any more "
Praised and blessed forever be the most
holy Sacrament of the Altar, and blessed be
the holy and immaculate conception of the
most holy Virgin Mary.
OF SPIRITUAL COMMCmON.
Spiritual Gommunloa, which unhappily at the niv^
sent day IS so little *practi.ed by Christians is so il^
ccllent a treasure of devotion, that, according ?o the
opinion of many saints, it can produce in the soul
when made aright, soinnthi ng like the same grace as
Altif 'Ih.^^^^^^^^^ ef the „.ost holy SacrameKth'
Altar , that is to say. when ^ve are prevented from re-
ceiving communion in reality.
nnf!'- '''*^'^':/o receive Holy Communion spiritually
nothing iarther IS necessary than to excite in the heart
l^r'Trr' 'T''''' '' ^" ''^'^'y^ if 'twere
possible. SI. Ihomas Aquinas teaches that siiiritual
<onnmm.oM consists i.-i an ardent desire to receive
Jesus Christ in the most holy Sacrament, and in an
hev h! '' T^' '^ \y^n^cn\ar\y during holy Ma 's. when
tlicy do not receive the sa.Tainent i n reality
According to Hiis, God will bestow great graces imon
hoso ^^l.c are desirou.s to receive jLs Christ t^^ei?
mZ^Jt'^'TT' ^^"^ frequently cannot ; but wlm
ri'.^^iL^t t'»« spi^it»«» communion. This can be
aTall nlnir'ir'"'*^ ' "^ ""y ^^°"''' ""^'y ^vioment, and
atall places. One can make it without c, ;gobserved
• 'I.
;hi
:-m
M
M|
1
'ill
I
no
GENERAL DEVOTIONS.
IHI|!
'^•;P?^^^^o^'<^ aiapirituai director. wnnoui
louinliW """^-^"^""^"^""'"^^y^^^^ada iiLthe fol-.
ACT ur? SPIRITUAJL COMMUXIONi
Qjirrjosus, I believo that tliou art: trn]y
above all thm-s, and I desiro theo with mv
whole «oul, but since I cannot now roc^i^o
thco sacramentallj, come at lea^st «piritually
into my heart I embrace thoe as if hou we ?
My come, I unite myself wholly to thee
^ovcr sutler me to be separated from thee I
^'^i^SS^^SS-i^^^^r^^rl. that any ono who
Host; v/hlphit wo- , K^™^^-\«o spiritually that Kacrod
tlvV aro in worthy "^^^Sc^^^^^^^^^ *« ^"^^eiit that
ol?t^n,tho grace ^^^^^^i^X' i^S^L^k IS^^P
ACT OF REGRET.
f^2?^J,^°'1 -^"^"s Christ, I bcliovo that
mont ui; 'p ^ •"■'''^"* "' this Holy Sacra-
mont. Alas I for mo, that I am in mortal
^n and ,|aro not go forward to receivrtheo
with the ro.t; O Jbrgivo mo all my sins, and
restore mo to tliv "-rncn Yi>ot r =" ' '"'^
wnrtl.T, nf « ."•>^«''"''*' ."lat i may bccomo
wortliy of this heaven y food. Yea I mv
SavK.»r,3^s!I.„^re.oIv4l. 1 will 'o 3
eo>^S3 my sins, fully and sincerely and then
^-«x^,.ucv.urtrieapairajLaii^oiatJioo again.. "^
«fi
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
(From the Visits of St. Lignori.)
Faith teaclres, and wo are bonnd fn }^u^^-^ n *
Josus Christ is realJv nre^onHn ih^ J ^"e\o, that
under the appearanJeSeai Dut we'Zll^L^^'''
also, that he remains on oi.r aUai-^ L rfn « *7 ^'"'^'^J
lo^•e and mercy, there toTj^nso his'|ra" ' to uTam
111
112
PARTICULAR DEA^OTIOWS.
'" It , ii •
lis confidence, to ask his grace, his love, and his.^lory!
Jtit ! what; a t^arddise to 6ontiniiie fir ActiS^of h^e to
hat Lof-d, wht) rfemtiins on the aTfor interc^ditig beftMe
his Father in our behalf, and burning with love for us.
Blessed Henry Suso used to say, that Jt'sus, on llie
-altar, hears the prayers of the faithCiil more readily
than he does rn any other place. MaKe d. trial of thi«
"devotion, and you will see the groat fruit which you
wil! gather from it. Bo sure that of all the moments
o^ your life, the time which you spend in; devotioitt
before this divine Sacrament will be that which shall
^ive you the greatest support during life, and the
greatest consolation at the hour of death, and for all
eternity. And be persuaded that you will gain more
in a quarter of an hour spent in prayer before the Holy
Eucharist, than in all the other si)iritual exorcise of
the dav.
Do rrot then, devout soul, rel\ise to begin this de-
votion. From this day forward, retire each day from
the conversation of men, ond remnin for some time,
for half-hour, or at least a quarter in pome church,
Jaefore Jesus Christ in the Holy Sacrament.
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT.
(For every day in the week.)
PRAYER BEFORE EACH VISIT.
£\ JESUS Christ, my Lord, vt^ho, for the love
^^ which fhou bearest to men, dost dWell
night and day in this Sacrament, full of good-
jiesff »nd lov6, waiting for, inviting and wei-
teoming a!ll' those who come to visit the^, I
bfeii^'^e tlje^ here present in th'e Sattrajfiiftttt
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. It^
djm nothingwess, I adore thoe, and I thank
ihee for ttU thy graces granted to toehiiherto;
^rl^-'^i^t"^ ^^f ^i^""^"^ S^^^^ thyself to m^
ih this ^t;amei>t for having given mo also
ihjr holy Mother Mary, to ^ V advocatJ^
and for having called me to visit Ihee in thiJ
church. I adore thy most loving heart this
day, and I adore it with this threefold inten-
tion: first, in thanksgiving for so great a
gift ; secondly, to make satisfaction for so
many injuries which thou hast received from
thy enemies in this Sacrament ; and thirdly,
by this visit I wish to adore thee in all those
places throughout the world, where thou a^t
least honored, and most neglected in this
divine Sacrament. My Jesus, I love theo
with my whole heart I 1 am sorry for having
offended thy infinite goodness so often in time
past I am resolved, by the help of thy j?race.
to offend thee no more for the future: and ^i
this present moment, all miserable as I am 1
consecrate my«oIf entirely to thee. J rjiVd
and abandon to ihoo my whole will, allmir
aftections, my desires, and all I have. Ilcri
^fter, do with me, and with mine, whatov^
thou wilt. My only desire and petition i's
that I may have thy holy love, the grace o^
final perseverance, and may be able ?o mm
m all things thy holy \vill. I vGoomm^
to thee the souls in pu.rgat<!^ry . e'd^cicli#
those who ha/ve been most devout to iha^ 4i
this Holy Sacrament, anct to i^fca' p^^tirl}
> irgin Mary. I recommend to th^^,- ^mt^
M
rARTIC'JI.AR Dn:VOTIONS.
over, all poor sinners. Finally, my dear
Hedeemer, I unite all my desires to the desires
of thy own heart so full of love ; and thus
united, I offer them to thy eternal Father, and
beseech him in thy name to receive them, and
for thy love's sake to grant them.
FOR SLXDAY.
Behold the source of every good, Jesus in
the blessed Sacrament, who says to us : ^^ If
any man thirst, let him come to me.'' (S. Jo. vii.
37.) O I how many graces have the saints al-
ways drawn at this lountain of the most Holy
Sacrament, where Jesus dispenses to us all the
merits sof his passion, as the Prophet foretold :
'' You shall draw ivaters with joy out of the
Saviour's fountains:' (Isai. xii. 3.) The Coun-
tess of Feria, that distinguished disciple of the
Venerable Father Avila, who became a ISTun of
tlie order of St. Claro, and who was named the
Bride of the Blessed Sacrament, on account of
her long and frequent devotions in presence
of the most blessed Sacramc.it, was asked one
day, what she was doing all those long hours
she spent in the presence of her Lord ? She
replied: " I would remain there for all eter-
nity. Have I not there the essence of God,
who will be the aliment of the blessed in
heaven ? Good God ! what is one doing before
him ? Ah I rather, what does one not do ? One
loves, onf^ praises, one gives thanks, one prays.
What does a beggar in presence of a rich man ?
What does a sick man in presence of his rhy-
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. IfS
O^su^^llrif' """'* «^««*' «n«l dearest
of my Boul O'l iT' *'r ?'■''' '^"'l only love
to zi^'ivi?!.' it ^hf sti^rtrr*"^^
necessary for then tn H!„ ?''*"^''!n<'ntl It was
af terwa.4s Ion our alLT- "n'^'f .*" '■°™'""
injuries hast ko^uZt been'iS' tt^C"^
M-ate to it WveT 80 tha ,!7"''r''°^''*h°
wnich 1 am unwillino. ^.v • "^^ ixitt, ana
Do thou alone rnvdenrR T° ""^ '**°'-
mo r T»« "'"'"', my clear Eedeemor, reio-n over
ly, i)nn&!™ its Thit fo^ <t7r'''^v-
may be more f-ai-pfni f^ T ° ^'^'' *"*»ro I
to thy desir- T !? ° J''**"'"'® ""'<'' atcordin.'
sock foi^a, v'.M "1^ "" "»«••« d«sire nor
thce,tovSfthee";f^;'r:r;V'"','J *° 1'''^''-
verse with thee and1oroceh•efl.c1t;/''^,"-
communion. Let thoni lonl pI *u '"' ^'-"'y
who will I For mp T i^ toolv for other goods
the treasure oV7h; loT "tL ' "^'r^^nly
'«lc at the foot of this aUar k H°?'f *'"""•■ ^
got my. e:f alto^fW "IZ Ti ♦.'!f ^ "J^'^ 'o'"
goodness, ^^e^^r^^jl^^^ ^^
•1-
Mi
A
If
il
ill
ttl6
iPABTICDLAR DEVOTIONS.
your iglopyfl but toy the love which you boar
io .your G-od and mine, >0 teaoh mo what I
musfc do, to love him and iileasoihim. like you t
Short prayer to remember and repeat. — Q !
my Josus, thee only I love, thee only will I
please 1
To conclude, make your splrltnal Communion. (See at
tlie end of Devotions for Communion, page 109.)
FOR MONDAY.
Jesua addresses to every soul that visita
him in the most Holy Sacrament, the same
words addressed to the sacred Spouse of the
Canticles : " Arise, make haste 1 my love, my
beautiful one, and come." (Cant, ii.) Soul, who
comesl to visit me, arise ! come out from all
thy misery ; I am here to enrich thee with
graces. Come near to me: do not fear my
majesty, which has humbled itself in this Sa-
crament, in order to take away thy fear, and
to inspire thee with confidence. Thou art my
friend. Yes I no longer my enemj^, but my
beloved friend, since thou lovest me, and I
love thee also. Thou art my beautiful one,
for my grace has made thee beautiful. Come
then, come, and unite thyself to me, and with
the greatest confidence ask what thou wilt.
It is St. Theresa who says that this great King
of glory has put on the appearance of brr r'
in the Holy Sacrament, and hidden his majept\
from our eyes, in order to encourage \\l lc
approach with more confidence to his divine
heart.
Let U8 draw near. then, with oreat con-
I
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. M^
fidence and love. Let us unite ourselres ,i«
him, and ast him for his holy grwT "^^^ ^
W^L^?y ""g"** »i'\« to be, eternal
mats?v°"i'nfi .r ^°''' *^/* *'^''" '^' '°STn'
St 8m\ ° f ^^ " goodness, and that thou
nast siieii a tender regard for my soul? Or
all ye souls who love God, wherever vouarn
assTst me fi ^? '^}l°'^y ?'^°' «o that it may
my sou^ so tEi?H ^^'l loonseerato to the^
I dosTre O T^^I. i™?^ ""^ ''''^"^^ thine. How
know the tenderness of'^thy ''lo^^'to heml
They would then all liye only to honor onrf
please thee, a., thou desirest,Cd deservest
As for me, at least, let me liv-e always th1f»
charmed with thy infinitebeauty ! I Jesi*^ &
Jrr!^''' moreover, ,to abandon any thino-
HT^^rrisVytt.— ^^^^
:fr"/,!irZ .^^"^^^o. if I were c^fed
^ ..=o ^,y ^e. iiappy woudd I be .to
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118
PARTICriLAR DEVOTIO.NS.
loose all and gain thee, O my God, my treasure,
my love, i^i^^all!
(Short jyrayer to remember and repeat. — Jesus,
my love, take mc ealirely, possess me en-
tirely.
The Spiritual Communion, as before, page 109.
FOR TLESDAY.
" Li that day,'" sayw the Prophet, " there
shall be a fountain open to the house of David,
and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for the
washing of the sinner.'" (Zach. xiii. 1.) Jesus
in the Blessed »Sacramciit is this fountain
tbrclold by the Prophet, uhich is open to all,
and Avhcro, jis often as we like, we can wash
away fi'om our souls all tho.^o spots with
which they are contaminated by daily sin.
Whr.t bettor remedy can we find for any fault
into which we have iallcn, than to have im-
niediat') recourse to the Blessed Sacrament ?
Yes, my Jesus, so will I alwa^'s do, for well I
knovr tlmt the'water of this salutary fountain,
at the same time that it washes my soul, will
^•ivc me the lii>;ht and strength to ftill no
more ; and Avhile it inflames me with thy
love, will teach me to suiter adversity with
joy. This is the }cason, 1 know it well, why
thou dost wait for my visits here, and why
thou pajest the visits of those that love thee
with such abundant graces. Be it so then, O
my Jesus ! wash away all the faults which I
have committed this day, and which I am
now eorry ibi , becauao they Lave displeaised
fill
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. UQ
more than I do O I wi! ®'^° *" '"^^ theo
thee aiways, Hke ?hv fe?^h"/? ^ °°* "^"^ »«»'•
and who obtainea of tL ^1 ^*; Theresa,
pormiseion to d we 1 te ^'^°P ,?^^^ila the
church ? There Khorn J • ^r.^^'^ory of the
the preseice of tt Sed tr'' "l^''^'^ '"
she called her nc °hbom „„ ^'"='^«'nent, wbhSi
there except fm ton?" , v. "'"^"''"S^"* ^ora
The vencrlblo brother ^"1,*?'- %'"?'^^"ion.
Jesus, barefooted Carm!re'wf''^° ^"^''°'
parsed before a churc™whore *&?" ^^
cramont was kont ^^„i i """, the Holy Sa-
vieit it, for'ho i',^^T^;lrno't"t''"'°-'-'"^' *" '
one to pass before tin i heeoming for
word at feast" Wt hfwaVnot' ""^^ "''^y'^<>
".word, he always remained •°"'°"'''^^'"'
his dearly beloved Lord as Ion,???'" "^
permitted. '°"ff »» ho was
i-stituto t]Hs Slc^antt and ^^ ^^^'^^^^^^ ^^
"Pon this altar-it is to vn T'"^''^ ^^^»«
tlio .amo reason hiu^^st ' f^' ^"'''' ""^^ ^^^- '
capabio of loving ."lei .'^te^;,"- ^/-^rt
l^>s Binner that I am r?n t ^' . ^"' ^^^^"k- -
wli> do I love thee T iftUe ? T^"? >^!^^> ^^
.lust to lovo f..oi;K^ . i'*^^? ^ ^^ ' »t i« not .
1^ — .. ., . j--j> « gwjunuss HO worthy af *
greater return of lov
e on
)rtiiy
vog a far
my part. Thou art
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TARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
h''
the infiiiitc (rod, and I am only a ^^^serable
worm of the earth. It would be but little if
I were to die, and to become annihilated tor
thee, since for me thou haat died, and for love
of me thou dost sacrilicc thyself daily upon
the altar. Much thou dcservest to be loveU,
and I desire to love thee much, iielp me,
my Jesus, help me to love thee, that thus i
miy do what i. so pleasing in thy sight, and
what thou demandest so earnestly ot me.
Short prayer to remember and repeat— My
beloved is mine, and I am his.
the Spiritual Communion, page 100.
FOn WEDNKSPA-Y.
St. Paul, praising the obedience of Josu«
Christ, ^ays that ho was ^^ obedient unto death
to his Eternal Father. (Phil, ii.) But in this
Sacrament our divine Lord has carried his
obedience fartlicr still, for he is content to
obey not only his Et.r.al Father bu eve^^
mail himself, and not only until death, but
oven unto the end of the world, lie has made
himself obedient, one may say, until the con-
summation of ages. Jving of Heaven as he is,
ho comes down, nevertheless, out of obedience
to man, and remains ulterwards upon the
altar, only, as it would .eem, out of obedience
to mkn. '^^ As for me," he ^^^^}'y^]!'^''':}!^'^^;^
" I make no resistance^ (Isai. 1. 5.) ^ ilicie
!,« *«...n;,w ivifhoiit anv movemontot his own ,
iio ailmvs himself to be placed wherever they
may choose to place him, whether exposed to
VISITS TO THE KLESSED SACRAKEST. 121
View in the ostensorium, or fhiit un !„ t\.^
cibormm : he lets himse f be oarnVd wl.l *
they please to carry him eitl.J; tl V"?*
street, or i,.. the house V„ *V?"^'' "'^
bo given in eomn,„^:^ ' i ""^^ Inmsolf to
sinner. When he .ZTil^ •'"'f "" *" *!'«
St. Luke tens „* '^"f ''^«g O" the earth, as
Blessed Virgin Ma,i'° T! ''^•^'''"* *<> t^e
in this Saerament L? T'' *" '^'- -^"^oph, but
a; there';r,rsi'o7 Kr^^r^^^^
/ nui/ie no resistance. " ^^f"'' "»«•
mS? ''^l"'' ^ ^•'"*^"'« to -'"-'dress thee
e.l>ecian.vthisarnTo^r.a<^^
whidunoveaul^ftirerTfirtiVS^^^^^^^^^^
or nt least comfort tlm<.« « »■ " P"rgatory,
thou hast alre^y chosen tofe'^'""'' '^''"■«''
eternity., I adore^tlt^'^hl'^te rn^?/-
■^"u wan an the souls that love VlifiT.-" '*■
moment, whether on earth or7n W
most pure and holjr Heart of Jo
on. 01
s«U8, purifyr mj-
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PARTICLLAR DEVOTIONS.
heart from all attachment to creatures, and
fill it with thy holy love. O ! most tendlar
Eeart of Jesus, take possession of my whole
heart, in such a way that it may be all thine
own, and may always be able to repeat with
condclonco : " Who shall separate me from the
love of God which is in Christ Jesus ? " (Eom.
viii.) 01 most holy Heart, engrave in my
heart those bitter pains which thou didst suifer
on the earth for so many years, and with such,
great love for me, so that, moved to compassion
at the eight, I may always desire, or at least
suffer with patience for thy sake, all the pains
of this life. 01 most humble Heart of Jesus,
impart to me thy spirit of humility. O 1 most
geiltlo Heart of Jesus, lend mo something of
thj* gentleness. Take away from my heart all
that does not please thee, convert it entirely,
to thee, so that it may will nothing, wish
nothing', except what thou wilt. In a word so
dispone of mo that I [may live only to obey
thee, to love thee, and to please thee. I ac-
knowledg:e that I am most deeply in thy debt ;
yes, that I am bound to thee by the heaviest
obligations, and it would be still only a small
return if I could annihilate and sacrifice my-
self entirely for thee.
Short prayer to remember and' repeat. — 0'
Heart of Jesus, thoa alone shalt be master of
my henn't 1:
The Spirltuai Communion, , pagp 100. .
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 123
FOR THURSDAY.
WonJ, that thou art JL, 15 ff ? ZfiT^"
wholly mine ? But can I sav as trnit *k *'*V
With the most steadfast resoliifinn t '^
crate myself all to thoA f^^"^^^"^"^ I conse-
my life mv ^vin m, .'i ^^,"^^™*e to thee
"ally. BehoM "f 'l;;^!^^^^^^^^^^^ .^^f/f' ^"^.^^?-
devoted to thee, I detach mv^plf^ "" '^''*^^
-0 with the flame7oTlhfHL^,.l^ITLf ^r-?
am unwilling that -creatures should m.";' i""" ' ^
'-ve a placo^n my heart!" ltma'%^^^^^^^
m
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F'AaTICDLAR DEVOTIONS.
love wbicL tiiou hast given me, even when I
4id not love theo, — these make me hope with
confidence that thou wilt accept me now that
I do love thee, and give myself away to theo
through love.
"IjlTERNArj Father I I offer to-day all the
•^ virtues, the acts, and the affections of the
Heart of Jesus. Accept them on my behalf;
and through his merits which are all mine,
since he has given thom to mo, grant me those
graces which Jesus asks f^r me. For all thy
mercies shown to me, I offer theo my thanks,
in union with those same merits. Through
them also I hope to satisfy for what is still
due to thy justice for my sins. Through them,
finally, I hope for every grace at thy hand, for
pardon, for perseverance, for paradise, and
above all, for the gift of thy pure love. I see
clearly that in all I do, I only put obstacles
in the way of this, but to this evil apply a
remedy also. I ask it of thee in the name of
Jesus Christ, wbo has promised us that thou
wilt grant all we ask of thee in his name (St.
John, xiv.,). and the^-ofore thou canst not re-
fuse me. Lord ! my holy desire is to love thee,
to give myself entirely to theo, and no longer
to remain so ungrateful as I have been hi-
therto. Look upon me, and grant my prayer.
From this very day may I be thoroughly
converted to thee,^nevor to fall away from thy
love again. My God; I l<ive thoo! Infinite
•Goodness, Hove theo 1 I love thecfy for thou
•ft
VISITS TO- T^B-iaeSSED SACBAMENT. 125
JesffsTmf ofn -f- T""'"' """^ repcut.~lly
ticsus I my all I it is thy will to TifltrfTrv.^ ^t,- *^
and my will is to hav^ thee mine "''
The Spiritual Communion, page 109.
FOR FRIDAY. '
aod had hid his fet tm hrm'"w Tt*^"'^
le afraid Zt to H' -^ ^'''\'' "" '^^^^on *»
vith c'onfidoiico'l'd'lo'vrifi;" .*'r°'*
lifest liis love more clearh- , l'"^'-'' *" '"«'
mdeed, would ever dJl, i^orwho,.
Md affections, if thisIfWr Tf w hisdosirea-
apppr on the aK?f,«^-- --":
A^A^f ^f "''^J"** ''" invoMtiori of love.
on earth. It is nn^ w<^T / "^o even hei«-
,*ho Prophet cTori'rleri^,^?''^- *.»* ■
has for us.
(Isa. xii. 4.) Heart'
ti^
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m »
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PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
of Jesus, full of love, and worthy to possess
the hearts of all creatures I Heart always full
of the flames of purest love ! O burning lire
that thou art, consume me wholly, and give
me a new life of los^e and of grace ? Tuito
me to thyself in such a way that I may never
separate from thee again. Heart of Jesus I
open refuge for souls, receive me, Heart of
Jesus, so afflicted on the cross for the sin;;, oi
the world, give me a true sorrow for my sins.
I know that in this divine sacrament thou
preservest the same sentiments of love which
thou didst feel in dying for me on Calvary,
and therefore thou dost ardently wish mo to
be united to thee. Can I then any longer
refuse to yield myself up entirely to thy love,
to thy desire ? Ah I my beloved Jesus, by
thy own merits I entreat thee, wound my soul
with thy love, and bind and unite me entirely
to thy heart. I resolve this daj^, with the
assistance of thy grace, to do all in my power
to please thee, and for thy sake to trample
under foot all human respect, every inclina-
tion or repugnance, all pleasures and comforts,
which may be in any Avay hindrances to tie
perfect accomi^lishment of thy will. Grant,
O Lord, that I may keep this resolution, so
that henceforth all my actions, and all my
feelings and affections, be in all things con-
formable to thy will. O love of God, bani.-ih
from my heart all other love ? O Mary, my
hor)o, thou art all-powerful with Gocl, obtain
for me the grace to be until dcaththe faithful
VISITS TO THE nLESSRD SACRAMENT.
127
iTivo
servantof Je5«nsandof his pure love. Amen I
amen ! BelioM my hope and my desire, for
time and fbr ocernity.
Short prayer to remember and repeat.—'' Who
flhali separate me from the charity of Christ?'*
The Spiritual Communion, page 109.
FOR SATURDAY.
O how beautiful a sight it was to behold
our dear Bedeemer that day when, ''lueary
with his journey;' but full of sweetness and
love he Avas seated by the fountain, waiting
tor the {Samaritan woman, to convert and save
)ll X u^^ therefore sat thus on the welir
(fc)t. John, IV. (>.) Does it not seem that the
same thing is repeated every day, when des-
cending from heaven upon our altars, he re-
mains there as if by the side of so many
lountams of grace, waiting for souls, and
inviting them to keep him company for a little
while at least, that he may draw them in this
way • -. iierfect love? From each altar-
where . . wells in the Blessed Sacrament,
he seems ik to us, and say : Christians!
wny do y. .. Ay from my presence ? Why
will you not come, why will you not draw
near to one who loves you so tenderly, and
who humbles himself to remain in this place
tor your sake ? Wiiat do you fear ? I am not
come to judge you, but 1 am hidden in this
' -^^rv. yjniy tu ttU gOOQ, anQlO
.save every one who will have recourse to mo;.
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PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS,
ZTTi: tl ^?*"^: "!>' «° in^e Sao I
day the office of onr advocate, oleSht^.
i^Z ''J«'*™ *° i''^ ''*«"^«' *''»'h«r, to?bta?n
wL^ ?^ Y ™'* g™''*'^ without number
ougftt to pray to Jesus in the Blessed Sacra-
ment as one speaks to a beloved friend -'i^
hver speaks to me beloved, as friend Tfriendf,
^^.^''^^ O raj -LovA and King, hidden in
Y th.s Sacrament, since thou dSst invite me
to converse with thee, I will open my heSt
with confidence, and speak. 6 my Jes*a
anient lover, of souls, I W too w"n the ta!
jU8t.ce and ingratitude of men towards then
^ou lovest them, and they do noUove thee"
thou dost confer benefits on them and tC
retui-nthoe insults : thou wouldst have them
dLtoffrrTh""'' ""^ '""'^ ^"' "«* listen: tho^
Jini my Jesus, I too have been once amono-
the number of these ungrateful souls O mf
God, It IS only too true. Butldesiretoame^d^
a»d I Wish^to compensate for the injuries I
hBve^onethee, by doing all I can to pease
thee, for the remainder Zt mv life VM^
ai^rd what thoudost reqZ of me i' wiU
doit without thfi.lA.lflf r.oo^«r.^ nr" , ^ ^"*
.. ^ ,. ,_.„.^.^ ,. ^^ iuuivG Known
VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACBAMEKT. 129
*" !»t.% ^"'1 ^7 the way of holy obedience.
^/^.^ afceomitlish it. My Godl i
fti-itiry rl.'/rfiSB sever to'^fcave mdorto m,y ai
which I know to bo agreeable to thee, althonsh
the performance of it should cost ino the loss
hPoUh T' "^ ^''''''«o''«' friend., character,
health and even life itself Let'mo lose all
il only I may do thy will I Happy ios«
when all is sacrificed to content thy ) L4 O
God ormy soul I I love thee, O severe c.n
good, above all goods worthy of my love aSd
m loving thee I unite my feeble hcM-t wUh
Tilt tT* f,.*^"''^' ^«'l ^^i* tho heart
wish to lovo thee alone, now and forever.
Sfwrt pram to remember and' repeat.~My
Godl my God I I am thine, and thou art minC
th& Spiiitnsi Communion, pago 109.
Bm.
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VI
Hill
Hi!
THE WAY OF THE CROSS.
XT was a very frequent and most touching devotion
01 Christians in former times to make a pilgrimage to
the Hoi V Land of Palestine, where our Blessed Re-
deemer lived and died, and there to visit every spot of
ground which had been made sacred by his presence
and especially those which were known as the stations
his passion and death, and to honor theso holv
places by prayer and by penance. Afterwards, when
the Holy Laif^ had fallen into the hands of the infidel
baracens, arid Christians could no longer make this
pilgrimage with safety, this exercise of the Way of
tJie Cross was invented as a substitute. Pictures re-
presenting the most moving and remarkable events of
our Lords passion, from the time of his sentence to
ins burial, are hung about the walls of the church
and by visiting these in succession, and praying before
each one, we are able in some manner to imitate the
devotion of Catholics of other days, although by a
pilgriniage far less long and painful. The way of the
Cross, in its present form, was instituted in the middla
of the fourteenth century, by the Franciscans. Tho
Sovereign Pontiffs have attached to it many indulgen-
CeS, Wnicn are inn nnmAPnuo *r. »^»~4^: — !--_- A ^
180
WAY OP THE CROSS.
131
The following beautiful method of Derformin<r tM.
devotion is from the pen of St. AIpKus ^ ""'
PHAYEa defoue the high altab.
0>i™f R® ^il**' "^y ^o'-'i. '^ith What great
wT- T? *^°'^^«^'»t pass over this painful?oad.
which led theo to death; and li-how oS
wtJ'h It^^fT"^ f'' ' 2"* »°^' I lo^e thee
V^^^ ^^f^ '""'■ ^""^ because I love thee,
Mrrf 1"*"®'^ '""^ for having offendedthee
My Jesus, pardon me,, and pemit me to ac
company thee in this journey. Thou art goin^
O^vfj.'"? of me, and it is my wish also^
tK^^n *"***• I^deemer, to die for love oil
1^« .-^ir'? °'^^'."?.' ''itliylovel wish to.
Uve,,iathy lQve.1 wish to die.
_K 'I Hi
H'l
'^* pADTrcrLAn devotions. '
t
FIRST STATipiSr.
JKSUS IS OOXDKMXKD TO DEATH.
y. Wc adore Thee, O Christ, and praise
inee. ^
p. Because hy thy holy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the world.
l^i'
Consider hovv Jesus, after Iiaving been scourged and
PhTofn^'''^' '?''".'• ^""^ ""J"'*J>' condemned by
Pilato to d.o on the Gross. {Pause awhile.)
IVTY adorable Jesus, it was not Pilate ; no
/- It was my sins that condemned Thee to
die. I beseech Thee, by the merits of this sor-
rowful journey, to as.^ist mv soul in her iournev
towards eternity. I love Thee, my beloved
Josus; I love Thee more than myself; I
repent with my wholo heart ofhaving offended
i hee. iSTover i^ermit mo to separate myself
from Thee again. Grant that I may love Thee
always ; and then do with me what Thou
Wilt.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glonjhe,4Sc
Jesus I for the lovo of me
You go to die on Calvary :
Lot iDo, Jesus, follow too.
That I may auflFer, Lord, with you.
WAY OF THE CROSS.
133
SECOND STATION.
JESUS IS MADE BE^ HIS CROSS.
E. Because by thy Holy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the world.
MT !?"?* '?<''^ved Jesus I I embrace all tho
-^'A tribulations Thou hast destined for me
the pam Thou didst suffer in oarryintr Tbv
Cross, to give mo tho necessary help to carry
mme with perfact patience and resignation
I We Thee, Jesus, my loyc, aboyo all things ;
oftonded Thocs Noycr permit mo to separat?
myself from Theo again. Grant that t may
lovo Thoo always, and then do with me what
Thou wilt.
One Fallter. IlaU Mari/. Gtori/ lir, <tc.
Jesus 1 for the love of mo
Let me, Jesus, follow too,
That I may suffer. Lord, with you.
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PJCHTlCtJL'AR DEVOTTONS.
4
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JBSl/S PmEB THE FIE8T TIME tmOBR 'HIS CROSS.
The ' ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^' '^ ^ClirM, ami praise
K. (Because % thy -Hdlj <Drom 'Thou hast
redeemed the world.
Consider .this.finat fall of ,Josus- under. His Cross. His
flesh was torn by ithe sccurges. His ihoad crowned
witli thorns,, and HeJiad losta.great qiTantity of hlood
He was so weakened lie could scarcely walk, and vet
ho had to carry this groat load upon his shoulders,
ahe soldiers .struck Him rudely, and thus Ho fell
several tunes. (Pause awhile.)
M'^^^^sue, it is not the weight ofihe Gross,
•«^ but of my erne, which has made Thee
Buffer so much pain. Ahl % the morits .of
thij hrstfall, dclrvor-mo from the misfortune
« iaHmg into mortal sin. I love Thee, O my
>Jesus ; I rejient with my whole .heai*t of
having offended Thee. Never permit me to
Boparate myself from Thee again. <Grant that
II may loveThee rtlways ; and then do wit^h
mo what Thou wilt.
. Our\Fath^. Miil Mar,/. Glnrij'he,^v.
Jesus I fw'thtj'lovo oT mo
You go to'dio on Otflvary ;
a-bttt Imfty «uffer, liorti, wflh'you.
WAY OF THE CROSS.
135
\
VOVRfS STATIOK
^ V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise
recfeir id'^ ^^'y ^-- Thou hast
'■ko so many arrows to 'voCnS' ^,''^"" '"ol-s •'.ecami
'•«ch other L tendoHr(ZtfS7'^«-'>'-^'' 'o™"
grace ofa triilv ornf„ i .^ ^iSwnt mo the
Soly Mother Z,f°,r'"^;^ '^^'^ Thy most
«vorwJ,eln,o(l with « ,. A -^ P"^''"' '^■■'<' wast
««ai„. 0,.a„tth7r .a 'loirT '■'■'''"■ ^'"'°
and then do with ,„o wl'it TI.o.S."'"'"^''''
Jesus I for tho love of mo
iftff'J®""", follow too,
That I may suffer. Lord, with you.
f f ! V * -1. d
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1??^ PAn,TICULAn AEyOTlONS.
FIFTH STATIOIVT.
THE CYRKMAX HELPS JESUS TO CARRY mS CROSS.
v. We ,^dQro Thoo, O ^Christ, and praise
Tneo. ^
R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the Avorld. "^
Consider how the Jews, seeing that at each stop
i!.?riT^^ °'n^^''' ^'"""^^ of expiring, and fearing IIo
would die on the way, wlien they wished him to die
the Ignominious death of the cross, constrained Simon
the Cyreniap to carry tlie cross hchind our Lord. [PmsG
Qw/iue.)
■|\/[Y most beloved Josus, I will not refuse
;^»^ the cross as the Cyreninn did ; I accept
It ; I embrace it. I accept in particular the
death Thou hast destined for mo, with all its
pains; I unite it to Thy death, I ofier it to
Iheo. Thou hast died for love of me : I will
die for lovo of Thee. Help mo by Thy p-ace.
I love Thee, Jesus my lovo, above all things :
I repent with my whole heart of having
offended Thoo. Never permit me to sepuratS
myselffrom Thee again. Grant that I may
love Thee always ; and then do with me what
Thou wilt.
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, dc.
Josuo 1 for tho Jovo of mo
You go to die^do Calrary ;
Lot nio, Josus. fSllow .too,
iiiW 1 DXAy sufforrLord, with you.
•Wat OP -THE oaoss. ,,37
^ J. Wo adoro Thoo, O Christ, and praise
Joo^lTtlTo ZrlZ '"'^ ^'•-^ Tho„ Last
Consider how thn iir.hr „
seeing Josus so il usej an< Hi?? "1""'' "^'^''onica,
and J,loo<l, presonlo, liim wu w' ''■'',""'" '" ^^™'"
He willed His adoraJblc f co I '. , '™'' '''■'"• ^^'"eh
-n c.-i.is „o„ oo„„;^,[i?oo." sr:;ji,ii:f/""^'-
lost all its beautv !n,. " '?" Jowncyithas
disfiirtTcd it a1.;„, ^ "•oni'dB and blood have
l>-"tifal. When' •,S,-::d"T!'^*' ""^ °°««
baptism : but ILi™,i;.-,-y t'^^o in
sins; Thou alo o^ ^'^,"'''^'' '* "'"'='' ^y my
itto^-tsfo;ntfc;,fv ir-T-'V'""^!"-'^*"'^
"ion, Jesus. I ,'0 ^^,1 ,^° '"*' "^^ T 0' pas-
of having oiicndcK ; N ;c7J™-^ '''"''^
soparafo myself fmmVi' Pt^rmitmeto
I may loveV/eo aS^ a'lfd'i'l; ^T' *'?"*
mo what Thou wilt ' ^°" ''° ^''t'l
OurF„a.r. ll.a Mary. CoryU,^..
Jmus I for th» lovo of mo
You go ,0 di„ „„ (,^,^_^^^ _
Tr.rx' ■'°^°''' loiiow too,'
FN
I'll
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138
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
SEVENTH STATION.
JESUS FALLS THE SECOND TIME.
V. TV'c adore Thee, Chr ; id praise
Thee. ^
E. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the world.
Consider the second fall of Jcgus under the Cross • a
fall which renows the lain of all the wounds of liis
head and members. {Pause awhile.)
■jl/TY most sweetest Je.Mis, how many times
•^^■^ Thou hast pardoned me, aud how many
times have I fallen again, and begun again to
otfcnd Thee? O ! by the merits cf this second
fall, give me the necessary helps to persevere
in Thy grace until deatlh Grant tliat in all
temptations which assail mo J may always
commend myself to Thee. J love Thee, Jesus
my love, above all things; J rci)cnt with my
whole heart of having oflcndcd Thee. Never
permit me to sej arato my,- elf from Thee again.
Grant that T may love thee always; and then
do with me what Thou wilt.
Our Fiithcr. Hail Mary. (Uory he, die.
Jesus I for the love of me
You go to die on Calviiry ;
Let mc, Jesus, follow too,
Thnt. T m.i.v aiiffor T.<.>><] nr,'*u o^..
N
vrxY CF THE cnoss.
• ttr\
EIGHTH STATION.
«31TS SPE«S TO THE DiuOHTMa OP ^EBrSlLM.
Thl;.^' "^"'^ '^'"' ° <^''"«*' ^-xl praise
redtSdTe^orid'?^ '°'^ ^'<'^« ^^- '^-^
Consider how these women wpnf -iti. r,
"weei)nnf fnr Mi> h,.i r ^"!/ i^niim en, said He,
awhZ) ' ^'' ^"^ ^"'^ y''''^ cA*7f?rm." {Pat,,;
^ -^ tho offences I have committed against
Thee because of the pains they have Ked
and still more because of thedispJeasurrthev
have caused Thee, who hast Inv?!^! i^
It i«j Thxr l/^T.^ 1 '^"« /last love me SO much.
IV- u ^ ^^® "^^^^ ^^a^ the fear of hell
which causes me to weep for mv sins Mv
Jesus, I love Thee more t^han m^se ? I ^^
CI '"^^^ "'^ '^^"^^. ^^^^^ ^f l^^vi^ng offended
f^rn^ T?'"""' P.^'^"'^* '^^^ t^ «<^Parate myself
?h:rwr"' "^' ^^^^ ^^ -«^ -^ ^hit
Our Father. Hail Mary. Glory be, d^c.
Josus I for the love of me
You go to die or Calvary •
Let me, Jenua, foiiow ♦«- '
That I may suffer, Lord7with you.
til
/; S
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140
iipi
9
pARtidtJLAR CfevbtiONar
SW-Mtt StAWOJf.
JESUS FALLS THE THIED TIME.
Y. We adore Thee, O Christ, and prais^^'
E. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the world.
Consider the Mtd fall of Jeslis GhWgf. flis weafca
ne*S was cjttreftio, aiid the cruelty of tlis execiitioner^
excessive, wJio tried to hasten His steps whori fee
could scarcely move. {Pause awhile.)
\ H. my btrti'fl^ed Jcsns, by the taerits of
■^^ the Weakness Thoii didst suffer in going
ta Calvary, give mo nfrcngth sufficient to eoti-
qiief all human respect, and fill my wicked
passions, which have led mo to despise Thy
friendship. I love Thee, Jesus my loVe, above
an things ; I itpent with my whole heart cf
hacvin^ ofi^ndctf Thee. Ifever permit me W
separate myself frofti' Thee again. Grant
that I may love Thee always j and then do
wi*th me what Then wilt.
Our Father. Hail J^hn-y. Glory he^&Of
Jesns 1 fojftheloyb ©frntf
You go ta dltji ori CAhfJiTy j
Let nio, Je«us> «dlifc# too,
IkAtf tttaht e^^^i. JA)t&. itilM -BAi.
\M OP TH^ CJElOSSi. fit
JE8«rft! ft tttlVttD CfJf fits eASWK!«B.
B. B^mijeebj tliy holy Cl-oss ThoTl hast
redeemed the world.
sti^SSe'^f.*^^^ ^^e executioners
l^Y innocent Jesus, by the merits of the
t^J/T"^^ ^i^"" ^''^^ ^^^*> *^®^P mo to strip
tfnU ^* ^ may place all my loyo in Thee,
Who aft so^worthy of my love. I lote Thee
2hn^T't'''\''''t.''^^ *^^"^'« ' I repent ithrn^
Permit r^r f ^'^''^"^ ^^'^^^^ Thee.jNeve?
permit me to separaiQ myself from The©
Si;/T' ^ ^ "^""y ^''' Thee Sways^
and then do with me what Thou wilt.
O^VFatn^. majkdr^. Glar^^e.dtd.
Jesus r foi'tfidtoy^ of ihe
You go( to dfe oh CAlVdry r
Let mdi' .tiiiiiiy f^iTAw^i *^1, '
Tfltff I tti^ s^ey; LbMT'witti you.
I I-
' ' I'
•4'
<l^'
14^
PARTICDLAn DEVOTIONS.
; ;■,'.
ELEVENTH STATION.
JESUS IS KAILED TO THE CROSS.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise
jLiiee.
R. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the world.
Consider how Jesus, after being thrown on the Cross
extended His hands, and ofTered to His eternal Father
the sacrifice of His life for our salvation. These barba-
rians fastened Him with nails, and then, socurinff the
cross, allowed Him to die with anguish on this infa.
mous gibbet. {Pause awhile.)
"jl/TY Jesus, loaded with contempt, nail my
-^^^ heart to Thy feet, that it may ever re-
main there, to love Thee, and never quit Thee
again. I love Thee more than myself; I re-
pent with my whole heart of having offended
Thee. Never permit me to separate myself
from Thco again. Grant that I may love Thee
always- and then do with me what Thou
wilt.
Our Father. IL ^' Mary. Glory be, die.
Jesus I for the love of me
You go to die on Calvary ;
Let me, Jesus, follow too.
That I may suffer. Lord, with you.
Way op tab cross.
^V„We ador^a Tiee, O Chriat,, a«* pr^^o
redtSdThe'Mf ''''^ ^^^ ^^°" !>««»
of me. Ihavomer edbv ^'^'K'^'^ ^r Jove
Miserable death but ThL™y,.««« *« ««' »
love to TlioA f ■'^ . *' *'"'^ burninc' wi-^^h
hands rloveTior?'* "^^ ^o-*' »to Thy
r repent of Iverjf.;S *'''j'''°'"° «"ttings;
:ne what Thou wilt ' ^^^"^ "^^ ^"h.
Jams-P for tHo lora of mo
- -.. X «»j. sa«r; iord; »ith yoa.
1 J' i
IfK
■» '1 f
144
PAnxrCCLAR DEVOTIONS.
TmRTEENTH STATION.
JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS.
V. We adore Thee, O Christ, and praise
Thee.
K. Because by thy holy Cross Thou hast
redeemed the world.
Consider how, our Lord having expired, two of his
disciples, Joseph and Nicodemus, took Ilim down from
the Cross, a*id placed llim in the arms of His afflicted
Mother, wlio received IJim with unutterable tenderness
and pressed Him to her bosom. {I'ause awhile.)
r\ MOTHEE of sorrow, for the love of this
^^ Son, accept me for thy servant, and pray
for me. And Thou, my Eedcemcr, since thou
hast died for me, permit mo to love Thee ; for
I wish but Thee, and nothing more. I love
Thee, my Jesus, above all things : I repent of
ever having offended Thee. Never permit me
to offend Thee again. Grant that I may love
Thee always ; and then do with me what Thou
wilt.
Our Father, I fail Mary. Glory he, dc.
Jesua I for the love of me
You came t* die on Calvary;
Let me, Jesus, follow too,
That I may suffer, Lord, with you.
WAY OP THR CROSS. 145
t
FOURTEENTH STATIOK.
JESUS IS PLACED IN THE SEPULCHRE
^ V. We adore Thee, Christ, and praise
dee^meSe'A!'^"^^^^^^^^ ^^- ^-t-
then closed the tomhnn^^n^^'^ T" '^^^s. They
awhiie.) ^''°'^' ^°^ ^" withdrew. {Pause
Thou wijl ^. ''''^ *^'^ ^^ ^^^^ "^^ ^hat
Our Father. Bail Mary. Glory be, &c.
Jesus I for the love of mc
./ou came to die on Calvary •
JLot me, Jesus, follow too, '
That I may suffer. Lord, with you.
FinCiUv ttn7/. Ctmr P«tk». tt-.i «.,
A^
! '.
' ^1
if n
11
n'.
I
->}
M'l
'111 I
It)
1.-
i
•■r
THE STEPS OF OUR SAVIOUR'S PASSION.
lAn excellent Devotion for Fridaya, and for Lent, eom-
poaed b>/ St. Auguatin.'}
I. dearest Jesus, so sorrowfully praying
to thy Father in the Gai-den, whilst trembling
with agony, and covered with a sweat of
mood ; have mercy on us.
M. Have mercy on vs, Lord, fuive mercy on us.
II. O dearest Jesun, betrayed by a traitor's
kiss into wicked hands, Ho'izQd upon, and bound
like a robber, antl abandoned by thy disciples ;
have mercy on us.
M. Mave mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on ?/.v.
III. O dearest Josiis, by the unjust council
of the Jew(<, found ^luHy of death, led to
Pilate as a mall factor, Hpurncd and niocJcod
by unjust Herod ; iuivo nioi-cv <^n us.
M. Have meny on v.s, Lord, have mercy on us.
IV. O dearest Josus, ntrippcd of all (hy
garments, and most <'i-uelly hcourged at (Jrc
pillar; have mercy on us.
i?. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
V. O dearest Jesus, crowned with thoi-iw,
butteted, smitten with a reed, blindtbWcd,
STEPS OP THE PASSION.
iir
covered with a purple garment, derided in
erery way, and aatnrated with contempt '
nave mercy on us. * '
B. Have mercy on m, Lord, have mercy on ns
VI. O dearest Jesus, less valued than tho
robber Barabbas, rejected by the Jews, and
unjustly condemned to tho death ofthecrosjs-
nave mercy on us. '
li. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
VII dearest Jesua, laden with tho oros»,
of wood, and led to thy place of puniahmont
lii$e a lamb to slaughter ; have mercy on u».
It. Have mrey on us, Lord, hme mercy on us.
ihiJJF'iP u°^''^^i ^^^""^^ ^^'^"^^*^^ *^monic
thieves, blasphemed «nd derided, with txJl
fT*. J'^.K^f ^^^''^^?^ ^,^^^ *^^^«^' ^n^l from
the Bi^th to tho ninth hour loft hanffini? on
the cross in dreadful torment j have mercy
H. JSave mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us.
41 ^"^'.i^ ^^^l^^^ ^^^^^^ extended lifolosa on
the gibbet of tho croBs, in presence of thv
Mother, pierced with a lance, and sneddir^
Wood and water in one mingled sti-cam; have
mercy on us, *
R Have morcy on m, Lord, have mercy on us
X. O dearest Jesus, taken down tVom tlw
cross, and by thy virgin Mother bathed with
- • --X i^xj^v tjn,i.xii- Qvrruw j uuvo mercy on
us*
Jl. Have m£rcy on us, Lord, have mercy 07i us.
.X„Li
148
PAnXICULAR DEVOTIONS.
■till
J ''■!(
m^Ll f -fr'i '^'^''''^ shrouded with stripes,
maiked with Hve wounds, embalmed 4ith
spices, and laid mthe sepulchre; have mercy
B. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on wa.
V . Surely he hath borne our infirmities.
R. And carried mr sorroios,
PRAYER.
Q GOD, who for the world's redemption
i«nf J^l ^1?^®$ *^ ^® *^^^»^ circumcised, re-
fhlLul }^ -^^r' ^^^m<^^ V the kiss of
the traitor, Judas, bound with chains, led like
an innocent lamb to sacriiice, and shamefully
presented before Annas, Caiphas, Pilate, and
Jlerod, accused by false witnesses, beaten with
whips and buffets, insulted, spit upon, crowned
with thorns smitten with a reedrblindfolded,
btiinped of thy garments, fastened with nails
to the cross, and lifted up on high, reputed
among thieves, made to'drink of gal/ and
vinegar, and wounded by a lance :— O ! bv
these most sacred sufferings, which unworthy
as 1 am, j thus commemorate, and by thy
holy cross and death, deliver me Lordf from
he Pain« of hell and deign to lead me where
thou dids lead that thief who was crucified
,7 ^?7 f ^^«^- tiiou, who with the Father and
iiie iioiy Ghost, livest and reignest world
without end. Amen. *
TOE STEPS OF OUR SAVIOUR'S CHILD-
HOOD.
An e^celUnt Vemion fo~u.en,, ana until Epip,any.
conceived of the Jlolv r^h.? ?.' solvation,
<he Virgin'^ yyZ,wid^± ^^^"'"^ »°*
f^ J^^^-e mercy on us, Infant Jem. '
Ifeptist. the Ibrorimm !, '.'i. !''"? •'<'^n tl»e
and «anctifv-i„„, ■"","' •T'"'' *^° ""'^ Ghost,
womb; ha/o",'^o " :;;';;^">""" hmMothor'e
f'/^^^y^en-:, ■.. u., Infant Jesus.
jmpH;o^;jr;t ':tv, i;-/'- »/- months
f <l.o Virgin War nV^ •^'r''^. "^P''<=*«'1
lo-.om .'^f feti?;f";,L:!f-. '-" in Beth-
'"'■« Hotbe., anT,aidi;;U'o'S^",^ ZZ^
149
!50
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
1 If
Iff i *
W ", 11!
by Angels, and visited by Shepherds; hav&
mercy on us.
jR. Have mercy on uSj Infant Jesus.
V. dearest Infant Jesus, after eight days
wounded in thy circumcision, called by the
glorious name of Jesus, and thus foreshadow-
ing both by n^me and blood a Saviour's office ;
have mercy on us.
jB. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus.
VI. O dearest Infant Jesus, revealed to the
three Wise men by a star, adored by them on
thy Mother's bosom, and presented with mys-
tical gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh ',
have mercy on us.
M. Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus.
VII. O dearest Infant Jesus, presented in
the Temple by the Virgin Mother, caressed in
the arras of Simeon, and by Anna the pro-
phetess mad© known to Israel; have mercy
on us.
a. Have mercy on us, lufant Jesus.
VIII. O dearest Infant J c^us, sought for by
wicked Ilcrod to bo put to death, carried by
St. Joseph with thy Mother into Egypt»
rescued from the cruel slaughter, and glorified
by the fame of the martyred Innocents ; have
mercy on us.
JR, Have mercy on us, Infant Jesus.
IX. O dearest Infant Jesus, in Egypt re-
maining with most Holy Mary and tho Holy
STEPS OF THE CHILDHOOD, ETC. ISJ
Patriarch Joseph r.ntil the death of Herod •
have mercy on us. -o-eroa ,
A. O dearest Infant Jesus, returning back
M Have mercy on m, Infant Jems.
41. O clearest Infant Jesue, obediVntlv r-x.
advano1?r?r ^.'^i* ^^^ V«<^^is, and rapidly
l„m ;; *? *^*"*™'* ^"^»"t Jesus, led to Jcmsa-
Pa™^t« ,:i?f °' *^*'^''' *'^«'-« ^o"ght byX
days found v-.r^* '"'™^' '•"' »ft«r «
mTcf o," tr •'"^ """"S the Doctors ; have
V. -Iho Word was made flesh. Alleluia
Ji- And dwelt among us. Alleluia.
PRATEB.
lowing with yovihy imitation these most
fiacred mysteries of thy Son the Tnfw t
JO may happily an-i v/at thaUica^^^^^^^^^
dom which thou I)iiMf. ,.r.^^;_.i .J ., ^!^'^^"
io^^: S' "" *'? ° J««"« «"•-' our
OF BEVOTION TO THE BLESSED
VIRGIN MAR/.
Every true and pious Catholic will preserve in his
heart a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary,
and this for many and most obvious reasons, amonff
which are the following : » »
I. It is Mary who gave birth to Jesus Christ our
Redeemer ; she is, therefore, the true Mother of God.
Ihink sonously for a moment, Christian, on these few
words: Mary js 7im MoTHiiR of God.^ Could Cod
•estow on licr a nobler name, or a greater dignity? O
then, with what eyes will not one day Jesus look on
those, who wouhl not honor his Blessed Mother, al-
Ihougli h« himself h.Ts honored her so much ! Is there.
HKlecd, acrc.'lii:- uiore beloved by God than Mary,
and w-ill you lud love her whom God loves so much ?
/2. The holy Church of God itseLf teaches us devo-
tion to Mary. How many churches anrl altars have
been erected in her honor, how m/iny feasts instituted
or her ^vjory, Jiow many confraternities and even re-
li^Mous orders established under her name, how many
trea*;ure.s of grace anrl of indulgences have been
attached by the Church to the practice of honoring
Mary ! '^
Has not Ciod performed inoumerable miracles
through her intercession, as so many privileged places
of devotion and of pilgrimage show us? Ilavo not
kings and i>rinres placed their states under her pro-
tection ? All who truly revere Jesns Christ raise their
voices in honor of Marv= For how c^n ha hnnnr thp*
Son, who despises the Mother? "" " -— «->-
163
DEVOTIO.V TO THE UIK,,KU VIRGIN. I53
our Hope r^ God refuses h^r n . v'^ "^^"'^^ • "^ail,
becaus? he is her Son MnTK"°'^'i?^ *^«^ ^"^ asks
thing to us, bLausrf 'she ifour'Mo'lhPn '^ f"^^ «°>^
her to us fcr our Moi hpr ^lin L ^°*"er. Jesus gave
voted, the most compassionao «nf '"'l' f^"."^'^«* d^"
mothers. Are you a^grSnn^ n^'* ^^'i"^^ °^ a"
salvation on that account n^v *n x.^^ "°u* ^^^P^'^ of
sinners, and you w.U not '.iSk h/?ii^^7' ^^^ ''^^"geof
ihe sea of jife Woulrf vm, ^^^. ^^^^^^ waves of
Mary, the queen of sXsZd'«r ^" ^'^tue, ask of
tain grace or you Are vrfr. ^^'';'" ^^''^ainly oh-
the consoler of tLunharmu''';^'^"'^'^^^^ ^'" ^ary,
be comforted ""'^«i*P>' and you will certainly
Au;S;t^,Si--\,-7assionato Vir,i„,. g,
any cne had soughUbr ro< .1 T ''f '^^*'^'' <I^at
without oMaiiiin^reiiof/'^"^*^ ""^^^ thy protection,
Mary Will ohiain for voJift' ''"^' ^^ '^"^^ ^^at
J'ttle acis of love and hoiS\f)"'f "^ ^*^^^""" ^^^'he
In particular, do no rSS ?n ''' T" ''^'' *« h«^-
are so well ap,)roved an Un '^'' ^.^^^^.ons which
'ievout CatholicV snrh ii n ^^'"^f'^^'^y pmctisod hv
Virgin, the Li;rny,S\h"eVtta;^^^ ^° ^'^^ ^^-^^^
I'Ml
i
♦I l|!
i-Q4
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.,
VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
(JPor evei"^ day in the week.)
'ilii
^hese visits usually follow Immediately after those to the
Blessed Sacrament (p. 116. ) Thoy are made by kneeling
down before the altar of the Blessed Virgin In the churol^
or before any image of liers, in whatever place it may
be, and making use devoutly of the following reflections
and prayers. Those who cannot always have access to
the church, will do well to keep a small image for this
purpose, in some retired part of the house.
for' SUNDAY.
A fei>tile source of grace which it is our
great happiness to possess, is Mary our Mother,
so rich in goods and graces, says St. Bernard,
that there is not a man in the woi'ld who does
not particijoate in them. Wo all receive of
her fullness. God himself has filled her with
grace, as the Ar^gel said to hor, " Ilail! full
of grace I" It is not for herself alone, but
for us also, adds St. Peter Chr^^solo^' e, that
she received this great treasure of giace, so
that afterwards she might communicate it to
her devout followers in every age.
Prayer of St. E2)hraim.
f\ QUEEN" of the universe, and most boun-
^^ tiful sovereign ! thou art the great advo-
cate of sinners, the sure port of those who
have suifered shipwreck, the resource of the
world, fhn rnnHnn-* nf fnnfivAu flm cnlnnA r\?
£.r'_'^' ■%*'«.
VISITS TO ,W „,ESSED V.EG.N. ,5-
the weak, the comfort of tho afflictorl ti,
and w!rm;o,,r ZtTiT''"''''^'
tiy praises, and si ^ ; Zl «.T^,''"7"''!
&^::irdr.?i>-^^^
Sfiort prayer to remember andreveaf — Pnfn^
of 8innei-8, take pity on ,^^;^'^''^^«^---K^%e
[At the end of each visit, reiient fho f.n .
M^M^.i '"'i& *""* immaculate ViVr.;,, „,.
l^ave reoourso to-day, J .vlio anV i ' ^V'^ .'
.serve tlie. alwav., a. to do «il {'"'"'"'^^ *"
10 make others looeo-dso T IT^"- ''?■'''"
*wl|
156
PARTTCULAR DEVOTIONS.
I
of mercy, and since thou art so powerful with
God, deliver me from all temptations, or rather
obtain for mo the strength to triumph over
thorn until death. Obtain for me, I beseech
thco, a perfect love for Jesus Christ. To theo
I look for grace to make a good death. O my
Mother, by the love which thou bearesttoG-od,
I beseech thee to help mo at all times, and
Earticularly at the decisive moment of death.
'o not leave me until thou eeest me safe in
heaven, occupied in blessing thee, and singing
thy mercies throughout eternity. Amen,
* FOR MONDAY.
" Whoever is a little one, let Mm come to me"
(Prov. ix.) Mary engages all those childwm
who have need of a Mother to come to her, as
to the most tender of all Mothers. Thelovoof
all the Toothers in the world, says tho pious
Nieremberg, is no more thou a shadow com-
pared with that love which Mary bears to
each one of us. My Mother 1 Mother of my
*oul I thou who, after God, lovest me and do-
sircst my salvation m'^re tljian all tho world
bo^ido, — O my Mother, show thyself to bo
indeed a mother.
Prayer of St. Bernard.
IVTOST sweet and amiable Mary, no one can
-*-'-■- pronounce thy name without feeling the
greatest desire to lovo thee ; and thoso who
do lovo thee, cannot call thee to mind without
being animated to love thee more. Pray for
ViSiTS TO THE BLESSED VIHCIN. I.57
»Bd ours, than thyself wh n .fVl ^ ^"^^
g"««« to have constant recourse to thco.
(Conoluds as on page. 155,)
FOB TUESDAY.
dence St. Bernard i„;ilf^«°^°r ';°"fl-
reconrso to thee I Thmdo^t ^aTn^^ ^ ''^'■°
«oaM'X^^S,~.i^«' dost promise help
«>en, my petition f Listen Tnm « °"'
more hiJown^ n rv"^^"* '^ ^^^^^' and no
meTlnredPK.'^^.?"''^^' ii^«t th;.u heard
consolation that I re^we fiiom (i<S<;, thou
m
f :i\'
^'lil
158
PAP.TKLLAIl r»KVOTIONS.
who art the heavenly dew which assuages all
my i)ains j thou who art the light of my soul
when it is envelope'! in darkness: thou who
art my guide in unknown paths, the nupjjoVt
of my weakness, my treasure in poverty, my
remedy in sickness, my comfort in trouble,
my refuge in misery, and the hope f my sal-
vation : hear my supplications, have pity on
mo as becomes the Mother of so good a God,
and obtain for me the favorable reception of
all my petitions at the throne of mercy.
Short prayer, dc^O merciful I O pious I O
^weet Virgin Mary !
(Conclude as on page 155.)
FOR WEDNESDAY.
St. Bernard says, that Mary is that celestial
ark which will surely save us from the wreck
of eternal damnation, if we only take refu^-e
there in time. The ark which saved Noe from
the universal deluge was the type of Mary ;
but, says Hesychius, Mary is an ark monJ
vast, more ])owerful, and more charitable.
The ark of Koe could only receive the few
men and animals who were saved in it, but
Mary receives and saves with certainty all
those who take refuge under her mantle.
How unhappy should wo be if we had not
Mary ; but, O my Queen, how many men are
lost I And why ? Because they will not have
recourse to thee. Who would ever be lost that
hsid rvuouFse to thee ?
VISITS 10 TBB BLESSEB TIBOIN. ts»
Prayer of 8i. Anstlm.
JJELP 08, O Queen of mercy, withont ,.».
-»-*■ prdmg the multitude of oir s^n^ ^f
member that our Creator toot nf^i. ^*
human bodv not +« „„ j ^ ''" «»«e »
sinners. Sdst tho,? ^°°''«?"' ''"* <« save
Mother of G(^ fo? .*?''° <=*'<'*?« *«> be the
clthed hSf S tS"Cl!?4 ^ ^^* SS
mankind He p^sthfrii *°'' *f ««J^«°f *«
assistance, and we e^n^^w ^^ ^^''^ ^^ *'^
selves to thy ^^7^*^?"^^^'* ««''
be eternally lostTntw^fS.**''** ^^ ^Y no*
serve J^Sri^t fomer *'' '^'S^ '<''«»'«*
(Conclude as on pagQ 155,)
mother M^;;? O Ss of P^Z^* '"^ \*^^
great reason to give ?f mv «ol"'' ^"".^"^
^r^:^^i^t^ Sit
n
I *
-
»!.„
160
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
IP &
rouDded b^r enemies, without virtue, and
grown cold in the love of God. Comfort me,
conafort me I Bring me the consolation which
springs from the beginning of a new life, a
life truly pleasing to thj Son, and to thee.
Prayer of St. John Damascen, .
TJAIL MARY 1 thou hope of Christians,
iiear the petition ofa sinner who wishes
to love thee with the greatest tenderness, and
to honor thee as thou deservest, and who
rejDoses in thee, next after God, his hope of
salvation. Indebted as I am to thee for the
preservation of my life, I entreat thee to
restore me to the grace of thy divine Son.
Ihou art the surest pledge of my salvation •
deliver me then, by thy prayers, from the
Heavy load of my sins. Disperse the dark-
ness^ of my understanding: banish overv
inordinate affection ft-om my heart ; repress
the temptations of my spiritual enemies, and
m order my life, that, under tliy protection,
1 may arrive at eternal repose in heaven.
Short prayer, <t(?.— Change me, Marv, mv
Mother; thou canst do it. . j
(Conclude as on pngo l.>5.)
rOU IIUDAY.
St Bernard assures us tliat the charitv of
Mary towards us could not Ix) more ten'der,
nor more powerful than it is, for her Iieart is
good-Will is accompanied with power to }iel]>
the
VISITS TO THK iUKSStD VIHOIX. ' tci
this great contest which J Z.o--'^ ^"'■y- '"
aid me always • but »•«,?.. '''^'''"•'* *'«''•
wavering and^read, to yi^M n ^\*'^^^' '"«
stretch out thy hwdJ,.' ".""y Sovcrei-ii,
;ustain me JmZ^::'^:::^x''''<7ri'
what temptations still remain toT " ^ ®°'^'
ed unt 1 death i \h f \f 7 "^ ''"mount-
strength, and mv W '■^' ""^ ''''^"So. mv
in all my tom„tatioL tr^^^' *°'^«'n»*soIved,
diate recourse'to tC' *" ''"''" "'^V" ""«''-
^ of, that a «i mor h.' j flod tnT"'' ''"' "'"'"••^
and been abandoned ttile'/iC*".''"""'
Ood, thou pravo^i fii^nu V Afother of
who am the Sea est „f' P''"^'' *'""'' *»'• >"«.
have the grca.ert uecf,!^^''''!' ""^ ♦'^'"•<''"-re
-SAort TO '• 1 In °,1*''^ 'ntereession.
help me I * ' *— ^'^'P '"o, Mary 1 .Mary I
(ConcliHfc! as on page loi.)
^ou presence of Ciod a^ nn,i « --^"-numiv lu
.-ing in ou, favo^kr^ri^LtSr j,'!.!;':
f
1 : -il
ir
' ifii
if
i
m
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
ers, which are all-pcwerful before him. "For,
he cOQtiiaues, she sees our miseries and our
daagei's, aad ia her clemency, this amiable
Sovereign has pity on us, and comes to our
aid with a mother'* love. O my advocate,
and my most tender mother, it is then true
that thoi^ sees tth^ miseries of my 8©ul, the
dangers by wh^ich I am surrounded, and that
thou prayest for me. P^ay, yes, pray on, and do
not eease to pray, until thou seest me saffe in
Paradise,, there occupied in praising thee.
The pious Blosius assures me that thou art,
after Jesus, the sur© salvation of those who
are thy faithful servants. Ah I the grace
which I ask of thee to-day is, that thou wilt
grant to me the happiness to be thy MthfUl
sltiive until death, in order that afler death I
may go to bless thee in heaven, certain there
to bo no more exposed tostra^^ away from thy
eacred feet,, so long as God is God. ^
Frayer of St. Bdefonsus.
r\ MY Sovereign, and Mother of my God,
^^ thou are blessed amongst all women, puro
amongst all virgins, and Queen of all the hea-
vcnly host: all nations call thee blessed.
Vouchsafb that I may publish as much as pos.
Bible thy greatness,, that I may love thee to
the utmost of my power, and that I may serve
thee with all the capacity of my soul.
Short prayer, i^c.—O that I may leam to
praise tlxee,, most, sacred Virgi o. I
THE ROSARY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
[Otherwise called " the Beads:'}
v<aled to St. Dominio bv ths rtfv.'ni m^^ " H"^ '^
1.0S continued ev.rsincotVhJft'"''' *"'?'"'•>'' «"d
^vith all classes of ho faUh.ul th,,!^""""" '^Z?™"'*
beattribmcd, in most cases to „ i^.l" °/^'l'=' " ""^
Ko?si>:i.^:t«ii'S^^
Tiio nsary-beads on wh h / ^^°i;'''"^ mysteries.
rocitcd^on iuJ'L^l"Ll.?i}]'S. «"''. of every decade 1,
the decide that'followr " "'" '"'"' ""'"'' '"''''"*
IM
i
I
t
■f i
I
i'"
u.^x.
I .
164
PAnXICULAU DEVOTIONS.
The Chaplat, or, as it is sometimes callet!, " the
Hosary of o decades," constitutes onlv a third part of
liie lull rosary, and is the common form in which the
|3eads are made and used at the present duv, it not
J3emg usual to recite more than one part at a lime.
1XDULGE\C):;S.
The indulgences attached to the reciJation of ibe
Kosary are of two Jdnds, viz : the ordinary inaLl-
gcnces, and those (so called) of 8t. I3ridfjet. \Vmonir
these indulgences, the principal are tho following :
1st liiosc who are accustomed to recite weekly tiP
Lbaplct, or Rosary of 5 decades, blessed in the ordi-
nary manner, gain an indulgence of 100 davs oa;h
time.
2d. If the ^\osary has been blessed by a Priest a>-
tliorized to give tho Bridgetine indulgences, onogaiis,
lor every time he recites the 5 decades, an indulgence
or 100 days for each bead. The Rosaries blef^ed
aurmg the mission receive these as well as the ordi-
nary indulgences.
^- B---Those who are not capable of meditating the
mysteries, may gain the above indulgences by sinply
saymg their beads with piety. ^ J i
i' .0
THE BOSAHT.
165
A METHOD OF SAYim THE ROSARY, WITH
THE MYSTERIES. ***'"""*
[% St. Alphonsus Liguori.]
go on with tde medi'tatimr..?^* ' ^^^ which, you
reoitaUonofthed^cSS^^iTfouUs^: "^^^teries, afe^hS
THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES
I.
THE MESSAGE OF THE ANGEL
.-.ngel Gabriel the news Sltsho ^hm.IH^''*'^-
.01 vo and bring forth into tLTomouUZ
■h^m ( J,ri.,t. O, tho tender pirof ouT C^
who might liavo Haved iii bv k >nH;„ °'''
'o redeem U8, but ehose r-io,^?. ,1 *'"''?S^'
Kol/; and tod for om- saiv Hon . «""'' ^'■'"■
where is .1,. gratitude o,;"Vhli " f '
leluni of love wo „»:^ ,. l^ ," "* that
--.•cy ? Ho] y Zt :;,. •O.'ii'rVuTl (f ' ''''
-^the grace to lovo hin. «..o I'iraTo';:
Then nb,v nn. »».._ ?
in honor of.t^o divina M^h^^ ^ -- -, -„,. ^ utorm,
lor. of eo*; *'''^*''^' •»<* to obtaui tb!i hoJjr
B| 1 / firrr. l(j
Ai s*, and 1 67o»-t„.
' m
THE VISITATION.
In IMS' myBlwiy we contemplate hffw the
blossed Virgin Mtw?jr, having learned that St.
Elixabeth, hsr cousin, was with child, set out
immediately to visit her, and rer«ained with
her three months. The visit of Mary was
iJ^ sjom-co, oi* grace to this whole family.
Happy indeed is every soul which Mary
4efgns tovkjfJ ."Let, us pray, then, to our
dear Lady, that she will be pleased to visit
our souls, itQ aaBctify and save them.
Pray now to this intention, 1 Pater, 10 Avea, and 1 Gloria
on your beads. ' '
m,
THE BHITH OP OUR LORD.
^^ this mystery we conten^plate how the
Yirg'ii Mary brought fourth our Eedeemer, at
naidni^ht,, in the stable of Bethlehem, between
two animals of the stall. When the time of
her delivery arrived, Mary was in the city of
i^cthlehem, but being very poor, was unable
to procure any lodging, so that she was
obliged to take shelter in a cave, which was
used as a stable for cattle, and there she gave
birth to the Son. of God, and laid him en a
bed of straw in the manger. It pleased, om-;
Lord Jesus Christ to come into the world, in
the form of a babe, and in a manger in ordor
that sini^ers might have more Qpnfidonce &o
approach him. Sirnors then that v*.W«iinJt
THE ROSARY.
167
1 P^^tev, 10 ^t,e,, and 1 Gloria, on the beads.
ly.
THE PRESENTATIOX IN THE TEMPLE
temple, and placed him • 17'°^ ^" '" *e
humility, ^h'o wenu^ b?purifi;d''ld'r«''
pear sullied, like other women liin ^"^ "l'"
Mary, who was sn ^i, ^^'""on- Since, then,
Wr aslf^hr^eP^od' ToT^Lr-'/T? '^
fess our sins ^^^^'"y repugnance to Jon.
1 Pater, 10 ^t,.., a^^ j ^^^^.^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^^^^
V.
THE FINDING IN THE TEMPLE.
^a™e dayH,a„d found hTma^Iirthe^S'
8:
,1;'"
=;'^
! 'A
f
I
> 1
J • <l
fc_ S I' 'I
PARTICULAK DEVOTIONS.
dftj, disputiin^ ins the midst of tlUG' doctorsiv
!Khe biessed v irgin and St. Joseph, liaviBg:
gome to Jer'isaLem to visit the temple, took
with thorn the little child Jesus, then only
twelve years old. On their return, they loat
hi:n. For three days, then, they sought after
liim. with many sighs and tears, and found
him at last in the temple. Mary never lost
the grace of her Son, but only his presence,
and nevertheless, she sought after him with
tears. O, how much greater reason the sinner
lias to search for Jesus-Christ, and that witii
many tej^rs, when he has lost his grace I
Wt oever' seeks for him in this way, will find
him surely. Let us pray, then, to the blessed
Virgin for so many poor sinners who have
lost Jesus Christ, that she may obtain for
them a true sorrow for their sins;
Beoite 1 Pater, 10 Ave»i and 1 Gloria^ on the beads,;, and
then oonoludfi Trith the following prater :
PRAYEH.
t\ GOB I whose only begotten Son, by his
^^ lifo, death, and resurrection, has purchased
for us the rewards of eternal life : grant, we
beseech theo^ that while we meditate upon
these mysteries in the most holy Eosary on
the Blessed Yirgin Mary, we may imitate
what they contaih, and obtain what they pro-
miaei: thuough the same. Christ our Lord.
THE ROSABY. y j
THE FIVE SORBOWFUL MYSTERIES.
t
In the nam© of the Father, &c
The Oread, 1 Pater, 3 Jme, i m^^^
I.
ME AGONY m THE GARDEN.
template how sZTctT^^''^' T '^
enough to take aX.-lyh^tfT^m'l'J'?
sorrowful even unto death" WK„t ^ *'"f' «
afflicted Jesus ctiftCm^S ^ ^-ft
v^ith that oK?Ch Jt^^ ?' M.to our sorrow
Blessed Virgin to obKini''* "^^oseech the
lasting sorC fo, t" sins 7ht^ ^^^ ^"^
never more .^ivo ,-,„r« ' ^''* ^" ™ay
weep fm- us. " ^''^"'" '"'"^ "^""S" ^
Then .ay on y„„. bead. I P„,„, le ^^, ,„^ j ^,^
II.
THE SCODnoING AI THE PILLAB.
Ill the second sorrowful nivstov^ „^
template J.ow Jesus was oi^llf s^^ J^ J^^
thoiiouse of Piiate. whnv. .Z5?"^^^V;^
-veiatio. made to St aS^^S/l^^J:
r*!
I ^
i4^
if f '
K^ 111 1
• ( I •
170
PAUTIGULAIl DKVOTIO.NS.
more than 6,000 blows. This scoumiiiff wa^
so cruel, that his e it rxi Body became like a
lepers; that is !o ^n:y, ^-i© continual wound
trom head to foot, according to the prophee of
Isaias : ^^And toe have thought him as it were a
leper The doctors assure us that Jesus
Ohrist was pleased to suffer thi^^v^^t punish-
ment, especially to satisfy for th'esins of men
against chastity. Alas I alas I the impurities
of sinners are the scourges which made our
Saviour suffer. O 1 let us pray to the Blessed
Virgin to dehver us from this vice which
niakes hell so full, and to aid us in the time
01 temptation.
Recite 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads
III.
THE CROWNING WITH THORNS.
In the third sorrowful mystery, wo c6ntem
plate how Jesus Christ was crowned with
thorns, and created like a mock king. After
having been scourged, he was made to sit
upon a stone step ; they put a reed in his
hand to represent a sceptre, u raa; upon his
shoulders for a royal mantle, and on his head
in place of a crown, a wreath of thcMTis whi^^h'
they struck with canes to mak.. them pene-
]f^}^'.,V^V^^'^'^'''' *^^^^ insulted him, saying..
'^HaiU King of the Jewsr and Luflfbted Jum
dinners do the same; for they confess, but
scarcely risen from the feet of their confbssor
they go home from the church to give Jesu^
cniist new blows on the fane T «* "=> k^o«««i.
THE BOSABT.
171
the Blessed Virgin to obtain for „s that wo
Sore ^°°'^^' *° *^''' o^'^dour Loi-d a^
1 Paler, 10 Av«, and 1 Gloria, on the beads.
IV.
THE CABRTING OF *HE CSOSS.
In the fourth sorrowful mysterv we eon.
template ho* Jesus Christ, having tem° con
4onined to death l>y Pilate; was m'do to boar
the cross upon his shoulders. With fireat
lor our sins. It is tliereforo iilst thit xvn ii
our turn, to satisfy for the oinoes whici wo
have given him, should embrace the crosses
which God sends us. Let us pray Marv to
Stfenee1,nH l^''^ '^'"'' ^^ ^esigLionfand
patience under every trial.
1 P«ler. 10 Ave,, and 1 Gloria, on the bends.
y.
THB CRCOIFmoN OF OUR LORD.
In the fifth sorrowful mysterv we cmiom
Plato how Jesus Christ, ha^ving'como to t™o"
thicro?^ wT^' r« ^t'-'PPed.^nd nailed o
ifio cross, whore ho died for love of u<i in tho
presenco of Mary, his aiflicted Mother' Con
sider what a bitter death our Savioursuffcred
to purchase our l.ve. Let us koe" by ^
him 't f„' ?," '°°'''"S •''* ''' '«t »« say to
t.J
172
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
ted Mother Mary to obtain for us the grace
to think often of the dying love of Jesus Christ
for us.
1 Pater, 10 Ave», and 1 Oloria, on the beads j and then
conclude with the same Prayer given at the end of the
Joyful Mysteries, page 168.
THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES.
t
In the name of the Father, &c.
The Creed, 1 Pater, 3 Aves, and 1 Oloria.
* I.
THE RESURRECTIOX OF OUR LORD.
In the first glorious mystery, we contem-
plate how, the third day after his death, Jesus
i-ose again triumphant and glorious to die no
more. Consider the glory of our Kedeemei
when he arose from the sepulchre, after hav-
ing vanquished Satan, and delivered the
human race, which that tyrant held in bond-
age. O I how great is the folly of the sinner,
who, having been delivered once from the
power ofthc devil, is willing to become his
slave again for some wretched gain, or for
the passing pleasures of this world. Let us
pray the Virgin Mary to unite us so closely
by love to Jesus Christ, that we may never
again by a mortal sin become the slave of
Lucifer.
Say on your beads for thi^ intention, 1 Pater, 10 Aves, and
1 Gloria.
THE ROSARY.
II.
17a
THE ASCENSION OP OTm i ni..^ .
'^ ""** J'ORD INTO HEAVKV
plat" trr„^ ftrrsr - -"-
resurrection asconZi ;, f ^^ '^"J"' »"<»• hi.-
in the si-ht of hk M i "" ''""''"''" '" twuDipb,
closed ngainstT: b f ^;:^ Sl^^'"
/ms opouod it for nil ,i •' '"",*'«"'". Jomus
All! 4hata Bitvtl,; Li'"'" '''''" '"^'^ '"'n"-
happy Jdngdom ft. ;''^'^*h'«ravadi«o^
should renounce it mtf "".""•> /o"''-^!' Sinners
to hclJ, for a worfl,']/ ^'''^ themselves up
obtain'tbr us heli'h' /"'■ ''"'"" ^"''•>' ">
miserable are o Sh '"rf." clearly ho.v
ho^v ,^reat the doH jr,v ucl v'l 7'''^''- ""''
-'■h< to come, to CS lo?o bt" "' ''''
*'*'""••"' ^-'' •"<> "-V-.V., on .he beau,.
III.
TB. MISSION OK r,,,, uo.,V «„osi-.
hand of l^s Fath.,?"^' .''"'t"^ «* <ho rigbl
to the charab^. vL:;"!,^''"'" *'>? ""Iv" Ghost
Virffin Mai V- Jr *'"' "Post'es. with the
foeble, 80 cold in fi ."*' *''" '■pottles wore so
time of/esus' --• ^^"^ ''^'^'^- *'"'* "t 'h<)
anoth"- •■ -^ • P'^^'on. »ne betrarfirl i.:™
anotb., u„„,ea j,.^^ ^„^ ^,j abandoned h m'
II
lit
i i
1 '
'" '1
nM
m
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
But as soon as they had all received the Holy
Ghost, they were so much inflamed with love,
that they gave up their lives generously for
Jesus Christ. St. Augustine says, " He who
loves does not labor. '' He who loves God feels
no affliction under crosses, but rather rejoices.
Let us ask of Mary to obtain for us from tho
Holy Ghost the gift of his divine love, for
then all the crosses of this life will seem
iweet to us.
1 Pater, 10 Avea, and 1 Gloria, on tbe beads.
IV.
THE. ASSUMPTION OF OUE BLESSED LADY.
In the fourth glorious mystery, we contem-
plate how Mary, twelve years after the resur-
rection of Jesus Christ, departed this life, and
was carried up by angels to heaven. Tho
death of Mary was full of peace and consola-
tion, because her life had been all holy. Our
death '.vill not bo like hers, for our sins will
bo then a subject of alarm. But if we abandon
O'lr sins, and consecrate ourselves to tho ser-
vice of Mary, then that good Mother will
succour and comfort us in that last moment, as
she has done already to so many of her faith-
ful servants. Lot us place ourselves, then,
under hor protection, with tho iirm ])urpo8o
to amend our lives, and let us ask her now to
Hflsist us in the hour of our death.
1 Pcrter, 10 Av«$ and 1 Gktria, on the buadfe.
t^ nOSAHY.
T.
m
TBB OOnOMATION OP OCR BLESSED lADY.
T,laf«*ho Jm^ ^'""""^ mystery, we contem-
plate how Mary was crowned by her divine
B,?n'tr m ''^"^^'"Pl^to her glory among he
W^>,t j,^^*'",.^?''^ ^''^ crowned in h^fven
y the hand of God, she was appointed also
to be „ar advocate; for this reason St
It 18 true that Mary prays for all men bit
she prays especially for those who have
r lov^ T^'^T'^y ^o hor intercession Let
^rav ui ^^ P ^'" = ^''^^> Mother of god,
Pfaj to Jesus for ne; and while wo recite
this last decade of thoEosary, lo? T repeat
^'"mr ^^.n"^*'' ^^'^ "^"^SY METHOD OP SAY-
ING THE BEADS WITH THE MYSTEUIES
nsu^uf^V^ '"' """'"P''^ «^^'^''« ^'■^^"od : Benin
(LT L^^r ^-"' ^'''^ «i'' ^«E Cross, and recite tl a
andn'.'^' ^''^^""' ^^^^ ^'"'^'« AvES, «r,d the Gloria
1
If '
i:g
PARTlCULAlt DCVOTJONS.
Vv'Ikmi you niHl:o i 50 orthe Five JovFur MvsTEntES
sny llio AvES of llie lirst decade in this manner : •' Hail
Mary, full ol" grace, the Lord is with thee ; blessed art
thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy
womb, Jesus, ?/7*o?// thou didst conceive at the message
of an an/jel : Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us
sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen."
hi the second decade, instead of the words, " whom
thou didsL conceive,'' dc, say, *' whom thou didst carry
in thy womb on thy visit to Elizabeth.'' In the third
<lGca(le, '• who was born of th. ' Bethlehem" In the
fourth, '• whom thou didst pretv in the temph." In
the fifth, " ivhom thou didst find in the temple.' Hav-
ing thus recited the live decades, end with the same
prayer given in the other method. (See page *'?b.)
When you select for your devotion the Sorrowful
Mystehies, say in the middle of each Ave of the lirst
decnd.>, •» w/to sweal blood for us in the garden." In
the second docudo, '' who was scourged for ^is.'" In
Ihe third, " wJio was croivned with thorns for us.'' In
the fourtli, ''who carried his cross for us." In tho
iiftli, " who was crucified for us."
For i[ie Glorious Mysteries, in the first decade,
say, ''who arose from the dead." In the second,
" who ascended into heaven." In the third, " who
srnl the Holy Ghost." In tho fourth, " who took thee
up into heaven." In the fifth, "who crowned thee
Queen of heaven."
This method is perhaps the best of all, especially
for those who recite their Rosary often, and alone,,
because it requin^a no book, and helps to keep the
mind constantly fixed on the mystery to be meditated.
<t#
[A I
Jilts
li^l!
THE LITANY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN.
^^^^l^^ also the Litany of Lontto,)
KYHIE eleison.
Chrisle eleison.
Kyrie eloison.
Cliristo audi nos.
(yiriste exuudi nos.
Paler do ctt'lis Deus, mis-
^mrrimlns. ,, ,
^il i Uedernptor mundi C h ' ' ,7''^ J"^^^// ^pon us.
LORD, Jiave mercy upon
Christ, Juxve mercy upon
lis *
J^ord, InixQ niorcy upon
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear
God, tho Father of heav-
7' [Ti'li'^'^Ponus.
^J'iritusSancteI)ous,m/.y
crere tiobis.
'^'^•cla Trinil,., „nus
God, thy lioiy Ghost, /jm^e
t^i^rr// uimi us.
|"oly Trinity, one G.xl,
Joncta Doi Genitrix.l
>^ai)cta Virgo Virl
ginum,
Mulor Clirisii,
8^
jjoly Mother nf G,od,
Holy \i,.gi„ ^M' ^^l
f^ins,
5 fiwoiiiu nt dnme
Mater iasti.si, la' / ^' ' m" ''^'' '"^'^ ^"'■^^'
""*^' J -Molh.Tii)o.stohasto. |
ui
If ffTWl""'^*'^-
I
178
PARTICULAR DBVOTIOKS.
Mater inviolata,
Matgr ifltcRieratft.^
Matep araabilis,
Mater admirabilis,
Mater Crofttpris,
Mater Salvatoris,
Virgo prudentissima,
Virgo veneranda,
Virgo praedicanda,
Virgo potens,
Virgo Clemens,
Vir^o fidelis,
Speculum justitiao,
Sedos papiontite,
Caupa '[lo^tra^ leptitia),
Vt^fii spiritualu,
Vjis Ijoncrabilo,
Vqs iiisigne devo-
tiopia,
Rosa myslica,
'I'mris iJc^vidica,
Tun is cJiurnea,
Domus aurca,
Foederis area,
Jaiiua e(BJt,
Stella matutina,
bajus Jnlirmorum,
Itiugium poccatorum
(lonaolatrix a(Dicto-
rum.
Auxiiiuia Ciihstiflino
mm,
Regiiitt ^ngolonun,
o
o
C3-
of our Crea-
Mother undefiled,
Mother inviolate,
Mother most amiable,
Mother most admira-
ble,
Mother
tor,
Mother of our Re-
deemer,
Virgin most prudent,
Virgin most venera-
ble.
Virgin most renown-
ed.
Virgin most power-
ful.
Virgin most merci-
ful,
Virgin most faithful,
Mirror of justice,
Seat of wisdom,
Cause of our joy,
Spiritual vessel,
Vessel of honor,
Vessel of singular de-
votion,
Mystical rose,
Tower of David,
Tower of ivory,
House of ttold.
Ark of the covenant.
Gate of heaven,
Morning star.
Health of the weak,
Refugo of sinners,
Comfortress of the af-
flicted,
Help of Gliristiaas,
Queen of Angels,
•
I
?■
5
n.g-ina Patnarclia-)
rum. '
Regina Prophetarum,
{Jegina Apostolorum,
^egina Martyrum,
Regina Confessorum,
gegina Virginum,
Regma Sanctorum
omnium,
Re^^Ina sin? labe ori-
ginali concepta,
Agnus Dei. qui toJlis L-
Agnus Dei, qui tolJis ppc-
cata mundi, exaudi nos
mmme.
Agnus Dei, qui toIJis pec-
calamundi,wwer^;Y.„oJ
ots.
V Ora i)ro nobis Sancta
Dei Genitrix.
^- li difjni effkiamur
promi.sxionibu.s ChrisU.
/^RATIAM tuam, qua^-
\X sumus Domine, nien-
tibus nosti-is infunde : ul
i^V''- ,.^^''^*''^' iHintiunir,
J^'Tisti Fiiii lui iiv^arna-
nonem cognovinuij, r^r
passioncm .jus et cruc^m
'id resurroctionis gioriup.
Perducamur: rVroumdon.
Uinstnm Dominum nos.
'film. Am,n.
LITAXY f.[.- LOUETro.
17a
Queen ofPalriarcIis, ^
Queen of IVophets. I
Queen of Apostles,
Queen of Martyrs
Queen of O-fessors, '
Queen of Viipjn-^ ^'
Q«nren of all saints,
Quoen "oncoived
without the stain of
original sin. ,
UmbofGod, who takest
away the s.ns of the
'^'''^pf^ spare us, Lord.
J-anib O.God, who takest
away the sins of the
Lamb ot God, who takest
away the sins of the
world, have mv.rnj upon
^\Fn^' ^^""^ "^' holy
AlotherofGod.
//. 77m/ we mai; he made
womy of ihe promises
of Chrisl.
Ul us pray.
13()L"I{ forth^ wo bcsiM'ch
.- luee, O Lord, thy di-
vino grace into our heart «;
lliat we t(. wh(Hn the i„:
^'•iriiation of Christ thv
•^on wa.s made known hV
' inessagtf of an ang.d'
in< > by Ills pass.on and
•i V.SS \m brought tu the
l^^iury t,f his rrHirrection ;
^\^^\^\v^h the .^amn Christ
our L,,,rd. Arn(,i
'W
MP PARTICULAR DBVOTIOKS.
THE MiMORARE OF SAINT BERNARD.
T> EMEMBER, O mo3t merciful Yii-gin Mary,
•*-*' that it is unheard of, that any one flying
to thee for protection, imploring thy help, or
■eeking thy intercession, was ever forsaken.
Animaied by thiri unerring confidence, I hasten
to thee, Viri^in of Virgins ; I fly to thee, O
sweet Mother ; a wretched sinner, I prostrate
myself groaning at th^" feet ; despise not my
prayer, O Mother of the Divine "Word, but
ipracioufjjy hear and grant the same. AnuTi,
THE SGAPtJLATl OP TUB FiLESSED VIRGIN
MAIiY.
Just as men love to have their servant! wear their
livery, so Mary loves to see he** servants wear her
Scapular, to show their tendfr devotion to her, and
that they belong to her family Heretics, according
to their fashion, laugh at this de%'otion, but the Holy
Church has approved it by bulls aad indulgences. It
is related that, about the year 1251, the Blessed Vir^
gin appeared to St. Simon Stock, an English Carmelite,
and giving him this scapular, assured him that all who
should die invested with it, would be saved from eter-
nal fire. This vision is so well attested, that Pope
Benedict XIV, does not hesitate to say, * We believe
this vision to be true, and think it ought to be so
considered by every one. » No wonder, then, that
this beautiful devotion has become so widely spread,
and continues to flourish throughout the CathoUc
Church.
THE SCAPULAR.
ADVANTAGES OF THE SCAPULAR.
181
vo?^!'g^'ei?"''^'' '"^ P^'^"^^^^ devotion an.
sweet nleclffj oriier nrnt.^nn^^" ^Jotner ol God, but a
'.enellt' of iL l.-oS^iS^ n,en oSo^'S .ILV'
.h. formula of t'ho J'cop ^ '^^^ "yfr^«^ '"
;.i t ,« power intrust,) i to m ■ I rocei??nVH , •,"'""'
to tlio Jull Darticinnlinri „ • 1 ■ ,i "' ^ '"'™" Jou
CaS "■ '" ""''"'""^ ""h" '""y order of Mount
INDrjLGEXGES.
"»-i ™u,n,„„io '",",„• ,f''™";'''-»"^ "f <^°n'fcssio«
K'nicii al?u ui tlio art , ',. nr Vi. no I l™ury m.Iui-
""""oc. at least wit/, M,, he. f' ■• I"'"'"''''' «" l"-<-
'"outh. ,1,0 hdv aue ofT„s %^'^'"'"'^^'M' the
""'"ISonce or one inln,l,^,l"' 1 vs J ^erv'' tht" T
\vesir;lioiiorcrtheB|e,,e,|Vi"? \ ."A^™ «"'J ,'
,'ences ate applicable ,o ti^'souTflllpui^Jon""''"'-
b'--
.:-r
■ s I
182
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
SABBATINE INDULGENCE.
T 'P«3j^Jy'^^ther of God appearing orrco to Pope
Jobn XXII, in a vision, accorded a further and most
precious privileges to tiles'- who wear the Scapular.
1 his IS what goes usually by the name of the Sabba-
tino Indulgence, and mention ismado of it in tho Ro-
man^Breviary. " It is not only in this life," so savs
the Breviary, " that tho blessod Virgin Mary shovvs
horGclf favorable to her children of Mount Garmol , it
is also in tho life to come, ^or her pow.T and her good-
ness extend everywhoro. All those who, woarin-' the
Scapular, are caref'il to re^ito tho few prayers pre-
scr.bod, and preserve their chastity according to tlieir
.nato .if life, may picusly hope that, should thoy havo
to sufTer tho firo of Purgatory, Mary will como to con-
sole t.ieai m hermatornal lendcrness, and cau^,c them
very soon to enter their heavenly countiy. This happv
roloaso may be looke i for on the Saturday ne::t after
death.
THE DDTIES TO BE FULFILLED.
Th?^, obligation, properly speaking, attached to
the Scapu -, 13 t j w ar it coastautlv wilh devotion.
Tho obli£ itions or duties (so called) are only im-
posed as necessary c nlitions to gain the Sabhatino
mdulgnc-. and theso are— Lo recite daily the Little
Olhco of th) Blessed Virgin Mary, or in place of it
to abstain on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Any one
neglecting ta fullll these conditions commits no sin
thereby, nor does h 3 forfeit tho other privileges of the
Scapular, or lose his title to the other indulgences.
REMARKS.
1. To be roceived, in the first place, into the confra-
ternity, and entitled to its privileges, it is necessary to
be invested by a priest duly authorized.
2. When the first is worn out, or lost, or has been
laid by, another may be taken and worn, which does
• not need to be blessed again.
THE SGAPULAH.
183
worn about the nprU ■ h,,t ;/ • ^* ^^^^ ^®
whether over Sunder the dmss """''' "" '^"^'""""'
her children Be ua p fn p I f """'" '"^ ><"' '" bo
gratitude you owe Cso itat a"lfc:'n7^.^ '^ """
i^f;::>
*§::§»
J
>«Q.,..,>,>;.,v»\Mrv*'.
If;
ft
PEVOTION TO THE SAINTS.
The Church militont on earth, an(i the Church tri-
umphant in heaven, is one and the seme Church, and
unites her children ail in one blest family. Tho Saints
who reign with Christ in glory are scpaiatedfrom our
sight, but tho communion remains unbroken, and the
sweet intercourse ol" charity goes on. For ever secure
from danger, and inundated with joy, thevcan receive
nothing, it is true, from us but our tVibute of venera-
tion and praisc!. But we, on the other hand, can hope
^reat things from them, for tliey are able and willing
to help us, and they know our wants.
They are able to help us. For if wo value the prayers
of a good man on earth, although still encumbered like
ourselves by faults and miseries, how murltmore avail-
ing must be the intercession of these familiar friends
and servants of God, who are so dear to him, and see
him always face to face ! ]f ho has itromised so much
even to our poor prayers, how shall he deny anythiritr
to them! ^ ^
They are willing to help us. l-'or surely, the bliss
of Paradise has not taken away, but rather increased
beyond measure, the only charity and syiupalhy which
burned in their hearts when on earth.
They know our wants. They are not ignorant of
what takes place here below. " There is ioy in heaven
vpon one sinner that dolh pcnmicc" ist. Luke, xv.
7-10. Either the swift angels bring the tidings, or
they read it m the smile of God, whoso face they always
behold. And when the good Christian prays, do they
not know this also? O yes 1 in that safe harbor wher'e
they rest, they look back and see us all floating on the
sea of life ; they witness our struggles, our fears, our
Jiopes, and mingle their prayers with ours.
184
I
IITAMT OF THE SAINTS.
18&
I
acceptable to God who ifffLffl.'" ''?i:°'-="' '«™°s'
THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS.
Lord have mercy on us.
(jfinst, have mercy on us
Lord have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ graciously hear us.
on us. ' ^^"^^^"^^^ of the world, Have mercy
Holy' Mary ^Z^orV""'' ^^^^^^ ^^ "^-
Holy Mother of God,
ll^l!^'? of Virgins,
^t. Michael,
St. Gabriel,
St. Raphael,
All ye holy Angels and Archangels
St. Joseph,
St" i^eter^'^''"^"''^^^"^ Prophets,
St. Paul,'
St. Andrew,
St. James,
St. John,
St. Thomas,
1
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186
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
8t.
St.
St.
St.
St,
St.
St.
St.
St.
St.
All
All
All
St.
St.
yt.
S8.
ss.
ss.
ss.
All
St.
St,
James,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Simon,
Thaddeus,
Matthias,
Barnaby,
Luke,
Mark,
yo holy Apostles and Evangelists,
yo holy Disciples of our Lord,
yo holy Innocents,
Stephen,
Lawromce,
Vincent,
Fabian and Sebastian,
John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damian,
Gervasius and Protasius,
\ 1* holy Martyrs,
I'vivester,
Gregory,
I
Co
St. Ambrose,
St. Augustin,
St. Jerome,
St. Martin,
St. Nicholas,
All ye holy Bishops and Conftessors,
All ye holy Doctors,
St. Anthony,
St. Benedict,
Si. Bernard.
St. Dominic,
St. Francis,
All ye holy Priests and Levites,
All yn holy Monks and Hermits,
St. Mary Magdalen,
SI. Lucy,
St Agnes,
LITANY OF Ti/E SAINTS.
187
5'
C5
r
St. Cecily,
St. Agatha,
St. Catharine,
St. Anastasia,
All ye holy Virgins and Widows / cs
All ye men and women, sainlTof Cod ju i J
cession for us ^ ^°^- J^ake inter-
Be merciful unto us. Spar- wv n in.,^
He merciful unto us r.^ '■ ', , ^•^'^•
From all cvi" '^ ^' ^^'^^^ ^^ear us, Lord.
From all sin, '
From thy wrath,
J;romthe deceits of the dovil
^lom anger, hatred, and all ill-will
S^"; .^'^fPntoffornicnlion ' •
:rum hgh i.mg and temj)..st
I rom everlasting death.
iiirougJi thy nativity'
I "'o^fe-ji thy baptism and holy fasting
'Tough thy cross and passion ^'
1 M-ough thy death and Juiriai
rhrough thy Iioly resurrection.
^tl',!;^'-^«nnngoiu.eIIoIy Ghost the Com
In the day of judgment,
We sinners, do beseech lliee hear us "
1 nat thou spare us,
That thou pardon us, 1
religion "^t-icsiastical Orders in holy ^
''j^y'Su^cr'^"''^^^'^
I
/
h- I
•r Ml
a'
188
l>ARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
That thou vouchsafe to give peace and true con-'
cord to Christian Kings and Princes,
That thou vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to
all Christian people.
That thou vouchsafe to confirm and preserve us
in thy holy service,
That thou lift up our minds to heavenly de-
sires,
That thou render eternal good things to all our
benefactors,
That thou deliver our souls, and those of our
brethren, kinsfolks, and benefactors from eternal
damnation,
That thou vouchsafe to give and preserve the
fruitsof t', Marth,
That thoii vouchsafe to give eternal rest tc all the
faithful departed,
That thou vouchsafe graciously to hear us, Son
of God,
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
spare us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, Lord.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world.
have mercy onus.
a*
St
PRAYER.
GOD, whose property is always to have
mercy, and to spare, receive our petition :
that we, and all thy servants who are bound
by the chains of sin, may bv the compassion
of thy goodness mercifully be absolved.
Hear, we beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers
of the suppliant, and pardon the sins of them
that confess to thee ; that in thy bounty thou
mayest both give us pardon and peace.
Out of thy clemency, O Lord, show thy un-
LITANY OP THE SAINTS.
16»
low
speakable mercy to US that oa *v.„
both acquit nsof onr sins a .fi Ir*"'" "'"J'^s*
O God, who bvsin «rt ^^ ^ f •
penance pacifidd, '"n.^^eifant"'' "f*^ ^^
prayers of thy tcod^ m„t- ^ ""^^^ the
to Aee, and tou awav?h» « «nPPlication
«nger ^ich w^ de^Te tt oSs" ''' ^''^
O Almighty and Eternal pTh I
on thy secant N-tZlh^'k^l^ ""e'cj'
direct-'him according t" thv 1-^"^''^' ""^
the way of everlas i^salm&h^TI' ll**^
grace he may desire tZIethVn.^i''^*'^
ir^llX'-' ""'' ^^^^^-^- S^t
right tt fl" a^'dTusr-;;" '"'-^ ''«^-«'
servants that peace which Xwfw ^ *^^"
give; that both our heart mavT i*"*°°°I^
to keep thy commandment ^nd th„ T'^i
enemies being removed tLr ^° /**'" °^
protection ma| beTelceab fe *"""' ^^ ^''J'
toh%^':S'rhS f/r"' °^''" ^^e
parted the remission of all It^- '"^''''^ ^'-
throngh Pious BmX„*v/.''®"' "'"« J t^a*
the pa^iSoTwhicSft have «^^ "^^ obt"'"
. Forerun, we beseecY thie ^^^.'^^^''-^d.
tionsbythyho.yinsjLS.L'^r^-^^^^^^
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■190
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
on by thy gracious assistance : that every
prayer and work of ours may begin always
from thee, and by thee be happily ended.
O Almighty and Eternal God, who hast do-
minion over the living and the dead, and art
merciful to all whom thou foreknowest shall
bo thine by faith and good works ; we humbly
beseech thee that thyy, for whom we have de-
termined to ofiGY up our prayers, whether
thin world still detains them in the flesh, or
the world to come has already received them
out of their bodies, may by the clemency of
I h y goodn|.>ss, all thy saints interceding for
ihcm, obtain pardon and full remission of all
their sins, tlirough our Lord Jesus Christ thy
.Son, who livcth and reigncth, &c. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
E. And let my cry come unto thee.
V. May the Almighty and most merciful
Lord graciously hear us. B. Amen.
V. And may the souls of the faithful de-
parted, through the mercy of God, rest in
peace. M. Amen.
mm,
i...
1
1
1
H
B
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DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH.
eve^^td anyTn« ofs" fJ' f' '^^'•«=''- " having
^hich he did no? obtafn for Z P n"P '» "i'^ °"""«°^
i8hod, were I to tell otaluLZ;„^?Z'>"'^ *"> ^^J-on.
has granted mo '^v thn in,„ "^ V^^'' P™'=es wliicli
Of the perils^'orif Of Zt'lT°"/ L"'- Saint.
God
and 0? ts; p^;^xs^o?^.;r^-^^i^^ s,
he has delivered me It spp^^ f "k ^°?^' ^^'^^^ whici
other saints to asSu^ L t ""^ *^ ^^ '^® privilege of
hut experience proves that nr<?'''i""^«^ "^^^s^ities
as if by this the Lord woud'^. ^^'"* ^^^^^^^s "s in all
as he was pleased to brsui?Io Sf T^'^^'^l^ thai
earth, so ho is resolved Kah? « i t^^^P^ while en
heaven. This is what other^norcn "". ^'^ ^^^"^^ts in
whom I had given coun.Pl fn' . """^ ^'^^^ P^'^vcd, to
to him. Such is the Sexnonf "'"'rT"^ themselves
favors which he obta ni^ro^^^^^
persuade the whole world i^ L 1 '"V/^^"^^ P^^^^y
I have never known aTv one th^f.^°?"^*° ^^'^ Saint
homage to him, Aohal^r^^^f^^^^
m virtue. I^r several vLrs I ,?ol^^ P^^S^ess
to ask some favor of hninn^Ni ??^" accustomed
I always perceive ?hat I l^.vn h '^''^^^ ^''^ ^^^^ival, and
rfoesnotiMieveit,Tbcgofiiim?n^^^^^^^ ^^^"^^^0
mae the experiment"r mv no ?' T"^^^^^
how any ono cftn think of f L /-^ P^rt I do not know
tlm care wh:ch she took of '.f '" ^^^.^^'is. and ci
Without thanking St Joscl fo "fh? ^'^ childhood,
t:^«ji3Ume,^obota^;JS^^^^^
191 '' II'
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192
PAHTH:ULAn Di:VOTJO\S.
I
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DEVOUT PHAIEIIS IN JIO.NOR OF ST. JOSEPH.
Choice of St. Joseph as patron.
BLESSED Joseph, fiiitlif ul /guardian of my
Kedeomor Jesus Chvi^t, protector of thy
chaste spouse the virgin Mother of God, I
choose thee this day to be my especial patron
and advocate, and I fu'mly resolve to honor
thee as such from ihis time forth and always.
Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive
me for thy client, to instruct me in every
doubt, to ( I'lfort me in every affliction, and
tinally to^dolend and protect me at the hour
of death. Amen.
For his safe-conduct through life.
OBLL\SSF.D Joseph, father and guide ot
_ JesuM Christ in his childliood and youth,
who didst lead hi in safely in his flight through
the desert, and in all the ways of his earthly
jdlgrlmage, be also my companion and guide
in this pilgrinitige of life, and never permit
jne to turn aside from tlie way of God's com-
mundnieiit.,; be my refuge in adversity, my
.up;)Ort in temptation, my solace in atlliction,
until ill length I arrive at the land of living,
where with thee, and Mary thy most holy
Spouse, and all the Saints, 1 may rejoice for-
ever in Jesus mv Lord. Amen.
For grace to commanicatc devoutly.
OBLESSiOI) Josej)h, how sweet and wonder-
ful a pri vi lege was thine, not only to see, but
to cany in thy arms, to kiss and to embrace
DEVOTION TO ST. JOSl-PH. 193
wve and reverence, embrace my Lord ami
*fr Tt'L'f *^ ^^^""^ Sacramenrof tSo
it^^l^''-^}'^'' "'y "«» <"» e«rth i8 ended
For other parUeular graces.
BI-^SSBD Joseph, since Jesns while on
tw •?? *°y commands, and cherishmi
hall If" """^V^Pe^al iove'and honoTho'v
constancy/especCtTly ?"m^;'l^™b'^~
sms; secondly thaf I ma7aS mT ."f
mvipIfT?K ""'' '?°''^' "Dd constantly Lpfv
myself to the acquirement of virtue esnenSn,.
those virtues which I need most • a^ia « ^
Joseph. I commend njyseif to X go^Xi
>
\i j (,
104
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
and mercyof my God, and to thy fatherly oai'*
and intercession. Amen.
For a haj^py death,
r\ BLESSED Joseph, who didst yield thy
^^ la' t breath in the fond embrace of Jesua
and of Mary, — when the 6<3r.l of death shall
close my career of life, come, holy Father,
with Jesus and Mary, to aid me, and obtain
for me this only solace which I ask for in that
hour, to die encircled by their holy arms.
Into your sacred hands, living and dying,
Jesus, M^ry, Joseph, I commend my soijl.
Amen.
V. Pray for us, O most blessed Joseph.
E. That we may be made worthy of the
promises of Christ.
PRAYEa.
WE beseech thee, O Lord, that wo may be
assisted by the merits of the Spouse of
thy Holy Mother; so that what we are unable
to obtain for ouraelves, may be granted us
through his intercession; "Who livest and
reignest world without end. Amen,
DEVOTION TO THE HOLY ANGELS.
^ " Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to min-
tster for them who shall receive the inheritance of sal-
vation? ' (Heb. i. 14.) '
n '• ^}^n ^"^f.*' " ^^y^ S'- Augustine, " love us as
Uieir tellow-citizens, and hope to see us fill up what
has been lost to their own number by the fall of the
rebel angels. For this reason they are always present
with us, and watch over us with the greatest care
At all times, and in every place, they are ready to
help us, and to provide for our wants. They walk
with us m all our ways ; going out and «cming in,
they follow us still, anxiously considering whither
we live piously and purely in the midst of a wicked
world. They assist those who labor; thrty guard
those who rest; they encourage those who fight •
they crown those who conquer ; they rejoice with
the joyful, and sympathize with the suffering When
we do well, the angels are glad, but the devils are
sad. When we sin, the devils rejoice, but the angels
arc cheated of their joy. " (SoHl. cap. 27.)
We ought, therefore, to honor these blessed spirits
with very great reverence and affection, and to pray to
thorn, especially our guardian angels, to whom God
has given charge over us, to keep us in all our ways
(Ps. xc), and wo may bo sure that this devotion will
be most ploasmg to them, and most useful to ourselves.
THE ANGEL PSALTEH.
(LX'iraclcd from, 'carious Psalms.)
O yo angels of the Lord, bless tho Lord :
praibo him and exalt him above all forever.
195
M
196
PARlirULAR DEVOTIONS.
Praiso the Lord from the heavens : praise
ve him in the high places. Praise him, all ye
his angels ; praise yc him, all his hosts.
Bless the Lord, all ye his angels, you that
are mighty in strength, and execute his word,
hearkening to the voice of his orders.
Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts ; ye ministers
of his that do his will.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and never forget
all he hath done for thee.
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction,
who crowneth thee with mercy and com-
passion.
For he hjlth given his angels charge over
thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest
thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou Shalt walk upon the asp and the
basilisk, and thou shalt trample under foot
the lion and the dragon.
The Angel of the Lord shall encamp round
-about them that fear him, and shall deliver
them.
Glory be to the Father, &c.
V. I will sing praise to thee, my God, in
the sight of the Angels.
M. I will worship towards thy holy temple, and
I will give glory to thy name.
PRAYER.
OGOD, who, in most admirable order, dost
assign the various offices, both of angels
and of men : grant, we beseech thee, that
they who always minister before thy face in
THE AN6FL PSALTER.
197
. heaven may also defend us in this our life
PRAYER TO ONE'S GUARDIAN ANGEL.
r\ BLESSED Angel, my guardian and de-
rr./Tt^''' T^^ ^y *^^ ^'""^ providence of
God I have been committed to thy care, I
. beseech thee to direct mo always in the way
Pe^'Ce safety and salvation. Eemain es-
pecially this day (or night) by mv side to
defend me from-'ail danfer; an^d e^ery evU
temptation. Eemember, O deaa-eat guardian
how once the watchful love of God ry^l
served thee with the good angels in gCe
and glory, while so many othfrs were cast
down from heaven for their pride. I beseech
thee, therefore to watch over me in this my
lifetime of trial, and bring me such efficacious
aid from heaven, that in no danger may I
ever fall and lose the grace of my God Ld
Creator, until I come to appear before his
face m my heavenly home ; there, with thee
and all the saints and angels, to praise and
adore him, through the endless ages of eter-
nity. Amen. &
(There is an Indulgence of 100 days attachpd t^ th^ ft.ii«»
ing prayer, for each Ume of reSti^itr^ ^^^'
Angele Dei,
Qui custos es mei,
Me tibi cominissuni pietote
superna.
Hod ie illumina, custodi,
rege et guberna.
Afften.
I
Angel of God,
Who art my guard.
Committed by heavenly
care to thy ward,
Rule, govern, enlighten,
and keep me this day.
Anien.
^fi:^^^iM^emj3kS(SisSiSi:^^i:?'ts^
DEVOTIOIN TO THE HOLY SOULS IN PUR-
GATORY.
[By St. Alphonsus Liguori.)
The practice oi recon.mending to God tho souls in
Purgatory, that he may' mitigate the great painr>
which they suffe", and that he may soon bring them
to his glory, ia most pleasing to the Lord, and most
profltablo to us. For these blessed souls are. his etenial
.spouses, and most grateful are they to those who
obtain thein deliverance from prison, or even a niltigiv
tion of their torments. V/hen, therefore, they arrive in
heaven, they will be sure to remember all who hav e
Sprayed for them. It is a pious belici'that God manifests
to them our prayers in their behalf, that they also may
pray for us. It is true, these blessed souis are not in a
state to pray for themselves, because they are, so to
epeak^ criminals atoning for their faults. However,
because they ere very dear to God, they can pray for
us, and obtain for us the divine graces. Ft. Catharine
of Bologna, when she wished to obtain any graces,
had recourse to the souls in Purgatory, and her prayers
were heard immediately. She declared that, by pray-
ing to those holy souls, she obtained many favors,
which she had sought through the intercession of the
saints without obtaining them. The graces which
devout persons are said to have received through these
holy souls, are iannmerable.
But, if we wish for ihn ai'! of their prayers, it is
just, it is even a duty to relievo them by our suffrages.
I say, il, is even a duhj ; for Christian charity com-
mands us to relieve our neighbours who atund in need
of our assistance. But who among all our neighbors
have so g'-.at n^ed of our hf?ip ns these holy prisoners?
They «ro continually in tha,t lire which torments more
X93
!• iAV.-iltS l-OIl THE i-OULS IV PURGaTOHY.
190
sjnen'ytliaiuinycnrthly llro. They arc deprived of
uiesipiit ot (,od, a tunneiit far more excruciatiaffthau
■•111 ollHT i!jiiiis. U^t us 1 eflcct that amnnq these suffer-
iiiS souls aiopiircnt:^ or brothers, or relations and
inon.ls. who look to us n)r succor. Let us remember
moroovor. thiLt, boiu-iutlio condition cf debtors for
1 leir Kuis. they catuiot assist themselves. This thouffht
shouM iu-.> us forw u'd lo relievo thorn to tho best ot
oura,)i ny. By assisliui,' them wo shall not onlv ffivo
great i.l.Msure (o Go,l, but will ac'iairo also preat me-
rit for ourselves. And in retui»n for our sullrages, these
i>lcssed souls will not ne^^Lot to obtain for us manv
jrracrs h^om Cxod. j)ut particularly tho grace of eternal
lilo. 1 Iio.d for certain that a soul delivered from Pur-
^^atory by tho sullragos of a Christian, when sho enters
i aradiso will not mil to say to God: •' Lord, do not
sudor tliat porsr n to bo lost who has liberated me from
llio prison of Purgatory, and has brought me to the
'•n.|oymont of tliy glory sooner than I had deserved ! "
bt. Liguori then goes zn to nrffo tho faithful to do
all in their power to roliove and libenae these blessed
souls, by^procuring masses to be said for them, bv
;Hms, and by their own fervent prayers
ri^AYEUS FOR THE SUFFERING SOULS IN
I^URGATORY.
O (learopt Josiis, by tlio bloody sweat which
iKui didst sulier in tho Garden of Gethsomani,
have mercy on tlicso blessed souls,
A^ Jrave mercy on them, Lord, have mercv
on them. -^
O dearest JesiKs, by tho pains, which thou
l!i'!l 1"^ ^_^/*.^^*"'.^^ ^^y ^^^^ cruel scourging.
^ iiuircj* \ni IliOlJi.
Tt. Have mercy on them, Jcc.
200
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
,
O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou
didst suffer from thy most painful crown of
thorns, have mercy on them.
B. Ilave mercy on thenij &c.
O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou
didst suffer in carrying thy cross to Calvary,
have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them^ &c.
O dearest Jesus, by the pains which thou
didst suffer in thy most cruel crucifixion, have
mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them^ &c.
■O dearest Jesus, by the pains Which thou
didst suffer in thy most bitter agony on the
cross, have mercy on them.
R, Have mercy on them, &c.
O dearest Jesus, by that intense pain which
thou didst suffer in breathing forth thy bless-
ed soul, have mercy on them.
R. Have mercy on them, &c.
Then recite the following Psalm :
DE PROPUNDIS.
. Out of the depths I have cried to thee, O
Lord ; Lord, hear my voice.
Let thy cai's be attentive to the voice of my
Bupplioation.
L thou, O Lord, wilt mark iniquities, Lord,
who shall stand it ?
For with thee there is merciful forgiveness,
and by reason of thy law I have waited for
thee. O LorrL
•N
PRAYEBS fOH TBE SOULS IN PDHG*TOHV. 201
.^ And^he 6haU redeem fcael from all his in-
V. Give them eternal rest, O Lord
V . Jttay they rest m peace.
». .amen.
K. 'M
i'RAYER.
Virlin^and "nf^'n'T" "^ '^'««««'l Mary evS
I
! I
En
ill
i .i-
li
I
Ui
Kflii
202. PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
THE LITANY FOR A GOOD DEATH.
LOUD, have mercy on us.
C/nnst, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us. , , ,. xu
God the Father, who for our sake didst dehver up thy
beloved Son to death, have mercy on us.
God the Son, who didst mercifully submit to tliS law
of death, that we may thereby gain eternal life,
have mercy on us. «, . ..
Holy Ghost, great comforter of the dymg Christian,
have mercy onus. . , , ^
divine Jesus ! when I shall be seized with my last
illness, and warned to prepare for the approach of
my Judge, then, merciful Jesus, have mercy on me.
When my eyes, darkened with the mist of death,
shall fix their last dying looks on thy crucified
image, 'hen,mercifulJesus, have mercy on me,
When my pale and ghastly countenance shall fill ^
others with compassion and terror,
When my ears, about to close forever to all
human discourse, shall await the dreadful sound
of thv unalterable sentence.
When my feet, unable to move, shall remind me
that my earthly course is drawing to an end.
When my imagination, disturbed with gloomy
and frightful phantoms, shall fill my heart
with deadly horror,
When my soul, terrified at the view of my sins,
and agonized with fear of thy rigorous justice,
shall struggle with the angel of darkness,
Wh(»n my heart, weakened and overwhelmed
with thr pp.ins of sickness, shall be seized with
the last agonies of death, and violently assailed
with the last efforts of Satan, i ;
When my friends, assembled round me shall
pity my 'sufTerings, and weep for my approaching
dissolution,
ft
Co
r;>
LITANY FOR A GOOD DEATH.
20J
""tZ I'^a tZ^^^- --^ 'his world for •,
when my soul, flutlering on my lips .hall hp
Tuigt ''°'°' °' '''*'"'"°« "'' Atolghty
^^Uev^of Tar,""!'/,' '™8* 1«P"' '■^<"» '^8
•When I shall stand all alone before mv
my"ove, ' ' '''^ "'*""^' « "V God, on
htan "art elude":* "'"''' "'"' ''™''^' "•* °°
PHATEB.
n ?9-^' '^''° ^'^^ condemned w all to din
ofdoath ; grant, that passing all the days of
t7br.tr ■'"'*"f*"'^ holiness,! may merit
IsS ZV^- '"? '\TP"^^ «f ^ good
^
S
^
-r*.
Si
I *^
ml
^v>J^ip»hv9^cp^>^^cp^^^cp^i^^^i^^>Vi^sj|)^cp^9w'
THE SEVEN PENITENTIAL PSALMS.
Ant Eemember not, O Lord, our offences^
nor tho, of our parents, and take not revenge
on our sino.
Psalm vi. Domine, ne in furore.
Lord, rebuke mo not in thy indignation,
nor chastise mo in thy wrath.
Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak :
heal me/ O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
And my soul is troubled exceedingly : but
thou, O Lord, how long ?
Turn t me, O Lord, and deliver my soul ;
O save me for thy mercy's sake.
For there is no one in death that is mindful
of thee, and who shall confess to thee in hell?
1 have labored in my groanings \ every
night I will wash my bed, I will water my
couch with my tears.
My eye is troubled through indignation ; I
have grown old among all my enemies.
Depart from mo, all ye workers of iniquity ;
for the Lord hath heard the voice of my
weeping.
Tho Lord hath heard my supplication : the
Lord hath received my prayer.
Let my enemies be ashamed, and be very
much troubled : let them be turned back and
204
XJ i.\Jl.
LTV, UbV.
THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS.
205
Psalm xxxi. Beaii quorum.
Blessed are they whose iniquities are for-
given, and whose sins are covered
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath
not imputed sin, and in-whose spirit there is
no guile. ^ xo lo
Because I was silent my bones grew old :
whilst I cried out all the day lone
For day and night thy hand was heavy
tT?i.r ' •^'^. *"'*?^^ ^^ ^^ ^°g^i«l^ whilst
the thorn is fastened.
I have acknowledged my sin to thee ; and
my injustice I have not concealed.
I said I will confess against myself in my
injustice to the Lord, and thou hast forgiven
the wickedness of my sin.
For this shall every one that is holy pray
to thee, m a seasonable time.
And yet in a flood of many waters, they
snail not come nigh unto him.
Thou art my refuge from the trouble which
hath encompassed me : my joy, deliver me
from them that surround me.
I will give thee understanding, and I will
mstruct thee in this way in which thou shalt
go ; 1 will fix my eyes upon thee.
Do not become like the horse and the mule
Who have no understanding.
With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws,
who come not near unto thee.
Many are the scourges of the sinner, but
-^.— ,. ^.„^„^^„-- ^j^j ^^^^ fiopetii in
'. !
Jor>
PARTKCLAR DEVOTIONS.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just :
and glory all ye right of heart. Glory bo, &c.
P$ALM xxxvii. Domine, ne in furore.
Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation,
nor chastise me in thy wrath.
For thy arrows are liastened in me ; and
thy hand hath been strong upon mo.
There is no health in my flesh, because of
thy wrath ; there is no peace for my bones,
because of my sins.
For my iniquities are gone over my head ;
and as a great burden have become heavy
upon me.
My sores are putrefied and corrupted, be-
cause of my foolishness.
I am become miserable, iind am bowed down
even to the end ; I walked sorrowful all the
day long.
For my loins are filled with illusions j and
there is no health in my flesh.
I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly ; I
roar with the groaning of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before thee ; and my
groaning is not hid fro/n thee.
My heart is troubled, my strength hath left
me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with
me.
My friends and my neighbours have drawn
near, and stood against me.
And they that were near me stood afar off;
oaiu viiv
i^xsMi; axju.i^ii.v 11.1
\J. T i\/lV.'i-I.\,-^ s
THE PEMTENTIAL PSALMS. 207
And they that sought cviLs to me spoke vain
things, and studied deceits all the day lonff
But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and wa.«
as a dumb man not oi^eninir his mouth
And I became as a man^hat hearot'h not:
and that hath no reproofs in his mouth
For m thee, O Lord, have J hoped; thou
wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
For I said, lest at any time my enemies re-
joice over me ; and whil;st my feet are moved
they speak great things against me.
For I am ready for scourges ; and my sorrow
js continually before mo.
For I will declare my iniquity, und I will
think over my sin.
But my enemies live and are stronger than
1; and they that hate me wrongfully aro
multiplied. "^
They that render evil for good, have de-
tracted me, because I followed goodness
Forsake me not, O Lord my God: do not
thou depart from me.
Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of
my salvation. Glory be, <&c.
PSALM L. Miserere.
Have mercy on me, O God, according- to
thy great mercy.
And according to the multitude of thy
tender mercies, blot out my iniquity.
Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and
cleanse me from my sin.
«]£?^ I ^^^^ ^y iniquity, and my sin is
-tiWays uQiOra me.
• 1
208
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
To thee only have I sinned, and have done
evil before thee j that thou mayest be justified
in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou
judged.
For behold I was conceived in iniquitien,
and in sins did my mother conceive me.
For behold thou hast loved truth ; the un-
certain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou
hast made manifest to me.
Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I
shall be cleansed j thou shalt wash me, and I
shall be made whiter than snow.
To my hearing thou shalt give joy and
gladne'ss ; and the bones that have been hum-
bled shall rejoice.
Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot
out all my iniquities.
Create a clean heart in me, O God ; and
renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Cast me not away from thy face ; and take
not thy Holy Spirit from me.
Eestore unto me the joy of thy salvation,
and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
I will teach the unjust thy ways ; and the
wicked shall be converted to thee.
Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of
my salvation ; and my tongue shall extol thy
justice.
O Lord, thou wilt open my lips ; and my
mouth shall declare thy praise.
For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would
indeed have given it; with burnt-offerings
♦ ri/^n TTTil-f »^/-k+ \\r\ A r\Hr»Vii-r\A
I (
THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 209
not despise. ' ^ ^^^> *^ou wilt
be bailt up '^''"' "^ Jerusatem may
como x^i^to S' '"^' P''"^"-' '""I •«* «y cry
withered; because I St fo«„'?^ ^f * '«
Tbrongh the voiro S eat my bread.
bone hatg cleaved to m/fleT ^"^'"^^ «>'
deLrs^/am°HI-o7"lV '"'''<="" °^ *h« -i'"
I^'or I did fiflf. ncT,oo t:7,. t,
my drink with we;pi^g:" ""■'*"' "n't "lingled
!,■■
't
J y '
|i !■
210
PARTICULAR DEVOTIOISS.
Because of thy anger and indignation ; Ibr
having lifted mo up, thou haat thrown mo
down.
My days have declined like a shadow ; and
I am withered like grass.
But thou, O Lord, endurest forever ; and
thy memorial to all generations.
Thou shalt arise and havd mercy on Sion ;
for it is time to have mercy on it, for the
time is come.
For the stones thereof have pleased thy
servants, and they shall have pity on the
earth thereof.
And' the gentiles shall fear thy name, O
Lord ; and all the kings of the earth thy
glory.
For the Lord hath built up Sion ; and he
shall be seen in his glory.
lie hath had regard to the prayer of the
humble ; and he hath not despised their peti-
tion.
Let these things be written unto another
generation ; and the people that shall be
created nhall praise the Lord.
Because he hath looked forth from his high
sanctuary ; from heaven the LorH liath looked
upon the earth.
That ho might hear the groan,, ui i hem that
are in fetters ; that ho might release the
chidren of the slain.
That they may declare the name of the
i >i\^mA ir\ Sinn • fiTifl }\\a TM«fjiaA in .lornsnlATTi.
TBB PENITENTIAl PSAIMS. 21 1
_ Wien the people assembled loeether unH
kings to serve the Lord. ''"So«ier, and
He answered him in the way of his stren<rtJ. •
declare unto me the fewness of my days^'' '
Call me not away in the midst of my days •
thyyoars are nnto generation andgenSn'
ear^ Ldfh«r^' O Lord, thou f^andes the
hands' ''»'* *1»« heavens are the work of thy
Glory be to the Father, &e.
Psalm cxxix. De Profundis.
saSlicat[or'^^**^"«^«*°*'>---of-y
Who st.1's?aK: ""' ■""* '"'^"■«-' L-l.
For with thee there is merciful forgiveness •
ttt w" "' *'^ '^" I ''-^ -StTd Z
i>a&o^;?^1,':Sr'''«-«'^">y-i
^ From the morning watch ftven rmfji .;^i..
i««> Israei hope in the Lord. ' '"^ '
wp
IeL^i
p
1^ ^
m'
i
I I
f
I
^12
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
Because with the Lord there is mercy, and
with him plentiful redemption.
And he ahall redeem Israel from all his in-
iqnities.
Glory be, &c.
Psalm cxlii. Domine exaudi.
Hear, O Lord, my prayer ; give ear to my
supplication in thy truth; hear me in thy
justice.
And enter not into judgment with thy ser-
vant ; for in thy sight no man living shall be
justified.
For the enemy hath persecuted my soul ;
he hath brought down my life to the earth.
He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as
those that have been dead of old ; and my
spirit is in anguish within mo : my heart
within me is troubled.
I reraeml)ercd the days of old, I meditated
on a!l thy works : I mubod upon the works
of thy hands.
I stretched forth my hands to thee : my
soul is as earth without water unto thee.
Hear mo speedily, O Lord ; my spirit hath
ikinted uway.
Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be
libe unto them that go down into the pit.
Cause mo to hear thy mercy in the morn-
ing ; for in thee have I hoped.
Make known to mo the way wherein I
»V^...M .>1K . /», — T I i:iV„,J I ^_
thee.
'If
h
THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. j^
rhj jrood spirit Rhall load moinf^+k^ • i..
land ; ibr th^ naTnc'n «aL O Cd ^^^^^
luicken mo in thy justice ' ^^^*
Thou wilt brin.r i^y soul mif ,^p * ki
and in U,, .erc^'.^ ^j' « X^'ti
myMp'TorT'' '".*,'''^ "" *''«« »hat afflict
t?e Fwkrflc "" "'^ ^*""^"*- Glory be to
venge on our bins.^ ' """^ ^""^^ """e-
PBAYER.
JJEAR I beseech thee, O Lord, the pravew
r
? . ■
1
i
ii
...uJ
Utt
nit
ON MENTAL PRAYER OR MEDITATION.
Meditation is morally necessary to salvation, be-
cause it is impossible to know the truths and the mys-
teries of our holy religion, except by the eyes ol' iho
soul, in other words, by frequent and serious reflection.
He who neglects this," walks, as St. Augustine says,
With his eyes shut, and in this way it will be impos-
sible for him to discover th • road which he ought to
choose, and the means which he ought to employ in
order to amvo at his destination, namely, at heaven.
But meditation is chiefly necessary to salvalion. be-
cause he who is not in the habit of meditating, does
not pray, and so is lost. Ho who does not meditate
continually, cannot acquire any solid virtues, for no
one will persevere in the practice of virtue unless he
perseveres at the same lime in prayer. For this reason
it is that our Lord has said : " Wle must ahcaiis pratj
and never faint " Ho who does not meditate, will
not be conscious of his own wants. He will make j\u
account of the dangers which surround him, he wili
not exert himself <o employ the means to escape from
tliem, and finally, recognizing no longer how necessary
prayer is to his salvation, he will abandon it, and so
1)0 lost.
The world is filled with sins, and hell willi damned
souls, because Christians no longer meditate upon
eternal truths. " With desolation is all the land
made desolate, because there is none that considerdl*
in the heart'' (Jcrem. xii.) But on the contrary, he
who often thinks of death, judgment and eternity, will
abandon sin ; otherwise ho must leave ofl' meditating,
for it is impossible that meditation and sin should be
found in company. " Hemember thy last end, and
thou shall never sin.'' (Eccl. vii. 40.)
214
ON MEDITATION. ' 215
the interior nrCcLT^,,^*k'^°'^'^^'^ Patron of
bestow upon' usXoth tt meriUof hi7'"'"? ">
»d by the UUercession'or^Cyrroffhe''S,i'^.r'""•
Jsf„co o™ l'.as t'?°„fw'r'''^''-.'i'''"\'''''- ■"•'''''''""n.
means to go ihere TjllZTi.^T'' '^'' ''■"« t"- 'ha
■liamberat home an^nln i^fK*" "•«<"'?«« in one's
"Ut tl,o xvhob day ^If"o"f ,^°tvZ ^f'" ""?"e'-
bcforolving down to ^Vnn in ^ ' '' " ^ood also
-0 meditation °a^%'°,htSirninrbuf iM?- ''"''■-''°."'-
'^possible, it is enough frbo"Lilt"A'I'ii'„',':!..'J"i'»
-uu fittii-ijour each day. '"'" -*■■ "-• "^^^i^aiu lur
mm
216
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
r ; * 11
t;| ^
HOW TO MEDITATE.
Before meditation, place yourself devoutly upon
your knees. If you are able to remain kneeling with
out injury to your health, it should be done ; but if
that is likely to prove injurious, you may stand or sit.
Then begin the preparation to your meditation, in
which you must never forget to place yourself, first ol
all, in the presence of God. This may be done by re-
peating the follov.'ing Acts : " my God ! I am firmly
persuaded that thou art here present, and I adore ihcc
from the bottom of my nothingness. "
Then humble yourself before God, saying : •' O my
God, I deserve to be burning this moment in hell. I
am sorry for all my sins. Pardon me in thine infinite
mercy.";
Lastly, pray God to enlighten you: " Eternal F;i-
ther, for the love of Jesus and cf Mary, enlighten mr
in this meditation, in order that I may profit by it. "
It is well to add to these preparatory prayers, an
Ave to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a Gloria in honor
of St. Joseph, of our patron Saint, and of our guardian
Angel. These acts and prayers must bo made with
great attention, but without dwelling on them too
long
Before you enter upon the meditation itself, read
with attention one of the points given in vour book of
meditati-ns. (Sec page 219.) If already in the coiu-
luencoineut you ftM'I touched by a:;y truth, then read
no failher. \V»' must do, says St. Francis de Sales, as
lli(< Jx^ps dn, for thry stop on each flower, until they
have sucked out all tlit^ honey. If, on the contrary, thr
first point of the Meditation jiroves tD bo a difliculton'"'
to make use of, go on at oricc to the second point.
It is nec( ssary to remark, that although one makes
use ordinarily of the understanding to consider the
truths of faith, yet tli* eri;ontial j)i)int .of meditation
consists in the following Ihinj/s :
I. To awaken Uifi (I jjcil ions. — We ouglit tliereforeto
liumble onrselves with heartfelt sinccritv, to animate
m
ON MEDITATION'. 217
our faith and our lio]>c, and above all to make acl^ of
contnuon, and oflove to God. of conlS v tS j 's
holy will, and to olTer ourselves un entirol v n i^ w
Wtosl time for iTiiycr. God ordinarily Rives Iiisi-n,"
Z>r„ ''•''''• end you s/iall receive:" tlioreforo "avs
bt^^Torosa, ifany one does notask.hewillnot recehl
•>. I'Cnnul male nood rcinhiUnn^ \n„„ i
discovered J,y mcclitation whit veTa;7ln 1 '"^
part, in order tc livo in conV rm ^° wi ,? t ,o ,olv"wm
ver n:yi--r'i^i;!^,^--;;ii^^^^^^
<"'.« <M.n..g .1.0 day, lo r^a , Jgtd'resoZt »".'«
Oodtor,,,e,,o,yi"!-:;^t'w"."ch ?,J^iXLi''2^
to recornnien( (o fnid fi.o cn.,i. ; t^ ^^toupllt
TTr>N. rM 1 *"^ foiiJs in Purjcratnrv il^n
IIolv Cluircli, our f.ionds arid benefacl.Tf mp;i n^
bo
carej'ul not to omit it
m lUr (lay foi- niodilati: n.'
on account of aridity or dis-
218
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
Is <
tr'otion?, and do not be troubled or discouraged when
you no longer feel the consolations of devotion. St.
Francis cf Sales sa\ r., that a great number of courtiers
wait every day on the king, as a testimony of their re-
spect, and are content if only he condescends to look
at them. We too, when we are in meditation, testify
our reverence towards God, and give him proofs of our
k)ve. If he is willing t!ion to converse with us, and
console us, wo must be graloful for so sweet a favor ;
but if he is not disposed to grant us this grace, wc
must bo content to remain recollected in his presence,
adoring him and making known our wants. For al-
though God should not Pi)eak to your heart, dear
Christian, in a sensible manner, be sure ho will not
fail to regard with a favorable eye these testimonies
of your lidplity, he will reward your confidence, and
answer your prayer.
The simplest melhoi of meditating is the following :
after having invoked the Holy Ghost, you read a few
lines in a book of meditations, and then ask yourself
the following questions :
1. What does the holy faith here say to mo ?
'2. What must I do to put in practice its teaching
in this matter ?
3. What have I done hitherto ?
i. What am I willing to do in ftiture ?
Then ask of God, through Mary, to give you his as-
sistance, and ren<3W over and over again tho resolu-
tion you have made before the Gross of Jesus Christ.
i
1^1
DAILY MEDITATIONS. Jl^
MEDITATIONS.
FOR KVERY DAY IN THE WEEK.
(From aie wnlings of St. Alphonsus Liguori.)
MEDITATION FOR SUNDAY.
On the End of Man.
I. Consider my soul, that God has frivpn thee
existence, made ihce after his own ima^?? without
^"y n^cnt of thine, and adopted thiribr Ids own
a'at'he;' " ^, ^'^^^^'^^"V ,"? '^^^ ^^ved thee more Ihln
mimsiiie, that ihou mayest cternallv oniovhim in
Ztf io heTn""' /'"'"'"^ "°^ cnLej'7ndnuS
nothvoto he hapj)y here on carti), to rniov riches
and aiUhon y, or to cat, drink and sle-p aJdo ho
"on '"''' '' ^''' '''' ^°^-^ ^^^^ win^th^tern^
»e:^^y^ \^'^l ^.f^ ^'^^ ^*'"^" ^^^^° c'^oated tilings for this
t" at am P '? '' T''' ^^'^ ^'''' ^"^- O ^vre t^h
'an of n V \ o ^ ^^'""'P'^ n^^ ^">^'""S ^Ise rathor
J an of m> elornal end. (For example; ofthi^or
iMy Father ! for the love of Jesus, ^rant (hat I mnv
ui\ livinew.ll. {//ere endeavor la exeile the drcnesf
civrit of penance, and make ike prmeKlr'^wJ^Z.
especial,,, never more to I!, ink of t/nsorth.^i^^^^^^
vaui objeci, IjiU rather on somvtinnc, nuite oppoU^
II. ( onsKler what stinrrs of con; cionce i twill Avo
you at the moment of ,:,ath, to remem her thai ?ou
at the'en /r^^^^' " '''"'^"^ ^'^^^- ^^'^' ^^orrow, when
at the end of your days you fee that there is iiolhin.-
loft to you, at that hour, ofall your possession.. I ° ,'""<?
bpiondur, and pleasures, i3;it a handful of dust!" What
consternation, then, to seo that you have lost the favo^
^!|'-:'--'.^''|.--;w^' -.' '■'■ .^
".
LtML,
220
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
I' If '
of God, and your immortal soul, for the sake of vain
trifles and things that perish, when it is too late to
remedy the evil, too lale for you to'trv the bettor way
O what despair ! O cruel torment I You will then
see, but too late, how great is the value of time ; you
would willingly purchase it then with your blood, but
alas ! you will not be able. O bitter day for him who
has not served and lov6d God I {Awaken in your
breast the sentiment of contrilion, and make a firm
resolution.) '
III. Consider how men neglect their salvation, that
great end of man. They do not forget to amass riches
to eat, to prepare entertainments, and make allthincrs
comfortable about them :— but they think litie of ser-
ving God. You never have thought of saving your soul
and you consider your everlasting end a thing of little
consequence. And thus the greater part of Christians
are hurrying, feasting, singing, dancing, and playing
on their way to hoU. O if they onlv knew the mean •
ing of that word fJell ! O man! "what pains thou
takest to be lost, and wilt thou do nothing to be saved ^
When once the piivato secretary of a King was lying
on Ins death-bed, ho exclaimed : Miserable man that I
urn ! I liave used so much paper in writing letters for
ny prince, and have not employed a .'^ingio lenf to help
mo examine my sins and prepare for a good confession
«ut ol what use to him then were these sighs and
lamentations ? They served at best only to increase
lis despair. But made wise at the cost of others,
learn, Christian, to live mindful of youi eternal sal-
vation, If you would not tall into the same dospair
And remember that every thin-
you do, say.
think, 11 It ,s not llr God, is lost. {Hr/kcl aqain on
Hour besetling sin.) It is indeed time for you to
'•hango your life. What! will you wait for the mo^
rnent ot death to wake from your delusion— at the
door of eternity, on the borders of the abyss '^ There
IS yet time, yet opportunity, to correct your error.
My (jrOd I snare mo ' T Invo ihaa nU^.^r. „n +i-: • r
am sorry lor having offended thee more than for every
DAILY MEDITATIONS.
221
solution) contrilion, and make a firm re-
MEDITATION FOR MONDAY.
On the Importance of securing our end.
saved, then YOU will hfV rn.?L,,^ ^S ^''^^^ ^^^^ are
ODJoy forever every not^^^^^ >«u will
'mt, if you fail von w?in ^^°^,^ °^ ^^"' and body;
lost eternally. BehoM '^^ you will bo
»he only imp ria t t . "^^^^^^^^^ greatest of all affairs,
servo God alid are vourTj; , " Tl?'''^' ^»«'»^^^s-to
Christian ; I will liu! „ow for 2 " '^'^, ""^ '''"^^^'
-iner that I will sivenVv".?irfn V ^. '''''''. P^f^^'"*'^' and
saved after all (\ hn^' *'^^^' ^"^^ ^>ope to bo
'hrown into he 1 ^.o one,"""l' ^11' '^''' ^^'^« ^^«P«
now lost, for worn the? 'f?.''' ^^^^^ ^"^^ ^^-^^ aro
■nan would e^e w sh to , '2.7''? i'T^^'^'^^'^at
••urscdofGodwhr.i sintlohr'''^ ^'^ ^'^ '^ ^^
'Ills 3in and oftorwui(N confo.Ji \vi^' ! ^'" ^^^^'*'
^r;il have lime for that v \Vho L ° ^""''^' ''' >'^"
• ""^ethatvoiwl Innt ,1 • " ^.'^"'' 5'^^' tJ^e as-
•nmittl^ this sit/''^,rr"^7 l^^^^^y after you
r.Gcl; and what uiin''"''''"^*^ >'^" ^^^^^ t^^«
"^' .a it aS •' tl! ^"''■'^'"'* °' >^^^ i^ you do
-mucrs suadenly wilir.loa,h;„^,,Iea.ts',i,emCmhrm!
Sii:
liS'1
n'i
PARTICUI.AR DEVOTIONS.
\Vi
r
11^
so that they go on from one sin to another, until they
fall into hell— a punishment far worse than death it-
self. O, my brethren, mark well what you now read :
cease from sin and give yourself to God. Fear lest
this should be the last warning which God will send
you. You have gone on in your olTences long enough.
He has borno with you long enough. Tremble lest
Iho first mortal sin you again commit after this, God
will pardon you no more. Consider well; your soul
is at staice ; all eternity is at stake. Tlow many have
been moved by this great thought cf eternity to leave
the world and live in cloisters, deserts and caves ! 0,
unhappy sinner that I am ! What liave I gained by so
many sins? {Reflect on the frequent repctUion of your
beselling sin.) A guilty conscience, a heavy heart, a
burdened; soul, hell deserved, and God lost! Ah, my
God and Father, unite me to thee once more and for-
ever in sacred charity. {Excile the qiirit of conlriiion
in your heart, and make a frm resolution.)
II. Consider how this, the only important concern,
is the most neglected of all. We thiiik of every thing
but our salvation. We have time for every thing but
God. Exhort a man of the world to receive the Sacra-
ments oftener, or to make a mediintion of half an hour,
and he will answer you : I liave children, 1 have pro-
perty to take core oH I have bu; incss, I have so much
to do. O my God 1 Ilav i you \\.\ a soul too ? Call upon
all your possessions, and your cliildrcn and relations,
to iiclp you at the hour of death, they will give you no
relief, neither can they rescue y; u from hell, when you
are damned. Flatter yourself not with the hope that
you can reconcile God and the world, Paradise and
sin. The affair of our sahation is not a thing which
can be arranged easily ; you must lay out cfiorts ; yen
must do yourself violence if you would win the crown
of eternal life. {Tninh of that l,esriling sin which lies
in your waij.) Ah ! how n^any Christians who are now
in hell, flattered thenjselves that at some future time
they would serve God and save their souls. What folly
to think always of what linishes so soon, and to think
DAILY MEDITATIONS.
223
soliltle of that whic?i will never pnrli n ru^-r.*- ,
jou. (Arouse in voiineir Uic tnirii of ™7 v- ^ ^
make a firm resoCiion) ' '^ contrtUon, tuid
< hlL "^"f 't"^'' well. O Christian ! and say (o voursfir-
ihavo only ono soul ; if i loso that I loso all T ha™
Something of far cw ""^^^^ salvation,
ncnds on \t fnn .fil I ^^. common imporlanco de- ■
invo vcd 6 Zcn^] ^^^i;P'"^s^ ^r eternal misery '3
«o,;. or your beJIngZ.) Thav'J noUhouthtTf
Ss'?4o^°"ia.?r.r.' {^SL^S-'^^^^^^^^^
I do not loso tlico O "nv God M?" """^f' '''°°'y
savo mo l.y ,hy intcrcos L "^ J r-LoZ/iX!. "
top co«/na-o«, and make a firmfZlJlZ.j ' ' '" "
MEDITATXOX FOR TUESDAY.
On mortal Sin.
I. Consider that God has croifod vn„ ;„ „.j .i ,
- anone.y; yol'-h^ ferh/sTra'LTni'',iS
liiff II
224
PARTICULAll DEVOTIONS.
\ \
friendship. You kaew that by your sins you would
displease him, and yet you have committed them.
What does he, that man who commits sins? Ho turns
his back on God ; he loses respect for him ; ho lifts his
hand, it may bo said, to strike him; ho grieves the-
heart of his God. (Is. Ixiii, 10.) He who sins, says
in fact to God: Withdraw from me, I will not obey
thee, I will not sor\o tlioe, I will notacknowlodgdhee
as my Lord, 1 will not have thee for my God; this
pleasure, that worldly advantage, this gratification of
my revenge must be my God. bo do you speak in
your heart, whenever you prefer a creature to your
God. St. Mary Magdalen of Pazzi could not coiiipre-
ht^nd how a Christian, with his eyes open, could com-
mit sin. And you who are now reading this, whatclc
Tou sav ? IJow manv mortal sins have vou not alreadv
committed? {Examine yourself.) My God! pardon
m '. and have mercy on ihe. I have oifended tliy infi-
nite goodness; I hate my sins, I lovelliee, and repent
of having offended thee, my God, thou who art sit
infmitcjly lovely ! [Arouse yourself to repentance, end
make a firm resoluUon.)
II. Consider tliatin the moment whon you are com-
mitting sin, God says to you : " My son ! I am thy
God, who liavo created thee fiom nothing, who have
redeemed thee with my blood. I forbid thee, under
pain of my displeasure, to commit these sins." But
when you sin, you answer your God and say: ••()
JiOrd ! I will not obey thee, 1 will procure for 'myself
this satisfaction : it is of no importanco to mo whcthei
it pleases tln'O or not." Alas ! O my God, more than
cijcc have I done this ! [Examine yourself) JIow
was it possLL'lo for thee to bear with ^nc so long ?
Ih.it I had died before offending thee.! 1 will never
displease thee more : I will love thee, O infinite good-
ness ! give me only the grace of perseverance! give
me thy holy love ! [ExcHe your heart to contrition,
end male a firm resolution.)
III. Consider that when the number of sins exceed
a certain limit, God abandons the sinner. *« The Lord
I
liAir.Y .MEDITATIONS. 225
'^insr (2 Marl ?i^ '^1 W hon i/^'' ^'^^'^T ^/''''^^>
confess iT.y ins .-fnoA^^a '.^^^^ I will
pi'clon, Lm Uin hour c^ ip^HJ. ^^''^ *"f' ^^opod for
hofallyoi,. "'^ *'" ^•-•ni''' lJ"ng should
froodnoss cf God to din i^ i.'^Jy.nlasre of the
10 fear thai God ^Ui.o^i^T'r'' ''''''''' ^'"'^"^'^^
youcommil. Tl.unk J ni^fr "" "^'-^^ mortal sin
«o kindly and so iop^'X^^^^^^^ ]^-^''i'<--^l for you
ra!hcrtosunord.>-,<ir In I • ^^^"^ resolution
J p-om this '^t:^^'^^':^!^^- ^, ;
remnant of nivlifo in r L, i o • .^"'^ ^'^^i^% the
tj'ou dosi, not n P t ^ r-h \ ^ f ""^' ^'^^^ "^oro ; no,
en^ploy it on V n V n' 1 r?7'- '^ '^''^- ^ ^'^"
jvith my wholo 1 V^'i^^-^^.;:^'^ ^ ^-oront cf them
lovothcv: ^vilt(houyivom•o.. \J ^'"^ anxious to
Anion. (Errir / ; ,f ' "^ '^''''^"^'th and holn mo ^
MEDITATION F(>U M i.DXESDAY.
J>oalh is cortaiii hni vni, , *''• ^'"^" must die. '"
••ome. Onolit 1 drop'flCin^ ?r ""', ''^'''' ^^ ^i"
>oin bursting in voT Ci f • "'If^' y^"^ ^"^^^^^ a
<^^^-' throat, a viclo n.f r'n'"^''"!'"^ '^^^^ >"
P"i^onous roptile. a^k^ ^'VS• i^? ^jto of a
♦'.^Hh(jualv».fl ii.-xi, nf i:.V.:J:^^'""^' " freshet
'"»,a Hash of lichtn
ii'g, IS enough to dej>ri\
an
ir< ill
r
1 J
. .A
-22G
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
mt
fill
you of life. Death will come to you when you least
expect it. How many have laid down to sleep at night
in health and in the morning have been found dead I
May not this happen as well to you ? All those who
have died so suddenly, little thought that they were
to die in this way, and if thoy were then in the state
of sin, where are they now ? and where will they bo
through all eternity ? Let it be as it may with tliem,
this is certain, that a time will one day come, when
for you, a night will close in, followed by no morning ;
or a day will begin for you that will be interrupted
by no night. Jesus Christ said, I will come as a thief,
unseen and in secret. Your merciful Saviour w^arns
you in season, for ho desires that you may bo saved.
Do what God desires of you, prolit by the warning,
prepare yourself to die well beiVrc death itself comes.
" Be ready, " for when there is no more time for
preparation, it is necessary to be already prepared.
{Examine here ymr bcsdiinq sins.) It is certam that
you must die. The drama of this world must close for
you, and you know not when. Who l.now^s whether
you will live a year, a month, or even till to-morrow?
Jesus! enlighten mo and pardon mo. [Arouse your
sovl to munition, and make a firm rcsolulion.)
11. Consider how you will li(>, at the hour of death,
stretched apon a bed, surrounded by your weeping
friends, a priest by your side to assist your soul ; a
crucillx at your head, the li-hted tajjor at your feet ,
in fine, already just at the entrance of eternity. Dread-
ful pains alllict your distracted head, it grows dark
around you, yoiu- tongue is jiarched, your breath is
short, your breast is burdened, your blood chilled,
your Ilcsh shrunken, your heart rent with anguish,
all you bavo is glidivg from you, and, poor and nuked,
you will be thrown into a grave to rot. Thero worms
and insects will gnaw your llesli, and nothing of you
will be left but the crumbling bones and a little dust.
Onen some crave and look! wkat has become of that
rich, that avaricious man, that vaiu and worldly
woman ?
DAir.Y MEDITATIONS.
227
This vanifv n.i \ \ >"" "'lo sin . he savs to you
Sibils
l^^mt. while you can do it, remedv ll,o A for Im !
O, tho end of life! tljo l.mf l.ronfi. i <' >. i 4
nfv in h!^?, i ' ^'- ^'tmiity in lioavon, or an eter-
hnf ' >^",^'" ^'•'i^'-' nolhinK more to suirei- vou w I
«ble bcng that I am." th, „e „„■„, will .V/.u^^"-
rmeon'X- w? '7' '»«"'<■"'>'• "ll-ea,- in li;.,;;;:;:
W8
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
w »'
hell? Shall 1 rejoice forever with the angels, or
shall 1 burn eternally with the damned ? bhall 1
be a child of God, cr a slave of the devil? Alas I
soon, too soon, shall 1 know, and where I find my-
self the first moment, there shall I remain through
cternitv. Ah! what will become of me in a lew
hour'^ in a few moments? What will become of
me wiicn 1 chn no longer repair that scandal ? when
I cannot restore those ill-gotten goods? when T can-
not pardon my enemies from my If^i^t ?,J^!^o^„ J
cannot any longer make good that confession ?.
(Examine yoursflf as lo your prmcipal sm) Then
will voLi curse a thousand tmics that day m which
you sinned ; you will curse that pleasure, that re-
venue which vou have taken, but too late, and with-
out Vail, ^ beJau.c you will do it then on y iTom
the fear of punishment, and not Irom love to God !
Ah ' Lord, heboid— now, at this very moment, I
turn to thee ; I will not wait for death ; now, and
always, I will love thee ; I embrace thee, and in
thy embrace will I die ! iMy mother Mary, let me
dio under thy protecting mantle : help me in my
death ! Amen. {Awaken your conlnUon, and make
a firm resolvtion.)
MEDITATION FOR THURSDAY.
On the Pariicular Judgment.
I Con^^ider how tlie soul, as soon as it has left the
body, will be immediately taken before the tribunal
cf Gcd. to be judged. Yonr Juago is Almighty God,
cremird and'onPnged with you. Your accusers are
Ue devils, your enemies. You are to bo judged for
vcur -ins The iudgmcnt is one which cannot bo
fecallo ; the punisirmont is hell. There, you have
roJom anions no parents, no friends ; you will bo
Jlono there, you aild your God. 'H^^M-^^J^j ^^f^j:
nil ihe encrmitv of your sins, and you wdl no longer
iVoableto excuse them as you have beiuio. Aii uio
Sins you have committed, in thought, word, or deed,
m
DAILY MEDITATJONS. j'fl
Will be examined: all the mne or • i ,
omission, and of comm sslon %/ indulgence, of
the vast number o> ^^2. ) ^ F^^^ '^'^
he weighed in the^eSb^'Zl, ^r^.^^ing will
and if in any one nnini .^^^"^^ ^} divine justice,
Will be eternaflyTst.^'My ^"urtlfor ' P^'^^' ^'^"
n?yj"dge, pardon me befL iho ' tZ f'^ "^'^^ ^«
of the world, their bodiP^w.nn^',^^'^"' ^^ ^he end
the soul, tbeV UTO '^'^'' ^^g^therwiUi
cording to their w4^-s plfn k °^u PunJohmenl ac-
you will agafi^^rre Vfo" vonrT^^^^^ -''' '^ ^^^demned,
theeteinalV^rno yolTeo^^^^^
curse the body, and the bodv L I^'P ^'^^ ^^^<^ ''^^^
and soul, which are now r,n/. -^""i* ^° ^^^^t body
hidden Pleasurt, wm"bTagainluo!l'^ T"'^ ^'^°^-
olher after death. If on i h^ -?»^ > torment each
saved, then will your hZv L^l^-' ^^^"^' V^" are
radiant and incanab le of .^,f?. ^ '" P^^^^^^ beauty,
and body will brworthv 'f^'!''^' f^ ^^^i both sou
this life, like he acTil of a Hn".^''""^ ^'["- ^hus will
light, as well as the omn of i hi?'^' ^^^- ^^ ^^^^ de-
is over then. NothiL remain^^ T^^' '"^- ^^^
one of glory and the oThor nf ^''^^^^''"^^'^s, the
hliss, the other of merv one nr"^*'^"^*^"^ = «n^ of
of suffering : the iu"t in 'hn? J^^' «"d tha other
i£:^amuJ,owX ^^^^^7"' t^o sinners in hell.
who has lovcc; "le wnrl.i Z^a i ' i^*^^ ^<^ ^^at man
joys of this w^ld? E lo'srcveTv^'h ^""^ '^" "^"^'^^^
B?ul, body, heaven, and God%t!."£7''''^ '^^"^'
thJ udg'oTi iTurn'^to^^^^^^^^ ,T'-^\ '^^ Christ
It is all over wiihv 0^111 "\o_ j-^Fobat^s and say :
pver i My ho«i- isaow cu7aa "tSfJ^'^^''^ souls. aJlis
justice^the hQur of wrath Li '^^J- of truth and
K. ^*u w wraift and vengeanee. Depart
(I -J
m
iSii
m
I'll
11111
m
230
I' ARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
from mey yecursedy into everlasting fire. (Matt. \xv.)
Away, ye sinners. You have loved cursing, and now
let it come upon you. Accursed he yo all eternity !
DepaH from my presence; go, deprived of all you
possessed, laden with torments, go into eternal lire !
{In view of this judgment, examine yourself on your
besetting sin.)
Then will Jesus turn to the t^cct, and say : Come,
blessed children of my Father, conje receive the king-
dom which IS prepared for you ; come, no more to
bear the cross with me, but wilh me to wear the
crown. Come and be lieirs of my kingdom, compa-
nions of my glory, come to praise my mercy through
all eternity ; come from exile to your homo, come
from misery to joy, come from weeping to rejoioing,
corao from Rull'ering to eternal n^st ! " Come, ye t>les-
sedofmy Father, possess the kingdom preparal for
you.'' my Jesus ! I also hope to bo among thesis
"blessed ones. I love thee above all things. give
me thy blessing now ! And do thou, my mother Mary,
bless mo also. {Make a fervenl act of contrition, with
a firm resolution to prepare dunng fife for judgment.)
MEDITATION FOIl FRIDAY.
On Ikil.
I. Contemplate for a moment that frightful prison
of hell, filled with lire, where the damned sufTer Ker-
nally. Into tliis fire they arf», so to speak, plunged
and buried. Under them a sea of lire, over them a
sea of fire, around on all sides fire — lire in the eyes,
(Ire in the mouth, fire jienetrating every where. Ti-jrtv
each and ev(;ry sense has a torment of its own. The
«yeR am tormented by darkn«^ss and smoke, and, at
the same time, by the sight of the devils and the re^t
of tho damned. Day and night, the ears hear nothing
«l80 but howling, and wenping, and cursing. Thb sense
of smell is sickened by the insupportable stench of so
many putrid and infected bodies. The taste is tor-
mented by A burning thirst, and a cruel hunger, while
DAILY MEDITATIONS. 28t
never a drop of water c&n be had or the least refresh-
ment. And thus these miserable captivef SiinS
weep, groan, howl, and despair, whilst thev crtVnnt
at" on'" O n'.n ) T^'^ ""'''' ^^^ And reslo^r con "ot
iTeve ntLi?^v^'f fr^^^^'^^ i^Y the flames, to be-
«o Jf if/ ^°"' ^^^° «^'eii now are readin'^ on this
YOU CO ? ^ W hnt f vn,?^ *^"l ?°"'^"*' ^here wouia
a never-ending eternity fT^^^l^L^."^^ tX^'S
ti "ofiho'loni Tn'h J?''^'. P^'"' ^^^'^^ a«^'°t the facul.
lies ouiie soul n hell. The memory will be everlrt««iL
ngly turmented by the stings of con^rienrA ^aT
that worm which will foreverrrn/iw in f 1 ^'^ ^^
,^ "- ^^-ned, to i^mindrm&" o"o i^ ly^^r^^^^^^^
pleasures. OGodI how will each moment of sinfni
pleasure appear to him then, after a hundred aCi
escaping frcm his eternal ruin God T O rv^T^i, ' J
a double hell will this be I Tho -min ♦ ' 9 ^'^d 1 what
that is to say; every' p,;^sU,r suSg' mux.?^
stanchrff w.ll 300 clcarfy what great rewards il has Iom):
I'H
¥
i
I
232
PARTICriAU DEVOTIONS.
namely, heaven and God ! God i my God ! pardon
me for the love of Jesus. {Excile your heart to con-
Irilion, and make a firm resolution.)
III. Sinner, you who arc now so indiflorent whether
or not you lose heaven and God, you will know how
great has been your blindnes'^ when vor. shall seethe
triumph and joy of the hies heaven ; and you
yourself driven like an urn crea'uro from that
blessed home, cast out from t^o presonco of God, and
the company of Mary, of the angels and the saints of
God. Then in a frenzy of despair you will excluim : O
Heaven, O place of joy ! O God ! O infinite good, thou
art not for me, thou wilt n^vcr more bo, mine I Alas !
poor sinner do penance rather now ! amend your life
at once. {Examine your conscience again, and place
before you your besetting sin.) O yes, wait not tiU
time with you shall be no longer ! — give yourself
wholly to God. Begin to love him truly. Pray to
Jesus, pray to Mary, that they may have mercy on
you. {Make a fervent act «f contrilion and a strong
resolvXion)
MEDITATION FOR SATURDAY.
On the eternity of punishment .
1. Consider that Hell has no end. There, ail knids
of suflfcring are found, and for all eternity. Hundreds
and thousands of yearswill |)assin those torments, aiut
yet hell will be always as if just beginning. Hundreds
of thoRsands, hundreds of millions of years and of
centuries will pass away, and Hell will be st 11 al. its
commencement. If at this veiy hour an angel shoul(4
«3arry the tidings to one of the damned, that (Jod hud
consented to free him from hell— and when? heuil
when so many millions of centuries shall have jKissed
away as there are drops of water in the ocean, leaves
on the trees, sands in the sea, and on the earth—yon
would shudder at this, but fitiU it ' "
- - — taiirt;
Udings would give greater joy to that soul, than you
41U
DAILY MEDITATIONS
233
still beginiin^ inf^vvP^^^^^^^ Veuves, but Holl is
my pains as long as it may dK hli i ' ^-'^1^"^'
if it will only ono do v on7 i "^*^^' ^ ^^ satislied ;
end will ^^vl'ZiZlTyorrCT^^^^ ^""l^' '^'^
lost sinner will delude and nif..-^'"''^!^!^^ ^'"s poor
wardly : PeTl^ps Go,? 'vi one d'avZl?' '"^' ^^^ "^-
and deliver me from ll7u~.Nn tL^^^ '^'^^''^ °" "^«
will always have Tfore hk ovi^^ ? ^^^n'^^mned soul
eternal condemnation and l.lfi, "'° ''"*""^^ °^ ^"«
Alasl it is suiT?oo .'u^ef . H "^'J^^'^ ^^" ^« ^'^is:
now sufTer, thi's l^lZt ^so ow Uiif ^^of t"'^-'
will never end J never n^voi rT' .^^ ^^ <les])air
Ii. My Christian friend thinlr wf.ii ^r t\ -
Sider that hell is waiting Vn i^ . ^i '^^'^' *"^ con-
now its horrid flames are wJ,- " ^''°i ^^ ^^^ «'»• Even
0, at th.s mlent eve« whHo v^n'"^'' ^'V''' '^"^
words, how many souk «r«r,fn^ •''r -''^^^'"^ ^'^^so
that when you hive or rn^^^^ ''' I^^m^'nbor
UiathehasnotXasrv^^^^ ' f ' ^'^^"^ ^°'*
as soon as possible to 'remedy ihlo.r^'iS' '''''T'
your sins, and uso all thamlJ. a , ' ' ^°"''" ^^r
IS'
.i (I
?•
I
234
PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS.
great ctevotion to her, fast if possible every Saturday in
lionor of Mary, resist temptations, and often call upon
Jesus and Mary when you are tempted. Avoid the
occasions of sin, and if God should call you to leave
the world, then do it, yes, do it ! Ah! every thing that
we can do to avoid an eternity of sulfering is little, is
nothing. "No certainty can be too great, where we
are in peril for eternity," says St. Bernard. In or-
der to ])lace yourself in safety for eternity, no foresight
is too far-reaching. See how many hermits, that they
might avoid Hell, have gone into caves and deserts,
and there lived ! And what are you doing for your
soul? what are you doing, you that have so often
deserved Hell ? what are you doing ? { Tliink of your
bescUinfj sin.) See to it, that you are not lost. Give
yourself once for all to God, and say to him, O Lord !
behold mo ready to do every thing thou requirest of
mo. Mary, help, me. {Endeavor to arouse your
will to the deepest conirilion, and make a firm resolu-
tion.) ! si/
Lirday m
all upon
/oid the
Lo leave
ling thai
little, is
^here we
In or-
foresight
hat they
deserts,
for your
so often
of your
t. Give
3 Lord!
lirest of
ise your
, resolu-
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
THE LITTLE CATECHISM :
OB,
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS UN THOSE TRUTHS WHICH
ABE THE MQ£T KECESSAHY FOR A CHRISTIAN
TO KNOW.
AN ADMONITION TO PARENTS.
As soon as children begin to talk their nrronhi
or those who supply to them the plice of pS
should teach them to pronounce with reverence the
holy names of Jesus and Mary. They should Lch
them 10 know their Father in heaven, whoTs so full
ii's only begotten Son, and the Holv Ghost • and
£ thev^TonH ? ^'r 'l^''^' ''^' ^^vfne Mother^
tli Ln Jp n ^'l*^ ^^ ^^"^^^ ^0 J^^ess themselves with
a^l fi^H^v i'' ^^°f :,*"? to pray before the Crucifix,
und linally to repeat the Lord's Praver the Hail Marv
and the Creed, slowly and with devotion ^'
PRELIMINARY QUESTIONS.
Oy THE CATHOLIC FAITH.
Ch?S?- ^^'** '' ^^^ ^^^'^ ^^ « ^'^^ Catholic
Answer. The faith of a true Catholic is a firm b«.
236
230
n.Aix i.Nt-TRri:TiON"S.
lief, without tloiibtiug, of all that God Iia^ ryvr^^alcl
and toaclies through the Holy Cjitliolic Church.
Q. Is it not enough lor each one to read tho Il<ly
Scriptures, and to believo only what ho ran liiid In
them ?
A. No : lor two reasons. First, h^^oausc the Word
ui* God is not contained in the Bible alone, but also
in the tradition of the Church ; and secondly, because
the (Church is the only aulliori/ed teacher and inter-
preter of the word of God.
Q. Why must wo believe without doubting ?
.1. Because tho Catholic Faith has been revoal'Ml
by God, who cannot be deceived, and is incapable
nf deceiving us, and who has promised that his Hn)y
Churcli shall never err.
(J. Is itinecessary for every one to know all the
truths which God has revealed to his Church ?
A. No. For many i;M?rsons this would be impo^^-
siblo. Some of these truths, however, arc necessary
ibr all to know : as to the rest, it is sulTicif'nt to eoii-
lide in the doctrine of tho Church, and to believe
lijiat whatovex shfr.b()lieves and teaches is true.
FIRST PART.
THINGS WHICn EVKUY C-ITHOLIO MUST KNOW, UNDKR
'PAIN OF MORTAL SIN.
Q. Are tuere any doctrines which every one is
Iwund t'^ know, under pr.in of mortal sin ?
A. Yes , it is absolutely necessary for all to know
in substaneo the foiiowing : viz., tho existence of one
(rod, the mystery of the Holy Trinity, the Kedemp-
lion of mankind by the incarnation and death of
Jesus Clirist, and the Futoi'e State of reward or pun-
ishment. Those who are ignorant of these thinj;s
cannot receive the sacraments.
THE LfTTLE CATECHISM.
t. OV GOD.
237
Q. Who is God 7
(': Sowistd'CZoT' '""-'^'yi^^O'ot Being.
l.i"., and aro sublccuo'liis power"^' '''~ »•<'* ^-^
, . ;'■ Vp° " "'Imitely perfect, bccaus-^ he dosrms»« in
J. CJod ,s eterual ; for ho al^^ays was, is, and ever
Q. Docs God ever change ?
simo.^°' God is unchangeahle ; he is forever tho
Q. Is God good ?
r.Jmfcim."''"""'"'^ «'^'^- A" that is good come,
?• /.' m"'"'' "">" """S ^hich God does not know ?
'urth, the angols andSnon, and T^nr ci^?u^ .IfJ^
"Msts and made them out of nothS^
(;. Is thcroany place where God is'nol?
1. ^0 ; Crod is every wh^re
(J. Can God lie ?
t- No God is inlinilely true and faithAiJ 411 that
oX ^:o7.:o.T' "" """ "-p^-'-^^ wiudf '
I. God is infinitely holy. He loves gvwv thir.* *>,*'♦
" rt d "^^i^r, ^^^'^ '^-^ "-t "S!""* ""*
V- lias God a body ? - -
A. No : God has no horly. He is a pure Spirit.
'• • 'i
h
S8B
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
2. OF THE nOLY TRINITY.
Q. Is tliei'O more than one God ?
A. No: there is only one God.
Q. Is God only one person ?
A. There are tliree persons in God, but only one
essence.
(J. TIow do we call these three divine Persons ?
A. Thoy are named: 1. The Father; 2. The Son;
3. The Holy Ghost. The Father is of himself ; the
Gou is Lcgolten of the Father ; the Holy Ghost is not
l)cgotton, but proceeds equally from the Father and
the Son. And all three are alike uncreated and
eternal.
Q. You say there is only one God in three Persons :
what must we understand by this ?
A. We must understand that although, in some
manner, we can distinguish in our thoughts and in
our prayer between the Father, and the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, yet it is necessary to believe that these
three are only one and the same divine Being, having
only one mind, and one will. This is a great mystery,
but God has not yet revealed himself to us more
clearly thaji this.
Q. ilow do we confess the Holy Trinity?
A, Wo confess our belief in tli^e Holy Trinity every
Ihue we bless ourselves with the sign of the cross, by
touching our forehead, our breast, and our shoulders,
end saying : " hi ike name of the Father, f c^nd of the
Son, t G,nd of the Holy Ghost, f Amen.
3. OF THE REDEMPTION OF MANKIND.
Q. Have men always remained obedient to God?
A. No: the very first of all, Adam and Eve, dis-
olicyed God by eating of the forbidden fruit in Para-
dise, and thereby sinned.
(i. Did this fiin injure the first man only?
A. This original sin not only injured our first pa-
rents, but it has also descended from them io aii their
children.
THE LITTLK CATEGHrSM.
239
io Ofii tiiuu-
rii" nli''fh!!'''Vll'"^" ^"^^^ '-^^^^ ^^^'ay forever from
(.tO(1, like the rebellious angels ?
^. No : for God, in his great mercy, lias i?iven us a
Redeemer, who is Jesus Christ ' '*> b^vbu us a
^. Why do we callJesus Christ our Redeemer'
4. Because ho has redeemed us from the slavery of
the dovil, by dying for us. siuv cry oi
i. THE INCAKXATION AND DEATH OF JESUS CHRIST.
Q. Is not Jesus Christ God?
i+J^.\w''-H*^^^''' second Person of the Holy Trin-
for^usl^'""'' '^''''' ^^'''^ ^' ^^^' ^'^^^ *^^"1'* ^^«<i»«
'^' ?i?u^^^"^® incarnate for that purpose
Christ? '^ ""^^"^ ^^ ^^^ incarnation of Jesus
frL ii^^'^^f ^^^' *5® ^'^''"^^ Son of God came down
irom heaven to earth, and took to himself a human
body and soul ; in other words, he became a ManTike
ours^elves,m order that he might thus be able to di«
thettnat??' ^^^^"^P"^^ ^^is wonderful work of
rhn./^^nT?' conceived by the power of the Holy
!he wirld ""'""'^ of a virgin, and born of her into
Q. Who was this wonderftil woman »
A. It was the Blessed Virgin Marv. And for thi^
reason she is rightly called the MolheJ of Qod
Q. How did Jesus Christ die for us "^
A. He was accused falsely by the Jews and mn.
Xtherift^Tl'^^^l*'"""^'^'^" ^«"»t Calvary,
aear the city of Jerusalem, where he died in gre&t
Zt^'^lXT''' '^'"^^^ '''''' Blessed Lord
A. It was laid iji a sepulchre or tomb near by.
140
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
Q, And what became of his soul ?
A. His soul descended into Iloil : that is to say,
Into Limbo, where the souls oftlio Palnarchs and
other holy men of olcf were wailing for the Redemp-
tion.
Q. Did the soul of our Lord remain long in Limbo ?
i4. No. After three days his soul came back to be
united once more to his body, and Jesus Christ raised
himself again to life by his own power, and came out
from the tomb.
Q. Did our Lord then appear again in this world ?
A. Yes ; but only for a little while. Forty days after
his Resurrection, he ascended into heaven from the
Mount of Olives, in presence of his disciples.
.5. FUTURE REWARDS AND PUNISHkENTSv
Q. Will our Lord Jesus Christ ever come again ?
A. Yes. He will come again at the last day, accom-
panied by the holy nngels, to judge the whole world,
that he may reward the good and punish the wicked.
This is called the Greneral Judgment.
Q. Will the bodies of the dead be present also at
this judgment?
A. Yes; body and soul will be judged together: for
thfr bodies of the dead will arise on that day* from
their graves to be united once more to thoir souls,
never again to bo separated.
Q. Will there be no oHier judgment before the gcn-
oral judgment at the end of the world ?
A. Yes, certainly; the soul of each man will he
fodged at the moment of his death. This is calied the
Particular Judgment.
Q. Afler this particular judgmesnt what will happen ?
if. Tho soul will then go either to Purgatory, or to
Paradise, or to Ucll.
What is Purgatory ?
?•:«
1 __
OUttitj oijLMO tJ^SHiVr '>'
awhile, on account of those sins which the;' have not
expiated during this life. ji '
THE LITTLE CATECHISM.
241
Q. What souls are they which go to Purgatory ?
A. The souls of those who die in the grace of God,
but are nevertheless still soiled by venial sins, or who
have not done during their life sufficient penance fdr
their sins.
Q. How may these poor souls in Purgatory be aided
by us ?
A. They may bo aided. 1. By Prayer. 2. By the
Holy Sacrilice of the Mass. 3. By othei' good works
done f ;r their sake. 4. By indulgences.
(). What is Hell?
A. Hell is a place of eternal torment, where the
damned are punished forever. Those who die in- mot*-
tal sin go there.
Q. What is Heaven.
A. Heaven is the blessed abode of the Saints, whero
the faithful servants of God are rewarded, and enjoy
his presence forever. Those go to heaven who die ii
the grace of God.
Q. Will all those bo paved who have believed and
professed the true Faith V
A. No : Faith is necessary to salvation, but of itsell
alone it is not sulllcient.
Q. Upon what other principle, then, will men ba
rewarded or |)uni?hed at the day tfjudgment?
A. They will bo judged according to their works,
that is to say, accoiding to tho sins they shall have
committed, or the good works they may have done.
6. OF si.v.
Q. What is sin ?
A. Sin is a wilful transgression of llie law of God.
Q. How many kinds of sin are there ?
A Then' two kinds of sin; namely, I. Original sin.
l. Actual sin.
(A What IS original sin ?
.'J. Urigiiiai sin is that sin which Adam committed
in raradise, ami which wo have inherited from hinu
being uJl bora in siu.
ii
5!
ill
14?.
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
Q. How is original sin remitted ?
A. Original sin is remitted in holy Baptism.
Q. What is actual sin ?
A. Actual sin is any sin which we commit onrsel-
Tes; in other words, it is the wilful violation of the
law' of God, after one has come to the age of reason.
It is committed by thoughts, words, or actions, or by
the omission of what wo ought to do.
Q. What is mortal sin?
A. Mortal sin is n grievous offence against God,
which kills the soul.
Q. How does mortal sin kill the soul ?
A. Mortal sin kills the soul, by separating it from
God, and subjecting it to the punishment of hell.
Q. What is venial sin?
A. Venial sin is a less grievous transgression of tho
divine law. It offends God and stains the soul, but
does not ruin it.
7. OF GOOD WORKS.
Q. Is it true that good works arc necessary to sal-
Yttion ?
A. Yes • good works are certainly necessary to sal-
vation, for " faith luUhoui works is demV (St. James.
ii. 20.)
Q. What is meant by good works ?
A. A good work il any right action, done in a state
of grace, and with some holy motive.
Q. Can a man, by any strength of his own perform
such good works, so as to merit eternal life ?
A. No : those truly good works which possess merit
before God, and deserve salvation, can be done only
with the help of God's grace.
PART SECOND.
THINGS V/HICU EVERY CATHOLIC IS BOCND TO KNOW UY
COMMAND OF GOD OR OF THE CHDRCH.
Q. » liUl Uliin IJlJIljjr, .3 CVVij v.:sm:-.-ii-- --"".:• r -
know, besides what we have nlrcady raontionod ?
A. Every Catholic is also bound to know, 1. The
THE LITTLE CATECHISM.
243
KNOW BY
three most ordinary Christian prayers; viz., the Lord's
Prayer, the Hail Mary, and the Apostles' Greed : and
also, at ioast in substance, 2. The Command monts of
God ; 3. The I.-ecopts of the Church ; 4. The Sacra-
ments, and especially those three which are necessary
to every one ; namely. Baptism, Penance, and the Holy
Eucharist.
(;. Is it a mortal sin for a Christian to be ignorant
of these things?
A. Yes, if it be through his own wilfulness or noff'-
lect. ^
I. THE ORDINARY CHRISTIAN PRAYERS.
Q. Is it necessary to pray ?
A. Yes ; it is very necessary to our salvation.
Q. VHiy is it so necessary ?
A. Because it has been commanded by Jesus Christ.
Q. Is it necessary fur any other reason ?
A. It is necessary also, for tho reason that every
man needs tho grace of God to avoid sin and practico
virtue, and this grace is not obtained without prayer.
Q. What prayer contains every thing for which wo
ought to pray ?
A. Evc-y thing vo need to pray for is included in
Mie Lord's Prayer. It is called tho Lord's Prayer, be-
cause it was made for us by Jesus Christ himself.
Q. Repeat tho Lord's Prayer.
A. " Our Father," Ac. (See page IG.)
(J. What prayer after this ono is tho most remark-
able?
A. Tho Hail Mary.
Q. Why is the Hail Mary so remarkable ?
A. Bocfiiiso it is a very holy and clTlcacious prayer,
inspired by tho Holy Ghost, and adopted by tho Holy
Church. r - J
Q. Hcpent tho Hail Mary.
A. " Hail Mary, full of grace," *c. (Reo page 17.)
(J. Is .t also necessary to know tho Apostles' Greed?
ohc learn it by heart, and repeat it often.
244
PLAIN' INSTllUrXIONS.
i-
0. Why is it caUed the Apostles' Creed ?
A. Because it is believed to have been composed by
the Afwstles themselves.
). Repeat the Apostles' Greed ?
I. " I believe," Ac. (See page 17.)
II. TllK COMMANDMENTS OF GOD.
Q. AVhy aro the Ten Commandments called tho
commandments of God ?
A. Because they were given to us by God himself oi
Mount Sinai.
Q. Which are tliese Ten Commandments ?
A. They are contained, in substance, in the follow,
isxg veu'ses, which may easily be commilted to memory'
1. One God nlono, for ovormoro
' By faith, jind lK»i)e, and love, adore.
2. Tnou sluilt not tuku his name in vain.
8. Thtj liord's day thou ^halt not profane.
4. Honor thy fatlior, and thy mother.
f). Thoushait not hurt nor htite thy brother.
6. Tlion f;h;ilt do no ndiUtory.
7. Thou Shalt not steal.
H. Thou shnlt not Up.
V, TIk^u Shalt have no impure desire.
10. Nor tx) thy neighbor,'»s goods aspire.
(J. W^hat do the first tlirei? co«?maiidments of God
C'uitain ?
.1. Th(! first three coniuianiliuehts contain our duties
towards God.
Q. What do the sev^i other eommaiidnients con-
tain?
A. The stn-en other coniinnndnients contain our
duties towards our nf i^^hltor.
Q. What does the First Cummnnduient require?
A. The First Coininnndment reijuiros us to believe in
Ih" only trvK^ God, to ho|H» in Jiini, to love him, and
alcre liini.
0. Wluit does the lirst eonunnndnient forbid ?
A. It forbids Idohitry, hilidclity, Heresy, Supersti-
ii tfi, VViichcrafi, FortuncM^'iLiug, and evPry kind ol
Ffilse worsiiip.
~mii'
TRE LriTl.K CATECHISM.
245
Q. Is il right lo venerate the Angels and Saints ?
A. Itis nght ; beciuse we pay them no divine !ionor
hut only honor them and implore their intercession
w:rh God, as being the friends of God.
(}. Is it permitted to venRrnte holv images ?
.J. Th(>. veneration of Ijoly images is pe°rmitted, b(v
cause this veneration is not paid to the image itseif
but to that winch it represents.
(>. Is it permitted to venerate holy relics?
A. The \eneration of the relics of 'the Saints, or the
remains of the bodies of the Saints, is also permitted
because this honor is referred to God, who is glorified
111 his Saints. ^
p. Is it a sin to j<jin in tho worship of heretic*; or
scJiismatics, or to be pi-esenl at their meetin-^s or
Itrcachingc ? °
A. Yes, it is a sin to couTitonance their doctrine* or
ta.'ir worslii]> in any way. "'
Q. What does the Second Commandment forbid''
.1. n forbids all bla-^-phemy. and prolUnation of the
h.ly Name ot God; all perjury, and rash or foolish
^wi'iirini.'; und all cursing.
(J. What does this comuinndinent require ?
A. It nvpiir.'s us to ]hh\vv the name of God', to speak
W.I 1 rovereric(M)f holy things and to keep our lawful
oaths and ^ows.
{). What dons the 'J'hird C<.iimiandment require ^
A. It r.^qiures us to attend divine service on Sun-
d.iys and Ilohdays, and to sppiid those days in devo
tiMU and good works.
fj. What does it iV)rbid ?
A. It forbids all servilr hrbor done on those days
^^ ithout strong reasons of nercssit V, (dinril \ or devo-
imn. ' • '
Q. What does the Fourth CommandiiuMit ro.ruire'
.1. It requin^s that we should lovi\ honor, obev, u-id
I. -Ip our parents; that j.nn.nts shcmld i .ovide fov the
iiairiiri, ^ovoiii, and watch
ovcrthem; that husband and wifeshould live tog<'the.
HI all duty and alTection : and that we should obey all
\'''\
1 1
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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
oirr superiors, both spiritual and temporal, and respect
Uieir authority. ^ , . , „
Q. What does this commandment forbid ?
A. It forbids all disobedience, liatred, and contempt,
mockinor, cursing, or abuse of parents and superiors.
Q. What does the Fifth Commandment forbid?
A. It forbids ever> outward act of violence against
our neighbour ; sucii as murder, striking, &c., and all
injurious and insulting words. It forbids, also, all in-
ward haired, anger, and enmity.
Q. What else does this commandment forbid ?
A. It forbids suicide, or self-murder, and the expo-
sure of one's life and heairli without necessity or duty;
also to destroy or impair one's reason by drunkenness.
(;. What does the Fifth Commandment reciuiro ?
A. It requires us to love our neighbour, and even
our enemies ; to live in peace and union with all, and
to show a good example to those around us.
Q. What does the Sixth Commandment forbid ?
A. It forbids adultery, and every such like act of
impurity ; all immodest looks, kisses, touches, and em-
braces, and all such light conduct, conversation, and
familiai'ily as lead t;) sin.
(;. What (lo( s ihis commandoment reriuire ?
A. It HYiuires us to bo pure and chasto in all our
words and action? ; to govern and restrain all our sen-
sual app't;tes, and al.^o lo avoid tho 0( casions of sin.
(;. What d(><*s tli'.> Sevcnlli Commandment forbid?
A. It i'orbiils all robberv, stealing, cheating, extor-
tion, violation of a lawful contract, and every species
of injuslice.
(;. Wliat does this commandment rerpure ?
A. It n^quires us to ronder to every one his due ; and
if we have done any wrong to our neighbour, to repair
Q. What does tho Eighth Commandment forbid ?
A. It firbids all falso witness, lying, slander, detrac-
tion, unjust susi.icion, nnd lale-bearing.
Q. Wliat does this eommanflment require ?
A. It requires us to bo truthful and sincere ; to do-
THE LITTLE CATECHISM.
247
fend the good name of our neighbour, and if we have
said any thing to his injury, to repair it.
Q. What does the Ninth Commandment forbid ?
A. It forbids us to desire any thing which the Sixth
Commandment forbids us to do ; also, to entertain any
such dangerous thought, or take pleasure in it.
1^. What does this commandment require ?
^. It requires us to cherish a strict purity in the
heart, and to resist every unholy inclination from tho
beginning.
Q. What does the Tenth Commandment forbid ?
A. It forbids us to entertain the thought of commit-
ting any theft, fraud, or injustice, or oven to look upon
tho goods of our neighbour with a covetous eye.
Q. What does this commandment require ? f^
A.li requires us to guard against tho spirit of ava-
rice, or the inordinate love of riches.
Q. What else do we learn from these last two com-
mandments ?
A. Thoy teach us that God searches into our very
hearts, and that he will judge ourmost secret thoughts
and desires.
Iir. THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE CHtTnCH.
Q. Are there no other commandments binding upon
Christians ?
A. Yes ; besides the ten commandments of God,
tho Christian is bound to obey tho commandmenls
of tho Church.
Q. Why is ho bound to this ?
A. Tho Cliristian is bound to keep tho command-
ments of the Church, because tho Church has received
from God the jwwer to make laws ; and because, be-
ing our Spiritual Mother, wo are bound as children
to obey her.
Q. ilow many commandments of the Church are
there ?
A. We count commonly six. Thev are the fo!lQwin£r :
1. You must hear Mass every Sunday and Ilohday.
2. You must fast and abstain, on tho appointed days.
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248
PLAIN IXSTBUCTIONS.
3 You must confess at least once a year. 'i. \ou
must receive tlie Blessed Eucharist once a year, du-
ring Easter-time. 5. You must not marry against the
laws of the Church. 6. You must contribute to the
support of the Church. These precepts are expressed-
in the following verses :
1. Sundays and Holy Bays observe
As feasts of obligation ;
Attend at Ivoly Mass, and keep
From servile occupation.
3. Lent, Ember-days, and vigils fast,
With one m(.>al antl collation.
3. On Friday, meat thou must not eat,
For sake of Christ's dear passion.
4. (Inco in the year at least confess
With due examination.
At Eastef-time receive thy Lord,
' With tlianks and adoration.
5. In Lent or Advent marry not
Withixirap and ostentation, ^
Wed before witnesses and seek
The Church's approbation.
6. The worship of the (Jhurch maintain
With generous contribution.
Q. Are we bound to keep these laws of the Church
as faithfullv as the commandments of God ?
A Wo are ; for our Lord si)oke to the Church when
he said ! " He that lieaMli yc^ hearelhme ; onrf Jt«
[hai despisetk you, despiseUi mi " (St. Luke, x. lb.)
IV.
OF c;UACK, AND THE SACRAMENTS.
Q. Is man able to k.'ep the commandments With-
out the grace of Cod ? • vi ♦
\ No ; without God's grace, no man is able to
keep th.^ coaiuiandments, or to obtain salvation
" WilhoiU me, iiou can do nothing:' says our Lord
Jesus Christ (St. John, xv. 5) ; and St. Paul : " Our
suffictinci/ is from God.' ['l Cor. in. 5.)
Q. What do we mean by Grace ?
4 ri ^
A. urauo
jv is alt liiw^s--- •'
1 piiii cnnernatural Rift of I
God, by which he either pardons and admits sinners
THE LITTLE C.VTECHISM.
3ij)
to his friendship, or enables the just to avoid sin t«
tl'X'Zt'"'"' '" """"''^«' -^ toafC^'^te';!
C>.. What is a Sacrament ?
A. A Sacrament is a visible sim of an inviuM^
iificaiion. 1 here IS always an outward sien or pppp
in uaptism. liut lliere is also an inward crace whi-h
we cannot see : as, in iDaptism thrremis^.Ton of sins
IS a grace which cannot be seep "^'^sion ot sms
they caurd"?""^ Sacraments are there, and what are
^^.^j Ought we to esteem the holy Sacraments very
A. Indeed, we ought to hold them in the highest
rSh-'"' ,^^^^"i\'hey were instituted by J^us
Unnst himself, and because thov are tho fmintn;^!
(rem Which he supplies us with slv^g anVsiS^!
OF BAPTISM.
Q. What is Baptism ?
.1. Baptism is the Sacrament of Retmermim in.
wuch man is Oorn again to eternal l^y^^^a^^
'^\^t water and the Word of God. '
(J, \\ hat are the eflects of Baptism ?
-4 I he principal eflecls of Baptism are 1st Tha
pui-don of sin, whether original or act.ml '• ^'^ thJ
Thf '°? ??.f "/'tidying graces into the sou]"; ' and 3rd
The indelible impress of the Christian character. '
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250
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
Q. Is Baptism necessary to our salvation ?
A Yes ; it is necessary, and for all men.
0. "Why is Baptism so necessary for all ?
A Because all men are born under the curse or
Bin • and because our Lord has said that " unless a
mak be bom again of water and the Holy Ghost, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ibt. Jonn,
0. who are authorize to baptize ?
A. The Priests of the Church ; but, m case of ne-
cessity, any one can baptize.
(>. How is thia to be done ?
A Water is poured upon the head of the person
to be baptized, while these words aro pronounced:
*' I baptise thee in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amenr The water
must be common and natural ^ater, and must be
Doured on by the same person who repeats the words:
and care must be taken to repeat the w ords exactly,
and to pronounce them at the same time that the
water is poured on.
OP CONFmMATION.
What is the Sacrament of Confirmation ? ^
A. Goniirmation is a Sacrament by which the Ghns-
Han already baptized ^^ forlified Inj the grace of M
fJoUfGlioU to confess his failh firmly, and to regulate
his^ life according to a , j_:„;^
1^. How and by whom is confirmation adminis-
tcred ^ 1 •
A it is administered by the Bishop, who lays h's
tiand upon the candidate, at the same time anom.-
.ng his forehead with the holy chrism, and pronoun-
cing the sacramonlal words. ^
Q. What condition is necessary m order to receive
this sacrament worthily ? . . . .. _r
A. It is above all necessary to be m a sxaie oi
grac^
;o receive
t, sxaiG 0:
THE l.iTTLE CATECHISM.
OF THE HOLY EUCHARIST.
551
Q. Vv'hat is the Holy Eucharist ?
^ .1 The Holy Eucharist is the most holv of all tho
>acranents : // is (he true body and blood of our
Lm d Jesus ihnsl under Ihe apimrances of bread and
Q. Are tho soul and diviuity of our Lord also pres-
ent in this sacrament? ^
-1. Yes ; the whole person of Jcsus Christ is there
living and entire. mert.,
Q. Is it right to adore tho Blessed Eucharist v
n tP ' ^^ ' "^^y ^"'^ ^"^'^^ to ^f^oro it.
• y\^ .7 ?"'* ^^^^'^'" '^''^ t'^^ ^^•'•^aJ and winechanged
into tho Body and Blood of Jesus Christ ? ^"^°^^«
^. This change is wrought hy virtue of tho words
Tlor MaTs"^ pronounced by the Priest during tho
(J. What is the Holy Mass ?
A. Holy Mass is the unbloody sacrifice of the new
•ovenant (he perpetual memorial of the bloody sac-
niico ot Josus Christ upon the cross
A. No ; his death and passion on tho cross are onlv
ivpresenlod tiiero, and a sacred remembrance made
or It.
(/. Is Jesus Christ then not really present in the
.H(1SS .
:j',\^r''^}^^^^.^^^^hV^(isent, and really offers him-v
self^to his Almighty Father for our sins, upon the
Q. What is tho Holy Communion ?
J:Jlf i'^lfr ^ommunioh is that sacred feast,
vhore the laithlul recoivo the Body and Blood of
Jesus Christ in the Eucharist, as their spiritual food.
(J. is it necessary to receive sometimes the Holv
Communion ? ^
cr
ommunion
iiiient for tho nour
nu^:
v^iirist insiiiuicu tnls su-
g of our ouls. and ho him-
252
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
self has said : " Except ye eal my flesh, and drink wiy
blood, ye have no Ufa in you. " (St. John, vi.)
Q. ^ay every Christian, wi-hout condition, receiva
the Holy Communion ?
A. No ; to receive worthily we must be in the grace
of God.
Q. What preparation then must the sinner make to
entitle him to Communion ?
A. He must do penance sincerely, and receive ^the
.absolution of his sins from the hand of a Priest.
Q. Is any preparation necessary for the body also?
A. Yes ; it is necessary to be fasting from midnight.
OF PENANCE.
1^. What is the sacrament of Penance ?
A. Penance is a sacrament in which sins committed
after Baptism, are remitted by the absolution of a
Priest'
(J. From whence have the Priests received this
power ?
A. This power was given to his Priests by Jesus
Christ, when he said : " Whose sins ye shatl forgive,
tfmj are forgiven them, and whose sins you shall re-
tain, thei/ are retained:' (St. John, xx. 23.)
Q. What condition are necessary on the part of the
penitent ?
A. It is' necessary that he should confess his sins,
with true contrition, and make satisfaction for tlve
past.
■ Q. What is confession ?
A. Confession is a faithful declaration of one's sins
to a Priest.
Q. What is a sacrilegious confession ?
A. A sacrilegious confession is wlicn, in confessing,
one wilfully hides some mortal sin ; also when con-
fession is made, without contrition, and the purpose of
amendment.
(J. What is the value of such a confession?
A u \a rrnnH fnf nothlnsf, and must be all made
over again.
1, receive
THE LITTLE CATECHISM.
253
Q. What IS the guilt of a sacrilegious confession ?
*t. tr .'^/.V^^y grievous mortal sin, for it is a lie to
the Holy Ghost, and the profanation of a sacrameivt
(J. \Vhat preparation is necessary in order to make
a good confession ?
A. It is ii^essary to pray to God for light and as-
sistance, and to make a can^ful examination of con-
science.
made?°^ ^"«^ ^h^' Examination of Conscience be
A. It must be made with regard- to all sinful
thoughts, words and actions; and also upon the
number of our sins, and those circun.slances which
multiply the sin, and change the nature of it
(J. What is Contrition?
A. Contrition is a hearty sorrow for sin, with the
firm purpose of amendment.
Q. What kind of contrition is necessary ?
A. Contrition must be supernatural, that is to sav •
proceeding from some holy motive of faith. These
motives are contained in the usual act of contrition
(J. «<?poat 1 his Act OF Contrition.
A. •• my God, I am heartily son-u for all mysim
J^causeby them J have losl heaven, Vnd deserc^The
P]e of hell, but more than all because I have offended
nfnj? '"*•"; ^''''' f ''^ ""'"^ infinitely good, and worthy
ol all my love: but now I am firmly resolved, bu the
help of thy grace, never to sin against thee anymore,
and to avoid all the occasions of sin:'
Q. What is meant by an occasion of sin ?
A. An occasion of sin is any person, place, action,
occupation, or amusement, whinh leads to the com-
mission of sin.
Q. What is Satisfaction ?
^ A. Satisfaction is a temporal punishment accepted,
or solf-imposod fr.r sin. It consists in prayer, fasting
alms-giving, and other works of penance. In the
sacrament oi Pi-nance, it is the penalty imposed bv
wir i-nesL up'-n tne penitent who confesses. "
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254
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
I' I
Q What is InrlTilgonce?
A, Indulgence is tlio remission, in whole or in part
Gf those temporal punishments which, after the pardon
of sins, we have slill to suliler in this life, or in the
other.
Q. V/hat is necessary to gain an indulgence?
A. To gfiin an indulgence it is necessary, 1. To be
in the st ite of grace ; 2. To fullll exactly the condi-
tions prescribed.
. OP EXTREME UNCTION.
Q. What is Extreme Unci ion?
A. Extreme Unction is a sacrament in winch bjfilie
unction of the blessed oil, and the prayers of the
Priest, Ihe sick ulio are in danger of death receive the
grace of Cod to the benefit of the soul, and sometimes
of their bodilj health.
Q. V/hy tiight the sick not to neglect this sacra-
ment ?•
A, The sick ought never to neglect it, on account
of the many graces which they may obtain by re-
ceiving it.
Q. Wliat are the efTocts of Holy Unction ?
A. Itonfrs, 1. The increase of sanctifying grace.
i. The remission of venial sins, and even of those
mortal sins which tno sinner cannot confess, or from
which w th ut his own fault he has never been ab-
solved. 3. D 'livcranoe from the debt of satisfaction
jtill duo U iiis sins. 4. 6ir(?iigth against tempta-
.ions, and co.iJ'ort in his dying hour, 5. Often also,
Jio restoration of health.
OF nOLY ORDERS.
Q. What is th® Bacramont of Order ?
A. It is a sacrament by which spiritual pmi^er and
/race are given to a rightly ordained Minister of the
%urch
Q, What power del I ho Priests of the Church ro-
*civo through this sacrami^nt ?
A. The Priest receives at his orJinati
!;• '
IBL I.1TTU; CATEiaiSJl.
555.
Je BoVaTd^wterS?- ''''''■;"'' ^'»« '"t" the
2. The power to forgive sS!'"""" "'"'"' <^''^*'-
01' MATKIMONY.
A Sfmonv';- *^''<^™"«^n« »r Matrimony ?
eitfcr'iS:y"rr7t"i?, J"''" ^-'- ^'^ '«™rced so ,hat
Cl.ri-sii'an',;;";.!;^^,'^''' "'""' ^'"' "^oak ,„e bond of
a„dvoid™"""'"='"''"°'»"'J'"»'««-">l. but also null
myer,^;;r,io*n"tC'l.""" ■■' ""■'■'' ™''-". »a"y
2. When contracted with Jli,. ii,i,.,i ^^ •
•-■dehild: norcanib r,Ll^ '■ "■■ "'"""or ol' their
»n" wl.0 baptized Win'^Amtl^r-'"" P""^ ^'i"' 'he
CltEKD OF i'OPK PIUS JV
".« contained ; ?."!, "'"r" ,' ","«^'^ »''"<^t
,",';■ .and i.ni«i,i;;"!;,rr ii^L::!' |'i':t%!':'-
.1.0 Father b4ro^ „u ago ' \;^'^'e"Z f
l"«>.t of light; ,rue uj of .Ir'rllc Cl';
IP
'ill
I
m
i
•256
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
l)egotten, not made, consubstantial with the
rather, by whom all things were made. Who
for us men, and for our salvation, came down
from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy
Ghost of the Virgin Mary, aad was made
man. He was crucified also for us under
Pontius Pilate, suffered, and was buried. And
the third day he arose again according t© the
Scriptures : ho ascended into heaven, sitteth
at the right hand of the Father, and shall
come again with glory to judge the living
and the dead ; of whose kingdom there shall
be no ^nd. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the
Lord and the life-giver, wlio proceedeth from
the Father and the Son : who, together with
the Father and the Son, is adored and glori-
fied; who spake by the prophets. And i'nono
holy. Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I con-
fess one baptism for the remission of sins;
and I look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
I most steadfastly admit and embrace tho
apostolical and ecclesiastical Traditions, and
other observances and constitutions of tho
game Church.
I also admit the holy Scriptures, according
to that sense which our holy mother tliu
Church hath held and doth hold, to whom it
belongcth to judge of the true sense and in-
terpretation of tho Scriptures; neither will I
^vcr take and interpret them othcrwiwo than
according to tho unaaimaus conaent of tho
Fathers.
THE LITTLE CATECHISM. 257
I also profess that there are truly and pro-
porly Seven Sacraments of tho new iC
instituted by Jesus Christ our Lord, and
ncoossaryforthesalvationofmankind, though
rot all tor every one : to wit, Baptism, Con-
firmation, the Eucharist, Penanci, Extrorae
Unction Orders, and Matrimoi.y and that
t^ioyconl^r grace : and that of tlicse, Bapt Lm
Confirmation, and Orders cannot be repeS
without sacrilege. I also receive andSu
CatlX'n'' '""," '^PP^*'^ ceremonies ofSie
tmin of !"'■'■ r' "'""^ " "^° '°'°™" '^minis-
tiation ot the aforesaid sacraments
I ombraco and receive all and every one of
the ihings whicU have been defined and
declared in tho holy Council of Trent con-
cerning original sin and justification.
IS oBeied to Crod a true, proper, and pro-
pitiary sacrifice for (he living Ld the d?^
F^n I /f, *''° '"°'' "^"'y eaerament of the
^.dlvZSi^r '^*™f^-^ '-^""y ••■■Hi substan.
tial y the Body ami Blood, together with the
and tha 't7'""^'' "' T ^""^ -^^-^ ChVist!
and that there is made a conver.sion of tho
^vholesubstaneo.ftho bread into the Body!
ami of he whole substance of the wino into
tno iilood; which conversion tho Catholic
!Z,^!!,f.;!:!;'.?L«i"'-.^-""i -^-'^ chnst is
mont.' ^^^^"""""'^'-■^^^""«' aiM a true sacra-
I constotly hold that there is u Purgatory,
^'>^
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
r i
r,i!i
s*
and that tho souls therein detained are helped
by tho suffrages of the faithful.
Likewise, that the Saints I'oigning together
with Christ are to bo honored and invoked,
and that they offer prayers to God for us, and
that their relies are to bo had in veneration.
I most firmly assert that tho Images of
Christ, of the Mother of God ever Virgin, and
also of other Saints, ought to be hnd and
retained, and that due honor and veneration
are to be given them.
I also aftirni that the power of Indulgences
was left l\y Christ in the Church, and that the
use of them is most wholesome to Chri^stian
people.
I acknowledge the Holy, Catholio, Apostolic,
Roman ChurcJi for the mother and mistress
of all Churches ; and I promise true obedience
to the liishop of Home, successor of vSt. Peter,
Prince of the Apostles, and Vicar ofJesuH
Christ.
I likewise undoiibtingly receive and profess
all oth(n- things delivered, defined, and
declared by the sacred canons and (Jeneral
Councils, and narticuhirly by the holy Council
of Trent. Atk! I condemn,' reject, and ana-
thematize all tilings contrary thereto, and all
here.>ies which the Church Iiuth condemned,
rejected, and anathematized.
I, K. N"., do at thin present freely profess
«nd sincortdv liold tbJs true Cntbolie faith,
out of which no one cim be saved: and I
promise most constantly to retain and confess
THE I.rTTLi: f:\TECHISM
259
I bo 8amc entire and inviolato, by (^d's
.'issistancc, to the end of my life.
..AUD FOR THE CHRISTIAN I-NSTRUCTIOX OF THOSK WHO
CANNOT READ.
WJ.o^.v,,T recoivos one Of llioso cards from a (^.atholic
who -annot road, will teacli him by word of mouth
wiiat follow:^: '
CmT ■ ^^''' ^^'"' ^''^''''' ""^'^ ^'"'^'' ^"^ ^"^Postlefi
Second : IIow to answer the following questions
ac-ordin- to the form printed in the card.
1st. Q. IIow many Gods arelhi^e?
.1. Thii\} i,^ one God.
M. Q. IIow iiianv persons in God ?
1. Thnx- The Father, the Son, and the Holy
•rllOPt. '
.{d. (J. Who is Jesus Christ ?
.1. God tli(i Son, True God and Ti^uf Man
W\. Q. What did he do for men?
A He died on the Cross ibr the sins of the worid
'! V„ C'V, Where will the good go after death?
.1 lo Ileaven, lor all eternity.
<)th. Q. Where will the wicked go ?
A. To Hell, for all eternity.
Tth. Q. What is the name of the True Chnix^h »
.1. The Holy Catholic Church.
^<th (;. Howcan you obtain the panlon ofvour
MRS after baptiMn? '
.1. By a good confession.
mi (7. When you make a good confession, what
Iocs \hv, lYii^st do for you ?
^ .1. Ho gives mo absolution, or the pardon of ray
10th. Q. What is the IJlessed Sacrament ?
1. Thoriodyand Hh.od of Tesus Christ under Iht
apppftraii<»s itf iiread and Wine.
OF THE HOLY SACRAMI:NT OF PENANCE.
" rrwe confess our sins, he {God) is failhful and'
just to forgive m our sins, and lo cleanse us from all
ininuilii. ( I Jol'm, i. 9.)
God who knows the weakness of human nature is
full of compassion, and always ready to receive again
into Ins ffrace the sinner who sincerely desires to return
to him For t'ls reason, in bis infinite mercy, he has
instituted the fiacraiiiont of Penance, a means of
pardon aad reconciliation for those who havo los. the
irst innocence of their baptism. The orii,nnal sin, in
which Jill men are born, is washed away in the Sacra-
mcnt of baptism ; but if, after bantism, the Christian
falls agam into mortal sin, the only means to escape
from eternal death is penance. ^ , e„
The principal things to be considered in every h,a-
crament are the following : l.. liie outward and visible
sign of ceremony. 2. The invisible grace. 3 The Min-
ister, or (Uspcnser of the Sacrament ; and 4. Its insti-
tution by Jesus Christ.
1 The outward visible sign of the unseen and in-
ward pTdCO given in Iho Sacrament of Penance, is the
form of absolution pronounced by the Priest over the
penitent, in these words: " / absolve iliee from thy
sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the nohj Ghosl r and also the exterior signs mani-
fested by the penitent, of an inward sorrow for his
^^"2^" TJio invisible grace of this Sacrament of Penance
^'a'Xmnl^iersof this Sacrament are the Priests
nlnno •. - >
"The institution of this great Sacramr ni by our Lora
Jesus Chri-4 is clearly seen in the Gospel. Ho, Inm-
260
SACRAMENT OP PENANfCIi.
26 1
self in the most solemn manner, and with his own-
l.reath gave the power to pardon sins to Apostles,
and after them to their successors, the Bishops and
Priests of he Church, when he said : '' Iieceiv!ye the
Jlolij Ghost. Whose sifis you shall forgive, ihry are
mi}'(jn them ; and ivhose sins you shall retain, they
are retained. (St. John, xx. 22.) ^
Our blessed Lord declares by these words, that he
communicates by the Holy Ghost to the Apostles, and
tiieir lawful successors ia the apostolical ministry the
power to exerciso jurisdiction ovor the sins of men •
that those whom they absolve, shall be absolved by him
also, while these to whom ihey refuse pardon, 'shall
remain unforgiven by himself.
I'he forgiving or retaining of sins is not, bv any
means, committed to the mere arbitrary will or caprice
of the Priest He is bound to know the condiliin of
tlie sinner, hat he may pronounce upon him a iu'^t
in ^'^^H L^r 'T^ '°"'^ ^^^ "°™'^ ^° ^"y J^^t decision,
guiUy of ? ""^ ^^'^ '^''"^' ^'^^ ^^^"
hnnnfi f^'''''\ *°?' ^^' ^^?^^ ^°^^« °^ Christ is strici,!v
tn nn V '"''''? ,^'"°^'' ^''^ ^'""^ to the Priest, that is,
to confess, and leave himself to be judged by him ac^
cording to his priestly power. Confession is therof^e
]rvQn^lV''°'J important and essential parts of tlio
iioiy bacrament of Penance.
THE EFFECTS OF THIS SACRAMENT.
.J^n"? ^^^f^? '"^""^ advantages of this holy Sacrament
Pnr>.o n^l ^,°^'°"^ number. We can say with the
Roman Catechism, that almost all the piety, holinnss
tn"t rnn'^,^''^.^,''-^^;'^S*'^''°"^^^^ t^^^ ^"^^^ mercy, am
confcs^on '"^ ^^^'^^t^"^°"^' ^^e owing to sacramentai
It
O T\in
: 1
/t«_
o pi iuoi];ai Ciiuuis are
1. The forgiveness of sins
With a sincero and contrite
When the po
heart confessed
nitont has
his sins»
PI XIV INSTRUCTIONS.
undtho priest. With upliltpd hand has ropcated oyer
him iJio words. " I absolve thoo from thy sins, at hnt
vory moment all the guilt of tho sinner is pardoned for
nil otornitv. What a consolation in the hour of doalh
and in tho dav of judgment for ih.^ sinner who cm
h)ok back upon a sincere confes!«ion !
\> iLrnsiores to the sinner sanoiiiying grace, tli<^
friendship of God, and a right to heaven. }*'W un-
happy do wo r-,onsider the man who has lost tho fav.i
of Vorae great pitron. or who is sntlering from the loss
of for' une. or who has some po\v.>rful person lor Jus
i-'uemyl IJut far more unhappy is he who has lost
God and Heaven. , . „ . ,
3 This sacrament obtains the remission of eternal
].un:<;hmcnt,as St. Paul declares: " There is, there'
fore, 7)010 no rondemmlion to them that are m Christ
Vsuv" The pains of Hell aro not for thoso who
ihrough the m<'rcyof (^od an^ reston>d to his grace m
tho sacrament of IVniance. ^ „ , , ,
.\ It obtaiits that tho merl's of all the goml works
wirK-h wo hiid done bei;.re, wh-n wo wore m the stat-^
t.f £;race, are restor.'d to us again. O what a treasury
of 'nMce is the rocovfMn' of all our good works : What
(■\ertions will not a man mako to recover agamtlio
l.'.nn^.oral goods wliirh he has lo<t ? What then shall
wo consider too dillicult for us. provided wc can obtain
I ho goods of eternal life? , ,. .
oJtrrivos us a certain strength and divme power
In i)ros('rv<> os from falling again into sin, and to make
US ]M'rs.'Von- in virtue how many sinners luivn
louiid in this sacrament the most =ure defence against
ihoir passions, and tho boNt remedy to heal their 9pu-
ilual wounds ! , . , . e ^ „\
(» It restores to Ihe sinner his lost peace of sou
and a quiet conscience. The IToly Spirit has declare.l
ihat ^^ there isno maeeforthcwlchedr and that their
life is full of pain and sorrow. How many havo ex-
nor:iMiced in their own case, that whereas they lived
before confession as in a hell, fuii of distress anu
anxietv no sooner did they receive absolution thfm
SACaAMENT OF PENAKCE.
262
they felt so groat a consolation that they beliaved
themselves iii paradise. ^ "e^wveu
^ 1\ ^P. ^^",^' ^^^^^ ^^^^0^® human family is deenlv in.
dobted to this holy sacrament, for it is tho preserver
of good ordor, peace, and justice. How many sfng of
injuslico and impurity, how many quarrels havo been
hindered cr terminated byitl Jf it often happens
that society ,s desolated with great crimes, it fsS
mon y because holy confession has been desp sed or
carelessly made. Which aro Ihoso in overyTonirc^
gation ^yho give the greatest cause ofVrief to r4a!-
ous Pastor? generally those who seldom cr never 1
to confession. These so-called Christians, who ImrdW
go once a year to confession, and then with a hear^
as cold as ice. aro usually wicked and God-forXn
Dominico Soto, confessor to the Emperor Charles V
and one whose testimony cannot bo called in ouestion'
relates, that the eity cf Nuremberg having X ov";
ador'to'thnyjj^J^'^'V'v '""r^^'^' ^^^ndnamhal
sador to the Emperor, to implore him that Ijo would
by an .mperial mandate, once more cstabl sh Ses:
s on among them, because, as they said exneriemfo
showed clearly vhat since confossion had becKven
up among them, monstrous crimes had Jjeen commit
Uie;; bSr '"^''^ '^"' ^^ ^^^ never Si^nown
Mow^^^c^fltra^^^^?;^^?^^^^^ ^^^^^^^'t^^
1. Examination of conscience.
2. Contrition and the purpose of amendment.
o. Confession.
4. Tho absolution of the Priest
5. SatisfaciioD.
I.
EXAMINATTON OF CONSCIENCE.
JZf;'JJ'!!^,^:I!T^^^ is. that wo
by Yn:n':J:^;L""','':rT.'': '' ^. ^^y ^^ ^i^^eivo oursel
magining that this and that
Christians liv
s no sin. Many
ill a criminal ignoranco of tho com
r :!■:?:'
264
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
mands of God afid the duties of their station,— live,
as it were rmik in low desires and lusts, m a disgust-
ing indifferonce and carelessness for every thing spir-
itual and .livine, so that they loose all k. ^wledge ot
God and of theujselves. They may not, it is true,
toe murderers cr thi>-ves ; they may even have some
natural virtues (as the heathen have also), and ma\
call themselves honest a-.d respect ablo people, bul
fui- all that thev are any thing but good Ciirislians.
or agreeable to God. When such ix'rsons make their
confes-sion. it may happen that they do not find them-
selves guilt\ of nnv sin. Is it because they are so in-
nocent and" ^..odf Alas! no,-all ^^'fY, "'^^ViV.r
this ea-y conscience is a true knowledge of them-
selves, a knowledge which they hav^ not, bocaus;-
thev never mik^' a thor.ugh examination ol thei:
conscionce. And who are they, for the most part,
these Christ ans, so righteous in their own eyes !
MosllY thosp who go to confession only once in thi-
vear or perhaps have not made th.'ir conlessK-rs lor
manV years, and have hitherto lived in complete tor-
getfiilncss of their duties. These are Uie Christians
who comfort th.mselves and lead ctners astray by
savin^^- '* O such and such a thing is no sin. ' I
don't see any harm in that." If, however, they werr
willing' to be honest and would examine themselves
faithfully, thev would tind themselves like a sejml-
rlne full r.f oorruption. It must never be forgotten.
However, that the kiiowiedge of one's self is a gilt
of God ^t. Augustine jii-ayed earnestly tor it thus :
" Lord ' grant ihat 1 niav know Thee and myselt
also" Would vou, dear Christian, ^fom /his time
know vourself thoroughly, look to th.; Holy Ghost
for ligiit and lu^l]). and remember always to begin
your self-xaminatiun by pra>er.
HOW :vn'(;n time ought one to employ in the
vvWINATlO.N OF CO.NSClKNt.K.
I You must give as much time and attention to this
AS you are accustomed to give to aiiN other very im-
SACRAMENT OP PENANCE
265
portant business. What would a man do if he were
involved in a lawsuit, the failure of which would cause
hiin the loss 01 all his property ? Would he not search
with the greatest care for every thing that could be of
some service to i.im in his suit ? And vou, sinner
have you not. by falling into morlal sin, lost vour title
10 Heaven and deserved H.-ll r This v.-rv confession
which you are about to make, and the examination of
conscience before ,t, will i^erhapsderid,. for Heaven or
o %pu' ^^'.'"^ ''^'^^'^■•'^ ''■ '^ '^ "^'' ♦''•' la^^t « IK' of vour life *'
;.. Jhetimere(|niredforyour examination of con-
science cannot b.- exactly dete.-miiied. One who con-
iosses olten, and has a very Kinder or tiuiid conscience
may easily liaiKpidii/e himself, for he is not likelv to
overlook anymorliil sin. As 1m venial sins, he must
not trouble iuinH-ir inn much.. Ibr. slri.lh speakiuL' he
IS not bound to eojifess Ihem.
3. On the olhfM' hand, a man who has hitherto lived
Mink in sin, who lias hardly confesse.l once in a vear
Nvho at almost every o.'casion has broken the lo- of
(rod, must not be sntisfied with a passinji glance at
his conscience fie must commence this important
business of sell-exammation some davs J>efore confF-^-
Mon. During this time he should reinain entirelv re-
collected, and call to mind and seriously consider eVerv
plaej3 where ho has been, the persons with whom he
iias kept company, the business which he carried on
Ac. . otherwise he would only be able to confess a
.'onfused multitude of sins, without regard to number
Kind, or circumstance. '
}. Many examine themselves too superficially • and
I lis is the reason why they find so few sins .o Accuse
themselves of m the confessional. How many business
luen and trades-i»eople, if they went to the bottom of
ilH'irconscienep, would find many lies of no small
consequence, lueh fraud and usury, manv unlawfu'
and unjusl contracts! But if thev were to 'look care-
ully mio their consciences, then the ill-gotten nronertv
helongmg to others must be restored, with some
= • " ' •■" i"p" ^•••■•li Mibstance, and ior
566
PLAIIC INSTRTJCTIOKS.
I'
thiP reason they are afraid tp look in<o their own
hearts The shameless lovers of pleasure will not
examine into their vices, because they do not wish to
change their lives, and spare no pains to convince
themselves that what they are doing is no sin.
If you would not, my dear Christian, abuse this
holy ?acraraent, but rightly make use of it for your
own salvation, enter upon your examination of con-
science as if Jesus Christ were judging you at the day
of general judgment. Imagine yourself to be m the
presence of your Saviour, really before you and sitting
as vour judge, and judge yourself in such a way that
YOU may not be more severely judged some other day.
•« He who judges himself will not be judged. "
II OF CONTRITION AND THE PURPOSE OP
AMENDMENT.
Contrition is a hearty sorrow for sin, with the firm
purpose of sinning no more. This true sorrow for sin,
being the most important point in a good preparation
lor confession, requires to be carelully considered
and understood.
1 . Contrition is an essential condition of penance,
so that the Priest can never absolve a sinner who
gives no sign of true repentance. The absolution
which a sinner receives who is not sincerely contrite,
is worthless and sacrilegious. A confessor would com-
mit a groat sin against the holy sacrament of Penance,
if he did not in every proper way assure himself of the
contrition of the sinner. They are foolish and unjust,
therefore, who complain, when a wise confessor, and
one who fears God, refuses them absolution, because
he can find in them no sign of true contrition.
St. Gregory says : " He who is not truly converted
receives no benefit, even if he does confess his sms.
Christians without number make fruitless confessions,
because they are not truly penitent. It is this want
«f nnntrifion thflt. mflkfis the office of a Pfiest so Qifli-
sachament of penance.
26 7
cull ; for it is not tlieir duty merely to hear confes-
sions and give absolution, but to do so according to
the will of God. O God ! what anxiety and distress do
confessors suffer on account of so many sinners, who
with hearts all cold and indifferent, enter the holy
confessional, to run over their sins in a careless man-
ner, as they would any other indifferent affair, and
whose whole conduct g^ves only too much reason to
suspect that they feel no sorrow for their sins.
i. True contrition, however, be it well understood.
is a supcrnalural virtue, and must be grounded upon
siipt^rnalural motives. In other wo«'ds, it must spring
from motives of faith, awakened in the heart bv the
cousideration of the eternal truths of religion. To bo
SOI ly for our sins because they have brought us into
shiuae, poverty, sickness: or any mere worldly misfor-
iiuie, is no true contrition, and will not procure the
p;i (dun of our sins. Some persons, whcm Ihev go lo
•otil'tission, appi^ai' more an.xious to tell of their vexa-
I ions and miseries than to accuse themselves of their
>in-. They do not ile.sirt; so much to be pardoned, as
to Lie comforted in their misfortunes. On the contrary,
li-iu^ contrilion is a sorrow which comes from higher
mid iiolier motives. It is our lAiith that weeps for the
mi>roi'tunes of the soul, and the injury done to God.
ir lilt; unhii})py sinner siuci^'ely desires the iiardon of
his ^ins, his contrition must bt3 of this kind, for God
will accept no other.
;5. The best and purest motive for contrition is the
dixiiie love, which makes us grieve for our sins, and
detest them bec-ause of thoir ingratitude, and the in-
jury done to a good and holy God. When this is the
ovcr-ruMng motive, contrition is called perfect, and
is so excellent a disposition, that, according to the
•:ouncil of Trent, the soul may be reconciled by it to
Gud, even Defore confession and the priestly ab.soki-
lion, i»rovi(led there is also an earnest tlesire for these.
Imperfect contrition (or attrition/ is where the sinner
is excited to sorrow, and to the purpose of amend-
ment, by the consideration of the filihiness of his
t68
p^A^I? lNST^W?^IpN8.
sms, or from the fear ot hell, or because he has for-
feited his right to heaven. These moti\es, although
less perfect than that first mentioned, are nevertheless
good, for they are true impulses of the Holy Ghost,
and dispose one to receive the grace of pardon tlirough
the sacrament of penance.
We must not, however, fall into the error of those
who think that a f(ceble contrition is all they need,
provided they confess their sins. True contrition,
although it riiay be Imperfect in its kind, is never
feeble. It is true that the si:icere penitent is often
unconscious of any strong feeling of sorrow ; for con-
trition does not properly consist in any feeling at all,
but rather in the supernatural hatred and abhorrence
of sin. Strictly speaking, however, a ^'enuine contri-
tion can never be fe^le ; oti-erwise it would not be
sufficient to produce that firm and efficacious purpose
of amendtnent, which is its natural and necessary
fruit. It is thtrefore neither riglit nor safe to set nar-
row bounds to ourselves in this respect, but we ^^hould
try to animate our souls more and more to a genuine,
earnest, efficacious, and tender contrition. Our for-
giveness becomes then easier and surer, and our re-
formation more complete and lasting.
4. The firm purpose of Amendment is the insepar-
able conipanion of true contrition, and therefore a
necessary condition to the forgiveness of sin. God
requires of the sinner a new spirit, and a new life :
When the wicked lunielli himself away from his
wickedness, which he halh wrought, and doelhjudy-
ment and justice, he sfuiU save his soul alive.''' Ezech.
xviii. 27.) It is impossible for God to pardon the sin-
ner who still retains the will to olfend him. He must
be resolved to oiTend God no more, and this resolu-
tion must be no mere promise of the lips, or momen-
tary emotion, but a sincere, firm, and efficacious de-
terminaticn. . '
Can the purpose of Amendment be called sincere ni
that man, who says to God, thatj he repent.s with his
Whol'i heart of having oOended him, but who falls im-
SACEJJIENT OF' PEHANCE.
569
mediately into the same sins, after receiving absolu-
tion ? or that man runs again into the same occasions
of sin ; who does not avoid the persons who led him
into sin before ; who frequents the same places of
temptation ; who will not repair the injury he has
done ; who will not consent to bo reconciled with his
enemy ? in fine, who does not even make an honest,
practical beginning of a good life, nor take the neces-
sary means of perseverance ? Who can duufet that
the confession of such a man is a mere mockery of
penance ? Who can believe that this absolution w&s
of any value ?
D. What must you do, then, my tlear Christian, in
order to excite in yourself this salutary sorrow for
your sins, and this lirm jmrposo of amendment ?
In the lirst place, it is necessary to place before
your mind, and to meditate seriously upon those su-
pernatural truths of our holy religion, which, as we
have already seen, furnish the only truo motives of a
genuine contrition, and of an eileclual and lasting
conversion,
" Ueinember thy last end,'' says the Rrophet, '' and
thou shall nevei^ sin.'' (Ezech. vii. 20.) You will
find the principal motives of this kind in the little Act
of Contrition, (page 253,) which every one ought to
learn by heart and repeat very often." You will find
them also at much greater length in the Devout Exor-
cises, preparatory to Confession.
But above all, it is necessary to pray. Yes, poor
sinner, pray earnestly to God fore true contrition;
pray for a firm and lQ,sling resolution to sin no more ;
for these holy dispositions of heart are gifts of God,
which a man cannot have of himself, but must soek
for tlirough prayer.
Bemakk.— -1. It is necessary for you to know, my
dear Christian, tliat contrition for your sins must al-
ways go before Absolution, and therefore, as soon as
you havo exapiined, and romembered your sins, you
ought to repent of them immediately, witii the inten-
tion to receive the holy sacrament of penance. For if
270
PLAIN INSTHUCTIONS.
you should not have in your heart this sinceri3 sorrow
for your bins until after absolution, then both youi- con-
fession and your absolution will be good for nothing
2. Do not be too anxious, lest your sins should not bt
forgiven by God, because you do not feel any contri-
tion. As the good tree is known by its fruit, so will
your true contrition be known by your improvemoiit
therefore, it may be said for your consolation, thai
you may confidentiy hope your rej'ontance is tni*;
when you have actually changed your life, and aban-
doned your sins.
'I
V
III. OF CONFESSION.
CorptssioN, the third essential part of the holy sac-
rament of pentnce, is the accusal. .. of all the sins
onti has commuted, made lo a Prieat duly aulhurizeii
lo receive U, in order to obtain from him the absolit
lion or mr don of them. In order to make this dut>
of confession more easy, attend to the following rult>s
I. Imagine Jesus Christ himself before you, in th.-
person of your confessor.
2. Choose for your ordinary confessor a i-riest who
has a great deal of mildness, a prudent zoal, and a Inu
charity for sinners. Yet you must not think that, be-
cause you have done this, you cannot sometimes make-
your confession to some other confessor
3. Do not look on confession as a torlun^ of the con-
science, as intidcls, heretics, and scolfers repres<»nt ii
but the humble self-accusation of a child, wiio knows
the kind compassion of his father, linds new consola
tion with every word, and is sure that his father will
not be angry, but forgive him gladly.
4. Never let a long time poss without Jioly confes-
sion, for by this means you will llnd it easier, and cer-
tainly wili derive more prolit from it.
5. If you have had the misfortune to fall inU» an>
mortal sin. give yourself no rest until you have con-
fe^ed it.
SACRAME-N-T OF PENANCE.
171
In oivler to securt! yourself against tlie danger of
liiiling some sin through false shame, call to mind :
1. That by concf'aling your sins, you become guilty
<r another sin.
\*. If you concoal it from your confessor, you can-
liol hide it from (tuJ.
.5. Thror.^Mi such conceaimont you V. ill only increase
111*' trouble uf your conscience, and sooner or later you
must confess the hidden sin, or else die with it, and
!)!.' etcrualK lost. «
4. Sin d. 'servos shame ; and thei'dore it is only an-
..Iher mark of your impenitence, if you are unwilling
10 submit yourself to this mortilication.
'». Such con<-oalmGnt expos<-s you I <> the danger of
b^iiig put to shame in the presence of all creatures, at
till' day of judj^mout, and of hurning foi' ever in liell-
liri'. Ah ! if a lost soul could come from hell, and lind
ii Priest, wouhl 1m' he ashamed to confess?
<). Tell me, would you not show to the physician of
\oiir body youi- most secret wounds, if you hoped to
i)t' I'caleflV Mu<'li more should you discover the sick-
iK'ss of your soul to your spiritual physician, if you
\vind<l not die t^ternally.
7. Your confossor will bo so nuich the more pleased,
lln' more he sees in you the grace of couversion by the
sincerity of youi- heart, for he knows only t( o well
what human w.'akness and misery is, and therefore
will have couijiassion fo»' you, and is bound under the
luaviest penalties, both of tem])oral and tHernal pun-
i.-lirnent, to keep forever the strictest silence.
WHA I IS IT NECLSSARV TO C0.NFE88 ?
1. Even/ mortal sin must he amfessed. If know-
ingly you conceal a mortal sin in confession, you will
not only obtain no pardon of your other sins, but vou
arv guilty Ix-siilcs of sacrilege." If you ha\ ♦' to confess
tliu sins of many years, do no! he tlistressed if you
c;innot rememlior all of them. A sincere inteitiou to
confess them all, with a careful examination of your
t'onsoience, is enough; all that you are really unable
\
^tn
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
to do yourself, is supplied by this holy sacrament it-
As for those smaller sins which are called venial,
YOU are not bound to confess them, yet it is prudent
and useful to do so, especially when you cannot well
decide with certainty, between what is venial and
what is mortal sin.
If YOU have a doubt whether you have committed a
mortal sin. or whether you have already confessed it,
the best way is to lay this doubt, together with the sm
before the priest. .
2 You must confess those circumstances wfucli
chanae the nature of the. sin, or increase Ike number.
For example : If the person with whom you commit-
ted the sin of impurity was a married person, you
must mention this fact, because it shows that you are
also guiltv of adultery. It is also a much more guilty
thing to \itler a calumny in presence of a large compa-
ny than before a few persons ; before neighbors ol the
one you slander, than before strangers; or to steal a
large sum of money, rather than a small one ; or it
you take a small sum very often, rather than once or
twice only. , ^ , i
3. You must confess the number of your moilal
sins, as near as vou can remember. If you cannot re-
member the exact number, then say : It was about so
jnany tim^s, or so many times, more or less.
If you have to make a confession for many years
back, and cannot exactly remc ber how often you
have committed a sin, you should at least say how
long the habit continued, alH)ut how ollen m a day,
in a week, or a month, you fell into that sin ; and it
the habit was interrupted for a while, say how long.
KEMARKS.-Omitall other relations and circum-ian-
ces which do not belong to confession. Never '. amo
the guilty persons connected with you ; but, wiieit
it is nec';ssary in order to show the nature of the sin,
state simply the condition of the person, or your re a-
jfmmhip with him, as far as may be, in general words,
lifp^
S^CRAMKNT OF pE;NANCE.
273
that the confeseof , if possible, m^y not ktow who the*
other guilty, person is. For example: "I have been
guilty of the sin' of impurity with a person related to
me in the first or in the second degree, or with a
marriccj person, or with one consecrated by vow to
God." That is enough ; mention no names.
THE IvIAJNNER OF MXKING CONFESSION.
1. When you go to the confessional, do not pross
before others. "Whiie you are waiting for your turn,
do not distract yourself by looking around and talking,
but with a sorrowful, although trustful heart, pray to
God for the forgiveness cf your sins. If you havo
long to wait, you may read anything in your prayer-
book, which relates to holy confession, or say the
Rosary, or meditate- upon some spiritual subject
2. Do not place yourself so near the confessional as
to hear the confessions of those who are there 'oforo
you. If ever you should by any accident hear any
sin confessed, you are bound to keep it secret under
pain of sin. Any one who hstens from curiosity is
also guilty of sin. .
3. When you are about to kneel down before your
confessor, arouse yourself once more to a true contri-
tion and sorrow for your sins, and imagine Jesus Christ
actually before you in tho persons of the priest, lie
very careful during confession to observo tho greatest
possible modesty in your words and manner. Do not
speak too loud, so that persons around may hear and
not so aow, that even your confessor cannot understand
you. If you do not understand him well yourself, do-
not let him go on speaking to no purpose, but tell him
so at once.
4. To begin your confession, mako the sign of the
cross, and say : " Dksji 3uc, Father, for 1 hare sinned. "
Then repeat the Gonliteor, thus " / confcaslo Ahninhnj
God, to.Uie Bh' i ^Jarif, ever Virgin," Ac. (ISce page
30.) Then, iir?.- ol ii tell your Con't^ssor how long A
is since you Uni/k your last coofcssion— whether that
I
274 PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
confession was a good one— whether you rocehM the
Su?Loryour%ms from the priest-^nd .f you
have uerfiiraiea the penance imposed upon you.
-> If it your last confession, orany former ones, you
have concealed a mortal sm, you must now mention
i,. ai.aeM>lain whether it happened mtentionally
throimh ikiso .hame, or bad will, «• only through for-
fietfulne=&. I^ in former confessions you have mten-
lionally ket)t back your sins, you must make these
^^fesLul again, and tell also how many <;^:;^^^
ttud communions you have made since the tu^t one m
which you concealed your sin. ,. , , . ,
If at youi 'T^t confession you did not receive ab-
i^ulution, you must not fail to mention il> and give the
feasoB w^y it was refused you.
7 I ikS?i?e, if you did nut perform the penance im-
iWl up(^i you, did not make restitution of what be-
ZmT. Mother, did not make reparation for the
nmry you had done to another's reputaUon, were not
,'iionciled to your enemy, or have not been careful to
,hun the occasiais of sin, you »i"St ^nention it.
8. These m4rtter» being explained as lar as it is ne-
(•<ssarv. go on now to make your confession humbly.
VHmitcntlv. cUarly, and in few words, without cover-
intr up your .sins, and without false excuses.
Ifit any time your confessor posti>ones giving
^ on absolution, sabmit with docUity to his decision ,
;.,nsi<ler in a sfiint of justice and humility that he i.
bound to act according to his conscieiice and his
pri..t!Y duty and do ftot hasten to another confessor
in the iiopos of finding him more easy, and receiving
u more six'edy absolution.
10 If you have already made a good general con-
fession, and, through the grace of God, from th^t time
forward, have been keptfrom groatsins, ^^if >ou hav^
ti.e pious custom of going to confession o^"' and can-
not call to mind any great sin since your last confes-
^ion, thrn it is well to include m your present confes-
..on some sin already confessed of your lormer life
selecting for that purpose one for which you have a
'■•"It."*'
SACRAMENT QF fKNANCE.
275
great contrition : say, for example, " I also wish to in-
clude in this confession a sin which I have formerly
committed— of hatred — or impurity — or dishonesty, "
(as the case may be.) In this case, as it is something
already confessed, you need not explain any further.
11. Conclude your confession in the follow ing words :
" For lliese, and all my oilier sins I am heartily sorry,
and 1 humbly ask pardon of God, penance and absolu-
tion of you, my gnoslly father.'' Listen now humbly
to whatever your confessor may have to say : — pay
attention to the penance which he imposes upon you
for your sins, that you may not forget it ; and when
you perceive that he is about to give you his absolu-
tion, begin immediately the Act of Contrition.
** my God, 1 am heartili/ sorry for all my sins,
because by them I have lost heaven, and deserved the
fire of hell, but more than all because J have offended
thee, my God, luho art infinitely good, and worthy
of all my love; but now I am firrkly resolved, by the
help of thy grace, never to si?i against thee any more,
and to avoid all the occasions of sin.''
12. Be sure never to speak with others unneces-
sarily of your confessions, even if it were only to tell
them what good instruction your confessor has given
you ; for what the confessor has said to you is for you
alone, and might be easily misunderstood and
abused by others.
IV. OF ABSOLUTIOJ^.
Absolution is the sentence pronounced by the priest
in the place of God, forgiving the sinner who has con-
fess&ihis sins. He does what Jesus Christ would do
If he were upon the earth. For the priest is sent byi
Jesus Christ the Son of God, with the same power
to remit sins with which he hims-elf was sent hy his
heavenly Father.
But the priests have not unlimited power to give
absolution in the holy sacrament of penance to whoral
f u
M!
'176
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
they will. For they must be governed in this mailer
by the laws of Ood and the holy Church. If a priest
ffives absolution to a sinner who does not sincerely
wish to amend, and who has not the good disposi-
tions of a true ponitont, then God does not sanction
liic absolution. , . .
Why do som.o Christians urge the priest so much
to ^\\o thpm absolution ? Why do they trouble him
<o munh for what can only turn to their own sorrow ?
And why do they treat him with rudeness and mso-
lence when he refuses them absolution, and try to
injure him in the good opinion of others? Such ca-
lumniators only publish their own shame wherever
rhey go, but the priest cannot, in order to pJease them,
violate the laws of God and of the holy Church. Should
he consent to damn himself eternally, and his penitent
vvithhiiji? Of what use can absolution be, if it is
disavowed by God? Such an absolution could only
bring to a man a vain and deceitful peace, which is
inoriTto be feared than the greatesi anxiety !
WHAT PERSONS ARK U^F1T TO RECEIVE SACRAWK>'TAL
ABSOLUTION?
1 Those who have relapsed into tho habit of any
mortal sin, after repealed promises to amend : for ex-
ample, of drunkenness, impurity, blasphemy, vinlation
of the fasts of the Chuich or of the Lord's day, Ac.
\b«ioiui;Gn is a grace purchased at the cost, of the
blood of Christ, too dear a grace to be wasted upon
triflor«5 Promises will not answei- any longer. The
sinner must now give proof of his sincerity by actually
abandoning his sins, and after that he may hope lor
absolution.' Can a person be trusted al confession who
produces no other sign of true penance than a line
promise, such as he made often before and never
kept'' Indeed, he must show moi-e than ordinary signs
of contrition before the Priest can receive his promises
iijzain.
2 Tho^e who will not avoid the proximate occasion
»f sin -.for oxample, such as live in a criminal and
SACRAMENT OF PENANCE.
VI
CRAWKNTAL
dangerous connection with persons of another sex or
of their own ; or who allow others to be in such sin^
ful occasions, when they can prevent it, and are in
duty bound to do so : or those who, after repeated
Admonitions, read bad and corrupting books, ornews-
pai)ers, or sell or give them to others to read for love of
money or false friendship ; and again, those who will
not refrain from visiting and encouraging secret
societies forbidden by the Church, or meetings where
religion and morality are spoken against. Those wo-
men also, who, in spite of every admonition, are the
occasions to others of sin by their indecent and
inmodest dress ; also all grocers, or tavern-keepers, or
heads of families who permit gatherings at their
houses during the time of divine service, and to the
neglect of the same, or entertain disorderly company
al late and scandalous hours.
3. Those who will not repdir the injury they have
done to their neighbor, either in body or soul, pro-
perly, or good name ; and also those who will not
pay their debts when they are able to do so.
4. Those who will not be reconciled to their ene-
mies, and those who will neither salute or speak to
persons against whom Ihey have an ill will.
5. Those, finally, who are not sufficiently instructed
in the Faith, and especially in those articles necessary
lo salvation.
All these persons who have been mentioned above
arc unfit for absolution, so long as they remain 'in the
same bad state.
""ffl
.T|. ,7^ ar
V. OF SATISFACTION, OR WORKS OF
PENANCE.
By Satisfaction, we mean that reparation which
ilui sitiner is bound lo make for his offences committed
agaimt God and for the wrong he has done to his
neighbor.
We are under the strictest obligations to satisfy an
27B
M.Am IWSTRUCTJOMS.
Biu
oflendtjjJ God, And aUhough the guilland eternal pun.
ishment of sin is remitted by absolution, yet thert i»
still remaining a temporal satisfaction to be made
either in this or in the other life. '
Formerly, the Canons, or rules or penance in the
Church, were very severe, although certainly very
just, for the Church, tender motlier thai she is, would
never inflict a heavier penance than God requires. In
those days, the guilty sinner under penance in the
Church was obliged to appear in public, with the
garments of a penitent, Ikst on bread and water at
least three times a week, and was not allowed to re-
ceive holy communion. Whoever, for example, liad
taken a false oath, must fast on bread and water forty
days. Any one who performed servile labor on a
Sunday or Holiday, must do penance three davs on
bread and water. Whoever engaged in talking during
divine service, was required to fast ten days on bread
and water. If a woman, in order to conceal her sin,
destroyed her child, she was obliged to do penance'
for her sins, on bread and water for ten years. A
year of fasting was required of a young man for im-
purity committed with a maid ; three years f^r adul-
tery, and even sometimes fifteen. If any cue cursed
his parents, he was obliged to fast on bread and wa-
ter forty days ; and if he struck them, seven years.
When the zeal and faith of Christians had declined,
the Church, that good and lender mother, condescend-
ing to their weakness, and anxious not to expose so
great a number of her children to give themselves up
to entire corruption, relaxed in a great measure from
this former rigor, and the penances imposed at the
present time are extremely mild. The Holy Church,
however, expects of sinners, ihat they will voluntarily
pertbrm other, good works of penance. She encour-
ages them also to gain indulgences ibr the sins which
they have committed, that they may have less to
suffer in Purgatory.
Nevertheless, according to the holy Council of
Trent, confessors are bound to " enjoin salutary and
SACRAMENT OF PRNAXCE. 0-3
^o<I is just, that>ry r':il^t.^T"'^^ ^^^:^^
another lilH, and ihal with fn ? ^^L'*^ '^''^'"^ '"
almsgiving fcpmh'^;^"" T^ f''^^^'^''- ^''^^'""fe'' '-^"'l
;scom,arvioiho copr ^''' '•""''"'' ''^' "^^^
also makP saU hctionTn r ? "'' "' "^"^'' ^^'•- ^•^'^^•
^t>rings which 1,. ?L ^r°'' ^'''; ""'^^"^ ^'" ^^^^^^ ^"f-
latiitlv^ for.x^^^^^^^^^ ifwe.Jx^ar them
Per-spculions Ac ^ ' '"^'^"^^s, poverty, misrortiim.c,
cult for hlu, .^ hPP nn ; ^"^ '^.^"-" ^^'"'^'^ '^ t^> 'iiiJ'-
'H'lst toil Vs conLl ""^^ ^r 'i^^y otJi^^r cmiK" h^
0' him, otherwise heMnnM ci . ' '^^'^'^"'^''^ nvfuired
••^ous desire to a;Ln7 '*'"''' '^^^^^ "^ ^^-
^ndac:^;::;?^,!';^!::"' '^^ '^oeived absolution,
own faiUi ne^T ms o n 'r '""E"'"'^' ^^"^ '^^'°"^'' ^^^^
^idemble pa? of i t^f '"" ^'' ^'^"•'"^*-' ^'' «"> '"O""
•^othing Ws than a ;-o.?/r"'''' " ''"^^' ^*"' ^^^^^^'^
'0.- ih. P-i^ance' b • I an in 'raf 'n^^^^^ ''"" ^^■^
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280
FLAIN INSTRDCTIONS.
n
HOW OFTEN SHODLF- ONE GO TO CONFESSION ?
That divine precept which makes confession neces--
sary, obliges us especially :
1 . When we have commuted a mortal sin, and tlien
as soon as possible. For reason itself teaches us to
escape at once from a situation so dangerous as that
into which we are brought bv mortal sin. How
shocking it is, then, for a Christian, who finds himself
in a state of damnation, to remain unconcerned in
that condition ! Certainly those commit ahother groat
sin, who allow months and years to ))ass by without
confessing the mortal sins which lie upon tiieir souls.
2. Whenwe are at the point of death. 'J'lie Churcii
directs jthe physician to admonish the sick who are
dangerously 'ill, before anything else to make iheir
onfe.ssion. Parents, guardians, friends, and attend-
ants upon the sick, have also to fear a dreaiiru! account
before God, if they provide too late for th.» confession
of the sick, or through their fault, allow them to die
without confession.
3. At least once in the year. By the precept of the
Church, all the faithful are required to confess their
sins once in a year.
Although the above obligations are the only ones
which are strictly binding, yet, of course, it is highly
useful and advisable to confess much oflener, bi.'caiise
it greatly promotes purity of heart, strengthens the
weakness of our corrupt nature, makes us more hum-
ble, and increases in us the fear and dread of sin.
Besides this, you ought to confi.'ss ollen that you
may the oftener receive communion. For it is the
desire of the Church, guided always J)y the Ilnly
Ghost, that during Mass the faithful should, as much
as jjossible, take part in the holy Sacrilice, not only
spiritually, but also really by communicating, as we
see in the decrees of the Council of Trent. (Sess. 22,
Cop ().) The Roman Catechism, too, which explains
this desire of the Council, adnuuiishos all the clergy
to exhort the failiiful to receive communion o.len'-'r;
n
SACRAMENT 0?-^ PENAJ^Cft.
2**
^^^=^*-^X$$CCC$0($CCC«0^
:^^^C:CC$6CCC*
GENERAL CONFESSION.
Christian life - <^'« foundation oi" a pious
roNUvs"ihp'.n''f ''"■'" '■' °"« in which the penitent
i
282
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
The great advantage of a general confession is bcft
seen at the hour of death. Who would not wish,
when at the point of appoaring before the tribun,ii
of God — at that dreadful moment whirh is to decide
• his fate for all eternity— who would not wish theu.
that he had faithfully and penitently made a general
eonfession of his whole life ? What a consolation for
a dying Christian, if, before sickness attacked him.
ho had thus already put in order all these irossirjf^'
affairs of his soul ? liow can any one allow himself
to approach that last moment, remaining still carn-
less for the salvation of his soul? How awful fr
him, then, llrst, to open his eyes upon his whole pi !-t
life, at the moment when he is about to c'ose t!i(!!i
forever 1 Our Saviour says : " Waich ye ami be read!.
for the J^ord of tfiat servant shall come in a dai/ ifnl
he honetk not, and in an hour that he hioueth 'noi. '
(St. Mat. xxiv. ; St, Luke, xii.)
A man of high rank came one day to a missionary,
and begged him to hoar his gtmeral' confession. Tlir
Priest asked him wliy ho wii^'jod to innko it Vicn,
"Ah, reverend sir," answered (lie ir.'ntleman, ♦' iMi
I not to (lie 'i After such a sinful life, 1 caiim.t •!!•'
in peace, unless I make a meneral <'(.nf.>ssion ; «ii(! i,"
I do n.' t make it now, I foresee thai at Ihn horn- <!
death I sliall not bo able lo do it as I Ongjit. M\
wife, my children, the t rrcr of lliut last moment, iiv
sulFerings, all will deprive uie of the necessary recol-
lection of mind, and I shall not havo ilmt lran(fui).ii\
SO necrss<ary for such an imiiortant duly. Jt woiilJ,
then, bo a gn-al folly for me to <lel;iy this until tl' '
last moment of my life." Ihis i)ious {irMjtleniiin l.iid
well considere.l the words of our Saviour, in the
gospel : " ith'ssed are ihnse sernn}ls ivhom the Lonl,
when he eomelh, .shall lind walehinti. " (hi. Luke, n j,
37.) ■ ^
If, the--, dear Christidn, you see tiiat it would H'
uselul for you to make a general confession, do i;<il
delay it too lon^. but set about it Avith i)romitlitU(le
and courage. But if this gei.eral confession is ik I
SENERAL CONFISSION. 283
'o-night, remember thai hrsSm»rh»" ^'"'',^'^
and say to voursi.ir- Wh» U^.j?** be your ast,
de US on that von hiiv« ».^i;- yo" with the van
that, and thi«5 hp win n^lv- ' .^* ^"*^' to-morrow
f;nienor%':rt'u;i;' \eT'SrhaTe' S.^Vfo^r"''"
llie grace to do v/hat was in np^Hff,! r ^ '°^^ ®^'^"
salvation. Be on our guard .^n1 W ^h ^°^"' '^"''"«'
of this lying spirit. ^ ^ "''^ ^*^® deceptions
FOR WHOM IS A GENERAL CONFESSION KECESSAHY
werVbaT^'"'^ ^' '^^ ^'^°^^ ^"^^'^ '<^^-^^r conresJ: as
which makes many so dumb in iHp " r"^ •°'P"'*''y'
would find in many cases th«. n i confessional, he
PH-essarv. Heflecf tS .«!? f.'^"''"^^ confession is
Hiws : " ' "' carefully, upon what fol-
1. Whoever, through shame or had « ;n y,
cealed any mortal sin whatever L h. "^^ '\^«» <^on-
»lty of eternal .lamnation ' ' ""'''''• "'^ P"""
2. A genera: confession is nefic^s.-v „i„„ iv ..
^i
PtAIW IffSTRUCTlOffS.
and «re ataosl, sure in this way to have, ovrerloo^«d
many a mortal sin.
3". For those also who have indeed confessed, and
ipeceived absolution, but who are quitti ignorant of
the principal mysteries of faith ; and tiiose who.
through their own fault, know littleor nothing of the
oommandmenlB of God, and of the Chunch, the nature
of the holy Sacraments which they have received,
and tJie neqessary duties of their station.
4. For those also who have oor.ifessed merely througji
human respect or custom, without any true contrition
for their sins, and willioul any intention not to commit
4hem again. Still more it is necessary ibr those who
have purposely selected for their conJTessop a fc'riesi
who could not understand them ^vell, or one wlio
always gave easy absolutions, without proving and
questioning them, and even without seriously adihon-
ishing them, when they were engaged in sinful habits,
or living in the occasions of sin.
5. For those also who have continued to live in the
proximate occasions, or in the habits of mortal sin,
the same after confession as before.
6. For those also who were l^ound to make resti-
tution either of the property or of the good name of
their neighbor, but who had no sincere intention
when they confessed, to repair the injury done, pro-
mising, perhaps, but never willing to do so.
7. It is necessary also fur those who have continued
to live in enmity with tJieir neighbors, without be-
coming reconciled to them, or even wishing to be
reoonciled.
All these have been unworthy of absolution ; and
if they received it, it was always good for nothing in
the sight of God, and therefore they must all make
their confessions over again.
FOR WHOM IS A GE.XERAL CONFESSION VERY tSEFDL ?
I. For some, it is the beginning of a new and hflly
life. ICxpedence teacher ihut many Clun$iian§» a^H^r
' r
GENERAL CONFESSION.
« good general confession, fall no more back into their
former sins. Therefore, St. Ignatius Loyola recom-
mends it to all those who are truly and earnestly
desirous of a thorough conversion to Cod.
2. For all who are thinking of a change of st/ite,
or who are about to enter on an important oilice, or
commence a dangerous journey.
3. When death is drawing near, this is the be<;t
preparation for a happy eternity, and the most cer-
tain means to obtain peace of conscience. Many
saints, as for example, St. Elzear, and St. Margaret,
made a general confession before their last hour with
the greatest contrition of heart.
Observation. — A general confession would be
hurtful to those souls naturally timid and uneasv,
who wish to make one on account of false scruples
of conr.cience. Such persons should rather content
JiemselveS with frequent acts of contrition. Their
Only security is to be found m implicit obedience to
their confessor.
EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE FOB A
GENERAL CONFESSION.
PREVIOUS QUESTIONS.
I. How long ago did you make your last confes-
^sion? Did you then receive absolution? Did you
perform your penance ?
II. Was that confession a good one or a bad one ? *
♦ N. B. — Some persons who have made sacrilegious
confessions, think all can be made right again by making
a general confession, without giving the true reason why
they wish to do -o. This is a mistAe. It is not only ne-
cessary to make all these confessions over again, but they
are bound to acknowledge that they have confessed and
communed sacrilegiously, and how often; and to state
also what othe- sacramenta they have receiTed in thia
«tate ot sin.
.' '1
::iMUiii!iui
216
PLAIN INSTRUGTIO-NS,
i
Did you wilfully conceal any mortal sins ? or, did
you confess without true sorrow for them, having no
sinc<»re intention to amend your life ? or, to perform
your penance ?
Did you go afloi* liiis bad confession to communion?
How many such sacrilegious confessions and commu.
nions have you made ?
III. Have you been guilty of vacrilege, by violating
•ny other sacraments ? By receiving Baptism un-
worthily, or by receiving Confinuation, Marriage, or
Extreme Unction in mor* il sin ?
ON THE FIRST COMMANDMENT.
" / am the lord Iky God. Thou shall not have
ilrange gods before me,'' Ac,
To fulfil this couimandmcul, it is necessary lo servf
Ood by faith, by hop»'., by lovo, and by thepro}jt^ra(Me>
of out ward religious worship. Examine yourself, there-
fore, as follows :
I. Have you evt-r denied Ihe (ialhulic FaiUi ? Havf
you openly rejected any (hx'trine of Ihe Catholic
Church ? Have you spoken against any such doctrine?
Have you disbelieved or indulged doubts against any
article of faith ? Have you suggested or encouragod
s«ch doubts in others ? How often ?
Have you sometimes betrayed the Ca'hoHc faiiii
by saying that all religions are good, or mat a mai^
may be saved in one as well a:i^ another ? How maii\
times ?
Have ycu read Protestant Bibles, tracts, or other
books on matters of religion, circulated by heretics;'
Have you kept them in your house, or sold them, or
given them lo others to read ? How many times?
Have you joined in the worship of heretics, either
public or private ? Have you gone to their chui-ches ?
Have you listened to their preaching ? How often 'f
Have you exposed your faith to danger by evil
associations ? Have you united yourself to the' Free-
A .
GENEhAt CONFESSION. t^j
Se"„V;Sf l^tt^' "■• »y Similar society fo.
Of fh^doa^n^e^ r/dXs'^f ' r '•r' '" '««'"««•
II. Have you Hved in mt, i ^ T "'^''8"'" '
you remained a lonVVb^J "f*""' "fP^y"" ? Have
williout prayer, W^anv ti J? " '^'•°''' "'<""•'.
God ? •' J ' "f any act of love or gratitude to
the Church! rii"de^"H//«'^'" --^verence in
by an indecent way of dS^^ or conversation,-
™-nduct in ga^nVaCrZ iau'gLrgT S^
use'rcaC/u^rimtcur'"^^ «"- V»'""''<"»
stitious practices to iind nf^f VP' *"■ ""^ «'^<''' s"Per-
lost? How many limes? Hnvn"*''"'".''''''''™'- things
witciicraft,orma'ieu™P nfl ° ^°,"i '"=™ guilty of
other like inventions i? t?,e Si ?"& V"^,™^' »■•
Have vou consiiifoH\j , '^ How often?
logy, 4c.^? i^ave ^oi tentThem'^™''^' ''<'<"" of astw-
them to others toCad ?'^How"Aen ?" °"''' '"" «'™"
ON THE SECOND COMMANDMENT.
in £."""'" ""' '"*" "'" "«»« o/M. iord % G<,d
Wicked ''S:i'r^J^„J>^Z\^y ,^^^spH^y. by
vows Examine /our cSience thu's "'' """"'''" "^
;"i-S,^ or^lntl^ln^^aSs '^t'^^ ^^ -8^-
'"Plsoir, against his noweT hi'- '?■'""'? "S^'i^' Go<i
ollior perftctions ? "^ ' '" •'"*"<=o. '"s goodness or
Of tesl'^a "CarsT ■"""« "^ «"<>• -
Have you spoken in a Ibh^nh^^ irreverent manner?
«"ngs; for example of the t^^' r"°<='" '''' ^^^^
«™*, the oross,Vsal'd';&tr^^^^^^^
^"}1
.Ml
I?
mi
288
PLAIN INSTRUCTIOVS.
Have you abused the words of Holy Scripture bv
any indecent, or grossly irreverent application? flow
oRen ?
II. Have you ever sworn falsely, by any holy name
or sacred thing? gow many times? Have vou done
this to the prejudice of your neijyhbor?
Have you taken rash oaths ? How often ? Have vou
used foolish and thouphlless oaths? How manv times'*
If It was a habit, how often in the day. the week or
the month, and for how long?
Have you violated any oath lawfullv made, by not
fulfilling ynur engagement? How manv times? Have
you persuaded others to swear falsely, or urged them
to an unnecessiiry oath ?
III. Have yon cursed yourself or your neighbor'
Was it from your heart? Had you the habit of curs-
ing, and how long? How often in the dav, the we^^k
or the month?
IV. Have you made anv rash vows ' Have vou
broken any lawful vow? Have vou changed it witli-
oul lawful permission ? Have vou put offthe fuUillinff
of it ? ' ^
Ha\e you brnken a marriage promise without good
cause ? ^
ON THE inihD COMMANDMENT.
" Hemember tlwi thou keep holy the Sabbath dayr
The manner of keeping Sundavs and other feasts of
obligation IS regulated by the Church. These Holv
Days are proian.Ml by servile labor. Thev are sancti-
lied by h«^ai'ing Mass. and by oiher exercises of piety,
Under tlirs commandment, also, is it customary to
class all' the Laws of the Church. Examine vourself,
llien. on ihesr Laws, as follows :
I. Hav(.' you dtne servile work on Sundavs. or Holy
Days of obligation, without necessity, or lawful per-
mission ? Have you caused others to do the same .
Have you spent Sundays, or Holy Days, in taverns.
or elsew.'iv> among ungodly companipns ? in dances
!■■ '
6BMB1IAC CtKfFBSSIOir.
289
gambling, in drinking fo excess, in criminal waHtsor
visits, cr scandalous parties of pleasure?
Have you omitted to hear Mass on these day bvvour
own fault ? How often? ^ ^
Have you come too late to Sjlass, or gone away
before it was over? Have you occupied yoursell
during Mass with other matters, such as talking, gazing
about, or reading? How often?
Have you been habitually absent from the sermons
and instructions given m the church?
H. Have you disregarded the fast days, by eaiinr
meat, or taking more than one meal, and the slight
repast allowed in the evening ? How often? Have you
caused others to commit the same sin ? How manv
times ? *
Hi. Have you broken the abstinence on Fridays,
and other days when meat is not allowed? How
many times? Have you been the cause of othew
doiag the same ? Have you given scandal so?
IV. Have you sometimes allowed more than a year
to pass without confession ? or, at least without a
good one ?
Have you sometimes neglected to receive your
Easter Communion ? Or to receive it worthily ? ■ How
often ?
V. Have you been married clandestinely, without
ihe presence of a Priest and witnesses? Was it even
before a heretic preacher ?
Have you married within the forbidden degrees,
and without dispensation? or with an unbaptized
person ? or with some other impediment which would
make the marriage invalid ?
♦ N B.— A sacrilegious confession, or eommunioQ, ««i
never fulfil the Law of the Cburch. Tim obligAtion gtill
remains, until they are made over again in a worthj
manner. Persons who were unable to commune in th«
Easter-time, are also bound to do it afterwards. Those
who are sick at this time must take care to have the Holy
Communion brought to them. '
1
R '.
'uf^^^^HHHiHMI'
mm
jH^^Hr
nr:
H^^H
IH
^^^^^1
ip
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i, 'i
,•■ ■!
190
PLAIN IMSTRDGTIONS.
Have you married in Advent time, or Lent, w, i
pomp, show, or festivity ? Have you indulged in ba:^
parties, and such-like amusements in Lent or Advei >
How many times ?
ON THE FOURTH COMMANDMEN. .
•• Honor thy father and thy mother. "
In this commandment are included all our duties lo
our parents and superiors. Examine yourself upon
these duties, thus :
I. Have you been a very ungrateful child ? Did you
despise your parents? or even hate them? Did yi n
wish for their death ? or that some other misfortune
might befall them ? How often ?
Have you given them injurious and insulting lan-
Siage? or mocked and ridiculed them ? How often '
ave you cursed them ? How many times ? Have
you threatened them, or even lifted up your hand to
strike them ? How often ?
Have you made them unhappy by your misconduct ?
Have you disobeyed them in any grievous matter ?
and how often ? Have you promised or even contracted
marriage without their knowledge ?
Have you neglected them ? Have you refuse to aid
them in their iiecessitips ? Have you been ashamed of
them on account of their poverty ?
Have you faithfully accomplished lh^'ir last will y
Have you been careful to pray for them ?
IL Have you been disrespectful and disobedient lo
your spiritual superiors, the Bishops and Priests of
the Church ? Have you treated them in a haughtv
and insulting manner ? Have you taken part with the
disaffected and seditious ?
Have you neglected to contribute, according to you:*
means, to the support of your Pastors and the mainte-
nance of your religion ?
in. Have you put yourself in opposition to the
Jawfui authorities of the country ? Have you taken part
r last will i*
VofF ^^'' ^L^^^ amhimtlQn to commit violence t
resist i^^^f^/'*^;^*^.^^^ ^^^'^'P^« part?^orSS^t
resist the laws, or to disturb the public peace? '
" Viou shall ml kill. "
fy ^his cwrqandment are forbidden not onlv mnn
d^f and other acts of vi^^cejwlll hlraKe
heart, and all violent and injurious lanSe -al^n
Kg^ddl^Vt;;;^ wo^ds or Ltions, Ing^f^n^.
? conc^uct to the poor and afflicted. '
Have you endeavored to take your own life ? Have
you injured your health by excess in e^tin " or drink
m ? Have you been drunk ? How mHnV'lime^' ^^
he"?ear'''Hkvrr\" '" the\eek"thJ Sh. cfr
„r „??■ '"'" '''"'' ^"J' ">'"» '0 hintler Ihe generation
HolSyW./ >'''"'"^^"'^' By your consent'
^ave yoy lieen at enmi,ty with your neio-hbors ? or
rerused to sp^ak to or sal^ttfj them ? How oUen v A?a
lou now reconciled \vith all ? " ^^
»o!ir^^^? eng?^l. iJi'-oiigti passion or revenue in
rex^liovs l^vysu,t,r; or nialiciously defended yourself
against the just claims or oilier •' >ourseil .
m^y ^ ^-¥ ""^^^^^^ \^ ^^ger'or revenge f
^^i. %ve yqy donfe h^rV^o il;e soul of any one b^
,* i
2n
PLAIN INSTRITCTIOMt.
h
h
g:vr ig scandal ? Do you remfimber any whose inno*
umpl^ ^^' suffered by your wicked wofds orbad eJ^
H^^fviy?"* "^m"^!! '^® ^'°^"» '^'^'^ innocent into sin?
Have you taught them some vicious habii ? Hive you
fJP^'^^l^^ ^^^^^ or wicked or dangerous things, which
hey should not know ? Have you thrown temptation
.. ' "^aI^^ ^^^ J"^*^ ^ *^3 y«>" dissuaded, or di^
CmT How'oTen'. "^'"^ ^"""« ^° ^^^^"^ ^'^^ ^^ '^
vnnl o^rT^ you neglected to give aims in proportion to
your ability .' Have yo'i remained in^^^^sible to the
n-antsofthepoor, even in tine of ffeneral sickress
/amine, and distress ? Have you refused you ,^00^
butiou to works of true Christian Charity ? Have you
.erusedyoura.dto the sick, the suffering, and the dy-
lb" \
ON THE SIXTH and NINTH COMMANDMENTS.
" Thou sfiaU ml rommil adultery. Tfiou shalt nn'
cooet thy neighbor :i wife. ' ^'
By these iwo commandments are forbidden all kind^
of impurity. Jt must hp. born in mind thai every sin
of this nature whethe. in action, word, or even only
in thought, when quite wilful an ,1 deliberate, is a mortal
sm. and necessary to be confessed. On these com-
asTollTv^^ e'^a^ine your thoughts, words and actions,
I. Have you dwelt wilfully, and with complaisance
upon impure thoughts or imaginations? Have vou'
m fact consented to ihem in your mind ? How often J
II. Hive you made use of impure language or allu
slons; or listened to ii willingly an«l with complais
ance Was it sometimes bjfore persons of another
T.l 9 If" ^T ?"g i"^"»«'iost songs, or listened to
them .' How often .' Have you boasted of your former
r^iii
Hi. Have you been guilty of improper and danger
oas freedoms with any -f the other sex ? How far
(W
■-•'.'-'•I-
CENERAL CONFESSIOX. 293
luiVG you carried this Sinful condiiof? ^X7 .u
].an.oa of your guilr, a s" " e uer^^^^^^^^ / « ' *r?® '°"'"
marriedperson?rfowoKT. . J ^^^w often ? A
Wa, th.Je any ihl^C^^" ^^^^ - ! How ofte. .
Wa, th.re any thing e.soi;;ti;;;;^Ht? ^/T;;^^
onccrned. Hip. ^n^.. w.„/.L V.^^*^*'^ «
which niiKJo you, ,.„ ,n,,.(3 „,ip,.o„-., .„,,w ,
vecowrf person is voPccrnp,i ii.p\T ^ • . .< ^^^'^eier a
he made, nlu'i her Uw'^^^^ clistmUiom must
uorO, or anion.) '"^'P'^rily be one of thought,
youi-olf c„. olh.M-s • vnK)n i^HP ,n f ^ »nimodestly upon
.-lyoct which cndd S'uo^ev S^l;;/ 'T' '^.^^^
IIa;.>^c.i,h.,edinhahitso^^^^^^^
.ailJ^S'^,i:;:;Sc^^r^"f "--' - your
NV^s I his also youVi,^'?,ur ^''^'"'^^^^'O" ^o others ?
'ineo, Ly..eadin{/roniaiiriwV.n[?i' ',' " '"temper-
^vilh persons of a dillo.^nt ^xV "»«'one
-<esig:,s hy m' ni 'J"\lZ "^^'""^^''^J' yo"!' evil
'favSyoiJefu60 '/ tM^,i^ I •^'"""'■'^ *^^' "mrriago ?
■ngthc-i..bndd^^^^^^^^^^ ",!r';'^"/ oilers by favor-
Ilavo smv sii,s^fl':a ni \ *'"''' ^'^"" '
'---n.ti.o;::^;f ;:;::, •^;;::i -;-^^
I<
&.?*«"."",' "«'"■ ",«„ .,/,„,<
— w_
l/vt/UJI
not rovpt tl,
By "-eso two co,„»a„-Jmonts.,-o forbidden iiUustic
',&£ii»
294
PLAIN INSTRDCTIONS.
I'
and covelousaess of every kind. Examine yourself
thus :
I. Have you stolen money or other property ? What
was it ? Have you it still in your possession ? What
was its value ? How much at a time ? How often ?
{Jl is necessary throughout this whole examination, not
only to number your sins, but also to estimate, as near
as possible, the value of what you took, or the amount
of damage caused by your injustice, that it may ap-
pear whether your sins were mortal, and what resti-
tution you have to make)
Have you stolen any thing consecrated to God, or
from a holy place ? (This is a sacrilege.)
Have you charged exorbitant prices ? Have you
made out false bills ? Have you cheated in the weight,
measure, quantity or quality of your goods, under the
excuse that others do the same ? Have you otherwise
cheated in buying or selling?
Have you cheated at cards or other games ? Or on a
still grander scale, by means of deceitful speculations,
associations, or olhi'r enterprises, entered mto in bad
faith, and to the injury of the simple and unwary'^
Have you defrauded your creditors? Have you re-
ceived exorbitant interest for your money ? Have you
been guilty of forgery ? Have you passed counterfeit
money or broken l3ills ?
II. Having found things of some value, have you
kept them, without taking the necessary pains to lind
the owner ? Being trusted with money, have you kept
back a part for yourself? Have you failed to return
things borrowed ?
Have you bought or received things which you
knew or believed to be stolen ? Have you taken charge
of them, or allowed them to be kept in your house?
Have you neglected to })ay your debts? Have you
contracted debt without any reasonable hope of pay-'
ing?
ITT IIn\/o vnn Ha/in llm r*!iiic<p nf rn i n Ar» ilnrnacpa Ifi
the property of another ? Have you been grossly care-
less or neglectful of what was intrusted to your care \
GENERAL CONFESSION,"
295
ilnmn era l/\
Have you received pay for work or service which you
had not done, or which was ill done?
Have you carried on an unjust lawsuit, or advised
others to do so ? Hnve you sought to gain your cause
by bribery, threats, or other corrupt means'
c-i ?M°"' '" ^■°'"' ^Jealings. taken advantage of the
simple, the young and inexperienced ? Have you nade
hard bargains with the poor, or those in embarrassment
and distress ? Have you delayed to pay them ? Have
>'ou kept back their wages from your domestics and
laborers, or paid them less than their just due »
Have you been guilty of fraud or embezzlement in
any public ofhce or private trust ?
Have you injured any one in your profession or
cmp oyment, Oy negligence or a culpable ignorance ?
I \ . Have you taken part in the theft, fraud or in-
justice of others ? Have you concealed, when U was
your duty to inform ? ' ^
.n\" ^^""^ ri' »"^"^Pted, intended, or desired to rob.
How^often'? '^ "^ ^^"'""'^ *"^ '''"^ of injustice f
REMARKS.--DO not forget to examine whether you
have repaired all the injustice you have done, for your
sins xyill not be pardoned while you refuse or neglect
to make restitution. If the thing unjustly acquired is
gone, return the value in some other way If vou can-
not restore th6 whole, restore what you can and do
r^cVt r^^r '"l.^"^.' '^'^ '' impossible to make any
restitution for the time being, it is necessary, at least.
Is vnnM.'n'h"''K,*"'* *'™ '•««°l"tion to do it as soon
as you shall be able.
ON THE EIGHTH COVmaNDMENT.
neighbor ^'^^'^^^ ^^^ ^^"^^ ^^^"'' ^^'^'^"^ ^^'^^^^'' '^^
By this comrtiandment are forbidden all falsa
witness, lying, anj detraction. Examine vour con-
sCicTicc rnus ." "
I. H«ve you gi\^en false testimony before any tri-
I
1
"
't
\h"
m
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
bunal or magistrate ? Have you, by persuasion or ad-
vice, in any way procured false testimony, and how ?
Hav»; you sij^ned any false papors oi riocumenfs''
Have you falsified lelt»H"s or other writings? What
jnjury have you .lone by these sins ? Huw often ?
II. Have yon been guilty of lyin;^, through malici-.
or for s(jmi> bad purpose ? JFluxe yon put in <-iroulation
or repeated again, any seajidakms reporl which \o'.t
knew to be lalse, or did not beliew In be true ? How.
and h<t\v ollen '
III. Have yi)U been guilty of deli action in anv
seriou> niatlei , b> making known I In* x.'cret faults or
dofccls of your neighbor; How « l'[fn / Have you
done any thing .'Jse to blacken hi- character, or'in-
jnre his iut«'i'esls ':'
Mave yon causfil nnschiel" ov ill-rcfjinsf betweoit
iH'.'iiing
ill-fi'i'ling
OURM'S by tale-l
!Ia\(.* you be.«
have dohe, by contradicting your la
doing what else you could to restore the' wounded
credit, honor, and reputation of your neighbor?
? How often
can-ful lo iriwiii the niischief you
p ,<,.., .'alse reports, and
I
ON THE DUTIES OF YOUR STATB.
Now examine yourself on your obligations in parti-
cular, as a parent, a husband or wife, a master or ser-
v,int, a magistrate, and on your conduct in the pursuit
of your profession :
I. If a Parent. Have you always taken proper can
iji* the life and health of your childi-en ? Have you
not exposed them to great danger even before birth?
or afterwards taken them to your own bed with dan-
ger of Iheir being sunocaled ?
Have you taken care to provide for their wants,
food, clothing, Ac? Have you done your best to prn-
curo them a good education, according to your condi-
tion?
Have you not manif(\sted an unjust preference for
one to the prejudice of another? Have you been
t -
GENERAL CONFESSION.
W7
neglectftil, unkind, or even cruel to vour sleivchildren
or others under your protection ? '
Have you uinvasonably forced vour children into
some pnjfossKm. ..r stale of life, for which they felt no
\ov.a\um-f Ihiw you hindered them from pursuing
I heir vocation, when called to a religious life ^ Have
ynu, uitlioiit snflicipnl cause, opposed their inclina-
lioris witii regard to marriag(> ?
Have you neglected the" care of their salvation?
U.VH you endeavored in their tender yeare, to inspire
i'ni with tl... love of God. and the fear of Ln?
Il.ive you negl.'cled to teach them how to prav '-•
ila\.- you exposed their salvation to danger bv
< H.iying their baptism ? Have you neglected to have
iiom pivpared. and brought forward at the proper age
i<> conlessioii, conlirniation and first communion ^
Jlaveyou neglected to get them well instructed In
liioir own religion ? Have you sent them to heretic
ni godless schools, to the danger of their faith *'• Did
\ oil a ways tako them to church on Sundavs and Holv
iwys f Have you init them out to some service or em-
I'ioyment where they could not practice their religion
or whore their faith or their virtue was in danger *'
Have you exposed their innocenco to danger hv
"llmg them sleep togeiher without distinction, or bv
i.ikmg them to your own bed. or keeping them in the
^l?p/7i'"' ''■'';;" '''"'"''^ '*'^ ^"^"Kli to be scandal.
i/fd r How oltcn f
Have you watch.'d them carefullv to see where thev
sient thoir time, in what company; Ac. , or have you
et them wander where ihey would ? Have you left
Hiem to the care of loo-o or irreligious servknts. or
whose morals were doubtful?
na\«e you allowed them iree intercourse with the
othersex? to receive visits alone, and at improper
inurs? or to be out late at night ' Have vou pprmit-
le.l them to r-ad romances, or other dangerous books ♦
.ni fr i\^" "^^'^^^''.'' ^•^ P""'sh them for their own
2 — >'"" aiiu-vrw liiriii lu curse an<i Swear
ftc, in your presence without chastisemeu* ' Havt
^9$
PLAIN INSTRtJCTlOKS.
you, m fine, by your indifTerence or foolish fondness
left them without restraint ? or allowed their vocatioa
to be lost through neglect or worldliness?
Have you on the contrary, treated them with violence
and brutality in your anger ? In what way? Have
you cursed then ? How often ? Have you exasperated
or scandalized them by your violent language, abusive
names, Ac. ?
Have you otherwise given them scnndal and bad
example, by your neglect of your religion, and vour
sinful life?
11. iryou are married. Did you enter into marriage
through base and unchristion motives? Have you not
by your light conduct given cause of jealousy and dis-
tress to your companion ?
Have you been careful to observe, even in marriage,
the laws of modesty ? Have you profaned the holy
state; of matrimony by misuse? Have you done any
thing to hinder its lawful end ? How ofien ?
Have you lived with your wife (or husband) in peace
and union? Have you sinned and given scandal bv
your disagreement and angry disputes ? How long
have you lived in this way ?
Have you abandoned your wife (or husband) without
just cause and lawful permission ? Have you lived
separate, or remained a long while absent?
As a Husband. Have you treated your wife in a
gross, tyrannical, and cruel manner ? Have you beaten
her in your anger or drunkenness, or injured her by any
other outrage ? How many times ? Have you made her
tinhappy by your neglect, coldness, and unfeeling con-
duct, or by spending your lelpuretimeaway from home?
Have you treated her with att- nlioti And forbear-
ttice in the time of her pregnancy ? Have yoU cor-
rupted her mind by your immodesiy and wicked con-
versation ? Have you not tempted her or forced hfr to
-Offend God ? How oAen? Have you neglected to pro-
vide for her maintenartce, and that of your children?
Have vou srru/inderpd her e^nin'^a and
^o^r imtil pleasui-es ? -
ntirn rtn
GENERAL CONFESSION. 099
rnondly conduct tWa^T^tl^tl^^^^^^^ '^^'^ ""
'lisaireeS' anThic ilfL ^' "^ ^''" "^^ '"^'^^ h'*^ homo
and scolS torf^npV It ""''^^I*P>'' ^>y your ill-te.nper
Inm to oVnd God aga?n "t th^ dict^t^? of"' T"'"'^!]^'^
conscience ? How often ? ^ of nature and of
Have you done vour nart for n.,.
family ? ilavi^'ou been 'idY. o /**^ f^P^^' «^ ^h'*
I ousehold duties ? ^ *"'* neglectful of your
HI. If you are Master, Mstrest nr n^^i^
Mass on those daysrH^w oft^;),"""" ^""" hearing
rood^L^'cTotte f a^TviuTer^^^^^^
in their sickness^and d^stre", ' hL.^."""" "^rilably
them uniu«itlv b«.fnri .hi .• Hav.) yon dismissed
•-■'T X"" ^^nKecl them, and Sow oXT? "* ""'"''
f..«. r H.« you-e„ci;„;^7 i'lTreS^ThiS.'^:
liill
m<
300
PLAIN INSTRTJCTIONS.
frequent the church and the sacraments, and reh'gious
instructions?
Have you watched over their morals ? Have you,
on the contrary, retained them (in your service, not-
withstanding their corrupt and scandalous conduct,
an<i perhapsNvith danger to yourself or your family?
Have you permitted them to keep improper company
and at late hours, to frequent dangerous places and
auiusements ?
Have you taken advantage of their condition to
corrupt them, bv vour authority, your flattery, or
ycur bribes? How, and how often ? Have you allowed
in vour house persons of loose character, or dangerous
gatherings, or tolerated in it any scandal of which
you were aware ? What, and how often ?
\\. If you are a Servant, Clerk, or Apprentice.
Have y(ju' served your employers diligently and faith-
fu ly ? Have they sulfered no harm by your fault?
Have you wasted their substance ? Have you given
away their property to your own relations and friends?
Have you stolen from them ? Have you kept a part of
what they trusted to you to make jmrchases for them?
Have you kept or taken their |)roperty under pretence
that your wagos were too low ? How much ? How
ofteti ? , ., i^
Have you concealed from your employers the theiis
or misconduct of your fellow-servants in matters
belonging to vour charge ?
Have von revealed the faults of your superiors
without fiecessitv, and to their prejudice ? Have you
«own discord in their families, and how? Have you
been the cause of other serxarTts being sent away by
your false or malicious complaints ?
Have you engaged yourself in some ser\ice where
your faith ur your morals were in danger, or where
you would not be allowed to fullil the obligations of
your religion ? Have you allowed yourself to be en-
ticed to the churches of heretics, to join in their family
prayers, or io read their religious books ? Kow uiauj
times ?
«ENERAL CONFESSION.
301
Have you suffered yourself to be emDloved in c«
wicked service, or assisted your Sriors n n"^
criminal designs ? What, and how ofl^en? " "'"*''
V. // you are a Magistrate or mbiic ohrp^ w,
you been faithful and%xact in iWdLfc ^T
duties of your office v Hnvo v^., \k ""*^V &e of the
thefearofman he de^i^! nf^; ^.'""^^^ weakness,
for office and\"il^ntT,e a^ S U.T, ^;bho^'^"*^
orsacrillced the rights of n-.rt m.io^ ' ^^^ mleiesi.
crime and disS to^o Cch^^^^^^^^^ ^' '"""^^^d
In what way, andlZoTenf '"^ unpunished?
tration of justice, or your oEl condiri ht ^'^^'"^^^
or presents ? How and how often ? ^^^'^"^^^
shielded or a ded the wicltprt ? H ,.„ "^f y"
the cause of the poor, tTe innocem he^h", f^'"''"'''
iegIeT;„T'diI ««t^ r "'^-' scan al^'bT'open'
?ogr ChS^tlan'dS °' "^ '^^"'""^ rehg,o'„Tn3
yoradfoSd";ri4T&»-'-«t-u^"^;'
undertaken a prosecution Snst an nnL«^»^''^ ^"^^
or fra^d.bribesfo^i^VoS means r''^ ""^ ™'"»
yo^tfflTT;^^^.rr IJ- c'ient .,
ijegiectf Bow ohf^n ? °ii.V.r7\'r^ "•""' "' ^^"^y* <>«
302
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS,
.1 i
flattered the hopes of your clients, or otherwise excited
useless litigation 'f
Have you been guilty of fraud, bribery, or othor
injustice in your business ? H/ive you procured fals*#
testimony, or encouraged to commit perjury ? Have
you by any artifice, obtained attestations to false affi-
davits andother docuujeuts, or sworn to them yom-
sflf ? Have you bo<«n gmlty of fraud in the drawintr
up of deeds, wills, contracts, jind other instruments ?
Have you made tl; -in contrary to liie intention of
either jiarty, or introduced ambiguous expressions?
Have you falsilit'd any document, or destroyed it, or
substituted another in jjlace of the true one ? How
olten have you done any of tliese things y
Have you made out unjust bills of costs, demand-
ing up'awful or exoihilunt fees, or cliai'ging for ser-
vices Tits^or rondirod ? How often 'f
What irhjury, and how much, have you caused tt»
any one by any oft lie above sins? Have you exie
repaired i!, or niad<.' restitution ?
Vll. //■ you are a Plu/sician or Surycon. Have
you underi'fiki'n the Cjire of ]<ersons stnnously sick,
without sullicient science or experience ? Have you
treated serious or extifu i din.iry cases with neglect,
or applied insignilicant remedies? How often, and
with what result ?
Being ignorant rf the nature of the complaint, hs\\ ••
you rashly hazarded dangerous remedies, ando\<n
with the peril of serious injur-y or death ? Have yen
made m«?r('iless ex|)eriments upon the sick. espociall\'
those in the hospital, and the poor? How often, and
With what i-CFult?
Have you faili'd to consult wher« you ought ; or.
In consulting, made t-hoice of those nut recoinmeiuhd
by th«ir skill ? Have yi u made needless expense liy
calling in others, or followed their counsel against
your own ons3ience ? Have you kei)t i)atieiits lin-
gering in sickness for sake of gain, or multiplied use-
Jess visits to their expense ? Have you prescribed
needless medicines for your own protit, or that of the
ttlSNEKAL CONFESSION. 3Q3
apothecary ? How much injury or iniu^tlPA i.„
thus done ? Ho\\r often ? ■' ^ ^ injustice have yea
Have you undertaken surffirn] nr.nr.o*-
your science or sidll ? Have vnn^ '^?"^ ^^^^nd
recklessly, with unnecessaryhaJard 'oAllIf *'^, '^''"^
Mb? How often? Hova ,, ^^f" o^ 1 "o or loss of
the life Of a^hUdTn^he'^^^LC afS ttf / \f ^^
you b,een guilty of procuring ihort on h %^^
act or advice, or by furnishiSf ?i « ' ^^ ^''"^ <^wn
often? ^ iurmsmng the means? How
Have you failed to warn thnco ,•« i
that the; might receive VesacramemsTHf *"*•
allowed infants to die without h,„Mo u ''"""^ ^1^
tolness or neglect? hX often ?""""' ''i' V""-" wU-
ol^lgid tef Tour f u'4'"-.hfw °?^« y™ -'
you not adulterated yoluquo^^'' ZV^' ' S"^*
How often? ' ""J. '"^'/ ■'o what amount?:
drink to excess ? fioW often ?3ni^ ^°"'" ho^s.eto,
ihose whoiP you knX to i)lrui^i2^^'' ?°' ^^^^qd,
their dissipation ? '"'"^ Iheir family by
Have you kept' your house onen dnrmrr^;.-
vice, or made it a nlace nf rficcSfo!- ^"^^n§,aivine ser-
Have you allo4d gambifn^ffS '^ ?
or tolerated hiaspJiLv ohS?- " establishment,
discourse ? Hav'e ' you dS ^i ^"^ °' ^^^^ ^^^^^^
lodge in it, orfreque^ntitTHas it ^Th "^^"^"^ ^^
of scandalous interviewVnn^?K "^t been a pace,
rality ? interviews, or other shameful i£^^.'
l)or, of harm to your tSeh and « J'^'/'' "^'^^^ ■
jour own salyation ? -'^®^.^1?A » ^df^^c^^toj,.
gis :
<>>>J 9 tl8ll>^!>}( ^ <ttB(lWMflB>>8Mft<l<l)>l6Nftl6ll>lfti>)8H^
INSTRUCTION ON MATRIMONY.
*' This is a great Sacrament, but I speak in Christ
and in the Church. " (Ephes. v. 32.)
The marriage state is no invention of man, nor of
recent origin. It was instituted by God himself, and
existed at the beginning of the world, in the innoceiil
groves of Paradise. It was there our lirst parents,
Adam and Eve, joined hands before the face of their
Creator, and received the nuptial benediction from
his ow^n mouth. The account given of this first mar-
riage in the book of Genesis is full of deep interest,
and of a holy beauty, and should inspire all, especially
married persons, with a deep feeling of gratitude, and
also with a high and holy veneration for a state so
divinely and so solemnly instituted.
THE SANCTITY OF MARRIAGE.
If marriage, according to its primitive institution,
was already an honorable and holy state, how much
more is it so under the Christian dispensation, now
that Jesus Christ has elevated it to the rank and dig-
nity of a sacrament ! Among heretics marriage is,
for the most part, regarded as a mere contract be-
tween a man and woman to cohabit together under
the sanction of the law. '' The state of marriage, "
says Calvin, in Book IV. of his Institutes, '* is ^i!
otherwise good and holy than that of the farmer, th*.
mason, the shoemaker, and the barber, which states f ;
not sacraments. ' According to the Catholic doctrine,
on the contrary, it is a true sacrament, and this is
even an article of faith.
That marriage has always been regarded in the
Church as a '^cred engagement, raised high above
304
j22^'
SACHAMJ^NT OF MATRIMOW.
305
the common actions of life, and the civil order of
seen ciearij f-nough in the writings oftheearlvP«
thers, whose doctrine should be rScoi^^d bv ev.^rv
reasonable man as the belipf nf ri^nioV- ^ ^^^^ry
the times. Tertullian Xll^i^'^Z^::^
tury_, says, wntmg to his wife : //„„■ Zi «t "^^.r"?;
which the o,weh have icilnes.ml, an! wIMi l,eW"
ml Falhe,; has ,aH/i,tl r (Lib. II ) s Cvril iS'
tmroii .i Ale.KaEdria, in the beyi , ningof Ihr m^',
century, thus speaks of marriage • • frl,h /L '■ ? , ■ ''
^.(/- assisted al the wedding tZ'M.-hh^itt!^
mng thai he who was to remnerale ilJ ,Li L-J S
man should ml onU, imtmrt ii/hZ,licfion "iL^^^
already bom, but should premie oracelirLlti
werea(teruardslo heborl, LdeZZal t/omt
lfe..;s'a4^tr"Sist:-,t^l;^^^^^
fulness which is its consZtence 4^^^^
the advantage of the n!^tilll^i if oZZ^TZ
^^inanrace, and to unite the mariedSZ he
tidehty they owe to eaeh other. But uiththe vemile
of God, a more precious good, anl a VriderluZnf
Ghristidiis in the same exalted ianguugo Hpexoro^.w
names it a sacrament, and compares in n n.oV^? ?
wonderful union of Christ wu7hi"ci urch'' "^^^t
« Treat sacrament: hid i .n.nL .-^ /^; .V^"* _ J'}^\}^
rni bodies. For no man never haled his olm/esh'bul
ilHiiil
II •
i '
30G
PLAIN INSTRUCTION'S.
noxirUhelh rnd cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the
Church.'' (E|)hes. v. ^8.)
Since mairiage is a sacrament, it ought to have, like
al) the oifier sacrauKints, an inward and sanctitying
grace for those who receive it ; and so It has. When
Christians mcT-zy in a state of mortal sin, then indeed
they receive no grdce. They Join hands to commit a
sacrilege, and receive a malediction with it. But in.
tliose who receive it in the love of God. this fcaorament
incHMses the sanctifying grace which they have already
ani^uiparts a special grace «-o sanctify and bless their
union, that they may dwell together in peace and char-
ity, i)ear with each other, aid each other, preserve
mutual lidelity, and bring up their children in tht
fear of God.
THE ENDS OF MaRRTAGE.
If Christian marriage is a bond so holy, so holy in
its divine Founder, so holy in its character of a sacra-
ment, so holy in the grace it imparts, ought it not to
be saiictilied also by the holy aims, the pure motives
of those who e'.igage in it ? Christians ought to unit©
with the same intentions which Almighty God had,
w}\Qn he instituted morriage. I. That they may be
mutual hr'ps to each other: " It is ml good," said
Sod, "for man to be alone: let us make a help like
unto himself. " 2. To raise up children for the church
md for heaven ; holy children, who may inherit not
iO much the temporal riches as the faith of their pa-
rents, whom they may bring up in the fear of God and
m the practice of virtue and piety. 1 That they may
\m\ a safeguard and a remedy against temptation.
Hence, although St. Paul declares, " fortheunmqrrieo
md ividows, it is good if they conliriue, even as I,
fei he adds immediately, " but if they do not contain
et them mairy, for it is better to many than to bi
mrnt" A life of entire chastity is beyond aljl doubt i
lighei- and more perfect state than liiat of marriage,
out then it is a f irticular gift of God, which all do not
'ec^ive. If a peaop, still Ir^^to choosq, liud^ \>\^^\-%
SACRAMENT OP MATRIllOMY.
30T
has not received this gift, let him recognize his own
weakness, and have recourse to marriage.
Tom.'irry for this last-mentioned reason is justifiablej
and often necessary ; bu: it is not intended to sanction-
tiie wicked conduct of those persons who eml)race this
holy state only to gratify their passions, without ar"
thought for the good of Ih'^ir souls. Marriages which
begin in brutality, are plmost sure to be continued in
inlidelity, and often end in shame and sorrow. A fear-
ful example of the judgment of God is related in holy
Scripture. We read there that the first seven hus-
bands of Sara were strangled by a devil the very night
of their marriage. This, as the angel Haphael ex-
plained to Tobias, was because they married this holy
young woman out of mere sensuality. " Over such,'*
said the angel, " the devilhalh, power. Bui thou, when
thou shall lake her, go into the chamber, and for three
days give thyself to nothing else but to prayers with
her, and when the third night is passed, thou shall take
the virgin with the fear of^lhe Lord, moved rather for
Ihe love of children than for lust, thai in the seed of
Abraham thou may est obtain a , blessing in childrm,'*
(Tob. vi.) • /
HI '
if-ARRIAGB VOGATIO(ftf
The fact that nwitrinaony is a state of greal rwpon-
sibUity, and oae whi<;h lasts fop life, is eaoiUgh to shoW:
that one. ought n<jt to embraae it lightly, nor wilhouk
much thought aud roflection. But beeides this, ilgv
very sanctity shows it to be a divine vocation, andf
therefore Christians should never act in suoh a matteir
without consulting God. They ought always loi asfe,
counsel of virtuous frieiwis, and wise guidoe, in ord«»t>
to know the divine will, and pray fervently like th^i.r
Psalmist : " Lord, make kmwn to mel/M way in-<
which I am to walk I
ih«y sbuuid seek to. ascectainj in thQ fif^t., piacOr
whether they a^^nol perhaps c&lled to a more penfeot •\
itale; lor it must nut b&forg<^ti(jni that ikam is a stAj#ii
4'
'
^
I
\i <'
iji
i
tf^
308
PLAIN FNSTRUCTIONS.
Still higher and holier, and that all ar^ not callerl (o
marriage, either by nature or b\ the will of God
l;; hDwever, it should appear that one Jias no call to
a single life, either in the priesthood or in tln^ doi'^tcr
or otherwise, it is still equally n^eessarv to apiMvil lo
heaven lor direction in tho clioi<-e r.r'.i ruiii|.uiij.,ii
rhore can bono doubt that when God mW^ \»r^ous\it
the married life, he marks out \\>v each one a particu-
lar partner, in accordance with nis own wise and holy
will. So God formed Eve for our lirsl fjitliei- Adam
Hobecca was pre|)ared for Isaac,, and Sara was reseiv-
od for Tobias. In the Book of Proverbs we read
•• Houses and riches are given bq parents, but a pru-
dent wife is properhf from the Lord:' Tni>t "not
young Christian, toyoiir imagiuaM<.ii. and Ihe liist im-
pulse of your heart, for it is easv lo be fle.-eived Re-
member, moreover, that yeur whole fiiline liappiness
will de|i,Mid upon the wisdom of voio- efioiee ' A Indn-
less, giddy, dres.sy. rambling siri: will make a \ie,ious
witejind mother: idle and dissijtaled voung men grow
easily into drunken and brutal husbands. The prin-
cipal reason why so many marriages are unhappy, and
disgraced by the most shameful scandals, is, because
m these matters persons are guided more by passions
and interest, than by virtue and religion. Money is
preferred to good morals, showy accomplishments to
industry, beauty to modesty and purity: who can
wonder if shame and misery are the results? In this
matter, therefore, dear young Christians, pray earnest-
ly to God for direction, and ask good counsel of tho.se
whom he has given you for your spiritual guides.
Children are bound also to consult their parents,
and ask their consent " Christian modesty cannot
suffer," says St. Ambrose, " that children marrv with-
out advice. Let them submit to the jud^'ment of their
parents." There is, besitJes, a great power in a father's
and mother's blessing, and it is no small loss to lose
it. If, however, parents, thiough avarice, or canrice.
or other like motive, should refuse consent to the rea-
sonable desires of their children, in such extreme
li«4i
[ »'
r I
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY.
309
cases, alter consulting disinterested, enlightened, and
virtuous guides, and recerving tlie approbation of thy
Church, the marriage may take place.
On the other hand, in giving their children in mar-
riage, the great solicitude of parents ought to be h,
select a person full of piety and virtue. The fear of
bod IS the only ♦'oundation of peace and prosperity in a
tamily. Every day we see crushed the j.roadschrnj's
of some worldly-minded parent, whilst the words of
he royal prophet are verified : " Unless the Lot d build
the house, Ihey labar in vain that build it " iP^
cxxvi.) * ^*
IMPEDIMENTS TO MARRIAGE.
The Holy Church has, from the earliest ages, an-
nexed certain conditions to the matrimonial contract
which are called impediments. These are of two
fci.ids: I. TheAnnuhng Impediments, or those which
make >t impossible to contract any reel marriage at
ali; and 2. The Prohibitory Impediments, wluch m
not take away the power to contract a valid marriaire
i>nt only lunko it unlawful and sinful.
I. Thk Anm'ung Impediments.— a marriage com-
iraeted, notwithstanding an impediment of this kind
IS null imd void from the beginning, that is to say. no
umiTiiii^e .11 all in the sight of God. No law of the
ifiiHl can make such nn alliance good. Both parties
10 It live together m crime, under the anger of God if
th^are aware of the impediment; and if they .iid
nut know (.r II in i|„. heginning, thev are bound to
separal(' immediately when they discover it. Some-
times, indeed, (he impediment nmv be dispensed w ifh '
by the Church, but in that case they an' bound to ab-
stain from all use of marriage until the dispensation is
obtained, and a valid marriage contracted. The luin-
cipal impedimtsnts of this kind are the following :
1 /lnvtcny%nitii^»l... ;<^ 4U«* :__ •• . . ._.^
-- v--fr---.rr:yiti,-jj;y ;- IJiai iJiipCUi 01601 WniCU eXiStS
between blood-relations to the fourth degrvr inrlusive-
ly. In other words, marriage is forbidden between
third cousins, or any nearer degree of kindred. And
«ii
E)|Ih'
.310
fc .
PLAIN INSTRUCTION^
this imiicdinioiit exists when the relationship arisea-
from an illogitini.-iLo hirlh, ' v ^ -moo*
'^. Af/inily is rohilionship hy marriage. It is foiv
l)uL on to iiia.ry me tliird cousin, or an V nearer biood-
reliilion of one s foi'inor husband or wife. The same
IS tiLio of a person, and the Jblood-relations of any one
^yltll wiioinhotias-had unlawful connection; but in
this case, tJie impediment extends only to the second
d.'-.oe (lust cousin). Spiritual affinity is a species of
relationship contracted by means of the sacraments of
Jj.iplism and conlirmation. For this reason, parents
cannot marry with the sponsors of their child, or with
any person who baptized it ; nor can sponsors marrv
,with Iheir God-children. So, if one baptizes the child
01 another, even although it were a case of necessity
ho connot afterwards marry either with the child or
,its parent.
3. Puhlie hecenci/ is an impediment which forbids
one to matry with a parent, a child, with a brother or
sistor oi the jierson to whom one has been validly en-
ga-ecl by a promise of marriage. Also, if one has con',
.traded an invalid marriage, or a valid marriage which
iiowcvcr, was never consumated, it is forbidden Id
such case, to marry with the blood-relations of the
other jiarty us far as the fourth- degree ; that is to say.
with a^ third 'cousin, or any thing nearer.
I 4. Crime is someiimes an impediment. Persons
Avho are guiHy of homicide, and adultery, with an en-
gagement to marry, are rendered incapable of contract-
ing mnrnage together.
5 DUfcrence of religion is an impediment which
Inakes a marriage null and void between a baptized
person and one who was never baptized.
(). \nws.--k\\ persons who have made solemn vows
01 chastity, by entering into some religious order, are'
incapable of contracting marriage; and so are all'
If'xv^. ?^ ° ^ ^'-^'^' ^'^p?^^"^o.e with sui);deacons and
7 Clandestine marriaqes, that is, t^iose which ar«
<°MV.^^^?f}.,>Vi%Ht Iho.^rosonce.pf 11^? parisli prM,^
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMOMT.
3tl
and of two witnesses, are made null and void by the
Council of Trent. In the United States, however,
where the decree of the Council has not yet been pub-
lished,' these marriages, although sinful, are valid It
IS a most wicked and detestable thing, that Catholics
should ever so far forget all dictates of faith and piety
ts to be coupled like heathen before a civil magistrate
and even sometimes before a heretic preacher, in con-
tempt of the Church of God, and of the sanctity of this
hiicraraent. In case of necessity, as when those who
desire to marry live very far from any Church or Priest
they may lawfully apply to a Magistrate for that pur-'
pose, and it is better to do so, in order that their
marriage may be more public, and be recorded, but it
IS never lawful to have recourse to an heretical mi-
nister Such a marriage is indeed binding, but it
binds like a curse.
Besidns the sin, there are other evils which result
from the clandestine unions. Commonly, no safe
record is kept of the date, and of the names of the par-
lies, and A\hen proof of the marriage is required, suffi-
cient proof is not to be found. Thus, wives of hus-
bands may be deserted with impunity, title to property
cannot be proved, children are often unable to show
their legitimacy. How many young and thoughtless
persons engage themselves rashly and suddenly in a
slate ot misery, from which death only can release
them! But, worst of all, invalid marriages are often
contracted in this way, with the most disastrous conse-
quences. Unhappy females are ensnared bv men al-
ready married, into secret or hasty unions, Vhich if
not soon ended in shame, are continued in more last-
ing sorrow, and more horrible guilt. Those who vio-
late the salutary laws of the Church will find, sooner
orlater. that " the way of transgressors is hardr
0. i7t# bond of a preoio^is marriage is an impedi-
ment which death alone c an remove. The Catholic
♦The CounoU has been liublished in se, LouIb New
'f
312:
W.AIN IN6TRIJCTI0NS.
III!
Church holds thai, by the institution and ordinance of
Almighty God, marriage is indissohibie. No power on
earth, nopru.je, nojud-e, no legislature, can br^ak
the bond which unites husband and wife. For certain
io* l''''"K^''.f f'^'^^^^^y foradiiUery, ihey may live sepa-
rately, but hey are still married, and'cannot marry
again. If, after such a separation, or afUr a divorce
granted by the law of the land, either party should
marry another person, it would be no true marriage
be ore God, but an adultery. Jesus Christ has said if
W/mt.soever shall pvl aicmj his wife, eicepl it be for
adu/lerjf. It is therefore permitted in such a case to
separate, but the marriage bond is not broken, the par-
ties remam stdl husband and wife; f( r our Lord goes
commilklh adullerij:^ (St. Matt, .xix.i If the (ir4
bond-were re^illy dissolved by such a separation, it
might be forbidden, indeed, to the guilty party to con-
tract a new one, but our Lord would never call the
second marriage an adultery. Therefore, the words,
except It be for fornication. " have reference to the
Jawfulness of putting away the guiitv woman at all
but give no permission to the innocent partv to marrv
pvl amnderr says our Low!, in the same chapter, con-
demning beforehand the iniquity of those divorces
Courts of Taw^**'"^"^ '"* f^rotestont Legislatures, or
Letitberemembed, then, thatno divorce, noguiJt
no desertion, however wanton and unfeeling, no veart!
of absence, can ever breakthe marriage bond Nothr-
\r\Q huio. ceriain knowledge of the death of one parly
can make it lawful for the other to marry. AithouKh
It might cause public candal. although the honor of
who e families may be at stake, although chUdrea
would be exposed to shanje and destitution by asepa-
ration, the guilty parties to these false second mar-
«*ugc;t ixiusi DufiUiutuunuer pttuioi heij-iirc
In cases where a second cpnlraa.Jhfts.*bwOi.wadft^.
SACRAMENT OP MATRIMONY.
313
-whilst both parties knew of the former one. and only
doubted, ixiitw6re not sure of the death of the first
husband or wife, they havo no right to live tof^ether
uud^r favor of Ih is doubt, because Uiey married in bad
filth. If, however, one of them was ignorant of the
previous marriage, or had been made to beliove tiMt
the former wife or husband was surely dead, the party
thus contracting in good faith retains a rght under
the second marriage, and is not bound to abandon it
until somethirigcnrtain can be known in Ike matter;
but the:guilty one who contracted in bad faith has ac-
quired no such right, and lives in adultery to the peril
of his soul. ^
How hoTriblo then the guilt of tliose, who enter
knowingly into tkeso sacri'egious unions ! How fool-
ish also are those who marry sccrctQly or hastily with
strangers, of whose character and Ibrmer life they
know little or nothing without consent of parents a'nd
iriends, without any publication of the bans, sometimes
without the presence of Priest or witnesses, and thus
expos^ themselves to the danger of being betrayed into
an unholy union, which they cannot break from with*
out shame, nor held to without adultery !
n. The PiioHiDiTony Impediments.— A prohibitory
impediment is one which renders a marriage unlawful,
hut leaves it valid and binding. If persons marry,
notwithstpnrliiTgsuchan imped.mrnt, they commit*
frrevinus srn, but cannot afterwards seperate. There
are tlireo impediments of this kind, viz., a simple vow
to preserve chastity, to enter into the priesthood, or
mto a religious order : a previous promise of marriage ;
and a prohibition of the Chureh.
By the laws of thx3 Church it is forbidden :
,|. To solemnize marriage, in other words, to marry
witti any outward pomp or festivity, during tho time
01 Advent or Lent ; that is to say, from the flr^fSutt*.
flay 01 Advent until Epiphany, and Irom the begin*.
^f"',^^!';^^?."^^^'''^»C3 are forbidden, viz., the union
01 a Lathohc with heretics, and persons excomiimni-
Sf4
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
^it.Mlby the Church. This prohibition is founded
on reasons of the highest importance. In the fiiS
Sa;;;;;f^^"'.r^^'^' ^""^^^^^"^ repugnaSaSd^l
na u al in hese unions. •' Bear not the yoke with
unheheversr says the Apostle Paul to the Cor „-
thians. " Wfiat feltowship hath light with darknel%
or what part hath the faithful with thTunbeUeZr •
Such marriages are moreover unfavorable to dome-
tic peace. " Howr asks St. Ambrose, " can then he
a sincere union of the affections when persons are
dvvided on religion r (L(i). II. de Abra^ B^J ?hl
worst feature m this sort of marriage is that tl ev
are dangerous to the faith of the Catholic party/and
of tin- diildren. Either domestic attachmemT, or fear
?Jrvn 'l- k' 'T r?^^""^ *h^ ^«*^h and dampens thr'
fer or ot the Catholic husband, or wife, whilst he
chUdren easily follow in practice the example of the
mdurgence!'" '^ ^^''" ^"''''^' the greatest liberty of
When some grave reason exists, and the danger of
perversion is removed, a dispensation may be ob-
tained which will make such a marriage lawful No
unon fhlTif *^-''" '^"..^.^ «'^^°' ^^^^^^^. unless
upon the followmg conditions: 1st. It must be mii-
tjially agreed upon that the Catholic husband, or
tT.l /.ft^fn-^'^^'i^'? ^'"^^^i ^'^^'^^ i'l the exercise of
fh iVh« ''h'' '"^ '^/^" y'"^ ^^^y '^*^«t a" the children
tl !l «,?"c« ?d in the Catholic faith. 3dlv. Besides
his. the Catnohc party must promise to seek the con-
version of the other, by prayer, good example? and
her prudent means. When a dispensation has been
ob.a.ned upon thes>3 conditions, the marriage may
teke „ ace without s.n : but still it must not be sup-
posed that such unnatural unions are approved of by
rin„^i'A!n • i^^?nly. permits them reluctantly and
mournmily. She forbids them to be celebrated with-
of f hp"p ^"Y ' °' ^^ ^^^^''''' ^^^ "^^^"^^ benediction
SACRAMENT OF MATRIMONY.
PREPARATION FOR MARRIAGE.
315
\. Publication Of the Bans. —In order to place a
•check upon clandestine marriages : to discover any
S'f'T"'' "^'"'^ "^'^^'^ ^^^'^; t« prevent dece-
tion and surprise , to aflord parents and others imer-
ested an opportunity to interpose, and in order to
l\TuL^^ prayers 01 the faithful, that. God may
give light, grace, and prosperity to the contractir.o.
parties, the Council ofTrent has decreed. > hat he
promises of marriage be published on three Sundays
or festival days in succession, at the public offices
of the Church, by the parish Priest of the parties '
lnn4-/r->- The^e can be no doubt ttattf ^anyone
knows of an impediment in the way of the proposed
marriage he is bound to reveal it. A grea amount
of sm and misery may thus be prevented
^ 2. An mnocent life is the best preparation for iiiar-
mge; gay flowers and beautiful garments are noor
substitutes. A heart defiled is a sad recSnmenSu-
tion for the nuptial blessing, and a fraud on tKar-
nage contract. Even between the parties tE-
selves, the most perfect modesty and prudent reserve
should be maintained. When Rebecca first beheJJ
llTL^^l affianpec^ husband, coiphjg to meet her,'
(he took her cloak and covered herself. (Gen xxiv
Beautiful example of a precaution inspired bv' true
modesty. Parents who love their children truly and
«f In wi; °^ ,^^'^T ^'^^ presence, and least
oiail, wh»,_ irea'ready promised to each other.
AI secret ;, -s, lonely walks, and every fa-
?rnlfh-/S°"Ti' • '° Christian decorum, ought to be
prohibited. How many young persons, by the neglect
'«flS precautions, are already before marFiage
stained with sin, and disgraced in each other's eves »
3. Never let It be forgotten that marriage is a\«.i-
jn-ament, and must be received in a state of grace. For
Aiiis reason, to avoid pnmmiijinrr -^ „r./,..:i^ . ___ i ,_i
40 deserve more fully the ■iilesslng ol'^Go"! upt^n'thel?
. : ' t,i
916
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
union, the parties affianced ought to purify their
hearts by a good confession, and on the very morning
of their marriage receive the holy Communion. It is
sometimes advisable to make even a general confession
•r at Iteast a review of several years, either to reniody
the errors of a past sensual life, or in order to enter
with more thorough and perfect dispositions of heart
into a state so new and responsible. Dear young
Catholics, do not imitate the blind children of this
world, who pass the few days previous to this solemn
step in making ready for an extravagant display ol
finery ,— whilst a guilty conscience and unholy imagina-
tions prepare them for tht celebration of a' sacrilege.
Admire rather the holy example of young Tobias and
his bride. They gave three entire days to praver, that
they might obtain the blessing of heaven on xiwir mm-
riage. " For we are the children of the Sainh:' said
they, "awrf we must not be joined together like the
heathens Dial know not God.'' Matrimony in our days
is a more holy thing than then, and Cliristians have
now better means to prepare for it, by confession and
the Eucharist. Do not forget then to sanctify the
morning ol your marriage by receiving devoutly the
Holy Communion.
THE MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
The Church desires that marriage should be cele-
brated m the morning, and in the church, because
It is a sacrament, and in order to inspire the parties
who wed, and ali the witnesses, with religious senti-
ments worthy of so solemn an act. There at the foot
ot the altar they feel the sacred character of their
union.^anji all evil thoughts are banished. Therealso
Ihey are aided by the prayers of their friends. Of
course..it is not becoming to a[)pear in the church
with a show of worldly pomp and linery, and least of
all imniodestly dressed. Whatever innocent display
and festivity the customs of society require, may take
place afterwards at home, in the afternoon or evening.
In the morning of the day K.nointed. thn Rridpl
SACRAMENT OF MATRIRTOIYT. J|7
}»'P it^t; •' I unii'- TKr>« '" liii!? tacn one in turn
;-«.' .'A the Son. /nrf ofVemrGhU^' !^1"'-'
liie ceieuiaiion ol the marriagp mass
. nLr"1 "''^ ^^ forgotten that the' Holv Church ha«
a particular mass for marriaees \x\\h^^ k L.i \
Gospel or its own, and the 1'^ beau I'u? ^ZLT^
pnate prayers. What also makes Ih mass rer^ r?"
altar. Alter the" Pater Nn«fPi- " »i,^ n • . ''"-"'' .""^
on the Epistle ^^Z^^^^Z^^^
neel.ng before him, and pronounces oveiltmi^hp
Lenediction of the Church in the following wordT:
818
MAIN iNStRtKi'MOlW.
THE NUPTIAL DLESSINO,
" God, by whom woman is joined to man, ana
' this union, instilutGd in the beginning, is still ac-
' co.npanied by a blessing which lias never been re-
' called, either by the ])unishment of original sin, or
• by the judgment of the deluge, look kindly down
< upon this Ihy handmaid, who being now to he
'joined in wedlock, earnestly desires thy support
' and protection. May she abide in the bond of love
' and peace : may she marry in Christ fnithful and
cha?ie; may she ever imitate the holy women of
old, be, like Kachel, beloved by her husband, dis-
" creet like Rebecca, and like Sara grow old in
' fidelity : may the author of sin never have any
' share in her actions. May she remain attached to
the faith and the commandments: and firm in this
' one union, shun every unlawful familiarity. May
' she be fortified by a life of regularity and self-con-
trol : may she be modest and grave, bashful and
" retiring, and well instructed in heavenly doctrine.
" May she be fruiliul in ollspring ; be approved, and
innocent ; and may she at last arrive safely at the
• resi of the Saints in the kingdom of heaven. May
« they both see their children's children to the third
' and fourth generation, and live to a happy old age :
' Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. "
Just before the last gospel, the Priest turns once
more and blesses them, thus ;
•' May the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and
<' the God of Jacob be with you, and may He fulfil
" His blessing in you ; that you may see your chil-
" dren's children to the third and fourth generation,
*' and afterwards enjoy eternal life, by the help of
" our Lord Jesus Christ : who with the Father and
*' the Holy Ghost livelh and reigneth forever and
•« ever. Amen. "
How beautiful a sight, when Christians marry
Ihus ! first purified by a good sincere confession ^
Chen joining innocent hands under the priestly f^tole.
SACRAMBNT OP MATHIMONT.
»1»
and before the altar ; then during Mass recommend-
ing themselves to God's protection by their prayers*
and the devout reception of the Holy Communion ;
ana lastly, kneeling to receive the pledge ot thai
protection in the solemn Benediction of the Church.
Is not this better than to marry in the house, amidsi
confusion, dissipation, profane jests, and laughter ?
Say rather, dear Catholic Christians, like Tobias a^d
Sara : *^ We are children of the Saints, and must not b§
gained together like the heathen, who know not Gqd-*
m THE DUTIES OF PARTICUt.AR STATES
OF LIFE.
turns once
I. DUTIES OF MARRIED PERSONS.
" Lei every one of you in particular, love his wife
as himself, and lei the wife fear her husband."
(Ephes. V. 33.)
HOW HUSBANDS AND WIVES SHOULD LIVE TOGETHER.
Since avery man is placed in the world for thi»
only end, that he may know God, love him, and sery^jr
him, and so work out his salvation, marriage is ta
Christians a means to serve God together, — to glorifV
him by their works,— and aid each other in the way
to heaven. Husbands and wives ought therefore to-
encourage each other constantly, by word and exam-
ple, to a holy life, by keeping the commandments of
God, by their faith, their piety, and the practice of
every virtue. 1 his, however, they cannot do, unless-
they are also careful to fulfil those duties which they
owe to each other.
I. The first duty of married persons to each other
la ii»ttj, ui iwatutti uuuiiij , liiu marriage Dona is on#
Of God'aown awaking, and so close is this sacred union
320
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS
Jhat in Holy Scriptures, husband and wife ara saiH tn
ijave I.Ht one body : •; n^ vAa« trJot Z 7^'''
s Uiat ..n which iriolates a union so intimate and
Uoly . bomeunies females become less scrup "ous after
marriage than before, J)ocauso ihey think hey can
sm with more impunity. But the eve of God is ever
open, and he wiH puui.h them then" more thai ever
because the.r sin is ^reater. on account of the greatJ;
pmasumur. (S. Matt. xix. G.) Woe' then to <ho
shameless woman, who delik.s n\ l.^owu person he
l^f^c^f will"'"'' and U-uuiples on her n^'^^
nnH X « f "■'''■""•? ^''^^' Jmnsolf and her husband
^untvtl,"'r'V^'""^'''"^'"'"y ^^"'''^- Woe! to the
uanlM?L\Tn;/ '''*■•''' *^" ^^'^^'"'"^ ^^' J«^"« Christ.
paitinfeMM,,!, flehasj')iiird to-.'ih.r, and planting a
poisoned dajrger in his neighbor's boscm ! - MarHaae
is honorahfe n all, and ,he bed wulep/rd, but TormT
lor:, and adulUnr.s God will judge: ' ^fb-b xii 4
1.. in* matter dear Christian., do not fnis't 4n
oynuigood niteijuons, but lly Irom danger ai its
iou^^n rh/"^ ^'''^ especially, (Jhristiau wife, If
nfi^ht .^?''?"'^"'^'''''^'^«*y ^vhich you hive
tft^ 'tu^'"" ""^''^'l^ 'r?^^""'^ "Pt^^se lew words of
m^ 1 M "" f'l "''y ^'' ^^^''^ ^""k'-^'-y to good
l"V.t': ,"^' "li^ ^'o^v yo^^'self to indulge a. ex-
ces.ne love oi society; above all. never list.m to
awT'';;V^"\"""''r° f^^"^'"'^^- ^^''^i anally pu
mm , .bin. a! those lashions which are contrarv to
.hnMun modesty. A Utile .^^ark can kindle e great
^, and a^ain, none are so .«afe as those who fear io
• • Let the husband conwi. I...' ».;.. ...:c. .- i :- _ ._,
Ihi' w!l".^' ^f f '■''*"*.• ^^ is indeed'the" haVJ of
the N^oman, but as the head never plots mischiif
DUTIES OF THE MARRIBD.
ni
against the other members of the body, so must the
husband never injure his wife, still less strike her, oi
in any way ill-treat her. " Husband and wife art
one body ; no one ever hales his own flesh.'' (Ephes.
The husband, too, in the marriage relation, repre-
sents the pei^on of Christ ; and Jesus Christ compares
himself to a lamb. The husband, then, must be kind
to his wife ; he must love her as Christ has loved his
bride, 1 he Ghun;h. And we know that Jesus Chrisl
has undergone for his Church the hardest toils, the
bitlerest sorrows, yes, death itself, the most ignomi-
nious death — of the Cross.
3. On the other hand, the wile must be obedient lo
her husband in every thing which is right. " Let iro-
men be mhject In their hustmuis as Ike Lord, for
Ihe husband is Ihn head of the wife, as Christ is the
head of ihe Church. Therefore, as the Church is
suttject lo Christ, so also lei wives be to their hus-
hands in all things. '' (Ephes. v. 22.) Hemark tins
well, Christian wives, you must be subject to your
husbands in all things ;' of course sin excepted.
Who does not know how many crosses and atllic-
tions, yes. even bloody an<l most dreadlul persecutions
the Holy Church has sullered and still sutlers, for her
divine Bridegroom, Jesus Christ. Just so must the
wife endure until d.mth with Christian patience, ail
the contradictions of this life for her husband.
4. Both hiisbands and wives must love each other
in sinc«Tity, and think and speak well of one another.
They should not be loo curious to spy out cihIi oihti's
actions, but interpret all things favorably. 1 hey must
not pasily let suspicions enter their hearts ; above all,
let them avoiil every tal»»-bearor anil whisperer as a
venomous snak»', and allow such uo .Miir.ince \n>>
their house. Hidicule and abusive laMyn/igf? shoi; d
never be heard boiw.'en husband ami wde ; evtry
thing should be done in Christian kindnos.^ und mild-
ness, for one who is passionate cannot be agreeable to
liod, even if he should work miiacles.
312
^LflJI INSTftUCTIONS.
Xlie lius|3and will correct a scolcling wife by kind
words belter than by blows and curses. The wife
^ill subdue a violent husband by silence and patience
Letter than by contradiction and sharp answers'
Wlien you see that by arguments you only make the
Blatter worse, then wait awhile until the other party
hecorties quiet. A kind Christian admonition will not
spoil by keeping.
ArJ since God's blessing, and the precious inheri-
tance of Jesus Christ depend on peace and unity one
ought to yield and submit to the other for the sake of
peace, \iear patiently, then, each other's faults and
inhrmities; continue in the marriage bond with
Christian courage until death, and in the time of trial
say to yourself: God sees the disorderly life of my
husband (or of my wife), and yet he is patient. Am
1 more than God ? God has suflered me, sinner that I
am, to remain in the world so many years ; then 1 too
will bear patiently the faults of my husband (or of my
wife). Jesus Christ has saved the world by patience
and I must be saved by patience also.
5. If God does not give you children, or t^kes them
early orf oflhe world, you must not give up toimmode-
'*M^ ^T'l^^' ^^K ^*^^'8n yourself with courage to the
will of God. What God does is well done "
Lord, thy will be done!" It is better to have no chil'
dren, than (perhaps) wicked ones who would grow un
.to be no consolation, but a sorrow to their parent
6. According lo the precept of the Apostle, it is ne-
pessary to be obedient lo each other in the fulfilment
of the marriage debt. To do otherwise would be to
.violate a duty, and to commit a sin. '« Defraud not
one another, exrepi perhap^t by consent, for a lime,
ifial lion mat/ give i/ourseh /'s to prayer, and return
j^gplhf'r mjain, lest Snian tempt your (1 Cor vii. 5 \
jBul thisinuM be uri.jcislond nlwavs within the bounds
f r roason and religion. Chrislians are not permitted
^-- -.;-v-i!^-. viics: I i i;v;i ly i;y giving caCH ulTier SCdndttK
Und least of all by scandalizing their children. They
*nust make use of marriage in all modesty and foiv
DUTIKS OF THE MARRIED.
323
bearance, and only according to the institution of God
Woe to them, especially, if they seek to hinder the sa-
cred end for which marriage was principally irist.lu-
ted : namely, the propagation of children! For thi«
crime, as we read in Holy Scripture, God punished
one of the sons of the Patriarch Juda, willi sudden
death. Observe always then, you who are married
the warning of the Apostle Paul, and '< let marriage be
honorable in all things, and the marriage bed undefiledr
7. Finally, dear Christians, keep with mutual liilelity
until death, those promises you made so solemnly be-
fore God, on the day of your union. As Josus Christ
has only one spouse, the Holy Catholic Church, and
the Church has only one Lord, which is Jesus Christ
so, dear children of Christ and of the Church, love
each other always, chastely, but truly, constantlv, ten-
derly, with patience and mutual forbearance." Aid
each other in all the labors of life, cheer ea<di other in
its trials and sorrows, support each oth.M- in tempta-
tion by prayer and kindly counsel, that when hereafter
you meet at the judgment, you may give joyful t^sti-
mony for each other there, and receive your eternal
reward together.
II. DUTIES OF PARENTS AND HEADS OF
FAMILIES.
" Jfany man fiave not care of his own, and oof-
ciaUg of those of his house, he hath denied the faith,
and is worse than an infidel:' (1. Tim. v. 8.)
BOW THE FATHER OF A i-AMILY or;GHT TO DO ttOOO i^
HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.
The Father of a family ought to uu.!slion Iub ohil-
dren out of the Catechism. (See page 235 of this ijook.'
He should not fail to send those under his care to Hol>'
Mass, and to receive Christian instruction on all Snii.
days and Holy Days. But if it is necessary to leuvt
«ome one at home to take care of the house, let hire
i>hii;£snB&t
yz^
^LAIN IlfWRDCTrOIfS.
liuki
not forget to take that one with hhn to church ««^ »
SSnt' ^notier time. The^Thould bo no bu?i?;
and selling during the time of divine service that n?
mi^y'^eSlrrj^o Jngd"o™"oS Vt^con.V'^-
his hous,hol.l will bS blessirfby'eod '^tMatThT
33.) Let tins b» remembered well bv .11 inh?.»n".l.
cfa^ry^by ol/in^ TuThor ^y' Tver o LT h'^^^^^^^^^^
parUcHiarly, in the day o^f j«dgmenrwill LsTa led^
snro thr.',r"' ^y ^^V""'' '^^^S^ ^^*"- J^et them he
lln^ Ifn ""^^ ^^'"' "'^'J^ ^"''i^S ^^e lime of divine ser
vicoatthe cost cf immorlal ?ouls, wiU W uf^m
nothing bat misnjrtune and sorrow. ^ ^'"^
to harVt'!i«"Fn'lt?^ '''f%''' ^"^^"y Gliristian families
10 iiare tlie Epistle and Gospel read by one of thecliil
Tnf ^r "^Tfu^^ ^""^^>« ^^^ Holy Says '^'^'
dr^. abonML^'^*^'^'"^^' "^^" ^° question his chil-
hare heard .nrf '^"^l^^^^I^.^ ^"^ instructions which they
c^n rcm^mhnr t/^'''^°.u''"^ "'P'*^ ^° ^-^^ what they
can remember. It is iho custtm in irulv (Jhrisiian
imllyV: JfloK'n," """ir^^ ^''"™"' h°°" °"
^n\ f\I . ^^^y ^*i'' '" ^c aftenioQB, or evening
and also to sing logelher devtut hyimis and cantS'
wav"K 'f t''' ^^"^^''^^tion. How 'sweetly ?nts
Sirs dow f f I 'T? ^'■' '^'*'^^' ""^ h^^ s"ch a hS
iTh^sZct I'^'^'^i '^'^'^ "P°" '^' household :
ii>r «ab not Uod himsell prom sed : " in tn^pni n/nnm
io mee, ana uUl bless ilu^r (Excd. xx. 24.)
•a theShi'ri 'r ."^^^■^"^'^r '"^^^ ^° ^-^^^ to see that
Sractict^s a^ d rr.'v ^'' ^^"^^^^"i^^itl learn the beautiftil
ff this bn. I fP ^P'' recommended in the beginning
and ako , lb : ',^';' r''"*^'« ^^^ ^^•'^"^"fe^ devotions ;
a^ ho.y muuner. " (page l«J). For those «ho r^n»ni
prayer? he'mfvi*i?i'*?? ^'°".''« ^" learn a"ny I^ger
prayers, He may teach them the lollowing :
DUTIES OF PARENTS.
325
rjiniinl
1 . As soon as they awake, let them bless theraselvo«<
with the sign of t!iM cross, saying : <' Jesus. Marv,
.los^'ph. I give you my heart and mv soul."' (TJie
siiiiM' whiMi ihcy li»» down to sleep.)
I. Anertheyuri' dressed, let them kneel devoiillv
with their hiinds Joined, and pray thus : •• my GuJ
I iM'hove tjint thou art hppe present. I adore thee and
'«'v.> thee with mv wholn heart : I ihauk thiM- Ibr .ili
liy goodness to me. and especially for having pri'<;er\r(l
iiH' 'luring this night. T offer thee all the thought^;
words and actions of this dav. Mav thy holv AngeU
I'.id me and keep me from sin." (Iii the evening thev
m.i\ say ; '• I thank thee for all thy goodness lo m.'.
• -111(1 especially for having preserved im- during this
•••lay. I oirnr th»M^ my sh^ep, and ev(>-v breath 1
• <lraw I his night. May thy holy Angels watch over
• me until morning. "i
;5. Then l.'t tlit m repeat the Creed, the Lord's
I'layer. and the Fbiil Mary. Aflerwards. three Hail
Marys more in honor of the |»iu'ilv ol" ihe Blessed
^ irtrui. and liiially this prayer: ••"() Virgin Marv.
my mcdhcr and my liopc, 1 place myself undor lliy
iiiantlH, and th.-re 1 wish lo live and to die. * Pr(--
• -iTvo mo from sin. and give luo tliv holv Blessing."
'I li<3 samo in tin' tncning.)
I'lio Christian Fathor should cultivate in his house-
iH'ld a constant vi-neraiion for the holv Gross. For
i!ii> purpose, he ought ofhMi to .>how one to his little
' liildreu. that they may kiss the feet of Christ on the
'TOSS. He should try io engage his whole family in
ilie heautiful devotion of the " Wav of the Cross," so
li. Ii in holy indulgences. But if there are no stations
"I the cross erected in the church, or in the place
where ho lives, tliore is to be found at least in every
lown, in every church, and in every Christian house,
a rrucillx. Ho should therefore endeavor to inspire
HI his family the holy practice of contemplating the
■i'i'rrs, esj;cci;tiiy ali.T having coniniiijcd an\ fault,
■md in the time of atllietiou, when their own "cross is
loo heavy, so thai they may become consoled and
1
i;
:i
I
326
.■5
PI^ALV INSTRUCTIONS.
?' '"nglliPned through Jfsiip crurifiprl wt.of i,
tilii] example it woiVlrJ Hp r thL V ^^^* * ^^au-
HOW THE CHRISTIAN FATHER OF ,
BANISH EVIL FROM HIS hf
. Y SHOULD
go^dStpL^o^'hrs'hoLe^ ,^--^^ -t'a
some had jiabit, for Sn e th« i?" ' ^^"''^^^
can you corrcc your own f^nnl'*^ T'^^"^' ^^^
you th." came fnultZhiT ^^^^'^ ^^"^^ ^^^^Y see in
if, tlien, vou have^onU^lnT"^'^ T^ ^" *^^^"^"
inflict upon yourself tbr\,.h 1,^ '"^"^ ^^'^ ^«^it.
penanceffor exarn^l c ''"'^"''^ ^^"^^ shgh
iuite shaken' o?nS\^;,i,^r' P''^'^' "^"^ >'«^ ^'^e
bousffid'oto 'TLit M'f''' ^^^ P^-"-^^« his
^^ioii and confm union .L ^'" ''. "^°"^h' ^^ ^onfes-
Festivals and HoJv C^^ Particularly on all great
powerful moans to bi.^4 T""'^ ^^''' ^' ^^^ "^^^^
ITo.n the house ^^^ ''^^^ *^»^ immorality
ing';ra;c^s!lmr if CkT''' ^'^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ "^^^n-
a sVort'one'rXr ^kn non7 Th?"^' '''''''''' ^^^
should be said bv the whn i " •, .''^ evening prayers
same time let aH ex^mln °,t^ ^"^'"^"''' ^"^^ ^^^^^^
they have passed th^/l«v v ^^"sciences, to see how
Without true ron Htfn/- n ^? °"' '^^""^^ &« *« ''est
l^rayers. too shoiUd t «o 5''' '^"''"^ ^"^^ ^'^ sins,
alter m.ils' T is a bc^Jufu/rif^r^"' ""''''' '^'
om, Which brmgs'down"' re l^^^ro^T^; ^"^
every evening nr nf looct ^, iJ'o.sing oi Crod, to say
of the fon" "^^the Mo h''^^^^^ and the eve
Lorotto. and iho ul.i^^^.. "^ V'^^, the Litany of
UyaiJi " " "^ -»^-ary, and lo slug some pious
DUTIES OP PARENTS.
327
The Christian father should 0^011 admonish hi^
household m a fatherly way, reminding them how
sooner or later, we must all die, and that no one 'no^v-
Nvlion, or v/hore, or how. Ho should war 1 Ihera^
aithermoro. that the present moment is the only safe
tune we have to secure our eternal salvation, and how
quickly the hours pass away, and that wc mu^t give a
slnct account ol every ill-spont moment, v;-... and of
overy i^llo word. ((), what shall wo saV. llion, of
curses and immodest words y, Ho should 'oileu place
boloro thoir oyes the wickoduoss of sin : how dreadful
. ,':n? ^^?*^ ^""':^' ^'^^' '^ '^ a thousand lime,
holier to die than to offend the most holy God ovenbv
01.6 venial sin ; how we should always keep u ^^uard
oil our oves,uur ears, and our tongues, that we may
notjall into sui, and how gloriouslv those uiU be
:ir""rtmpSr '^ '"^"^^^'^^ andVomptly resist
lie must not permit any of h is familv to wander awav
fr-om home whoa they like, or to run about idle iu the
.. eets, parlicul.irly i,i the eveninpfs. He should make
t a point to know all those who visit his house, or
.^ nn^ f i'"' ^^ cJ»»I<i/'<^n keep company, and what they
nc.upy themselves about. Ho must provide, as far as
possible, that at night they do not sleep to-ethor. two
or more in cue bed. This must always be" forbidden
ten carr' ^ ^'^ ''^''''^^•^ ^^"^ ""^^ "^" ^*'°'^^ °''
In no truly Christian house should dancing be to-
eiated, or any amusement of immoral tendcncv. The
dfiughlers should never bo allowed to attend a i.arty,
;.nmi 'V^''''^; of amusement, without their mother. 01^
n iHn ff '' ""'^ experienced person, and whoi.over ])er-
ipllrrJo^r''"' ^"V'^^*' enjoyment, be careful thai
tlipy come home early, anu never leave them to be ac-
cninpamed homo by anyman. And, Christian fathers,
>yu should never permit your children to bo nresont
'I'f'^rTltion"^' tliuatre. or at immoral shows of any
Tho lather of a family should caref\illy banish from
-328
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
his house all heretical hooks and tracts, aiid'evenl
those bibles which are published and circulated bv'
heretics ; so also all novels, romances, and love stories
-and every indecent picture or statue. He should ad-
monish his family against all superstitious practices
and sufTcr nothing of the kind under his roof In lii^
manner, ho ought not knowingly to tolerate in his
house any sin, such as profanity, slander, immodest
language, dc. He ought to keep an eye upon all that
-goes on, or if he cannot himself oversee every thinir
he shou d at least, have some person on whom he can
depend to do so for him,. Let him be kind and allbc
tionate to all in his family, without leaving anv sin to
go iinreproved. Such fathers only will be able to stand
without fear before the tribunal of God. He must not
^llow any ill-will to exist between the members of his
household but try to promote among them all a spirit
<^^}^\^i^^i(}rMwnanr\ of tender affection to each other
ihe Christian father wUl not allow his children of
either sex, to grow up in idleness, remembering that
Idleness u, the j.arent of every vice. If his means will
net ollow liun to keep thorn occupied in their studios
at school he will occupy them at home, or put thom
out to labcr, or to learn some useful trade Do not
noweyer give way like so many parents in this country
to a loohsh pride, and endeavor to bring up your
children in a style above their condition. If you are
poor, be content with those schools where your chil-
dren can learn to read and to write, Ac, and do not
allow thorn to waste their lime with music, embroidery
drawing, and suoh like showy accomplishments, which
\vill only make ihem proud, and teach them to despise
tlieir own parents, and to scorn all hon(^st labor If
you bring up your ehildiTu in this way, bo sure your
boys will bee me idle and wicked; voir girls on the
other hand, will learn all the fashionable vices of the
rich ; they will be too proud to marry with any honest
man of their own condition, and iierhans snnnpr or
iaier cecome the victims of some well-dressed, flatter-
DUTIES )P PARENTS.
829
ns sooner or
fng villain. " God rejeclelh the proud, hut loivelh his
grace to the humble. " '^ *
When Christian parents wish to give their sons and
daughters in marriage, Ihey should think more of the
Christian virtue and sincere faith of the bride and
bridegroom than of their riches. They should nevnr
permit the betrothed persons to live in the same house
before marriage, or even to be much together without
the presence of their parents. A great deal of sin is
prevented where parents are wise enough to take these
precautions.
HOW THE CHRISTIAN FATHER OF A FAMILY OUGHT TO
ACT TOWARDS HIS SERVANTS.
He must by no means allow them to run out freely
at night, and he ought not to receive persons of dif-
lerent sexes into his service without great precaution
or permit them to be much together. Let him clo'^e
the house in the evening and keep the kevs himself
He ought promptly to dismiss those servants who are
hkely to lead their fellow-servants or the children of
his family into sin. Masters and mistresses should
make it their business to inquire frequently whether
at night all their servants, their apprentices, as well as
all their children are at home. Let them rather be
loo strict than loo easy in this respect, and never allow
any night-walking, for in such matters indulgcMice is a
fatal sword, which gives death to immortal souls
how many children will curse their parents eternally
in hell, how many servants their masters and mis-
tresses, because of their indulgence to them in this
respect !
Let the father of a family treat all those of his
household with charity, and be like a true father to
Ihem all and not like a tyrant. He must not keep
them so hard at work as to prevent them from saying
their prayers morning and evening, and from hearinS
-— •T-.-i.i xji xjxju xjii ouauavo una iioiy uays in
Sickness, too, he must be to them like a father * L^t
Ihem give Ihem always at the time agreed upon Uieir
' ' i
■ 1
330
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
ia.r and full wages, sufficient nourishment and pv«.
thing else which they need. Be toniberani ThlJ
matters rather than too close and vnn «?ii ,*"^^^
have faithful servants ' ^""^ ^'^^ ^'^«y^
Finally, the Christian father of a familv ch«„i i .
to establish and maintain in h s hoSld ? 1 ^V
religious and Catholic spirit. Let h m teich ni^^T^^^
members of his family to honor Jesus rhr.th^'
Lord in the Clergy of his Churrh ^n n *^^'''
salutary admonitions from the director, nffr^^' '"
with willing obedience a^d always oTove h^^^^^
mother that one holy Catholic and only yrupClmrrT
which alone is able to save us- and l?Qfk i -^ ^''-
Chafed in the vc, hou. o? l^St^o^l^i^Z^^
HOW T^E CHRISTIAN FATHER OF A FAMUY OUGHT in
CONDUCT HIMSELF TOWARDS BIS NEIGHBORS
He ought not to meddle without good reason i,.
draw him into foolish disputes and jeaLsv w^^^^
neighbors ; on the contrary, Jet him always Jv to
preserve pe^ce and yield to' others as SspU
fh n. r ^'^i'T^'^' ^"^ ^^ ^'"i"g togfveimsom^
.^i ^ifH"^'"* ^^' *" ^^^^^ t« shun, as much a?nos '
ble, all disputes, or lawsuits. ^^^''
HOW THE CHRISTIAN ,.vTHER OF A FAMILY SHOn
FULFIL THE DUTIES WHICH HE OWES TO JllisELF "
Put a close restraiui upon all your disorderh in
lUl ann imnnrJjjnt n-,..t»r, 4~i-- ^ . V "" uuiioi-
^f . , i^. ' >"utt^io lURL' counsel of SOmP man
"f piety and exi)eripnce. V - • - - "^ ^^"^^ "^a"
not indulge in play
01
DUTIES OF PARENTS.
33!
Jrink ; avoid the tavern as much as possible or ek^
your iS''1hr. ?^°"/°"^ h'aTand'^'rrtw
lu yuur iiresiue. Those Iriends are not worth hnvimr
whose hearts need liquor to make "heJwarm Be
rst wer^reXctPerrr"*^ T T"^ business "Saving
II SI wen reuectea upon w.^at you arp nhmu tr* h«
Chrisl'ian falhe? love l°"L ± ^"''"J'' ^"""^
and constantly, out oflono 'ood ''^ur'rourZnty
valion, and that of your dear fnmul IJk ,
best blessing shall be w^[h you' ^' ^ ^'^^'"^
HOW THE GOOD CHRISTIAN MOTHER OUGHT .0 FULFf'^
HER DUTIES TO HER CHILDREN.
J Christian mother, it belongs to you to provide
both for the teinporal and eternal welfare of yCu!
lie chddren. You must cherish with great care thl
precious Iruil which you bear about in vour womb in
order that .t may come safely to the grace o? ho v
baptism^ Therefore, during the time of your nrei^
nancy, be careful not to lift any heav y burdeS or"
make any sudden effort; guard yourself llsoSinl
every violent emotion, su?h as anger "rfef/c^^anrt
remember that you are charged with thf^afe keening
of an immortal being, whom God has crLted for?ter?
nal happiness. Do not take your little babe? nJn ht^
with you during yoursleep. How many mothe?^^^^^^^
mjurned for their whole lifetime, because in thic A v
hey have caused the death of their children Do not
..How iJiem, when more advanced, to sle4 with uX
parents in the same bed, and if possiblf not in ih«
0:^113 '%^VT' -sfi:'th"°!rT,L'!
tent ininus. Ihis thing becomes more horriblP -jq
ihey increase in years. When your children are
?i?!:flf?:fi! ^^^^ years old,'separate them'fn
.-- .,,jj„^ ..^^,.^ cauix oiner, for in fhis wav vmi virui
remove from them the occasion of cimmftL7n,rny
''. >
332
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
h>
sins. Go often secretly to observe what your children:
are doing in the chambers, stables, and other by-
places, for by such watchfulness you can prevent a
great deal of mischief.
. 2. As soon as you have given birth to a child, give
thanks to God ; offer it to him, and promise him that
you will bring it up in a Christian manner for his
service.
When you lay your child down in a cradle, or
take it up again, sign it with the holy sign of the
cross, and sprinkle it with holy water. As soon as the
child begins to speak, do you begin also to teach it to
pray. Teach it how to make the sign of the cross,
and to say, " Our Father," and the " Hail Mary.'"
Teach it that there is only one God in three persons ;
that the Son of God became man for us, and has
redeemed us by his death ; that God is a just judge,
who rewards the good, and punishes the wicked. As
a tihristian mother, see that your children say their
prayers when they get up, and when they go to bed,
and before and after meals. Take them early to
church, and do not allow them lo be guilty of any
irreverence there. Often say to them what the holy
Queen Blanche said to her little son, St. Louis ; " My
child, I would rather see you die, than offend God
by one sin."
3. Are your children bad, disobedient, and obstinate ?
Do not, on that account, swear at them, and abuse
them, for in this way you will only teach them to
curse, and to be passionate also ; but admonish ihem
seriously, and if they do not amend, use the rod, not
while you ar3 in anger, but when your mind has be-
come quiet and calm again. " He that spareth the rod,
hateth his son : " so God himself teaches us in Holy
Scripture. If you bring up your children in the fear
of God, and in good habits, they will grow up for your
own great consolation, for the glory of God, and the
J'rf\T r>r ♦Vio Vir>1xr onnpolo
^•J ••' •"•' '""'J •-•-"5-!o.
4. As to the education of your older children, you
must contribute all in your power, and conscientiously
DUTIES OF PARENTS.
333^
heir children Jiave been chastised at school for S
Zm anrt "; '", "'°'' '''"'• ^y '"ktag part a^aLT you?
pruaent to Deal the children of others becau^o mnct
matter who t may be ; and try in .very way^^t";^?^
thorn from all occasions of sin Do not bri/g ud voiir
and suitably to then- circumstances, but never allow
n/.^ ^^'^T' fr^^^>'' ^"^ slill J«ss to go ab ut with
^uu V n?f °"^1''' ^"^"' ^°^ ^°"^i« waTyou wilTbe
guilty of corrupting your own children, and teaching
them to rum the souls of others. Never DermTvn 5
daughter to enter into a promise of mrrdage ^ hlZ
man without your knowledge. But even whTn "hHs
engaged by a promise to some one with vour own an
proval and consent, never let them be long to^ethJr"^
alone, either at home, or abroad, and Sof^all aJ
^7°T ?u ^'^^ towards your servant girls are in thi^i
•espoct, the same a. towards your daufhters ' Keep a
ill-
ilt:
m
I ;
334
PLAIN INSTRnCTIONS.
very watchful eye over them, and never allow them
any thing that may be to their soul's hurt.
Dear Christians! fathers and mothers, parents and
guardians, masters and mistresses ! consider well this
earnest warning, which we give you : As many siih-
jects as God has committed to your keeping in this
world, so many souls you will one <lay have to give
account for to him . for what St. Paul tells us of the
clergy in his f'pistiM to the Hebrews (xiii. 17), is true
also of you : " They watch as being to render an ac-
count of your souls.'' Remember, moreover, that
these souls an' purchased by the precious blood of
Jesus Christ, (ian there will be a greater responsibi-
lity than to have an account to give for the abuse o(
Ihe piecious blood of .lesus Christ?
Ill PUTIES OF CHILDREN TO
HENTS
THEIH PA~
" Honor lh<j father ami thy mother, that thou uiay-
esl be lomj-lived upon the land vihich the Lord thif
(rOd will give thee:' (Exod xx. 12.)
1. Children are bound to cherish a tilial reverence
for their iwrents, and to manifest it at all limes. Mo
condition in life, no age whatever, can excuse you
from this iluty. Always make use of kind and res-
pectful words to your jtarents, even if they treat you
unjustly. Never return them rough, insolent, and
surly answers; never give them nicknames. 13e
careful how you despise them, or feel ashametl of
them, on account of their simplicity, poverty, or hum-
ble condition. Was the Son of Cod ever ashamed of
his poor mother and his poor foster-father ? Why,
then, should you be ashamed of your poor parents,
or desj)ise them 'f
2. Yon owe your parents the most exact obedience
in all things that are not sinful, and contrary to the
will of Coil. Obey them most particularly in all Ihcy
connnund you for your souls salvation, anrt when they
forbid you any thing timl would be hurtAiI to your
DUTIES OF CHILDREN.
335
soul. Do you not know, mv dear children vvlmt «
cjevere account those parents have to give to Ood who
do not bring up their children welll- Whv .JunH
you, then, take it ill if your parents do herdulvi,
heir conscience dictates, and t. v to keep vou ir. th^
way of virtue? ^yould you wish that, fJr y r ca i.?
hSret^ifSV- ''^-^^ souls ■etern^ali;,r,
tors. Plow much trouble, sickness.^ anrl sorrow m
your mother endured for you, even befo p she Tr^,! ^
you into the world ! How manv vears d,d sho rarrv
you m her arms, feed you with Iht milk cher .|?a 'd
care for you with a mother's love! Ilow nueh ^oil
and care have you not cost your father, th, hlMrilh'
feed, clothe, and educate you ! S.e how Gnd lr„X"f
a peals to you in the Holy S.rij.lure : -. ! ' / ///
whole hearl honor Ihy father, an,lfnrqci vol then^ol
msof Ihy mother: lUnnemt.r h I ffioVhnd/ Z
been born but through lhem,amlm 'ke a niln^fnif^
as the,/ have done for thee. " (Eccli vii 4\
My dear son! my daughter! remomlxr that vnu
Will bring down the curse of God upon yourself and
your children, if yuu use your parent. ^^" ,„ !lv ^
you despise them, or (which .God forbid hiryou
til'in'.?"''^ ''•'^"^: '' •'' y°" ^^° »«t take ty^oS
them ,n their necessities. Gall to minrl the e^ n.unles
of he Saints ; place before your eyes younr 'nba,
or Joseph ,n Egypt, and other Saints.^ nsfxaS
of lihal love, and consider that it was on account of
the love of these pious children for th' r an^n t mf
God blessed them so abunduntlv, even on ear h nfd
made tlHMn eternally happy in heaven ' *"^
4. Goiiimonly speaking, you should not niak.'choieo
^!^'^.^^^3^ ^^''thouL the knowledge and apprral
jvui pun-iiij;, nspeoiaily when ihcro is"
lion of m)irri;ig(». It rei
indeed to excuse vou for
parents as much us yuu can in tl
qui'S-
piires very strong reasons
'loing oth(M-wi,so Aid your
leir household duties:
i-
'■
'{36
in.AIN IVSTRUCriONS.
try lo make their burdens lighter; sympathize with
ihem in all their cares ; do not al)an<lon them in their
old age ; .ind when they become reoJ)le and sullering,
do not withold Irom them that assistance which they
have a right to expect from ycu. hut contribute, with
generous gratitude, all you canto their support and
comlbrt, andM^od will bless you lor it.
Attend upon them in sickness, nurse them with the
greatest possible alFection, call in a physician when
they need one, and de not fail to have the holy Sacra-
ment administered to them in good season.
Atler their death, see to it that they are decently
buried, according to their condition, and take care
that their poor souls shall not want for prayers,
masses, and alms. F'ullil scrupulously their last
wil' ; pray for theui; visit sometimes their graves,
in order to pray for them there, and try, by your own
good Chrisiidn life, to honor your dear parents, even
after they are dead.
IV. OF THE DUTIES OF SERVANTS.
1. Hear what holy lessons God gives to servants,
by the mouth of his Apostles. " Servants, be obedieni
to your masters, with fear and trembling, in the sim-
plicilff of jfour heart, sending with a good will as to
the Lord, knowing that whatsoever good thing an]}
man shall do, the same shall he receive from the
Lord.'' (Ephes. vi. 5-8.)
Therefore, Christian servant, altliough you should
plainly perceive that your master and your mistress,
or any other superior is wicked, still do every thing
they command you, only do not imitate them in
their sins. ' ' Servants, be subject to your m asters with
all fear,— not only to the qood and gentle, but also to
thefrowardr U'. Pet. ii.'l8.)
If. however. Lhov solicit vou to commit siri: or or-
der you to do any thing wrong, do not obey them,
but resist all evil ; for the favor oi man continues
DUTIKS Ul- SKHVANTS.
331
JVorn morning uiiiil cveniui: bin ihe iUvor of r i
I or Gods sake, 1)0 careful nevfr lo h nd vmVr o
I'.v the hving God as a destroyer of so„N Kee , vou,
Hmp 1
[
I
338
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
V. ON THE CONDUCT CF Urs^MARRIED PER.
SONS OF BOTH SEXES.
" Jkmcmber thy Creator in the days of thy youth
before the time of afjlidion comer (Eccles. xii. l .)
ADVICE TO YOUNG CATHOLIC MEN.
1. The young Catholic Christian should firmlv
muiRtain the holy faith of his haptism. He sh(,iil(l
never be ashamed of it, but confess it openly and
manfully before the whole world. Would it not ho
a thing to blush for, if, while Catholics are proud (.f
their faith in other countries, where many of them
aie rich, noble, and powerful, they should, on llio
contrary, be ashamed of their religion here, beraii^e
the high places of wealth, power, and fashion aie
otc^^icd by heretics ? The young Catholic should
be dbove such mean and cowardly motives. Let
him remember that this is the only truj and divin«
laith ; that the Catholic Church alone hassuivi\(a
the changes aad revolutions of 1800 years; thatmil-
licris of martyrs have bled for it, and millions r.orf^
have conJessed it before persecutors, before ever tl-e
wi rid had heard or dreamed of Protestants. Ho
should look with charity and pity upon all the rn-
ishmg and deluded multitude of heretics and infidels
around hiin, but never give in to their false principie^^
never deny his faith, nor hide it, nor darken it, mr
blush for it. " //e that sliall deny nie before men/'
said our Lord Jesus Christ, '' I will also den ii him
More my lather who is in heaven. " (St. Matt. x.
dd.) Irom the same principle of faith, never alkw
yourself to bo «irawn into any dangerous order for-
bidden by the Holy Church, like that of tho Fro;-
Masons, or Odd-F«llows. Join no secret societi-,
not even those which profess to be Catholic, or to
Jk» instituted for the reform of morals. To tho
Church alone, God has committed the task of r"-
I--I ii^ijif^ aiiu 5u»nij| uio wona.
;i. The young Catholic Christian should pract!?n
laithluliy the duties of his religion. You will not
TO YOUNG CATHOLIC MEN.
330
bo saved only because you are a Catholic, but when
you are a tnip and pious ono. Let not weak and
silly minds persuade you that it is an unmanlv thin^
In engage in •exorcises of piety. Were not Josiie. nnd
David, and th(; brave Machabees, manly men ? Lis-
it'ii to the tbilowing historv of that great and virtn-
Miis hero, Simon, Count of Montfort, who lived in the
tw-Mfth century, and was equally distinguished for
liis piety and his bravery. One morning while tiM-
(l.Kholic army were encamped before the citv ol
Ton louse, which they were besieging, Simon \vs\^
dovuutly ocruj);pd in prayer at the time of the Holv
Muss. The intelligence was there brought to him
I hat the enemy were approaching. Simon, howpv^r
• lid not move. Just as the Priest was about to con-
st'crate, the word came again: "The bntllo is b«>-
ginning, come Immediately." " Let me alone.'* snid
Simon, " I will not go until T see my Saviour. "' He
waited a nioiuf^nt longer until the conspcratimi w.'is
"nd.'d, adored the sacred body of his Lord, and tli.>n
went to lead his army to a glorious victorv. F)o
not say, then, young Christians, that pietv is'only a
virtue of w»'ak-minded men, as if heaven "wero made
Icr the foolish and timid, and hell onlv for the hnivp
'ind manly. Follow the example of all trulv good
!ind faithful Catholics. Be constant like them !■•
your religious duties, such as daily praver. onwU-s-
sion and the holy Communion, and never hvivc
your place vacant on Sundays and Holv Davs. He
not corrupted by the love of money, or of pieasiue.
Iiiii remembf'r what Jesus Christ said : " Whal dolh
'/ i>rofil a man, if he r/ain the whole world, nuti soTer
ilic^ loss of his own soul y " (Matt. xvi. 26.)
.!. Be always indastrlous. Man is born to laJmr :
without this there can be no true piety or \ irtuc Itr-
iii'Mober that excellent maxim, that "idleness is the
li*r piety, honesty, or purity on the street corners, or
under an idle hat. " If ami man will not worlc" sa \ <
ih« Apostle Paul, ''neither let him eat. UV chnrqe
340
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
them that are such, and beseech Ihem by the Lord Jesus
onrist, Uiat working they would eal Llleir own breads
4. Be sober and temperate in all things " No
drunkards shall possess the kingdom of Godr (1 Cor
VI. 10.) O how many young men of most excellent
iind amiable qualities, have ha i ruined by this vice
both for this world and for eternity ! And yet, many
01 them had good intentions enough in some sort, they
■did not wish to be intemperate, or to die a drunkard's
death. If then, my dear young friends, you 3vould be
sale, never frtM^uent taverns, or those places where
intemperate men are accustomed to acsemble, nor keep
intoxicating liquors in your house, nor associate with
wild, dissipated, and drinking young men. " He that
lovelh danger," says the Prophet, " shall perish in it "
(IiiCcli. 111. 27.)
5 Finally, young Christian, nothing can injure or
>«1ishonor you more than the sin of impurity. Accord-
ing to the maxims of the world, this sin ought not to
be regarded as such, or, at least, as one of little conse-
quence, a pardonable weakness. The religion of Jesus
(^hnst, however, teaches a .litferent lesson. It tells us
tnat impurity is a dreadful sin, a dishonor to God our
bovereign Lord, an irijury to Je.^.us Christ, who re-
deemed us, and a profanation of the Holy Ghost, who
sanctifies us. The impure man disln>nors God his
sovereign Lord, for he makes of the object of his guilty
passion an idol which he adores, sacrilicing to it his
peace, his health, his honor, his fortune, the grace of
God, and his soul's life. The sovereign of his heart is
no longer God, but a creature of clay, to whom he offers
up all his thoughts and desires, fs not this a great
crimo ? Is It not a deteslable ingratitude towards God t
Ilu. impure man dishonors Jesus Chri.st our Prince
and aed.,'..Mner. «• Know gnu ml that i/our bodies are
Ihe members of ChrUt ? Shall / Uieii lake the mem-
Y'! , ff,' ft, ,.,-., ^:i.i Tiitxr.r. iti^ti liiQ menwers of a iiav'
iotf (iOdforbuir So wrot(3 the great Apostle of lliy
tientiles. ( I Cor. vi. 1 5.) Are we not made by Biiptisrii
TO YOUNG CATHOLIC MEN.
341
children of God brethren of Jesus Christ, co-heirs with
nm of the kingdom of his heavenly Father, and mem.
hers even of his own body ? How horribly then do?s
the impure sinner treat the members of Jesus Christ"
rhnJ! I' i- ^'" ""^ impurity dishonors the Holy
(.host. ^' Know you noir says the Apostle, - tiJi
your members are the temple of Ihe Hoh Gkost, who
ism you ? " il Cor. vi. 19.) But the Christian who
commits a sin of impurity, chases away the Holv Ghost
from his heart, and makes room in il for the impure
But would you, young Christian man, see still more
clearly the greatness of this sin, call to mind the awfu^
punishments by which God has chastised il. Open
he books of Holy Scripture, and you will see Zre
how God sent a universal deluge upon the earth, and
how all men, with the exception of the one family of
Noah were swallowed up by the waters, and you will
see there that impurity was the dreadful sin which
made God so angry against the world, and lor which
he punished it so severely. You will see there too
how, some time after this terrible event, all the houses
and inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, and of three
other cities were burned to ashes by a shower of brim-
stone and fire. But what sin had the inhabitants of
hodom and Gomorrah committed, that they drew down
vengeance from heaven in so terrible a manner i 1 1 was
he sin of impurity. Afterwards, twenty-four thousand
Israelites were slain in the wilderness, by the command
r JfOd, because they had sinned with the daughters
of the Madianites. On account of their unnatural sins
ilerandOnan, the sons of Juda, were struck dead'
and the seven husbands of Sara were strangled in the
night by the devil, in punishment of their wicked
<Jesires. Can any one look upon this sin as a trifle or
an excusable weakness, when it is punished so se-
verely by an infinitely holy and just Judge ?
jj-^i an iiiccc jjuiiioiiiiiciiis, lernoie as they may ap-
pear, cannot be compared with those which God has
reserved for the impure, In the life lo come. •« T/i6
r
, i":
342
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
Lod shall judge his people. U is a fearful Ihinq to
Infl in/n fhr hnnrf. nf the livmq GodJ^ (fceb. x 30 )
I • I'Uns reason, m earlier times, the Church inflicioli
. .' «.;v.'re |)erian.>^ of seven years upon the sin ol' im-
! iiiMy : and, if n was also adultery, fifteen vears
I his sin IS morvover beyond all others dangerous
"'• ihe r(-ason that every thing which is donecontrar\-
I" pnnty, if it is done deliberately, becomes at once n
iii'irial sm.
VVhen. for example, you are guilty of a slight falso-
i'l d, or aroa little angry, 4c., it is not at once a mor-
M sm ; but as soon as you consent to impurity, if it
be only ju tlwught, it is already a great sin. Th-re-
lore, embraces, and such like indecent familiarities
cannot easily take place between persons of different
sexes without mortal sin.
Tho,4^fonv dear Christian youth, avoid with horror
'MS d<-t.>stHb|e vice, which dishonors and destroys
"If . soul and body, and has contributed more to fill
f ;H. than any other. Avoid all those dangerous
I'lieos and amusements which leads to it, such as the
th.Mtre. the circus, dancing, reading novels, Ac.
Avoid as much as possible the society of females
• '-ppcially those who are loose and familiar in their
manners. Do not take part in immodest conver-
s'tion, nor allow your ears to be defiled wi^' it Even
w len you are alone, think how God sees ai i judc^es
n. things And finally, dear young Christian, prav.
( > never forget to pray, especially in the moment 6f
temjdation. In this wicked and lost world, vou must
never cease to pray, if you would escape from the
;-' noral ruin.
ADVJCK TO YOUNG CATHOLIC WOMEN.
Innocence, young Christian maidens, is the most
|»recious treasure you have on earth, and vou ought
I > prefer death to losing it. In order, therefore, that
vnii may not lose it, fly from every dancer. ev«n the
most remof^, which could rob you of it. In every danger
whieh you cannot avoid, tight like Christian heroine^
TO VOUNG CATHOLIC MEN.
343
i'or Ihe jji-eservation of your purity; employ every
]>os9ibIe moans to guard it unstained, not only before
Ml.) n, but also in the eyes of God, and ofyourown
• vMisoience. •• lUfis.sed are the clean of heart,'' says our
Sjia lour Jesus Christ, " for they shall see God. '
Pay attention, now, while I show you the principa I
ilnngers which threaten your innocence.
The most dangerous enemies to holv purity, and
ihuse which you ought to shun the most carefully.
iiro : V
I. Vain-glory, or an excessive desire to please the
v/oi'Id.
Lot it be your first endeavor to please God. When
yuii are pleasing to God, you are pleasing to the
Angels in heaven, and to all good Christians. Trv
I lion, like noble-hearted Virgins, to be beautiful, not
111 Ihe eyes of men, but in the eyes of God. •
■1. Vanity in dress. " Women' s adornment ,'' writes
Uk' holy Apostle Peter, "ought not to he in the
plaiting of the hair, or the wearing of gold, or
Ihe nulling on apparel but in the hidden man of
Uic heart, in the incorruptibility of a quiet and a meek
spirit, which is rich in the sight of Godr (1 Pet.
III. 3.) The young woman who is truly pious will not
try to draw upon herself the eyes of ©there by the
color and gaiety of her dress ; she does not seek to
obtain for herself praise and consideration by the
•lii^play of vain ornaments and new fashions. " Favor
is deceitful and beauty is vain ; ihe woman that fear-
'•Ih the Lord, shall be praised:' (Prov. xxxi. 3'.)
II hitherto, young Christian woman, you have
j^iven way to this foolish vanity, allow yourself to be
earned, and amend. Hear what happy effects
liavo followed evon in a heathen country, from the
iitodosty of women in their apparel :
In Cortona, a city of Italy, in the year 529 before
ili<^ birth of Christ, the corruption of morals had be-
f** J IT 111 I crk rrt.Anf ♦I'.n4- Al-./-^ ...1 1>^ ^:i.-. ^1 . •
• •-..!• cv.- 5ir-»i, mat iiic wiiuic viiy w;is iiireaieneu
Nvith ruin. Pythagoras, a wise philosopher of that
day, represented to the inhabitants their danger in
344
PLAIN INSTRUCTiONS.
^.forcible a manner, that they determined to pmend
IhZZr^V''''^ ^^^ ^'''^ ^*^PS- ^" a certain day
they all, with one consent laying aside their jewels
and their garments embroidered with gold, hasteued
to the temple, and there solemnly promised to d^els
more modestly for the future, and to seek their true
ornaments in simplicity and virtue. From thlt mo!
ment frugality and the love of order we resto?^r]
in their families, a founclaiion was sooriaid for [he
saved' 'tTT. f '\' y°^"^'' ^"d '^^ st^te was
saved. See what female virtue can accomplish and
3. Imprudence in looks, gestures, and words
Keep, young maidens, to the exemple which 8t
Ambrose places before you of the blessed Virgin
He says: -She had nothing bold in her eves no'
aSf'' ^" ''^^°^'^' "^'^"^ unbecomingTn her"
-Let your eyes be modest. There is great mean ino-
mthat prayer of David : « Turn aL^/mv^rS
tC m.^^n /q'''- "^^^ /^"" y^^'' ''' attendance on
the queen of Spain, and did not know her face
Speak little, and let that little be modest -InfL
r^^;n^''^""'^'^' " '''^ ^^-lomon,"X; sh^l no't
4. Bad company.
'' Ecil communications corrupt good manners am?
ie^5.S^"a I rnL.V^T"'^ ^^'''' ^"^^ P'aysare dan-
gerous a.id ruinous for a younff woman In tho
voluptuous dance innocence dies^m? on the wav
home It will be buried. The first kep on the danc n^
Xuin'^Yonnrrh'^SP^'^^^' ^^^ first step toward!
senuct on Young Christian women, never so out
alone in the evening, shun all those parties. melLJs
and entertamments where modesty must blush and
where there is iraoronernnndur-t .rn.-r,^ Z. ^"' ^"^
0. Familiarity with persons of tSe o?her"sex
' TO YOUNG CATHOUC WOMEN.
945
In this way a spark is soon thrown into the heart
4here it becomes fire, and firerlburnrand consumr.
Never give up to a feeling of atta-Shment for any
man or passion is bhnd and bhnding. Your saletv
IS m flight. Never remain alone with any man un
Jess It be absolutely necessary. Do not U^isT'o Vcm"
Z;^''"^clk i^^^ ^^^^^ ^^'^^^ *^^^--^
^ Receive no gilt f^om any man. Do not sell vrnm
innocence for goKl^r a gay dress, a pretty rln^ Ac
Remember that (m is the richest of all, and S'al^o
you something ^ore beautiful in heaven 'In tl o
moment of danjcrous solicitation, do not. irlfl-Mvith
the danger by tiseless remonstrance, but ilv at onro
and If detained by force, cry aloud for heC 'ThS
will cover you with honor, and your en'pmy wnh
^?n?fA 3;^'^'""gto sufler deathVathef S c n.
sent to sin for one moment. And if^your tempter
threatens you that he will take y our lire or hh own
fear net, and tell him boldly that you will not bo fo^t
fcr his sake. You hav« th/right even To takf his 1 fo
If you can, rather than to submit to his wicked wlV
If in your father's house you arc in dan-pr IVoni
any person who lives there, tell your parents or It
that he may be sent away at once ^ '^'
Ifyou are out at service and any one lays a smro
for your innocence, make complaint immediiitch to
your master or mistress, and if they do no as.i t
you, leave their s«rvic«. It is better for vou to
suffer 3very kind of mockery, poverty and pers^^c i-
tion, than to foil into the hands of the livingS is
a guilty smner. ^ '^^
At night Icck the door of your chamber do n- c
listen to any tempting voice at the window hut sny
myonr heart: O Jesus, slay here with n^el'Portheo
I wish to live and die ! If you liavc in the same i oori
•a female companion who keen^ imnmror --.^-:-V:-
you shouhl admonish her, and if "tiiat doo.'no'l^rd'
mako It known to your master nnd mistre s that yen
may not yourself be corruj.ted by her. aiiink oi' tha
346
PLAIir INSTRUCTIONS.
consequences of an impure life, and how bitter is that
repentance wfiich comes too late. A licentious youth
brings a sad old age.
6. Improper reading.
For God's sake, never read any of those novels,
romances, and other such dangerous books, which
are now, unhappily, so very common. A\s, they
have ruined too many souls already. Dt r young
Christian ! make the firm resolution this very moment,
that you will never read them any more. In fine, try
in all respect? to live in such a manner that when yow
stand before the sacred altar, on the day of your mar-
riage, you may have a pure heart and a pure hand to
give away ; or if you remain single, that you may take
the treasure of your innocence with you to the grave
and in heaven be numbered forever with that lovely
band or Virgins, whose glorious privilege it is " to
follow the Lamb wheresoever he goeth." (Apoc. xiv.
I*v.)
X
A LITTLE MANUAL FOR THE SICK AND
DYING.
•* Watch ye, therefore, because you know not at what
hour your Lord will corned (Matt. xxiv. 42.)
I. INSTRUCTION FOR THE SICK.
t . When you are sick, my dear Christian, let it be
your first care to lift up your miud to God, who sends
you this sickness as a trial. Say in your heart with
the patient Job : " The hand of the Lord hath touched
me." (xix. 21.) Receive this sickness from God, your
heavenly Father, as a special favor, as Jesus Christ
received the bitter cup of suffering from the hand of
his heavenly Father. Say, with your divine Saviour :
Not mine, heavenly Father, but thy will be done !
In this way unite your will with the divine will, and
pray to God for the grace of patience in your suffering.
2. Be as careful to provide for your soul's salvation,
as if you were sure this sickness would be your last.
Seek to reconcile yourself to God in good time, by a
sincere and contrite confession, and if your Father
confessor approves it, by a general confession. Do
not put off this confession from one day to another,
until your sickness is at such a height as to make con-
fession very difficult, or wholly impossible. Receive
the hoiy Communion as the best medicine for your soul
and body, and as a support upon your way to eternity.
Welcome your Saviour with interior love, as the best
friend and helper of your soul. When you receive
extreme unction, do not be terrified, as if you must,
therefore, instantly die ; but let it rather be to you a
consolation to receive this holy sacrament, which puri-
tifko 4-Vi£k o/Mil Pv%r\vm ofr\
si'^o Liiv oi-'iis iiu'rxxoxxx.
:ti uiisiLii-wiu i.Xi ivx tjii\-' xtioii vuxiiiiuv
with temptations, and is able even to procure for yoiL
347
348
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
lioallh (tf body, wIk-ii Ihc good of t!ie soul requires it.
Tho Council nfTrnnt, itself, assures us (Sess. 22, Cap.
2), tli.'iL jjcaliii orixMJy is sometimes obtaiurd Ihrou^'li
this holy sa(-ramonl, when that lieallh is j»rolitab!e t"
the souls salvation. It would be a ^reat ini])nidence
if you should delay to rec^eive in season ;i sacrament
so important and advantageous \\n- body and .^oui.
3. When you have set in order the affairs ol" your
conscience, then arrange your temporal affairs. Make
your will with all the rormalities which the law re-
quires, or, in some otln'r way, bring all your affairs
intu order, by a clear, plain and carcrul arrangeiuPiit.
Do not postpone this business so long, that at the verv
end of your life, when you should have no care but
for your soul, the precious moments will ])e occupied
W'ith temporal affairs. Remember death may come
suddenly, and that you will have to ansv/er before the
judgment of Jesus Christ, if through yoiu* careless-
ness any one has to suffer injustice. How manv dis-
orders, enmities, and lawsuits, have arisen froni this,
neglect of the sick to make their last testament. H
you have property belonging to anothei-, n-sloi-e it ; it
you have debts, pay them Woo be to you. if vnur
soul should remain burd*>ned with any i'1-gotten pos-
sessions, or if you enter into eternity with the con-
sciousness that you have neglected to discharge vuur
Jionost de})ts ! Do not forget, also, in your last will,
to provide for your own soul, by pious legacies, and
benevolent beffuests, for your children and othei- heirs
will p(Tlmps have little can; for your soul's repose,
when they have entered upon the enjovment of your
goods.
i. Do not neglect to make use of a |)hvsiciau. and
or his remedies ; this is the will of God, who, foi- vour
sake has given to medicine its power. But place v()ur
whole confidence in God, for he it is who must en-
lighten tho physician, and give efficacy to hjs n-niedies.
If these remedies do not benefit you, do not murunn-,
nor complain about the physician and his practice. Do
not make the task of your attendants, already diflicult
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
349
enough, more diflicult by your impatience, but submit
yourself entirely to the will of God, without whose
permission not a hair of your head can fall.
5. Do not spend the time of your sickness in un-
profitable conversation, or in excessive care of your
bodily hf^alth, but remember that on the good use you
nmkfi'of this time of sulfering, your eternal salvation
is jxTliaps depending. At certain times of the day
youcan repeat certain prayers and devotional exercises,
such as the Rosary, or the Penitential Psalms, or a
Litany. Read also some spiritual book, or have one
fad to you, especially one that treats of the sufferings
of Josus Christ, or you may cheer your heart with
pious and holy conversation. If you cannot exert
yourself to pray and read much, elevate your mind to
God by holy sighs and pious aspirations. Take the
<TUcilix in your hand, press it often to your heart and
to your lips, and say to yourself: " O my Jesus ! I
unitf my sulferings with thy sufloriugs ! T will bear
tlioni willingly in expiation of my si. -. "
Place opposite to your bed an image of the most
blessed Virgin, and put great conildence in her. Turn
to her a? a beloved mother who will not leave you in
the time of trouble. Honor also the angels and saints
of God, especially those for whom you feel a peculiar
devotion.
If your sickness is of long continuance, ask your
Father-confessor to visit you sometimes, and administer
from time to time the holy Communion for the comfort
and support of your soul.
6. Besides the sulferings of Christ, which ought to
be the principal subj«'ct of your meditations, meditate
in your sickness also on the suflerings of the Saints
and their patience. With what patience did not holy
Job suffer, striking image as ho was of the Man of
Sorrows 1 How resigned was the aged Tobias in his
blindness 1 and St. Francis Xavier, who cried out in
his sulferings : "Still more, my Lord r' and »i.
Teresa, who was accustomed to say: "Either let mo
suffer or let me die I" The holy Virgin Ludwina suf-
350
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
fered for eight and thirty years so distressing an illness^
that her whole body was like one sore, and yet she
preserved throughout the greatest patience and calm-
ness of soul. Yon will find in the lives of the Saints
examples like these without number.
II. INSTRUCTION FOR THE DYING.
1. When your sickness increasing warns you that
death is drawing near, do not bo discouraged and de-
sponding, but resign yourself to quit this world, which
was never yours as n permanent, abode, and entoryour
heavenly home. " // is appointed for men o?ice h
die.'' (Hebr. ix. 27.) We are as strangers hero, and
it must not give us pain to go to our Father tfi heaven
and our divine Saviour. By death you will be IVood
from allyour misery, and from the risk of sinningany
more. Death is the entrance to heaven. Death is tho
best satisfaction for your sins, if you reccivn It with
submission to the will of God. Death makes you
more like your divine Saviour ; for Jesus died also,
and hb died for you.
2., If you have still any thing upon your cnnscienrf
that troubles or oppresses you, do not conceal it, but
Bend for your Confessor, and rliscover to huii your
whole heart in a penitent confession, that afterwards
no distressing thoughts may disturb your peace ol
conscience.
3. If you have an enemy, seek to be reconciled to
him ; banish every uukin<l thought from your heart.
Were not the last words of y(»ur divine Saviour a
prayer for his enemies ? If you have n wife and chil-
dren, and it is a burden on your heart to leave th(ni),
cheer yourself with the thought, that God will take
care of them, and that you can pray for them still be-
fore His throne, and better than here on earth.
4. When you have set in order the alia irs of your
conscience and your temporal concerns, do not torment
yourself too much with the thought how it will be with
you after death, and whether you will bo saved
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
35t
Commit yourself wholly to the infinite and tender
mercy of God, and ask nothing else but that God may
be glorified in you, and that his holy will may be
fulfilled. This is the best way to die jjiously and to
secure your eternal salvation ; for it is impossible for
a soul to be lost that submits itsell' ontiroly to God.
Say often with y^iur suffering and doserted Saviour ou
the cross: ''Father! into Iky hands J commend inij
spirit."
5. Resist with courage and firmness .ill the assaults
and temptations of hell. If a UMH|ilation arises con-
cerning your faith, do not examinr il, filter into no
controversy with thf enr'inx of your soul, but say : I
believe what tli;^ Catholic Church brli(n'(', and in this
faith will I die! If ynu arc assall'd b\ disc.oiu'aginjj;
thoughts which tiMiijil you to di.-lrnsl in llu> goodness
of God, either because of the number of your sins, or
because you have so little liim' to (i(» |M'i.aiu'e ; or that
it seems to you too (lillicult a Miiti^ to gain heaven be-
cause the way is narrow and lli" gale is strait, tlni
numberof the elect small and youi* good works very
few; or that the coldness of youi- heart and your in-
gratitude to God makeyou unworthy of pardon, chase
away promptly all these usel"Sf> and disccairaging
fears. Think rather of the unbounded love and
mercy of God and the infinite merits of Jesus Christ :
surrender yourself with the greatest peace and scM'cni-
ty of mind to the divine will, and say in yinu' heart :
Father in heaven! into thy hands I wholly commit
myself; my life, my death, my soiil.iu\ salvation, my
temporal and my eternal life! Do with me what thou
wiit ; living and tiying I am thine !
6. Occupy yourself chielly with acts .1" failh, hop",
and charity; of contrition for the sins of your whole
life, and i)f resignaliou to the w ill of God I do not say
this only by way ol" good advice. It is a duty to
make these acts < hen during life., and there is a special
«l. I :.>..< :r^n in mn\--a fViom itt t\ti\ n fit it^/'inp )i f\f ilunth Tf it
i;i;i:^ii i-..-:i iv? ninnr: lii-_si: :tr n:- tij-j t -•«» ■ -- --
is not too fatiguing, get some one to read to you tho
story of the passion of Jesus Christ, or some other pious
352
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
subject. Take often the crucifix in your hand and kiss
it with fervor, and take caro tp lia^ attached to i' the
plenary indulgence for the hour of death. Turn your
eyes olTcn to the image of the'blessed Virgin Mary,
nnd commend yourself to hGr'powerfu! protection. Let
ilie names of Jesus and Mary be alwavs upon your
li])S until the last moment, and in that solemn moment
nlso, let the blessed candle be burning by your side,
or if possible take it even in your own hand, as a tes-
timony that you have kept until the end the holy faith
of your baptism.
III. INSTRUCTION FOR THOSE WHO ATTEND
ON THE SICK AND DYING.
1. Of all the works of Christian charity to our
neighbor,' none is so meritorious and so pleasing to
God ns when we assist him in his sickness, and try to
jjrocure for him a happy death. Many n sou! has been
savod by this oflice of Christian love, which would
oth'^rwif^o have been eternally lost, Jesus Christ prom-
ises the kingdom of heaven to those who visit and as-
sist his sick brethren. At the day of g(meral judg-
iiifut, ho will say to them : " Come, ye blessed of my
fallier, possess the kingdom prepared for you front
the foini{uilion of the world; for I was sick and you
visited m." (St. Matt, xxv.)
St. F^liyip Neri calls the sick-chamber the spiritual
gold-mine, where we can find iniinite treasures of
merit for lieaven. For this rvjason, the family of the sick
l)('rsor(, and the neighbors too, should always be very
ready'to give their lielp, not only to take care of him.
and to watch with him, but also to console him, ami
if need bo to counsel him for the good of his soul.
" Be riol slow to visit the sick, for bi Ulese thinqs
thou shall be confirmed in love.'' (Eccli. vii. 39.)
2. Lftt no un]irofitable, foolish, and worldly conver-
sation lake I'luce bv the bedside of the dving. For
they have n(H^d to be'instructed, strengthened, and con-
soled for their journey into eternity. Therefore, aU
MANUAL FOR THE SICK,
35J
those visitors should bo excluded who only come out
oJ" curiosity, and all those who by their noise and idla
chattering, disturb and distract the mind of the sick
person. Lt^t only those porsoiiS bo present whoso aL-
Lontions are necessary, and from time to time let them
suggest to the dying person some pious reflection,
some short prayer, or holy aspiration. Other friends-
\vho happen to be present slu-uld repi'at the Litany,
and other prayers for the agonizing, or the Rosary, in
a room adjoining, or at a little distance away from the
dying person.
3. All those should be carefully excluded from the
sick-ehaniber whose presence might be an occasion of
new temptations to the dying, or is calculated to dis-
turb his peace of mind, as. for instance, tluise [tersons
with whcm in his lifetime he has lived in indawfid, or
at least suspicious intercourse, and ihuse who have
been the cause of any considerable misfortune to him,
or done him great injuries ; and also those i'elationslo»
whumheisthe most strongly attached, especially v. hen
thM.y are too littie discreet, because by their immoderato
grief they may disturb his pt^ace of mind.
4. Ask the dying man if he has stiU any thing re*^
maining upon his conscience, and if he says yus, let
the priest be sent for without delay, who may satisfy
his conscience. When he enters upon his last agony,
the bystanders ought to recite the prayers for the
agoniziiig, which are at the end of this little manual
(see page 375), and, if convenient, let the priest be
called again.
5. It is necessary to make use of those prayers and
pious exennses which are adapted to the coniHtion of
the sick. It is particularly important to |)ersuade him
to make acts of faith, hope, charity, contrition, ot re-
signation to the will of God, and of desire for Heaven.
The prayers and reading must not be in too loud a
voice, or it will distress the sick jierson. Do not read
too raph'iiy, or too nmcw r,t once, j)ut Ri0\\ y, auu iiovv*
and then pause awhile, that lu? may have time to con-
sider what ho has heard. Kemind him that it is enough.
354
WAIN INSTBUCTIONS.
if he follows wilh his liciirl whiil ynii iv.id to hiin,.i)i<l
that il is iMil iiect'ssai'V I'or liiiii to i'i;i> 'vilh liis lips.
6. Thos" wlio ui'o occupied in liif >;c,v-i-oom liiivc
the ((|)portiiiiily to I'cv.ail to his luiiiil many pi siis
thoughts: as. Ibr iiislaiico, when ili.'y iiiv aiTaiii,^iii\:-
the hed, they can say lo him : " Vuu have a soft bed
to rest on : InU our Savioiu* had iiowln'iv to iay liis
head." When "lie takes food ur drink, or any ollici-
refreshment, I hoy may say to him ; •• O. how good is
our dear God, who refreshes us with food and (h'iiik :
Jesus, tlic Son of God, for love of us, had no other
refreshment than gall and vinegar. " When the sick
man turns from one side to tho other, and can lijid no
rest, say lo hi;n : '^ In God alone is triie rest and I'c-
freshment to be found. In this world we can never
lind rest, until we submit ourselves lo the most holy
will of God. ■' In thi?. way, the sick man may be kepi
always? united wilh God, and resigned to his will.
7. "Encourage- Ihe dying person lo look often upon
theCrucilix, and kiss it. Let an image, loo, of the
blessed Virgin Mary be placed before his eyes, that
he may have recourse to her. See that all things of
a worldly character be taken out of the room, such as
lirearms," pr(jfai.e pictures, and gay articles of dress,
that his tlioughts may not be attracted by them. Let
the blessed candle be ready ; ollen sprinkle his room
and his bed witli holy water, and when he conies to
his last agony, whisi)'er distinctly and slowly in his ear
the last '- Sighs of the Dying ' (see page .373), but
especially repeat lo him ov<'r and over again, themnsi
holy names of Jesus and Mary.
IV. A FEW REMEDIES AGAINST THE VARIOUS
TEMPTATIONS OF THE DYING.
The most holy names of Jesus and Mary are, beyond
all doubt, their most powtuful W(>apons against tem|tt-
ations of e\ery kind ; and then, also, the holy sign of
the Cross. It is, ne\ertheless, verx usel'ul lo kii ''v
some special remedies ngain^l each kind of temptali -h
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
355
1. Templatiom agaiml FuiUt.—U you would tri-
umph in fiith, and banish all doubts, you must not in-
diil^'o ih any suJjtl(3 investigations, or in any discussion?
(joiicerning your faith ; but firmly declare, with the
iiuaii and the lips : "I believe what the holv Roman
(wiihulic Church believes ! " Thank God that he has
•willed you to this true i'aith, and say : '• I will live and
iiui as a child of the Catholic Church I '" TJien, in
order to turn your mind away from the temptation,
occupy yourself with other pious acts, such as the acts
of Mope an<l Charity. Do not enter into any argu-
ments with the templation , even if bright light and clear
reasons should present themseht-s; for Satan often dis-
guises himself like an aijgel of light. Think of the
doclaration of Jesus Christ : " lilcsscd are they that
have ml seen, and have believed." (St. John, xx. 29.)
2. Tcwplations ngnm.sl //opr.— This temptation is
one of the strongest and most dangerous. The sick
man is often tormented by the number of his past sins,
and with groundless fears that his confessions were
bad and insiillicienl; he is too much terrilied by the
tliought oJ" Judgment, and of hell, although he has
done his best to prepare against both. In ordei* to
liium|ili over this temptation, you nuist ol'len think of
the unbounded and infinite compassion of Cod. For
St. Paul C^ Cor. i. 3) calls God " the Faiherof mercies ^
God desires our salvation more than we do ourselves.
Jfe seeks for us as a good shepherd looks for his lost
sIkm^P ; he loves us more than a te.ider mother her be-
loved child. '' As I live'' saith the Lord God, «' I desire
not the death of thr wicked, but that the wicked turn
from his way and tive. If the wicked do penance,
/ will not remember all his iniquities which he halh
done'' /Ezech. xxxiii. II. xviii. 21.) Only one
sincere sigh of contrition from the heart of the sinner
<uin obtain pardon for the greatest crimes, if the sinner
lios the serious will to amend, and to confess his sins
Hs well as h(» is able. The publican mentioned in the
JJoly Gospel had scarcely spoken from a contrite heart
these words, " Lord, be merciful to me. a sinner,"
^56
PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
than he was justified before God. The prodigal son
had no sooner fallen at the feet of his father, tliaii he
embraced hirn, und forga\e him his sins And llins
our heavenly Father deals with us when we return
truly penitent to him.
One of the strongest motives of confidence in the
mercy of God is the passion of Josus Christ. He who
has a good will need not be nfraid of eternal condem-
nation, since Jesus has given himself up to the death
of the cross to save us from eternal death. Our hojjo
is still furtlier strengthened by the promise of Jesus
Christ, that he will give us every thing we ask of him.
" Amen, amen ! I say (o you,'' said he, " if you ask Ihe
Father any thing in my name, he ivill give il you."'
(St. John, xiv. 23.) This promise embraces sinners, as
well as othors ; for Jesus says, in another place, ''Everif
one thai askeUi, receivdh.'" (St. Matt. vii. 8.) Who-
ever } Aays sincerely for liis soul's salvation, will cer-
tainly receive from God those graces and means which
are necessary for his soul's salvation. " The Lord is
qood to the soul. Ihal sedelh him.'" (Lam. iii. 25.) " 0,
how good and sweet is thy Spirit, Lord, in all
things !'' (Wisd. xii. I.)
Another most powerful motive to trust in the mercy
of God is the intercession of Mary the divine Mother,
and that of the saints and angels, whose prayers are
so efficacious on our behalf. The holy Church calls
Mary the refuge of sinners, our life and our Hoj)e.
Mary receives all who apply to her, even the most
wicked and forsaken ; no one ever had recourse to Ikm'
without being heard. The other saints of God pray
-00 before the throne of God fbr our salvation, and fly
to our help in our last conflict. .Invok in a particular
manner, the good St. Joseph, patron of a happy death,
the holy archangel Michael, your guardian angel, and
those saints whom you have honored most in time of
health.
3. Temptations to im,r)n,iience — When vou are
tempted to repine on account of the long conlinu-
ince of your sickness, the greatness of your suffer-
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
357
ings, Ac, you should consider what the martyrs
.suffered for Jesus Christ, how they were burned,
flayed aUve, and crucilied. Especially rcliucl on
what the innocent Lamb of God has sullered for the
Jove of us. Remember too that by your impaiioneo
you do not diminish your pains, and tJiat if you are
impatient under your sufferings, you will have to siu-
fer both in this life and the next. But when you
suffer with patience, you not only make your present
pains lighter, but you diminish the pains which uwaiL
you in purgatory, and acquire also much greater merit
for heaven. " Your sorrow shall he lurncd into joy,''
said Jesus to his Apostles. (St. John, xvi.) lieni m-
ber that the cross is the sign of our pi'edes.inaLio.j.
God purifies his friends in this life by sufferings and
crosses. Think only, with what suilerings and tedi-
ous maladies God has aifficted the Saint<. St. Clara
passed eight-and-twenty years in sud'erin;^'. bl. Liii-
wina was sick for thirty-eight years, and was ullli .ti^.l
with indescribable pains. Courage ! my dear Christian,
and exclaim with the holy Apostle Paul, - T.ic ^u/far-
ings of lliis presenl lime are nol worlhy lo be compared
wilh the glory lo come, thai shall he revealed in us.''
{Rom.viii. 18.) Finally, pray often to God for patience;
for after all, it is a grace from God. Submil lu iho will
of God, even when it seems to you that your physician
does not treat you skilfully, or that your attendants do
not serve you faithfully. Receive tiiis too in the spirit
of penance, for so you will make yourself vcrv dear lo
God.
4. " Dealh comes too early.'' — This is a temptation
which presents itself sometimes to the minds of the
sick, when death comes to call them in the bloom of
their youth, or the vigor of their years. Let such re-
flect that the present life is full of dangerr., troubles,
vand anxieties; that new occasions 'f sin are over
waiting for us, and that the longer we livo tiio greater
is the danger of being eternally lost. This is {ln'reafioa
why the Saints desired death so earnestly. Si. ieresi
rejoiced whenever she heard the clock strike, bocautio,
111^
^
358
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
pIh' paid, another honr of dnnffor lias ^one by in which
1 might have lost my t;>'vl. duA ollen, while still in
tho flowfir of life, th-^ h'^h M ^jfyrs have gone lightly
and joyfully to meet a cruel death! Hear what ^he
Holy Spirit says : " Blessed are the dead who die in .he
Lord, for Ihey rest from their labors. " (Apoc. xiv.
!.'5.i We are here as pilgrims in a vale of tears, and
iifive no permanent dwelling. Thank Ood M.at he did
not let you die in mortal sin, and ihal ne has given
you the opportunity to confess your sins and to receive
the last sacraments. You would wish, perhaps, to live
longer, in order to do more penance? be assured
tliore is no penance more pleasing to God than when
you accept of death from his hand with a heart full of
penitence and resignation.
5. Family affections. — Some sick persons are
troubled before death, because they must leave hus-
band, wife, children, or relations. ' They should re-
member that God is the best of Fathers, and is best
able to provide for those who are left behind. Think
rather of saving your soul, for when you are in heaven
you can do far more for those dear friends you leave
behind, by one prayer before the throne of God, than
if you remained with them. There in heaven you will
find better friends than here on earth ; there you will
find Jesus, your divine Saviour, Mary, your tender
mother, and all the blessed angels and saints of God.
Are those you leave behind poor ? Will not God, who
feeds the birds of the air, provide for them what they
need ?
6. Temptations of hatred and enmity. — If any one
is assailed by these temptations, let him remember the
commandment of Jesus Christ : " Love your enemies .'"
and that he has no hope of pardon from God who does
not pardon his enemy. " Forgive and you sfiall be
forgiven."' (St. Luke, vi. 37.) Has your enemy in-
jured you, then remember how often vou have offended
St. James
befoi-e his death embraced his accusers, St. Stephen
pray.'d for his murderers, and St. Ambrose nourished
MANUAL POR THB SICK.
359
for a long time the traitor who had betrayed him.
Call to mind, especially the example of Jesus Christ,
who, while hanging on the cross, prayed earnestly to
his heavenly Father for his persecutors and calum-
niators.
V. VARIOUS MOTIVES AND ACTS PROPER TO
SUGGEST TO THE SICK AND DYING.
1. MOTIVES AND ACTS OF CONFIDENCE.
Jesus Christ has suflered death for us, that he might
obtain the j.ardon of our sins. '' He thai spared not
even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all,
how kalh he not also, wilh him, given us all thinas. "
<Rom. viii. 32.)
The Lord is my light and my salvation ; whom shall
I fear? (Ps. 2G.)
Into thy hands I commend my c oirit ; thou hast re-
deemed me, O Lord God of truth.
We beseech thee, therefore, help thy servants, whom
thcu hast redeemed with thy most precious blood.
In thee, Lord, have I hoped ; let me never be con-
founded.
O, good Jesus ! hide me in thy wounds. Thy wounds
are my merits. (St. Bernard.)
0, my Jesus ! thou wiiL nut refuse me pardon, for
thou hast not refused me thy life and thv blood
Passion of Jesus ! thou art my hop'e. Merits of
Jesus ! ye are my hope. Wounds of Jesus ! ye are
my hope. Death of Jesus ! thou art my hope.
my Mother, Mary ! pity me, and save me. Yes
thou wilt save me, for art thou not our hope ? '
HolyMary, MotherofGr 1! pray for me, a sinner.'
Under thy mantle we take i-efuge, holy Mother of God.
2. MOTIVES AND ACTS OF CONTRITION.
-.-. ,i,,^tioiiij-_ --tijc: ificii every man la ijuunu to de-
plore his sins until the last breath of life.
Enter not into judgment wilh thy servant, Lord
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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
A contrite und humble heart, God, thou wilt n,.i
Father ! r am not worthy to be called ihv son I
have abandoned thee ; I have despised thy La?" '
oTv ^nd^'' :^"'f"^- ^i"' •"> whole heIrtT?epenl
bloods;';.' me'' '°™ "■""'' ^'"•'^' """ "- P---
defesuh^^lifrabtte'r™'''^'' -of my God, ,
ray God ! what evil hast thou done to mo that I
hould so offend thee? For the love of Jesus Gh^L
thy son, have mercy on me.
Never again, Lord, so ionff as I live will I nffpnri
thm3 .-^ whether my life be short or long I am dete
mined to love thee hereafter
In satisfaction lor all my offences against thee, I olfer
OI,litn'lI;ii^!^;'Tl ^^'''^ ?'^;' '''""^^'^^ l^""'^^ me. hu.
n ii\ u?'-^ l'''^''*"^'^ ^'^^'•'' "0^ •" Ihe other.
OMary! obtain for me a true sorrow for mv sin.
^f^V--^onorikem,anaiU.na., grace 7^
3. MOTIVBS AND ACTS OF LOVE TO GOD.
my God, thou art infinitelv good and T Iovp th^^
above all things I love thee mo?e thin myself 1 ot
hee With my whole heart. My God ! I am no worth v
say I love thee, because I have so much offendM
thee ; bu , for the love of Jesus, make me worthy '
would that the whole world might love thee '
O sweet Jesus, I desire to sulfer and die for thee
who hast deigned to suffer and die for me '
O Lord, chastise me as thou wilt, nnlv'i^t "i^ no!
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
361
I desire Paradise, that there, my dearest Lord, fop
all eternity, I may love thee with all my strength.
my God, cast me not into hell, as I deserve!
There I should only be able to hate thee, but I cannot
bear to think of hating thee. What evil hast thou
done lo me, O Lord, that I should hate thee ? 0, no I
only make me love thee, and then do with rae wliat
thou wilt.
1 wish to suffer according to thy will : I wish to dis
that I may do Ihy will.
Bind me to thee, my Jesus, and never permit ma
to be separated from thee.
O my God, grant that before I die, I may be all
thine own.
When will the time come, that I shall be able to say,
My God, I cannot lose thee any more ?
my God, I wish to love thee as much as thou de-
sorvest.
O Mary ! draw me entirely to God !
O my Mother, I love thee dearly, and I wish to come
to heaven, that I may love thee there forever.
i:
i!!:
I'V
III":
I:
4. MOTIVES AND ACTS OF CONFORMITY TO THE WILL 0»
GOD.
All our happiness and our life consists in this, that
we should be conformed to the will of God, according
to those words of the Psalmist : •' Life is in his will.'
(Ps. 29.) God indeed wills the things which are for
our best good. When our Lord appeared to iSt. Ger
trnde, offering her the choice of life and death, she an
swered : " Lord, what thou wilt, I will also." And
in the same way, when Jesus offered once to St. Cath-
arine of Sienna two crowns, one of jewels and one of
thorns, she answered : " i choose the one which pleases
thee ." Well, then, my dear Christian, what do you
say ? If God calls thee to another life, are you con-
tent ? You are ? Say then always :
O Lord, here I am; do with me what thou wilt.
Thy will be always done. Thy will is my will. Let
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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
me. suffer what thou wilt! Let me die when thou
wilt.
Intft thy hnnds I commend my sf ul and body r. y
life and death.
I will bless the Lord at all times. Comfort me, (,r
gfflict me, Lord, still Ilove thee; I will love tii( «
always.
my God, I unite my death with the death of
Jesus, and so offer it to Ihee.
will of God, ihou art my love. O good pleasure
of my God, as a holocaust I offer myself up entirelv lo
thet.
5. ACTS OF DESIRE FOR PARADISE.
The present life is c* prison of pains, in wliich we
cannot see God. For this reason David says well :
" Bring my soul out of priso?i Hint I wni/ prune ihii
name,:' (Ps. 141.) And St. Auj^nistino exclaims : " Nmr.
Lord, let me die, that I may see thee ! ' St. Jerome
calls death his sister, saying : " 0pm to me, imi
sister:' And he spoke well, for is it nut death lli.ii
opens for us the gates of Paiudiso ? Hoar, also, how
sweetly the Apostle persuades us to turn our desin-^
upwards to heaven: ^^ Eye hath not seen nor ear
heard, neither hath it enlerrd into the heart of man,
what , Ihinys God hath prepared for Ihcm. that lovt
him: ({ Cor. ii. 9.)
When shall 1 come and Ujtpear Itefore liie face v.i
God? (Ps. il.) When will the lime come, () niy
God, that I shall behold thy inlinite beauty, and str
thee face to face ?
In heaven, I shall love thee always : thou wilt lov?
me always; yes, there we shall love each other lor all
eternity. O my God, my love, my all !
O my Jesus, when shall I kiss those sacred wounds,
which bled for me ?
Mar> ! when shall I see myself at the feet of that
Mother, wl o has loved me and assisted mo so much ?
Come th' n.
MANUAL FOR THE SICK. 36$
" Oome *hen,'0«r«iavoe0)''e,
O, turn on us thojse pitying pyes of thine t
An 1, o: r long exile past,
Show us at last
Jesus, of thy pure womb the fruit divine ;
O Virgin Mary, Mother blest !
O sweetest, gentlest, holiest ! "
6. AFFECTIONS WHICH MAY BE SUGGESTKD TO THE SICK,
WHEN KISSING THE CRUCIFIX.
Kiss, my dear brother (m- sister), those feet which
camn iok thee out, when thou wast a lost sheep —
those feet which have walked or many a weary jour-
ney for poor sinnf»rs.
dearest Redeemer ! I embrace thy feel like Mary
Ma'jdalen. 0, like her, let me hear thoe say that 1 am
pardoned 1
i) my God. spare mo for the love of Jesus Christ »
O, teach me how to die well !
Eternal Father, thou hast siiven npthy dear Son for
me, so I give myself up for thee.
Willingly will 1 die for thee, my Jesus, for thou
didst die for me.
Saviour ! Ihou didst seek for me when I was a
wandenr ; will thou abandon ine now, when I seek
for thee ?
O deaiest Jesus ! never let me bo separated from
thee.
Who shall separate me from the love of Chrisl ?
(Rom. 8.)
Lord Jesus, by that bitter agony of thy moslholy
soul, when it lefi, tliy blessed body, have mercy on my
sinful soul when it sliali (piit this body of mine
my Jesus, thou hast died for love of me ; so will
I die for love of thee.
rii
DAILY PRAYERS FOR THE SICK.
MORNING PRAYER.
A ^.^MIGHTY and eternal God I I thank thee
^^ with my whole heai \at thou hust pre-
served me during this nig. . I recommend
myself again to-day to thy fatherly protec-
tion ; Isubmitmyselfentirely tothy divine
will:, whether I am to live or die.
I otter t(j thee all the weakness, ijain, and
suttering that I am to endure this day For
love of thee, O my God, I will suffer all things.
i uniic my sufferings with the sufferings and
death of Jesus Christ. ^
Whenever this day I sigh, or move my eyes
or speak, or draw breath, or eat, or drink
may every action servo, O my dearest Lord'
to adore thee ; to praise thee ; Lo bless thee '
to express my love to thee. O merciful God'
whenever overpowered by weakness, or my
great sufferings, I cannot think of offering
every thing to thee ; accept my good will
and this present intention which I make in
place of the deed.
Continue, O Almighty God, my life this
day, and may thy holy name be praised. Rut
if It should please thee to take mo to-day away
from this world, may thy holy will be done.
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MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
365
Mary! health of the sick, next to God
my only refuge, I implore thee to be my in-
tercessor with thy dear Son, that through thy
all-powerful prayers I may obtain health of
body, or a happy death. Protect me from
the enemy of my salvation; give me the
grace, as a true child of thy love, to behold
thee in heaven. O dearest Mother ! I com-
mend to thee the care of my body and of my
soul. Under th}^ [/rotection, O powerful Vir-
gin, and tender Mother, I confidently hope to
obtain salvation.
O my holy guardian Angel, 1 thank thee
for having so carefully watched over me this
night. I pr?y thee and all the other holy
ungcl-s to watch over mo this day and to the
end of my life.
And you also, bles.sod saints of God, espe-
cially yon, my Patron Saint ! help mo by your
intcrcc-^sion this day, and leave me not, if
that riomont should arrive on which my
eternity is depending. Pray to the divine
Jutlge lor mc, that I may bo a t-hild of elec-
tion. Amen.
EVENING PRAYER.
OMOST Holy Trinity, God the Father,
and Holy Ghost, my endless thanks bo
given thee for all the blessings and the suf-
ferings which thou hast sent upon mc this
day. IM have not borne these my sufferings
with the patience I ought, I humbly implore
thy pardon.
.SS6
PLAIN INSTRXJCTrONS.
I commit myself to thy divine protection
this night. I am sincerely sorrow' for my
sins, because I have offended Thee, my highest
good, whom I love above all things. O that
I had never offended thee ! I Berio^isly intend
to amend my life.
^ I offer to thee, heavenly Father, for my
sins, the infinite merit of thy divine Son
Jesus Christ. Let not the value of his suffer-
ings and death be lost to me !
Jesus! for thee I sleep; Jesus! for thee I
wake; Jesus! for thee I live ; Jesus! for thee
I die; Jesus! living or dying, I am thine!
Amm.
PIOUS ASPIRATIONS FOR THE SICK.
[The sick cannot ordinarily malce long prayers, but they
can send up their sighs to God, and God receives those
s'ghs as prayers.!
Behold, O my God, in what misery I lie
upon my bed, and how much I am suffering
for thy sake.
My body is full of pain and my sor^ full of
sorrow, but my spirit is prepared to suffer
according to thy divine pleasure.
I offer to thee, O Jesus, my sorrows, in
honor of the sorrows which thou hast suffered
for me upon the cross.
I hide all my sufferings in thy five holy
wounds, and unit© them to thy bitter suffer-
ings.
As thou, O Jesus ! didst offer up all thy
sorrows and paing to thy heavenly Father, m
MANUAL FOR THB SICK.
367
also I offer up all my sufferings to my hea-
venly Father.
As thou, O Jesus ! didst bear all thy suffer-
ings with the greatest patience, I will also
bear my sickness with the greatest patience.
Most blessed Virgin and Mother of God,
Mary ! allay my sufferings this night. Be
my protectress in the hour of trial, be my
comfc^^ter, be my powerful intercessor with
Jesus Christ, thy divine Son.
Holy Guardian Angels, and all ye Saints of
God, protect me this night, and preserve me
from all evil.
Merciful Gud 1 have compassion on thQ poor
souls in j)urgatory. Give them eternal rest,
and let eternal light shine upon them. O Lord,
may they rest in peace : Amen.
As thou, O Jesus ! didst give thanks to thy
heavenly Father for the sufferings inflicted
upon thee, I too would give thanks to my
heavenly Father ^or the sickness sent upon
me.
As thou, O Jesus ! didst accept thy suffer-
ings as an atonement for the sins of the whole
world, so will I accept my sufferings for my
numberless sins.
O heavenly Father, may my sufferings b©
Accepted by thee, and serve for thy greater
glory.
O Jesus Christ unite my sufferings with
thy cruel sufliiuMngs, ai*^' T^resont them thus
to thy heavenly Fat^^^r. ihat they may bo
iiccGptable in his sight.
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PLAIX INSTRUCTIONS.
O Holy (rhcwt, grant me thy divine grac©^
that I may bear this sickneyn with patience
O Mother ot'<Tod. thou who hadnt ho great
compaKsioii for thy crncifiod Son, have com-
pasBio'i upon mv also, thy poor child.
O mv holy guiinlian An^el, watch over me
by day and l»y mgkt, and leave me not in my
necesHitieH,
O ye Saints of God, especitdly you my holy
Patron Saint ! pniy fof mo, that the good God
may b<- merciful and <»> iicious unto me.
yHK ft.yjHAMKNTS OF THE SICK.
WiiF.x iho Pric;« has been called to give
communion to a nick person, or to administer
the last sacraments U> the dying, care must
ie taken to have every thing rightly prepared
in the sick chamber. In the first phice, see
that the room be clean, end that every thing
offensive be taken out of the way ; and let
not any clothing be lying scattered about,
but neatly folded up, or put away. The sick
person should be decently wvcred, and the
bedclothes arranged in good oj^er. Prepare,
also, in the same room, a table neatly cov-
ered witli a white linen cloth, in order to re-
ceive upon it the Holy Eucharist. On tlie
table should be placed two candles and a cru-
cidx, and a glass of pure water from the
spring oi- well, and if there is any holy water
in the house, place it near by, or at the door
of the chamber. A cloan white napkin should
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
369
also be furnished, to serve as a communion-
cloth for the sick.
When the Priest arrives, if you perceive
that he has with him the Blessed Sacrament,
kneel down, and do not begin immediatelj- to-
talk in a noisy and familiar manner, but let
one show the way to the sick-room, while the-
rest follow their Lord in silence and adoration.
If, however, it is necessary to say any thing,
speak in a low and reverential manner. After
the communion, do not remain to distract the
sick person by your conversation, or by walk-
ing about the room, but leave him alone ta
make his thanksgiving in quiet. Sometimes,
however, especially when he is very feeble,
or unable to read, it is better for some one to
be with him, both before and after commu-
nion, and read for him slowly and distinctly
the necessary prayers.
PRATERS
BEFORE RIJCEIVING THE HOLY VIATICUM, OR LAST COM-
MUNION.
INFINITELY merciful Jesus! a great
journey is before me, from this world to
eternity. May Ihy most holywil' be done,
my heart is ready. Yes, let me depart from
this world, for so it pleases thee.
But what can 1 do without thee, thou who
art the Way, the Truth, and the Life ! With-
out thee I should perish of hunger and thirst
on th« wav.
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\r
Come then, O merciful Jesus, before I die.
Come, and delay not; strengthen me through
the most Holy Sacrament of the Altar ;
strengthen me with thy most holy flesh and
blood, that by the jjower of this strong bread
of angels, I may attain to the view of thy
divine countenance.
As the hart panteth after the fresh foun-
jtains of water, so my soul longs for thee,
God, thou living fountain of all good. 0,
when shall I come and appear before thy face ?
.When shall my feet stand in thy delightful
jtabernacles, in the house of my Lord ?
Why art thou sorrowful, O mysoal, and
,why art thou disquieted ? Hope in God.
See! thy Beloved comes. He will com 3; he
will strengthen thee ; he will take thee from
the desert of this life to himself in thy
heaven^"' home.
Ah, c ne then, my Saviour ! come, beloved
Jeaus, CO ^e, and tarry not too long ! I desire
to enjoy tnee as the true paschal Lamb, be-
fore I depart and die.
Come, O sweetest Jesus, come and enter my
heart, unite thyself to me, remain with me,
until 1 have overcome every thing, and have
conquered death.
Come, O Jesus, come meet me in this
supper, and lead me to the heavenly banquet
in thy Father's house? Prepare for me a
-dwelling there, as thou hast promised, that I
may bo forever with thee, and rejoice with
thee forever. Amen.
MAMUAL FOR THE SICK.
371
T me a
PRAYERS AFTER THE HOLY VIATICUM.
Remain for some time silent, in quiet and sweet union
witli your beloved Saviour. Excite in your iieart a lively
faith in liis personal presence. Breathe forth many sighs
of gratitude and love to him for all the tempoi-al and
spiritual blessings that he has bestowed on you during
your wliole life, but especially that he has so often fed
you with his holy body, and has even granted you this
last favor, to be your food and support on the way to
eternity.
OM Y dearest Jesus ! I now am in possession
of every thing to complete happily my
pilgrimage here on earth, for I possess thee,
who art the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Thou art the Way, and wilt guide me safely
to my heavenly home. Thou art the Truth,
and thou wilt enlightened the darkness and the
shadows of death. Thou art the Life, and art
leading me to life eternal. For though I
should walk in the midst of the shadow ot
dea>h, I fear no evils, for thou art with me,
my helper and my protector I
O, crucified Jesus ! Thou who didst institute
this Holy Sacrament»for the memorial of thy
bitter passion, may the merit of thy passion,
not be lost on me. Thou who forgivest sins,
purify me from every stain of sin, that I may
appear entirely pure before thee.
L-iving Bread of heaven ! support my weak-
ness by thy grace, that I may not yield in the
last struggle ; that my faith may not waver,
my hope sink, and my love grow cold. O, my
most gracious Saviour 1 let this holy Viaticum
be to me apledge of my eternal salvation.
Now, O Lord 1 let me, thy servant, depart
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in peace, for mine eyes have seen thee, the
Saviour of the world, and my heart hath re-
ceived thee. Bless me, O Jesus! I will not
let thee go, until thou hast given me thy holy
blessing for my journey to eternity.
O Jesus I thou art my life, and death is my
gain. ^
O Jesus, my Love, my God, my Desire, my
aij.
PRA^-ER OF ST, IGNATIUS AFTER COMMUNION.
QOIJL of Christ, sanctify me !
^^ Bod}^ of Christ, save me !
B ood of Christ, inebriate me I
Water flowing from the side of Christ,
cleanse me !
Passion of Christ, strengthen me I
O, good Jesup, hear me !
In thy holy wounds conceal me !
And let me not be separated from thee I
From the wicked enemj^ defend me !
In the hour of my death, call me !
And bid me. Lord, to dbmo to thee !
That with thy Saints and Angels I may
praise thee.
Throughout the ages of eternity I Amen.
PRAYERS BEFORE EXTREME UNCTION.
ly/j OST merciful Lord, and loving Saviour,
^^^ Jesus Christ, what a consoling promise
thou hast attached to the recejition of this
eacramont . ''Is, any one sick among you, let
turn bring in the Priests of the Church, and let
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
373
them pray over him, anointing him with oil, in
the name < the Lord, and the prayer of faith
shall save the sick man ; and the Lord will lift
him up, and if he he in sin, his sins shull be
forgiven him. " (St. James, v.)
By thy infinite p-'^odness, O Jesus, througli
which thou hast esLublished this Holy Sacra-
Bient, I beseech thee to purify me from my
Bins, defend me from the enemy, strengthen
me in temptation, and give me a happy end ;
<xr, if it be profitable for my < nl's salvation'
restore me to my former health. This I mk,
through thy infinite merits, who, with God
the Father, and the Holy Ghost, livest and
reignest one only God forever ! Amen.
During the anointing of each "of the five senses of your
**^' "^l^J ^? ^^^ silence of your heart, that God would
pardon the sins which you have committed with^ach
and offer up for your sins those sufferings which Chrisi
endured in this same sense for your sins?
PRAYER AFTER EXTREME UNCTION.
"lyrOST merciful Jesus, I have now received
^'^-'- this Sacred Unction, which thou didst
institute for the consolation and benefit of
the sick, I thank tiiee for this powerful re-
medy of my soul and my body. Enable me
to enjoy the full benefits of this Holy Sacra-
ment, upon which I place my hope and coa-
fidonce. Am€n.
THE LAST SIGHS OF THE D\ING.
I die in the Holy Roman Catholic Faith !
I beUeve ^11 the Holy Church be lie val
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O my God, I believe in thee !
O my God, I hope in thee !
O my God, I love thee above all things I
O God, make haete to help me !
My God, my hope, my all I
O Jesus ! into thy hands I commend my
spirit.
O Jesus ! be my Saviour and my deliverer !
Jesus I I wish to die that I may wipe out my
sins.
Jesus ! I wish to die because thou hast died
for me.
J^sus ! I wish to die, that I may see thee
and love thee eternally.
O Lord Jesus, in thee have T trusted, let
me never be confounded 1
O Mary ! show thyself a mother to me.
O Mary ! pray for mo now, in the hour of
my death !
O clement, O pious, O sweet Virgin Mary I
Jesus ! Mary I Joseph ! be always in my
heart !
Jesus ! Mary 1 Joseph I be always in my
thoughts.
Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! be always on my
tongue.
Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph ! my last thought,
my last nigh.
Jesus 1 Mary \ Joseph ! I live for you.
Jesus ! Mary 1 Joseph I I die for you.
Jesus ! I believe in thee. Jesus I I hope
in thee.
Jesus ! I love thee above all things I
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MAlfUAL FOR THE SICK.
»75
Jesvs I be morciful to me a poor sinner !
Jesus ! into thy hands I commend my
spirit !
Jesus i Jesus I Jesus I
Jesus ! Mary ! Joseph !
THE EECOMMENDATION OF A PART
INGr SOUL.
(From the Boman Breviary.)
T ORD, have mercy on him (or her.)
■^ Christ, have mercy upon him.
Lord, have mercy on him.
Holy Mary,
All ye holy Angels and Archangels,
Holy Abel,
All ye Choirs of the Just,
Holy Abraham,
St. John Baptist,
St. Joseph,
All ye holy Patriarchs and Prophets,
St. Peter,
St. Paul,
St. Andrew,
St. John,
All ye holy Apostles aiid Evangelists,
All ye holy Disciples of our Lord;
St. Stephen,
St. Lawrence,
All ye holy Martyrs,
All ye holy Innocents,
St. Sylvester,
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St. Gregory,
St. Augustine,
All ye holy Bishops and Confessors,
bt. Benedict,
St. Francis,
All ye holy Monks and Hermits,
ot. Mary Magdalen,
St. Lucy,
All 3'e holy Virgins and Widows,
All ye Men and Women, Saints of God,
Be merciful unto him, ")
Be merciful unto him, C Sparehim [or her), ford
Be merciful unto him, j
Froi^ thy wrath, >^
From the danger of eternal death,
i^rom an evil death.
From the pains ofhell.
From all evil,
From the power of the devil,
By thy Nativity,
By th y Cross and Passion ,
By thy Death and Burial,
% ^l^y glorious Resurrection,
By thy wonderful Ascansioh, , ^
By the grace of the Holy Ghost the Comfonol-
(feliver hm (or her), Lord.
o'lorl ^^ '^''^'^'^''''^^ '^^^^^'^^ ^^^ (or her),
We sinners, beseech thee, hear us.
r or"!? t:^ 'P''''' *'''"V^' ^'''''^ ^^^^' ^^<^r us,
liOM, have mei-cy on him.
Christ, have invrcy on him.
Loi-d, have mercy on him.
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
377
PRAYER.
f^O forth, O Christian soul, from this world
^^ in the name of God the Father Almighty
who created thee ; in the name of Jesus
Christ, the Son of the living (iod, who suffered
for thee ; in the name of the Holy Ghost,
who has sanctified thee ; in the name of the
heavenly Thrones and Dominations ; in the
name of the Principalities and Powers ; in
the name of the Cherubim and Seraphim ' ir
the name of the Patriarchs and Prophets ; in
the name of the holy Apostles and Evan^^e-
lists ; in the name of the holy Martjrs uTidl
Confessors; in the name of the holy Vir«nns.'
and all the Saints of God ; let thy place* be
this day in peace and thy abotle in the holy
biOH. Through the same Jesus Christ our
Lord. E. Amen.
f\ MaST merciful iind irood G( d ! Thou
y who, by the multitude of thy mercies,
dost blot out the sins of the penitent, and dost
remit the punishment of their past sins ; <W
ciously look upon this thy servant (hand-
maid), and hear his (her; supplication, since
he (she) with his (her) whole heart confesses
and begs thy forgiveness of his (her) sins
Renew in him (her), O most merciful Father
e\evy thing that has I eeii deformed through
human frailty, or through the cunning of the
devil, and leceive this member, redeemed by
the blood ( f thy Son, to the unity of the body
ot the church. Have comi)assion, Lortl
Hi 'II
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378
PLAIN 1NSTRUCTI0W8.
upon his (her) sighs, have compassion on hi»
(her) tears, and admit him (her) because he
(she) has no hope but in thy mercy, to the
grace of reconciliation to thee. B. Amen.
T COMMEND thee, dear brother (dear sister),
-*- to Almighty God, and commit thee to the
hands of thy Creator, that then when thou,
by death, hast paid the debt of nature, thou
mayest return to thy Maker, who formed thee
from the clay of the earth. When thy soul
leaves the body, may the bright host of angels
come to meet thee ; the company of the
Apostles who are to judge the world, receive
thee ; the triumphant array of Martyrs meet
thee J the multitude of Confessors surround
thee, with their lilies in their hands ; the
choir of joyful Virgins welcome thee ; and
may the Patriarchs with loving embrace re-
ceive thee into their rest. May Jesus appear
to thee with a mild and radiant face, and may
he give thee a place among those who are
over near him. Mayest theu never know the
dreadful darkness, the crackling flames, and
the torments of the damned. May the devil,
with his evil spirits, depart from thee, trem'
bling and flying into the horrid confusion of
eternal night, when he sees thee accompanied
by the angels. Let God arise and his enemies
be put to flight, and all who hate him flee
before his presence I Let them bo driven away
as rtmoko ; as wax melts before the tire, so
may sinners disappear before hisoountonaucO;.
MATTUAL FOR THE SICK.
57^
But may the just rejoice and be glad in tbe
presence of God, Let all the hosts of hell be
confounded and put to shame, and may the
servants of Satan place no hindrance* in the
way. May Christ, who was crucified for thee,
deliver thee from all torments. May Christ,,
who vouchsafed to die for thee, deliver thee
from eternal death. May Christ, the Son of
the living God, conduct tliee to the possession
of the eternal joys of Paradise. May he, the
true Shepherd, receive thee as his sheep.
May he absolve thee from all thy sins, and
place thee at his right hand among the number
of his elect. Mayest thou see thy Bedeemer
face to face, and always in his presence behold,
with happy eyes, the purest truth I May-
est thou, in the company of the blessed, eter-
nally enjoy the sweetness of the divine pres-
ence. B, Amen*
PRATER.
T> ECEIVE, O Lord, thy servant (handmaid)
*-*^ into the place of salvation, which he (she)
hopes to obtain through thy mercy. R. Amen.
deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid) from all dangers of hell, and
from all pain and tribulation. R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid) as thou didst deliver Enoch and
Elias from the common death of the world..
Jt. Amen.
Deliver, Lord, the soul of thy servaat
380
PLAIN INSTftUGTIONS.
(handmaid) as thou didst deliver Noe from
the flood. R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid) as thou didst deliver Abraham
from the midst of the Chaldeans. R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid), as thou didst deliver Isaac from
the hand of Abraham his father. R, Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy so'vant
(handmaid), as thou didst deliver Lot from
being destroyed in the flames of Sodom.
R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handlnaid), as thou didst deliver Moses from
I he hands of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. R.
Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid), as thou didst deliver Daniel from
the lion's den. R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid), as thou didst deliver the three
children from the fiery furnace, and from the
hands of an unmerciful king. R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid), as thou didst deliver Susanna
from her false accusers. R. Amen,
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy servant
(handmaid), as thou didst deliver David from
the hand of king Saul and Goliath. R. Amen.
Deliver, O Lord, the soul of thy sei'vant
(handmaid), as thou didst deliver Peter and
Paul out of prison. R. Amen.
And, finally as thou didst deliver, O Lord,
MANCAL FOR THE SICK.
38t
the blessed virgin and martyr, Thecla, from
three most cruel torments, so vouchsafe to
deliver the iioul of this thy servant, and bring
him (her) to share thy heavenly joys. M,
Amen.
T^T'E commend to thee, Lord ! the soul
^^ of thy servant, N. (thy handmaid N.),
and beseech thee, O Loril Jesus Christ, the
Saviour of the world ! that thou wouldst
admit into the bosom of thy Patriarchs this
soul, for which, in thy mercy, thou didst
come into the world. Acknowledge, O Lord,
this thy creature ; not made by any strange
gods, but by thee, the only living and true
God ; for there is no other God but thee, and
nothing equals thy works. Fill him (her),
O Lord, with the joy of thy presence. Re-
member no more those sins and errors into
which he (she) was led by the power of evil
desires. He (she) has indeed sinned, but has
never renounced his (her) faith in the Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost, and has had a zeal for
the glory of God, and faithfully worshipped
thee, the God and Creator of all thirgs.
TJEMEMBERnot, O Lord, the sins of his
^^ (her) youth and his (her) ignorance, but
according to thy great mercy, be mindful of
him (her) in the brightness of thy glory.
May the heavens be opened to him (her),
and may the angels rejoice m him (her).
Receive, O Lord, thy servant (thy handmaid)
into thy kingdom. May St. Michael, the Ar-
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PLAIN INSTRUCTIONS.
changcl of God, \vfio has merited to be the
chief of the heavenlvhost, conduct him (her)
May the holy Anp^efs ^of God come to meet
him (her), and take him (her) to the city of
the heavenly Jerusalem. May St. Peter, to
whom God committed the keys of the kingdom
of heaven, receive him (her). May St. Paul,
who was worthy to be a vessel of election,'
assist him (her). May St. John, the chosen
Apostle of God, to whom the secrets of heaven
were revealed, intercede for him (her). May
all the holy Apostles, to whom the Lord has
inti?usted^the power of loosing and binding,
pray for him (her). May all the Saints and
chosen servants of God, who for the name of
Christ in this world have sutfered martyrdom,
intercede for him (her), that he (she) being
delivered from the bonds of the flesh, may
merit to be received into the glory of the
kingdom of heaven ; by the mercy of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who, with the Father and
the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth forever.
Amen.
♦._
r''
AFTER THE SOUL HAS DEPARTED.
pOME to his (her) assistance, ye Saints of
^^ God ! Come to meet him fher), ye Angels
of the Lord ! Eeceive his (her) soul, and bring
it into the presence of the Most High. May
Jesus Christ, who has called thee, receive thee,
and his Angels bear thee tc Abraham's bosoml
Lord, have mercy on him (her) I
Christ, have^ercyon him (her) /
MANUAL FOR THE SICK.
383
Loiti, have mercy on him (her) ! Our
Father, &c.
V. Eternal rest give to him (her), O Lord,
R. And let perpetual light shine upon him
(Jier).
V. From the gates of hell,
E. Deliver him (her), O Lord.
V. Mu}^ he (she) rest in peace.
R. Amen.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer,
R. And let my cry come unto thee.
PRAYER.
rpo Thee, O Lord, we commend the soul of
-*- thy servant (handmaid), that having de-
parted from this world, he (she) may live to
thee alone, and that in thy infinite goodness
and mercy thou wilt pardon him (her) what-
ever sins he (she) may have committed in
this world, through human frailty. This w©
ask thi >ugh Jesus Christ oui* Lord. Amen.
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SPIRITUAL READING.
FAMILIAR LESSONS OF PIETY, IN FORM OF
NARRATIVES AND MEDITATIONS.
THE SALVATION OF THE SOUL.
"W^read in the history of the Church, that formerly
many holy penitents, impressed with the belief of the
nothingness of every thing earthly, and the import-
ance of eternal truths, withdrew into solitary places,
that they might give themselves up without distrac-
tion to the meditation of these holy truths. Separated
from each other, and buried in gloomy caverns, as if
already in their graves, they occupied themselves only
with such thoughts as these :— that death is certain ;—
that no man knows when, where, or how he will die,
and that any moment may be the last of our life ;—
that at the moment when a man dies, he is judged by
God, and must give an exact account of all his
thoughls, words, and deeds, which alone, of all he
has, will follow him into the next world ;— that after
this life, which passes so quickly, comes eternity,
which has no end, and which will be forever blessed,
or forever miserable— that we come into this world
only to work out our salvation, and if we fail in this,
^we cannot make good our loss in eternity :— that one
mortal sin alonf^ is enough to make us eternally miser-
able, and that sin is the only real evil, the only mis-
fortune that we have to fear,
384
LESSONS OP PIETY.
38S
Penetrated by these solemn thoughts, theywatched
through whole nights, fasted, wore hair cloth, and
used every instrument of penance to bring the body
into subjection to the soul. They lived on roots and
herbs, or at best, on bread, moistened with their tears.
Pale and emaciated, like living skeletons, they passed
through a life which seemed more hke a slow death,
4ind after twenty, thirty, or forty years thus spent,
having reached the end of their course, they asked
each other, trembling and full of holy fear, with broken
accents: " Think you, ah ! think you, that God will
have mercy on my soul, and will forgive my sins ? Do
you really think that there will be any consolation for
me in death? that the Eternal Judge will soften the
rigor of his judgment against me ? Can I hope to
escape the terrors of an eternity of misery, and share
in the bliss of the elect ? "
What dispositions ! What an example ! But also,
what a condemnation, perhaps, for us ! Let us weigh
this well.
For if God does not call us to such extraordinary
things, to which men are drawn only by a peculiar
and powerful grace, we are all, without exception,
called to a spirit of penance, without which, there is
no salvation ; for eternal wisdom has said : " Except
ye do penance, ye shall all likewise perish. " (St.
Luke, xiii.) We are called, first, to seek the kingdom
of God, not to give our heart to the world, to mortify
the body, subject it to the control of the spirit, and
work out our salvation with fear and trembling. But
why are we doing nothing of all this? These holy
penitents, at whose life we wonder so much, had they
another gospel to follow than ours, another religion to
practice than we ? Had they • not the same God
to serve, the same eternity to hope for or to fear?
What, then, is the cause of so singular a diderence?
These saints iwssessed a degree of faith which we
have not. And, therefore, they were careful to secure
the salvation of their souls, while we neglect ours.
They constantly raediiated upon the greatness of God,
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SPIRIIUAL RIADIMG,
the enormity of the sin, the uncertainty of life, the
fearful depths of divine judgment, an eternity of hap-
piness or misery, approaching nearer at every moment ;
and we!— how much we fear to occupy ourselves with
these high and holy subjects. lu a word, they lived
like saints, a.-d we live like worldly-minded sinners.
Let us thinV of these things while there is yet time.
What are we to expect, if we refuse to consider?
What a consolation will it one day be to us, that wfr
have reflected on these things ! Let us occupy our-
selves with them now, that in eternity, where thesf*
great truths will burst upon our minds with iiresist-
ibio force, v/e may not despair, but rather mav reap
the eternal fruit of these salutary meditations.
^ person who had passed his lite in the service of
an excellent prince, fell dangerously ill. His master,
who ibved him very much, visited him, and found him
ill great danger. There he lay, in his agony, jusi
ready to breath his last. Moved by this spectacle,
the prince sa'd to him : Ca»7 I do any thing lor you ?
Ask freely whatever you wish, and do not fear that i
shall refuse you anything. My Lord! said the dying
man, I know only one thing Vhich, in my present
coiilition, I would like to ask of you. Prolong mv
life for ono quarter of an hour ! Alas ! r :'id the prince,
that is not in my power. Ask for something else ;
something that I can procure for you. See ! said the
dying man, for fifXy years I have served this master of
mine, ^md now he cannot prolong my life for one
quarter of an hour I if I had only served my God
as well, he would grant me not a quarter of an hour
only, but a whcle eternity o.*" happiness • Very soon
after tiiat, he breathed his last.
Shall wp not, by and by, have th( sa.mo fate? We
wear and wear ourselves out in the service of ihf^
world, we even sacrilice ourselves for ii, and when our
k.«;t hour comes, what will the world do fjrps, and
what. Vj'.W prvtnain in i;q oftop o!I \T.ia l.n<.A A,,w^r^ r^» :»■
.. .. — — — . „.. _ .^. ujj , ^ uvj:tr iV2 ii,.
if we havo neglected the service of God. and the sal-
vation of our soul ? Let us r,*d«iaer this, and mor*
LBFSONS OF FItTY.
387
sincerely and firmly than ever before, say: I am re-
solved to save my soul, and for this I will labor fcbei
remainder of my life ! Hitherto I have neglected this' i
too much! Have I not reasoa to look upon it as at
gr«at favor, that God still gives me the time and t»ift
gTwzQ to meditate seriously on these things ?
THR MISERLY OF SIN.
Arcadius, the heretical Emperor of Constantinople*
was greatly enraged against St. John Ghrysostom.
He once e"clained, in his anger, in the presence of
his courtiers : " O, that I could take vengeance on this
Bishop!" The courtiers immediately came forward
witn iheir advice. The first said : Send him into ban-
ishmeni , and never let him enter your pressence again !
Another said : Seize his property ! A third : Throw
him in chains, into prison ! Are you :iot master '(• said
a fourth ; let him be uut to death; and then you will
be rid of him ! At length, one who was wij"- than
the rest come forward, and said to the emperor: Hiey
are all mistaken ; you cannot have your reven-^' in
any such \vay. Where will you banish him'? the
whole world is his home. If you seize his property
you take it from the poor, not from him. If you throw
him into prison, he will kiss his chains, and esteem
himself happy. Gonde..in him to death, and vou open
heaven to him. No, my Prince, if you woidd- revenge
yourself on him perfectly, compel him to commit sin.
I know this man ; he ftiars nothing in the world but
sin, and no-.hing can make him unhappy..
0, wonderful and sublime sentiments ! Let us never
forgot them. No ! nothing can harm u.s but sin We
cannot ontpr heaven, our true home, if we are sinne'-s
II we are sinners we can never see God, the author of
our ex istence. By sin, and even by one mortal 8in only
if not expiated in due lime by uenanco wh hocomQ a
prey to eternal torment.s, to everlastin- despair
Let us consKJier this, and, if mml be, forgpt every
thing else, that wo may medildte on it. •« Tee from
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SPIRITUAL READING.
stns, as from the face of a serpent, for if thou comest
mar them, they will take hold of thee. The teeth
thereof are the teeth of a lion, killing the souls of men.
All iniquity is like a two-edged sword, there is no
remedy for the wound thereof. " (Eccli. xxi. 2.) Pray
humbly also thus : " Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and before thee. I know my iniquity, aad my
sin is always before me. Turn away thy face from my
sins, and blot out all my iniquities." (Luke, xv. 18 ;
i s. 1 . 0, 1 1')
ETERNITY.
A celebrated painter of antiquity was once visited
by another painter, who asked him the following
question : " How happens it that you, who are so
great an artist, finish so few pictures, while I, who
am far inferior to you, complete so many in a short
time ? "— .«' I can answer you that, " said the other
«' you paint for time ; I, for eternity. "
A beautiful lesson ! We all have a picture to paint;
for, as Christians, if we would be numbered among
the elect, we must restore in us the image of Jesus
Christ, and our resemblance to him, who is the pat-
tern and model of all the elect. Towards this great
work, we may do something every day. A prayer
offered to God, an alms given for his sake, a mortili-
cation sanctilled by the spirit of penance, all these
are so many strokes of the pencil, so many lines of
resemblance to the divine pattern that is given us
But let us always remember that this painting is for
eternity.
Penetrated by this great truth, we will, in future,
hve as men should live who are strengthened by the
thought of eternity, cheered by the hooe of eternity ;
in a word, as men who are destined foV eternity.
that for us it may be an eternity of hanoiness !
Consider this well, and say unceasingly to yourself:
There is an eternity !— I am destined for eternity !—
LESSONS OF PIETY.
S8»
Perhaps I am at the gate of eternity ! What will be
my lot in eternity? Since I know not how much time
IS yet, allowed to me here in this world, I will hence-
forth occupy myself with this great thought, and re-
gulate my whole conduct by it.
DELAY OF CONVERSION.
'I P^^^ll pot to be converted to the Lord, and defer it
not from day to day. " (Eccli. v. 8.( We seo every
day in the world sinners who lives in sin, are ingulfed
n sm, but say all the while that at some future time
they will convert ; for they think that they shall al-
ways have time for that. But this is a delusion, a
blindness, which has already destroyed, and will de-
tnnIo'!r''n "^'^'^ 'IT^^' ^^ ^'^^^^s- Do not deceive
yourself, O sinner! if you delay your conversion, you
expose yourself to the danger of never being con-
verted, and of dying as a reprobate. Cerlaiulyr vour
religion teaches you nothing which can sustain you
m such a pernicious hope, but every thing warns you
tliat you are in the most extreme peril. Yes everv
syllable of our Faith ought to strike terror and dis-
iress to the conscience of a sinner who delays hi*^
conversion. Terrible are the judgments, the threats^,
liie comj)arisons, the images, the histories, the ex-
amples of Holy Scripture. Every sound of the Gospel
IS an alarm-bell, every thing in the Church cries out
m th<i name of God : Uelau no longer ! Delau no
lofiaer 'Listen to these words, and weigh them well
Terr.b'e are the warnings, nothing more awful
I'lan tlu' fiQssages of Holy Scripture on this point •
'' Seek ue the Lord, while he maif l)e found. " [Is Iv
«>J •• Walk whilst yon hare the' liqhl, that the dark-
ness overtake you not. lie that walketh in darkness
nhoweih not whither he goeth. " [John, xii. 35.] " Be
you also ready ; for at what hour you think not the
Son of man will conxe.'' [Luke, xii. 40.] " To^ay
3901
SPIRITUAL READING.
»♦
47 you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts
£Ps..xciv. 8.]
Frightful are the threatenings ! " You shall seek
me, and shall not find me. " [John, viii. 34.] '< Be'
cause I called and you refused, I also will laugh at
your deslmclion ; and will mock when thai shall come
io you which you feared, when sudden calamity shall
fall on you, and destruction, as a tempest, shall be at
hand, ivhen tribulation and distress shall come upon
you. Then shall they call upon me, and I will not
hear. " fProv. i. 24, 26, 27, 28. J " You shall die in
yo ir sins.'* [John, viii 24.]
Tcr. ible are the comparisons ! " The day of the
Lord shall come as a thief in the night ; for when
they shall say. Peace and Security— then shall sud'
den destructioti come upon them.'' [I. Thess. v, 2. 3.]
'^ As fishes are taken irilh the hook, and as birds are
finight with the snare, so men are taken in the evil
tune, when it shall suddenlu com upon them.'" [Eccl.
ix. 12.]
Ternlic are the figures ! " As the lightning cometh
out of the east, and appeareth even unto the west. "
[St. Matt. xxiv. -27.] Behold the image of our life-
time! As the lightning flashes for a moment, passes
and disappears ; so to-day we are in this world, to-
morrow in eternity. And again : " For now the axe
is lad Io I he root of the trees. Every tree therefore
that brUujeth not forth good fruit, shall be cut down
and cast into the fire.'' [Luke, iii. 91.]
Terrible are the parables ! The foolish virgins
«lep*, while the Bridegroom tarried, and at midnight
lie came : they hastened to meet him — but were re.
jocted with those crashing words : " / hiow you
not ! *■ The servant w ho was surprized by the ar-
rival of his master, was seized, bcuud, ami thrown
into the dark abyss " Cast the unprofilabU servant
out into the exterior darkness, there shall be weeping
ami (jrminiwj oj icem. i_xvi;iu,. a.w.j
Terrible are the rxamplos! Esau so'd his birth-
right. He wibhjs for it again, but it is toj late; th«
i I'i
LESSONS OF PIETY.
39t
blessing is forever lost. The dying Antiochus pray,
ed, groaned, and sobbed ; alas! miserable man, Ll^
heart was not right; he desired pardon, but ob-
tained it not: " This wicked man prayed to the Lord,
of whom he was not to obtain mercy. [2 Mach. ix,]
O deluded sinner! What do all these words of
thunder announce to those who delay their conversion
to the last? What, after all these warnings, can those
unhappy persons expect who are deaf to the voice of
Gwi during lifetime, who obstinately resist divine
grace, stifle the voice that calls them to repentance,
grieve tlie Holy Ghost within their hearts, dishonor
the adorable blood of the Saviour, and harden them-
selves against all the stings of conscience ? What can
they expect, since ihey put off their conversion, but that
their penance will never be done, or if done, will b&
done ill, without sincerity, without fruits, without
pardon ? " You shall seek me, ami you shall die in
your sinsr [St. John, viii. 2I.J Woe to the sinm r
who will not lake this to heart!
You say, perhaps, the prospect is not so gloomy as
this : Did not the laborers who came even at the last
h' ur to labor in the vineyard, receive their whole
■w.gos? That is true; but these laborers stood in the
public place, and wishing and waiting for work. On
the contrary, wtiere are the sinners, who delay repen-
tance to be found? At their gambling, their drinking,
their amusements, in the midst of their disorderly
sins. Are they preparing for a good death ?
Or, it may be said :ThH pr'nitent thief was converted
in the hour of death ; iriiiy we not hope for as much .*
'I his was rati.er a utiracli than an examplo, as St. Au-
I ustine has sa'd : What! do you exjiect, sinner, such
!i miracle of irecy, such a m racle of conveislon ? Do
V -.1 deserve it i* Tme, the Good 1 hief was converted
• 1 death, but then he had never known the 8 ivi( \\i Ye-
fore; and be^idfs, ihis is Iho only examj le of n. onn-
ersioii in t! e hour of death to be found in the , Ay
^'criplur s. And whfw was he converted ? By the side
of the dying Jesus, sj-nnkled with his most holy blood >
i
392
SPIRITUAL READING.
But turn, sinner, turn your eyes to the other side;
see an<i tremble ! How did ihe wicked thief die ? How ?
in despair, and yet before the very eyes of Jesus Christ.
Instead of sleeping, then, iu deceitful repose, tremble
and live in fear all the rest of your life !
It is then true that the sinner who puts off doing
penance, exposes himself to the danger of never being
converted, and quieting himself with the thought of a
future imaginary repentance, he casts himself into the
abyss of a punishment as real as it is eternal. Consider
this : repeat to yourself what the Holy Ghost is always
repeating to your heart. " Delay not : begin to-day-
to-morrow you will be too late ! "
' T«E DEATH OF THE SINNER.
Now let us behold the sinner— the sinner— just as
we have described him, persevering in sin, postponing
his Conversion from day to day, and flattering himself
that he will be converted on his death-bed :— now, let
us look at him, laid on his bed by dangerous sickness.
At first he is not alarmed. He is told that it is noth-
ing—nothing serious. Meantime the sickness in-
creases; it is becoming serious. And then, what
happens ?— Physicians are called in consultation, all
kinds of remedies are used, every thing brought to give
relief to the body. And what becomes of the soul?
There is yet time enough for that ; that is not so press-
ing. The sick man must not be alarmed, let us wait
till to-morrow ; if the sickness increases, then he shall
be informed. The sickness increases, and at last the
physicians pronounce it mortal. Now, the members of
the household look at each other ; sorrow is read in
evei-y countenance ; they speak in whispers ; no one is
willing to go to the patient ; every one is afraid ; no
one knows how to tell it to him. sinful love ! mis-
taken kindness I
At last the end of the sick man approaches, the faint-
uess of death ccmes over him ; — there he lies, uncon-
iri'
^
LESSCNS OF PIETY.
39S
I." !•:,!
ecioup, speechless, and insensible.— A Pnest ! a Con-
lessor! they cry, in the greatest consternation. A
Confessor !-- He is sent for in haste ; but, O wonderful
justice. Olrightful judgment of God! no Priest is to
be found! Again he is sent for; he is expected:
meanwhile the sick man dies. It is what Jesus Christ
had warned him of. •; You shall seek me, and shall
not find me, and you shall die in your sins ' "
Perhaps a Priest is found immediately ; he comes in
haste, but at the moment he enters, the (hum man
breathes his last, and the Priest hears thenrcry • He
IS dead. Yes ! " You shall die in your sins "
Perhaps he finds the sick man still living: but what
life is this ? As to his soul's salvation, he might almost
as we be dead. The drooping head is faint ana giddy
ins rollmg eyes can see no more, his face is covered
with the paleness of death, his limbs are stiffening his
breath isdiihcult and loud, he struggles feebh in the
strong grapple of his merciless foe. The Priest speaks
to him ; no sign of contrition follows. What prospect
of conversion is there here y Ho dies, and how?
" }ou shall die in your sins ! "
Yet we will allow to the sick man every possible
advantage Let us suppose that at the right time he
isadiiiorjished of his situation, that the Confessor ar-
rives in good time, and that the sick man ig vet con-
scious and m possession of his faculties. Is he* with
all that, in security ? Come, let us place ourselves in
spirit by his death-bed let us witness a scene which
outwardly, indeed, appears touching and edifying,
and wliicli, m fact, is most fearful and horrible. For,
I ask you, what is usually the real state, on their
<jeath-be(ls, of those who have delayed their conver-
sion ? The judgments of God are terrible! I see
there, lor the most pdrt, only impenitent sinners, dif-
lering in many respects one from the other, vet all
equally iiiiponitfiit. Slaves of sin wnrfi th^^ in life-
vicUms (.]• Gods vengeance are they now in dVath'
'' lou shall die in your sins.''
0, impenitent sinner ! thou who, in this last solemn
I
< II
111
hi
fl
Hi
n" r
i h
«M
SPIRITUAL READING.
iicmr, dost answer to every appeal with indifference;^
*ritli deathlike insensibility ; whom nothing touches,
aaothing moves any more! It is only too plainly seen,
by this thy deadly distaste for all divine truths, that
God has now deserted thee, that he has withdrawn
fiimself from thy bed of death. " You shall die in
y^our sins."
0, impenitent sinner ! thou, who now, on thy death-
bed, regarding God only as a terrible Judge, and a
merciless avenger, art casting thyself into the abyss
of thy sins, of thy monstrous crimes, believest that
for thee there is no more mercy ; thou, who seest thy
Lord only in the storm and lightning, thou dost con-
demn thyself, and dost thyself write thine eternal
despair upon thine own soul. " You shall die in your
sins:'
O, impenitent sinner ! thou who dost cast thyself
into another abyss, by giving thyself up to a rash con-
fidence ; thou, who dost imagine the God who created
thee to be so full of love, that he cannot damn a being
created by himself; that his compassion being infinite,
he will therefore easily pardon every sin ; thy confi-
dence appears to thee beautiful and Christian, but it
is devilish, and presumptuous, and deliver thee over
to a reprobate mind, and impresses on thy hardened
heart the seal of its damnation. " You shall die in
■your sins"
O, impenitent sinner! thou who, having stified all
faith in thy heart, and having brought it by crime to
the height of unbelief and impiety, wilt not now hear
of conversion, of religion, of the sacraments ; shuttest
thine ear and eye to every thing, and diest, to the ter-
ror and horror of all around thee ; so then thou dost
complete the abomination of a godless and scandalous
life by a most unblest and wicked death. " You sliall
die in your sins"
It is over. The dying man breathes his last sigh.
He is no more. Already sounds the sadly mournful
toll of the bell. "What does it announce ? One mem-
bw less in a family ; one man less in the world ; on©
LESSONS OF PIETY.
395
reprobate more in hell. " You shall die in your sins.''
What a death ! Can one think of it without a
^.hufjrler?
This is the usual death, 1 will not say ol" all, but of
most sinners who have put ofl'penance f(.r their death-
bed. These are the dispositions of those hearts which
they have harden* d ; this is the blow which then the
terrible hand of God deals down upon them. A life
of sin; a. death accursed. A lifetime of guilt and
presumption ; an eternity of torment an ". despair.
•' you shall die in your vm.v."
THE JUDGMENTS OF GOD.
Baltassar, the godless Baltassar, sat drinking at his
licentious banquet, surrounded by his courtiers. Sunk,
ii? it wore, in sensuality and drunkenness, he blas-
phemed the Lord, abused the mercy of God, and even
went so f;ir as to profane the coni^ecrated vessels of
the temple. He considered this day as a day of joy
and r(..\olry. Unhappy man ! it is thy judgment day !
Suddenly, an awful hand wa^ seen, writing on the
wall these words : ' Mane : Thecel : l^hares ;" I have
Jiumberetl, I have weighed. I have divided! I have
inimbered thy days, they are ended : I hav(? weighed
I hy deeds, they condemn thee: I have divided thy
kingdom, and deliver thee to thine enemies. This was
the v(3rdict given, and the judgment pronounced
against him. On the same night it was JuUilled ; he
who had lived a profligate, died a reprobate.
Let us fear the impenetrable judgments of God ; let
us think of them day and night, that we may always
be prepared for them ; let us tremble before the pow-
'•rtul arm of God, and never forget that even as God is
u God of mercy, so also is he a God of justice.
St. Jerome was one of the greatest penitents in the
Church of God. Disgusted by the tumult and gran-
deur of Kome, he retired into Palestine, and buried
himself, so to say, in solitude. The austerity of his
life and of his penance are not to be described, nor the
896
SPIRITUAL READING.
mortifications, discipline, and holy severity which he
inflicted upon himself. He beat his breast with a
stone, so that his body was always wounded and
bathed in blood. With all this, he kept continually
before his mind, in fear and trembling, the severity of
the judgment of God. Absorbed in profound medita-
tion on this thought, " Alas ! " he exclaimed with a
shudder, " I think I hear at every moment the dread-
ful trumpet, which will one day call us to judgment.
Day and night it is sounding in my ears, and my
troubled soul can find no rest, reflecting always upoii
the majesty of that God who is one day to judge it."
Thus he passed his life in fear, and in the expectation
of judgmen Happy was he, to anticipate that fear-
fp.1 trial by his constant and severe penance.
Let us also learn to reflect upon the judgment of
God, for we must one day appear before it. Let us
learn to fear it, for it will decide our fate for eternity.
Let us learn to prepare for it, for our happiness or
misery depends upon this preparation. Let us judge
ourselves severely, that God may judge us in his
mercy. Let us rise above the vain judgment of men,
for this it is which turns us aside from the law of God.
Finally, let us ask of God that he will be gracious to
us on this dreadful day of retribution.
THE TIME OF GRACE.
How solemnly beautiful and interesting is that scene
related in the Gospel, were Jesus, seeing before him
the city of Jerusalem, began to weep over its fate.
(St. Luke, xix.) Alas ! said he, unhappy city, if thou
also hadsl known my purpose, full of compassion
and mercy towards thee, what graces would have
been thine ! T'ly enemies would have feared thee,
thy inhabitants would have tasted the sweets of peace,
in honor and glory thou wouldst have continued. Un-
4U.
.Kr„i
.^,i
.:u.
...I., I U^..' «A-->— ...... I.I T 1 ._.-
gathered together thy children, as the hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and thou hast not fol-
\i
LESSONS OF PIETY.
397
lowed my tender call— and thou wouldst not. Behold,
for the punishment of this thy intidelity, great distress
shall come upon thee, thy enemies shall compass thee
round ; they shall lay waste thy fields, overthrow thy
walls, slay thy children, and they shall not leave in thee
one stone upon a stone ! And therefore shall all this
misery come upon thee, because thou hast not known
the time of my visitation, because thou hast neglected
the time of grace, because thou hast not answered my
invitations of mercy. All these prophecies were ful-
filled : the ruin, the desolation of Jerusalem, and the
long-continued miseries of the unbelieving Jews even
in our day, fill the world with astonishment.
Of how many souls this guilty and unhappy City is
an image ! How many, by their obstinate resistance
to grace, draw down upon themselves a sorrow which
is all the greater, because it endures forever I Reflect
upon it well ! Grace urges you liow : be true to it !
Nothing is so terrible as the abuse of grace.
if
)!'
J-JMirt
i"' L
THE SUFFERINGS OF THIS LIFE.
It is related that when St. Peter was leaving Rome
in the time of persecution, he met our Lord Jesus
Christ, who was carrying a heavy cross upon his
shoulders. St. Peter asked his Lord whither he was
going in that sad condition, and our Lord answered
him : I am going to Rome to deliver myself up to be
crucified for you, because you refuse to suffer for me.
St. Peter, ashamed of his weakness, and penetrated by
a lively sorrow, returned to Rome, where, with great
courage and joy, he suffered martvrdora for the name
and honor of his Divine Master.
We have imitated St. Peter in his weakness ; when
shall we imitate 1 im in his generosity? Alas, how
often might our Lord Jesus Christ say to us : I am
going to give myself up again to death for vou. because
you refuse to bear my cross ! We would like to have
nothing to sufler ; we complain and murmur at the
least trouble. Only the sound of the word, " suffer-
398
SPIRrrCAL KEAAlKfi.
ings, " nay, even the thought of it, makes us tremble.
Is this to be a Ghriatian, is this to be a disciple of g
God who died for cs oaa the cross ? Osuffermg Saviour,
teach us to suifer ! help us tosuiJer ! sanctify us through
oursnlleriTi^fi, united with thine, and reoeivingalJ their
merit from thine ! Let us then be a little more consi-
derate, and instead of bewailing our suiferings, let us
priiise God who givies us the means to atone for our
sins.
A soul that cannot suffer cannot love. True love
cnly siiows itself in suffering. Jesus Christ lias planted
thf cross in order to show us the way to heaven ; He
Imlds it before the soul to guide her there.
Many faints would have been lust williout sufferipg,
and many lost souls would have i^een great saints
thrbugh suRei'liig. It is better to we<3p than to sin.
Weep now with the penitent, that by and by you may
rejoijB with the elect.
THE LOVE OF OCR ENEMIES.
The iDrotlier of St. John Gualbert was assassinated.
The miirderer one day met John Guaibert unarmed;
John was arm-ed, and in a place wliere he could not
possibly avoid hina. When the murderer saw that
there was no escape, he fell on his kaees, and stretch-
ing »ut his aims in the form of a cross, implored his
enemy, m the name of Jesus who had died on the cross,
that he would spare his life. Gualbert, moved by these
words, forgave and embraced Jiim, and theu went into
a neighboring church to pray belbre a crucifix.* From
thismoBiteni he laid a«ide Jiis ai'mor, renounced the
world, and retired to a cloister. Afterwards he became
the founder of the order of Vallombrosa.
What an example, and what a disposition ! Examin«
yourself -and see if your dispositions are as Ghristiaa.
l>o you sincerely and from the heart forgive your
eaemies ? Do you iovo your neighbor as yourself? Do
you behold Jusus C"!it h; iuhliu? Renect (M thi^, and
judigie ^ourielf in il;!> ;^*'e!ienc:; of God.
LESSONS OF PIETY.
399
Christians, children of one Father, let us love one
another! Let us love each other in God and for God.
Let us love each othar sincerely, lirmly, faithfully !
Let us love one another in this world, that in the other
we may be united for ever !
ON naUNKFNNESS.
A large portion of the sins and miseries prevailing
ill the world around ns, are caused by the vice of
irunkennesi?. What is the greatest evil with which in
most parishes liie pastor has to contend ? It is drunk-
enness. What does the missionary iind to be usually
the most common and the most ruinous vice in the
(congregation where he gives the mission ? It is
Irunkenness. What destroys, in a groat measure, the
fruit of good mission? It is drunkenness. What causes
the relapse, and the linal damnation of a great multi-
tude after they have once made a good conlV^ssioii '! It
IS drunkenness. What is the greatest scandal and iv;-
proach on the Catholic religion? TJio drunkonness
which is so frightfully pn-val-'iit among the J);id and
unworthy members of tlie holy Churcii of God.
Drunkenness is a most degrading and wick, d sin.
The drunkard deprives himself of the us<^ of his rea-
son, and turns himself intoa bi-ute, in ortlor logiMlilV
a base, sensual passion. What can j)e moro degrad-
ing to a reasonable man made in the imago of God,
and bearing tlie character ol baptism, tlian to go
staggering about, or to li?; down h''l|.irss aniT stiip.d
under the Inlluence of liquor? One eannot (k'Taci'
llie image of God in sucti a sliofkinu- way without
irr. 'wously 'ir'ionoring and ollendlng (iod.
drunkenness is a mortal sm ; it kills the souls, and
deserves the everlasting lire of he! I. " Btt not de-
ceived. Neither fornicators, nor drunkauh shall
]iossess the kingdom of God." [\ Cor vi. 10.) Every
])erson who gets drunk commits a mortal sin, by de-
facing the image of God, even though he gives no
ecandal, hurts no one, neglects no pari of his work,
U'V I
^90
SFISITUAL BBiVDIUe,
and do«s net injure his health or nraperty. Those
who do not pet stupidly drunk, hut vvLo drink so much,
that they make themselves unfit for business, waste
their money, injure their healtli, give scandal to others,
or neglect and illtrea-- their families, are also guilty of
mortal sin. All excesb in drinking, however slight, is
at least a venial sin, and if habitual, most dangerous,
because it increases the appetite for liquor, and ieaus
almost certainly to drunkenness.
Drunkenness i£ the fruitful mother of a multitude
of miseries. It makes a man or woman weak and
sickly, low-spirited, peevish and passionate. It bring"?
on deadly diseases, and rackmg pains, and an un-
timely death, amid the horrors of delirium tremens.
It brings poverty, rags, starvation, and (piarrelling
into the family. The drunkard makes himself wretched
in this life, and he makes his wife and children
wretched also.
Drunkenness is also the parent of other sins. It leads
directly to impurity. It is the cause of cursing, blas-
pheming, robbery, and murder. It leads to the neglect
of religious duties, to sacrilege — often to despair and
to final impenitence. One who indulges in this sin,
makes it very dillicult to himself to repent afterwards
in a solid and lasting way. He may confess and pro-
mise amendment, but the appetite for liquor is so
strong, and the misery caused by the want of the ha-
bitual excitement is so great, that after a few feeble
efTorts, the unhappy man too often gives way and goes
back to his bottle. The end of all these miseries and
sins is a bad death, and the eternal damnation of the
wretched drunkard.
in the torments of the horrid prison of hell, he
must bo jmnished for his drunken revels, his blasphe-
mies, his brutal treatment of wife and children, and
his violation of all the promises and vows of repent-
ance and amendment that he has made. Multitudes
are now in hell wliu i-.avo been damned chieiiy on
account of drunkenness. And multitudes now living
are preparing themselves for hell by drunkeuness,
LESSawS OF PIETT-
40i
' ^H
-v^'hen by overcoraing this one evil, they might so
■easily be saved.
Dear Christian reader, are you terriQed at this awful
picture ? Then if you are yet free from Vhe chains of
this vile and criminal habit, or if you have but just
began to give yourself to it, pause where you are, and
save yourself in time from tliO temporal and eternal
miseries of intemi^erance. It is easier for you to avoid
falling into this vice than to get out of it alter you
have contracted it. Look around you on the sad and
disgusting exami)les of drunkenness, and take warn-
ing in time. How is it that the young man becomes
a drunkard? Is it all at once, or by degrees? It is
by degrees, and step by step. One man carries his
bottle with him to his work, and visits it now and
then during the day. His visits become more and
more frequent, until at last he is a slave to his bottle,
loses his work in consequence, becomes discouraged,
drinks deeper to drown his grief, and becomes a
drunkard.
Another indulges at home in an occasional bout of
drinking on holidays, or other limes of leisure, and
they become more frequent, until he, too, is a frequent
drunkard.
A })Oor woman begins lolako a drop when she is
tired with working, to give 'herself a I'alse strength,
and she takes more and more untd she has gone over
the precipice. Another begins by taking an occa-
sional glass of punch with her fri»mds; anolluM', by
being a little delicate and requiring gin and brandy
as a medicine; another, by flying to drink out of spite
at her husband's cruelty, or to drown lier grief and
trouble.
But most fall by social drinking. It is by resort-
ing to bars and liquor stores, by lounging around
where drinking is going on, by tr(> iling and being
treated, by the occasional glass with a com])aniou in
the grog-shup, by staying out on Saturday nights to
have a jovial time, that most begin, and go on, and
<5nd in tlie destructive and aboniin^J>le scho/oj. of
i
,W9
iWJil
ft
m
402
SPIRITUAL READING.
drunkenness Shun, then, these traps and tempta-
tions, and be cautious about the ver" approach of
evil if you wis^i to keep sober and temperate.
But if you are so unhappy as to be already in the
habit of excessive drinking, and wish to get out of it
what must you do ? '
In the first place, cost what it will, you must give
up drink. This is the only sure remedy. It may be
hard and painful, but it is easier to do it than to sulfer
tlie miseries of drunkenness, and the pains of hell
lou have sinned, and you must do penance for vour
sms by sudering. The longer vou abstain from drink
the easier it will be, and the peace of conscience jou
M-^ill enjoy will give you strength to make the sacrilice
01 your unhealthy craving allur liquor. You must go
to the sacraments and pray regularly and freciuenth
to obtain the grace of God.
And you must be careful not to relaj^se when the
time of your penance is over. This, in a word is
what you must do. But go to a good and faithful
priest, cast yourself at his feet, and heg him to teli
you what to do, and he will tell vou more fully and
more efficaciously what you must "do ; obey his direc-
tions, follow his advice, fullil his penance and return
<o Inm frequently, and he will rescue your soul from
the ;,iink of vice and misery. There are some who
do tins, who reform thoroughly and who persevere
therefore do not be disheartened because so iiianv
re apse, but lake courage by the example of those
who persevere and resolve to become one of that
hnppy number. If you do this, what a chance for
the better will take place in a short time in yoursoll
aiid in your family ? Your soul will be cleansed from
the guilt of sin in the saving v/aters of penance, and
relreshnil and strengthened with the grace of the
Holy Eucharist. Your body will be purified and
renovated by abstinence. You will become once
more decent and respectable in vmir Hppq« nr,H «,._
pearance. Iho money which you used to wa-^te on
liquors and gambling will go to furnish your family
ii\
LESSONS OF PIETY.
403
with suitable clothing, and your house with comforts.
Your wife and children will smile and look happy
igain, and peace and comfort will reign in your
tiousehold. When you accompany your wife and
children to Mass on Sunday, all will be edified
with the picture of a true Christian family; you will
bless God for the change, and if you persevere you
will bless Him on your death-bed and throughout
I'lernity.
WARNING TO PARENTS.
The High Priest Heli had two sons, who by their
sinful lives, their injusticeand i)rolligacy, profaned the
holy priesthood, and were the objects of complaint and
scandal to all Israel.
Innumerable complaints were made to their father,
hut too great weakness and a sinful indulgence took
from him the courage and strength to restrain them.
At length, full of anger, God sent his servant Samuel,
who announced to fhe unfaithful father that so dread-
ful a misfortune was about to fall upon him, that every
one who heard it would be filled with horror. And so
it happen«»d ; the moment for the divine punishment
rjime. When the war broke out between the Israelites
II nd Philistines, a battle took place in which twenty
thousand Israelites were slain — lelt dead upon the
Held, the ark of the covenant fell into the hands of the
onemy, and both the sons of the High Priest, Ophni
and Phinees, were found on the battle-field swimming
in their blood.
Trembling, the messengers brought this news to
Heli, their unhappy father, and when he hoard it he
foil backward so suddenly, that his neck was broken
and he died instantly, Thus in one dny the punish-
ment fell upon the wretched family, a terrible retri-
bution upon tho sinful weakness of the father and the
♦"vil conduct of his sons.
Fathers and mothers ! reflect upon this, and teach
your children to think of it also.
rm\
4M
SPIRITUAL READING.
Dttringa vielent prseciitiou which arose in Japar^
against the Christian rehgion, a Christian husband
«!»d wifb wefe daily expecting martyrdom, and were
preparing for it by fervent pruyer. They had a sou
Who was still very young, and on his account they were
moch troubled. As they sat together talking ot him.
they sai-d to each other : We hope, by t he grace ot
God, to suffer martyrdom for our holy religion, but
what then will become of our poor child? Will he
have strength to endure the suffering ? or, will he yield
to the torture and deny his faith?
While they were talking, the chihi appeared to be
ftt play, and not to take notice of what they were say-
ing ; he was heating an iron red hoi in the tire by
which they sat, and wiien it was entirely red, he drew
it oufcarid laid it with heroic courage upon his hand.
The territied parents asked him what ho was doing.
and why he did it ? " I am doing it," cnlnily answer-
ed the child, " to show you that I have coura^ie to
suffer martyrdom, rather than to give up my luith."
The parents were astonished— they tenderly em-
braced their child, burst into tears, and thanked God
who had given him to them. All three^weie so happy
•s to receive the crown of martyrdom."
O! blessed results of that good education whiclj
theso parents had given to that child of bonediiition.
Happy parents! happy child ! O, what will be the re-
compense of both in heaven !
Sentiments of Christian piety ani sometimes as deep
and lively in countries newly converted to the faith, as
they were in the lirst Christians. In a distant and
newly discovered country, lived a worthy Christian
family. The father and mother led the life of saints .
their sole occupation was the care of their salvation,
a»d the duties of their condition. They daily assi-.m-
bled th«ir whole house to listen to spiritual reading.
One of ther children, a boy of live or six years, who
had hoard them road of the sutferinffs of our Lovd Jes-us.
Christ, was so moved by theui, that, from an earnest
desire to imitate Jesus and to suffer somulhing for luvo-
LESSONS OF PIETY.
m^
cf him, he walked every day barefoot upon nettles, till
his leet bled. He also made himself a crown of sharp
thorns, upon which he laid his head at night, in honor
of the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ. When his
parents discovered this, they forbade him to do so any
longer, but they well knew that God had particular
designs of mercy with regard to this child. And, in-
deea, when he grew up, he entered into the priesthood,
devoted himself to the labors of a missionary in a dis-
tant country, and there, by the grace of God, accom-
plished wonderful things, ending his life at last in
these holy occupations.
In our days, certainly, parents have rather to see to
it that their children are kept from evil, than to restrain
their pious zeal, for it rarely happens now, that the
grace of God manifests itself so wonderfully in child-
hood. It is true that sometimes an especial inclination
for prayer, love for invisible divine things, and an irre-
sistible desire to imitate Jesus, are still to be found in
the tender soul of children ; but, alas, these beautiful
buds of holiness are soon destroyed by bad principles,
bad example, or the cold, foolish idea, that every thing
is extravagant and objectionable, which is not to be
seen every day, and does not follow the ordinary fash-
ion of the world. Therefore, dear Christian parents,
if you have a child which shows an extraordinary in-
clination to piety, thank God for it , and at the same
time see that you do nothing to interfere with these
dispositions. Do not, however, on the contrary, quench
the Spirit of God by flattery and caresses, and thus
teach your little children to be pious hypocrites. In
fine, with regard to these matters, consult pious and
well-instructed priests who thoroughly understand the
ways of God.
WARNING TO CHIL&REN.
UTlV Ul liil
iC most wicked and miserabie parents ihat
perhaps ever lived, had a son who was as bad as him-
self. Sunk in every kind of vice, they both plunged
■fi'MI
i: •
406
SPIHITDAL READING.
deeper and deeper into the abyss of destruction. The
son was disobedient, wilful, passionate, and violent,
even to fury. They were always disputing and quar-
relling, and lived in continual strife. Each cursed the
other. One day, when the father rebuked the son, and
reproa( bed him with his bad behavior, the wretched
<;hild seiz d his parent, who was already advanced in
years, and in a rage threw him on the ground and
dragged him by the hairs of his head down the stairs,
that he might throw him out of the house. When ho
had dragged him a little wav, the father raised his
voice and cried : Stop ! wretch ! when I was of your
age I never dragged my father further than this !
Thus, at last, the sinful father acknowledged the jus-
tice of God, who ]>ermitteil his son to treat him as he
himself had treated his own father.
O how terrible are the judgments of God, but also
how guilty are you, ye disobedient and unnatural chil-
dren ! Learn to respect your parents always, even
when you see them wicked. I know that ex-
cesses so dreadful as what I have related are not of
every day occurrence, but stili I know that great disor-
ders happen every day, not only among people of low
condition, of coarse sentiments, and without education,
but also among the rich and relined ; not always per-
haps so publicly manifest to the eyes of men, but well
known to God and detestable in his sight.
then, children, be always kind and affectionate,
respectful and obedient to your parents. Trv in every
possible way to make them comfortable and happy, and
to repay them for the many cares and anxieties they
have sulTered for you. This is the will of God, and he
will recompense you for it. Hear what a splendid
promise is attached to the commandment which he
gives you ! " Honor thy father and thy mother, that
thou may est be long-lived upon the land which the
Lord thy God will give thee.
LESSONS OF KETY.
4017
THE LOVE OP GOD.
What a beautiful example is afforded us In (he sirlv
lime action of a certain woman who lived in Alexan-
dria ! She appeared one day on a public place of that
great city, holding in one hand a vessel of water, and
in the other a burning torch, and when she was asked
what she intended to do with them ? she answered :
With this torch I would set the heavens on tire, and
with this water I would extinguish the fire of hell, thot
henceforth man might love his God, not for the hope
of reward or the fear of punishment, but only and
purely for himself and because of his ad< rable perfec-
tions !
What a beautiful sentiment ! worthy of a great
soul that perceives what God is, and how much he
deserves all our love for his own sake.
It is related of the Japanese, that when the Gospel
was preached to them, and when they were instructed
in the beauty, greatness, and infinite goodness of
God, but especially when in the great mysteries of
our religion they learned all that God had done for
man — when it was represented to them, how from
love to us and for our salvation he became man and
died ; — astonished and enraptured, thpy exclaimed :
O how great, how good, how adorable is the God of
Christians ! But when they heard that there was
an especial law, commanding us to love God, nnd
threatening with punishment those who love him
not, then they were still more astonished, and could
not recover from their surprise. How is this? said
they. Does a reasonable man need to be commanded
to love a God like this God, who has so loved us ?
Is it not then the greatest happiness to love him, and
the greatest misfortune not to love him ? What ! are
not Christians always prostrate before the altar of
their God, penetrated by his goodness, inflamed with
holy love to JTirn ■? And when they heard that there
were Christians who not only did not love God, but
who offended him and blasphemed him, they ex-
claimed with indignation : unjust people 1 un-
f/^l
•f :\
408
SPIRITUAL READING.
grateful hearts ! Is it possible that Christians are
capable of such a sin,^ and in what accursed land do
these senseless and heartless men live ?
Christians, only too much do we deserve these just
reproaches, and these people will one day be called
up as witnesses against us, and will accuse us and
condemn us before God !
Let us inedityte on this. The precept to love God
is the lirst and most essential of all the command-
ments. Love is the fuUilling of the whole law.
Weigh this well, and let us imitate in this, as far as
we can, what the saints are doing in heaven, and
what we too hoi)e to do in eternity. Let us love God
with our whole heart.
Perhaps we have hitherto never loved God as we
were bound. O distrpssin/^, thought I Let us at least
devote the rest of our lifet'me to the holy love of God
HEAVKN,
When King Assuerus would reward Mordechai
for the important service which he had rendered to
the State, he ordered him to be clad in royal apparel,
and the crown placed upon his head ; and thus
adorned and surrounded with all the majesty and |)(imp
of royal dignity, he commanded hi.n to bo placed in
triumph on the King's own horse. The most illus-
trious nobleman of the whole court was then to con-
duct him through every part of the imperial ciiv.
preceded by a herald who announced in a loud voice
to all Ihc people : " Thus shall he be honored, whom
I he King hath a mind to honor."
Suppose that, at this very moment, God were lo
upon our eyes, and show us one of the Elect in the lull
splendor of that glory which surrounds him in heaven :
could wo thus behold him in all the jov and rapture
wherein the blessed Saints are pluni^edin tlioir henven-
iv home, and could we bear a celestial voice procl.-iim-
ing, " Behold, ye mortals, and admire, thus God honors,
thus God rewards his saints in glorv !" How Iran-
XESSONS OF PIETY.
409
Sfwrted would we be at such a scene! " Ambitious
man ! so would that blessed Saint address us, " what
are all the honors of the world compared with the
honor and gk»ry which 1 now enjoy ? Avaricious man !
What are all your fleeting possessions and treasures,
compared io these mfinite and indestructible treasures
prepared for the elect in Heaven ? Ye dissolute and
sensual sinners, what are all those base pleasures that
you enjoy for a moment, compared to these pure and
unspeakable raptures, which delight the elect of God
for al eternity ? '' O how such a si|ht as this would nil
us with disgust for all the false and deceitful goods of
this world! What a longing would it excite in us for
SfmTrSyl "^^«^-«"ding treasures of a glorious
O Christians! what we cannot see with our bodilv
f^nn^'K^''''' manifests clearly to our faith, and offers
to our hopes. Let us, then, by a holy life here make
ourselves worthy of an immortal life hereaf\er
Heaven is waiting for us, let us detach oirselves
frhrisIlTater^ ^^^^ - dwelbng-placro^?
onf^l^dTv^Lt^^^^^^^
who have striven for thic their whole life long f Where
- BeauUful Heave: , U never see thee » " said
Zttuf ^^V' ^^'^^' death-bed What a
death! - My son! look . to Heaven " said nn^« !
mother to her son, who was sufferLg m^rt'Tdom '(?
Ma.-h. vii.) The Church calls upon us all to look un to
Heaven! kake yourselves worthy one dav o ente?
;
;J
M
ii'f.
it
m
m
THK DISCIPLE OF JESUS.
A Widow Who possessed a few of the goods of thi«
vorld, but was therefore all the richer fn piety and
uo
SPIftlXU'AL BSADtaa.
1-
zealfor the education of .feer childraa, had<a'da»fh»er
.ten years of age, .nftmed iDopothy. Bheiwws lively and
inc^itaed to amusement, asnd her meiherwasoblitfed'to
, take great 2are that she should not ,l)e epoWed by I or
playmates ; and as she had .not mueh leisure to devote
Xo tlie little girl's education, she confided her, notwith-
standing her poverty, to the care of a pious matron, in
order that she might be brought up and educated in
fl religious manner.
The Uttle Dorol,by' remained two vears with her
mistress, and during this time made wonderful pro-
gre»s in juety. iSbe treasured lup all the instruction
X)T,her beloved teacher, but more deeply than all the
rest was.thisimiiJFessed u,pon her heart, namely : that
:n all our actions we must take Jesus for our pattern.
When ,DoroUiy >peliupa«d home 40 her mother, «he
was tlic example and consolation lOf rthe whole howse.
^Hlic.nt, gentle, Oibedient, she never (eomplfti«Bed of any
thing. She said little, but lalways spoke atiihe right
time : she was.always contenrted ; wihatev«rla*b®rwas
imposed vy^on her, tor whatever contradictions «he 'met
wiih, always she remained in tbe «aBDe eiieerful <ks-
pps^itipp : jwrt^n^intiled.anri flaode6t,«he'W»&4an^nemy
to every kind pi vaaiiy ; she was respectful -towards
ev§ry-©ne, ^poke no evil of, any one, was ««eful1)o a'll
^rjifLftlwaysfropoAlected and 'i*iiited totGwl. '
Such conduct shortly procured for Irertbe esteem of
t^ .whole .parish. iNev^rtheless envy was not idle, but
sooo exoitefl, enemies against her. Some of her com-
jtainons, stimulated by ^jeaiousy, calumniated ber, and
<U",scnb('d her asa hypocrite and false devotee. Dorothy
bore ^11 this in silence for the Jove of Jesus Christ, and
cc^itijiued to treat all who spoke iil of her in the most
f rieudly manner. In the end, tbe people acknowledged
Don^lhy's virtue, and the slanders of her pnemies re-
bounded upon themselves to their own confusion.
The Priest of the pai'ish, who saw with admiration
the workings of divine grLce in this voune maiden.
ayd laisn her good influence on all with whom she
ajj«fteiated, once «aid ^ her : « Tell me, Dorothy, in
LESSONS OF PIETY.
411^
confidence, how you pass the day, and how you con-
duct yourself towards your companions ? " and Dorothy
answered : " It seems to me, Father, that I do very
little in comparison with what I ought to do. I have
never forgotten the instruction which my teacher gave
me when 1 was only eleven years old. She often said;
to me : In all your sufferings take Jesus Christ for your
model Now, this I endeavor to do, and I do it in this
way :
" When I wake and arise in the morning, I imagine
the infant Jesus before me, and I think how on awaking
he offered himself as a sacrifice to God, his Heavenly
Father. When I pray, I represent to myself Jesus
praying as he prayed to his Heavenly Father, and in
my heart I unite myself to his divine devotion. When
I am at work, I call to mind the sweat, the labor, and
the pains which Jesus Christ endured for my soul's
salvation, and so far from complaining, I unite my
labor joyfully and submissively with his. If I am
directed to do any thing difticult and painful, I imme-
diately remember how Jesus Christ for my love suffered
death on the cross, and this makes me glad to under-
take any thing required of me, however arduous it
may be.
" If any one speaks ill of me, or says to me cruel
and insulting things, I answer nothing ; I suffer in
silence, and remember how Jesus Christ silently and
without a murmur endured all false accusations, ca-
lumnies, tortures, and even the most cruel outrages ;
I remember that Jesus was innocent; that on the
contrary, I am a sinner, and deserve far more suffering
than can ever be inflicted upon me.
'" If I eat, I represent to myself with what sobriety
and temperance my Lord Jesus Christ took nourish--
ment, that he might labor for the glory of his Heavenly
Father. If I taste any thing disagreeable, 1 think of
the gall which Jesus Christ tasted on the cross, and
make a sacrltice of my sensuality to him. If I am
hungry and have nothing to satisfy my hunger, 1 am
not discontented, for I remember that Jesus fasted.
I'lji
:n
^l!|
412
SPUUTUAL aEAJMKfi.
forty days and ifopty nights, aad Uiiat lie enduFed the
most cruel hunc:er for love of me, and in expiutioa ^
the intomperance and gluttony ctf oien.
" When I am priesent at any entertainment, or
mingle la any conversaLi^jD, 1 eall to mind bow gm"
tie, kind, and holy was Jesus in the midst of his
Apostles, if I hear any wicked language, or obsepve
aiiy sinlul conduct, I inslaotily pray <iod to forgive it,
and remember how deeply the most holy heart of
Je&us was wounded whenevea- ha saw aiiy offence
committed against his Heavenaly ii'mth^r. Whan I
think of the innumerable sins whi©h are committed
in the world, and how much God is offended upon
earth, then I mouru for tliera, and unite mv sorrow
to that of Jesus .ChrLat, when, weeping, iie'cri^t©
ns ili^av^nly Jf^ather, ' Moly Father, Uie woi'idkatiimt
miown t/hee,'
" When I go to make my conle. aioo, I irepreseni to
myself the tears of Jesus -Christ and hifi biAter agamy
III the garden, apd on the cross. When I liear the
holy mass, 1 Uiiite my mind and heart with that
moat holy intention witdi which Jesus Ohrist Qlfefed
Jmnself upon the altar, for the glo^^y of his Heavenly
Father, in atonement for our sins, and for the salvar
tionofall men When I &ing, or hear others sin^
the praises of God, I rejoiae in the Lord, and thimk
of that holy song of praise which Jesus Christ sang
with his Apostles, that evening when he instituted
the blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist.
" When I lie down to sleep, 1 represent to myself
the sacred sleep of Jesus, who only allowed himself
to repose that he might gain fresh strength to glorify
his Heavenly Father ; or I remember how d liferent
is my bed Irom the painful cross, whereon he lay
extended like an innocent lamb, and oirered to God
his spirit and his lite ; then 1 fall as eep, repeating to
myself the words of my crucified Jesus :" Father !
Father ! into thy hands I commend my spirit "
ihe curate was surprised to lind so much intelli-
gence in a poor young village girl, and said to her
LwaaoKB OF Ptscsr.
44a
^' 0, DorotJiy, how happy are you! Whai «w»t con-
solations do you not eajoy ia yoiar huimb-Le coafltition ! "
-' it is true, " said Dorothy, " I e^joy ^re^t comfort in
the service of God, yet I must iBot caneeal from you
thttt 1 have also endured great suflenags aad struggles.
I have been obliged to use great atfort to bear the jests
of those who ridicule me, and to conquear my extreme-
ly violent passions. God has inideed boon gracious to
me, yet he has permitted me to he aamilfid by wiany
and great temptations ; sotraaetiraes I have been almost
overwhelmed with.^ie(f, sometimes I sufler great spiritr
ual dryness, aind sometimes Ilnid myself qiuite doj^wi^
hearted, and ready to sink wiiHa weariness. "
■'■' And what do you do tlien, " said ithe priest, " to
fpoe yourself irom yow troubles and tempttlions ?'^'
'« Then, " answered Dorothy, swaeily, ♦* Then I thinjc
of ray Saviour on the Moun:t of Olives, oast^owiJ, dis-
tressed, and sorrowful even unto death ; or I represent
him to myself on the cross, forsaken and without con-
so' ation, and I unite myselfwitli himther-e, and repeat
to mvself the words which he so often repeated in the
time "of his desolation : ' Father, thy will be done ! '
" And in my temptations I do thus : If I feel any
secret inclination to go into certain kinds of company,
lo evening parties, dances, or other dangerous assem-
blies, which sometimes happens, when other decent
girls who do not avoid such dangerous occasions invite
me to go with them ; or if I am urged by violent tempt-
ations to commit sin, or to allow myself a little more
liberty, then I imagine Jesus Christ saying to me :
" What, my daughter! wilt th,»u quit me, to give thy-
self up to the world and its joys ? Wilt thou take thy
heart away from me, to devote it to vanity and the in-
fernal enemy ? Are there not enough already to offend
me ? Wilt thou go join them also, and leave my ser-
vice? And then I instantly answer Him with my
whole heart : No, my God ! never, never will I leave
Thee. I will remain with thee until death. Where
should I go, my Lord ! if I leave thee ? Thou alone
hast the words of life !— and this thought immedi-
«itely gives me strength and courage.
1/ I
1:111 If]
>»
HI
il
. .A
414
LESSONS OF PIETY.
The pastor asked her further : " Upon what subiect^.
?i?J°'i T^^ ^'^^ y^"** companions when you are with
them ? " I speak to them of just the same thingTa'
TtenZriW^r J"'' ^""" good enough to listen to^
I tell them that they must take our Lord Jesus Christ
for their pattern in all their actions ; they must a
sulTerings of hie, remember what Jesus Christ did in
the same circumstances, and unite tl-emselves with hi"
divme mtention I tell them that I make use of th c
holy practice and find the advantage of it. that noth-
ing can be higher, nothing nobler than toimltate a God
« wln"^ sweeter than to serve so good a M^ister. "'
Well, Dorothy, " said the good Priest to her - go
designs m regard to you. Maybe accomplish all his-
holy purposes to your sanctification ami luippinos'; "
O, happy souls, who are willing and ready to imitatr
Jesus Christ so closely ! * mmuie
:^:^^^:^ky:^:^:^^y:^ky^ky^k)
OF THE ONE ONLY SAVING FAITH AND
CHURCH.
I. THERE IS A TRUK RELIGION.
Prom the foundation ofthe world religion has always
existed, with its worship, its priests, its sacrilices, and
its jlacos consecrated lo God. Among all the nations
of tie world Iroio the hoginning, tluTo has been found
a de3p veneration fur a great supreme diviiM^ Being, in
othc' words, for God ; while, on the other hand, those
few vho have been unwilling to acknowledge any re-
spectfor religion, worship, or sacritice, were always re-
garded as worthy of detestation, and therefore callod
godless men, that is, men witliout God. Men who be-
lieve in no religion stand alone in the world, S(;|)araied'
from ill their race. The voice of mankind in al! ages
and in all nations, condemns them. To say, a man
without religion, a man without a God, sounds as
strangely as to say, a man unlike other men, a man
who is not a man, a man without a soul.
But if men who believe in no religion are few, those
who believe in false religions are many, and it is not
wonderful that it should be so.
As men remo\ ed themselves more and more from the
restraints of religion, and became add icte<l to vice, par-
ticularly the vice of impurity, the most holy God, by a
just punishment, abandoned them to their own |>erverse
thoughts and imaginations, as the Apostle Paul tells
Us ; " /'»// , prof ess tuff liitnistii'ss w <n ivisc, mty i/&~uTnf
fools, and lliey changed the glory of the incorniptihie
God into the likeness of the imaqe of a corruptible man,
and of birds, and of four-footed beasts, and ofcreepinq
(■
416
FAITH AND THE CHURCH.
things.'' (Rom. i. 22.) In other words, they becaire
idolaters, inveotiog strange, absurd, and unnatural
religions for themselves, according to the desire of
their corrupt hearts.
Jn this way, formerly idolatry sprung up, and in
liie manner, all other fake religions have arisen. l:is
only through the sins of men, and their godless prLie,
that so many such are found in the world. All these
false religions, however, only prove the more clecrly
the existence of a true religion, of which they are .he
Feparat'id and corrupted branches, just as the green
tree is found in the midst of the withered boughs
which lie around it.
II. THERE IB ONLY ONE TRUB RELIGION.
Now, whoever says that, in the eyes of God, all the
religions of the world are good, and that men cai be
saved in every religion, neither knows what God nor
whit religion is. There is only one true God, and con-
sequently there is also one only true religion ; forwhat
is religion but the true way to serve and worship jod ?
Two men, who contradict each other respecting one
and the sfiine thing, cannot both be right, neither can
two contradictory religions both be true. All the va-
rious religions in the world contradict each other in
the most important things ; and yet among them all
only one can be true.
Besides, God is always, and in all jjlaces, forever,
and for all men, the same unchangeable God, who can
neither practise deceit himself, nor be deceived by
any other. God cannot, therefore, ever contradict him-
self, noi- makt^ contrary revelations at different times
and places. What he reveals to men as true in one
country, or one age of the world, must be true in every
country, and in all ages. Moreover, God is bound al-
ways to detest and reject every error and falsehood. It
cannot, therefore, at one and the same time be true
tliat Mjihonint ^^'.'i?. tho Sfffit T^rciihp^. of Go<l, ^o jKf*
Turkish religion teaches, and that he was a great im-
j)Oster and instrument of the devil, as every (Christian
eWRlTUAL nBAMNG.
417
isbouTK^tohoW. «o, aJsp, U cannot hfi pmiallv trn-^
thai the Pope h tho Vicar of .testis Chrkst on ..an I, .ms
the Cathoh( mligion tOiioh(>s,ari<liliat ho is Aiitichh^l '
as they say amonj? the Prote8t«nl>;. lor siii-.-k \h^ <;orl
of truth would not have some mm bclipvo yue liijji -
true, and oth^^r men exactly Uu>, opposite. .'
Again, God is suppomely good ami wisp- nopio-
ffuently, he cannot apjH'ove the vices and (bliea of
men. But if God approves all religions, tlicn Ije wouJd
have me hve as a heathen among the iHafhoi. li'k^.i
Turk among the Turks, a Jew amonj^ Jews, ia (;iir '^ti/in
among CJirislians. To behove thi* Oif an iniinili>i\ h,.^v
God, would be even mope sfhocking ihan to lu'licnv
Miat there is no God, Wcause nolhiiig can <li^liwiici'
him so miioh asto imj>ute to him a false ami wlckv,\
spirit. ■
lU. JHIg OW O.I<L,Y TRUE RJilJftlON, IS THK HEMGION OK
.lESUS (JUIUST. - *
In the first pLlce, nothing can be more clear iLiu
that the true religion must be one revealrd to us fhjni
Heaven. Etormil truth is known onlv to God nnd lo
tliosetowiiom he chooses to reveal it,^ for as hnlv Scrij)-
ture expresses it : " God dwells in inaccessihU' linhi '
(ITmi. VI. 16.) No one. therefor.', can be to us the
Way, the Truth, and the Life, but God alone Fop
this reason it was that God spoke to men formcrlv by
the Patriarchs and Prophets, and when the gn-abT
part had wand(red away from tiiatcaily light, m later
times, ho spoke to the world once more, tejidiin-^ it
again more clearly and more abu- Janllv by his own
Son Jesus Christ, whom, then iore, S4,. John c. lis so
truly and signillcantiy the Wu«d oi- God.
Let us now exam iie for a moment the origin and
history of the Christian religion, and see if any room
IS left to doubt Uiat it is the true faith, which comes
from heaven and rests unon the aiiUioritv nf a-.^
Mearly 2,000 years ago, in tlie time of" the Hoinan
Emperor Tiberias C^sur, and wiiJe Uerofl Autipas
was reigning as the tributary king of the Jews, ihurd
418
SPIRITUAL READING.
appeared in that land which we now call Palestine, on
the eastern borders of the Mediterranean Sea, an ex-
traordinary person, whom the world has ever since
known, and whom Christians adore by the name of
Jesus Christ. The truth of his existence cannot be
doubted, for we not only have his life and doctrines
written out in full by his own friends and followers,
but the great historians of those early days, both
heathen and Christian, make frequent mention of him,
and of the bitter persecutions raised against his dis-
ciples. After a struggle of 300 years, the religion ol
Jesus became dominant, and is found mingled ever
since with all the important events of the civilized
world. That he really lived, and is the founder of the
Christian religion, none, therefore, but a madman can
(lisjmte. But what was his doctrine, and how did ht-
establish its truth ?
The account which this great Teacher gave of him-
self was startling and wonderful. While he acknowl-
edged himself to have come into the world like other
men, being born of a woman, he claimed to have for
his Father no other than the eternal God himself. He
declared himself to be older than Abraham, who had
livf3d more than 2,000 years before, and that he had
4iome Irom heaven, where he was reigning in glory
with GodhisFather, before ever the world was created.
(St. John, viii. 58; xvii. 5.) But the reason he gave
ibr his coming into this world of ours was erpially
wonderful, and such as \o melt the hardest heart to
tears of tenderness. He came to suffer and die for
sinners, that by the shedding of his innocent blood he
might redeem and save all those who would believe in
him, and keep his commandments.
But on what proofs did this extraordinary Preacher
found his claim to be believed ? How should men know
that he was really, as he said, the Son of God, sent into
the world to teach and to save mankind ? Ke might
easily ai)peai to the wisdom and holiness of his doctrine,
which could only come from heaven ; he might allege
the voices of so many Prophets who had long before
FAITH AND THE CHURCH.
419
foretold his coming in the clearest terms : but he had
ar^iunw3nts stiJJ more direct and convincing than these.
He appeal conlidently to the miracles which he
wrought before the very eyes of his hearers. Go and
relate, said he, what you have heard and seen : Ihe
tiind see, the lame uxLik, the lepers cure cleansed, the
^o( hear, and the dead rise again. (St. Matt. xi. 4.)
I d<} not bear witness of myself, nor do ask the testi-
mony of any man in my favor ; these miracles which I
do give testimony of me that God my Father hath sent
me. By this you may know with certainty that my
doctrine comes from God, if only you are willing to
obey the word of God. (St. John, v.)
Such proofs were enough to convince the world. And
tbe world has been convinced. It has believed tliat
the doctrine of Jesias Christ is from God, that is, tliat
Jesus Christ was himself the eternal Son of the eternal
F«tbor, and that his is the only true, holy, and saving
religion. What is the history 'of the world since the
time of Cawist ? Listen ! On the Feast ol' Pentecost,
the Holy Ghost, in the form of fiery tonguos, descended
upon the little company of Jrsus' disciples. Then
twelve simple and unlearned fishermen stood up before
a great multitude assembled at Jerusalem, to celebrate
the Feast, and preached that Jesus Christ, thecrucitied
and despised Jesus Christ, who had been put to death
as a criminal, was the Sen of the hving God, that he
had arisen again from the dead, and was seated on a
throne in heaven ; that in his name alone was there
a«y hope for the pardon of sins ; that whosoever
would believe and be baptised, should be saved, but
that every one who refused to believe should be
damned ; and that,, finally, a day was to comi) when
all men, whether ricii or poor, kings or beggars,
ahould be brought before his throne to be judged.
Wonderful doctrine, but what was it« success ?
JBehold, before the dootriinc of those twelve dqqp
fiabermen all the pomp and power of a heathen world
Iftll prostrate ] all kneel to adore the crucified Jesus, i
afid that humble cross is planted in triumph through-
420
SPIRITUAL READING.
out the world ! In fact, no sooner does Peter, the
Prince of the Apostles, begin to preach, than thous-
ands throw themselves at his feet, crying, " What
shall wo do to be saved ? " The sound of this apostolic
trumpet fills the earth— the synagogues, the councils,
the academies, the doctors, the high priests ? ■ : he
powerful rulers of the world all united togethv^ • i
fury to overthrow this work of twelve poor fishe. jn ;
Peter, their chief and leader, come at length to Rome,
the most civilized of Jill cities, and the mistress of the
world. There he preaches before Nero, the proudest
of tyrants, who forbade men to listen to this stranger,
under pain of death. But in vain kings and people
rage against Jesus, the anointed of the living God ;
Jesus is adored at the court of Nero : The Apostles are
throwh into chains and prison ; they are condemned
to the most cruel tortures, and to the most dreadful
sufferings; they are plunged in boiling oil ; they are
torn in pieces, pierced through with lances, flayed
alive, but joyfully, for Jesus' sake, they suffer death
in every cruel form. This even becomes an object of
their most ardent desires. But behold a new wonder !
Their very blood becomes the seed from which spring
innumeralDle Christians over the whole earth ! In spite
of the rage of tyrants for three hundred years, the
noblest and most learned men joyfully declare them-
selves the followers of Jesus Christ crucilied, and
confess, with the sacrifice of their blood, that the
teaching of the twelve fishermen is true and divine.
At length the time of persecution passes, and now
emperors and kings, senators and pagan high priests,
whole kingdoms and empires bow their heads before
the crucilied Jesus, and believing in the unfathomable
mysteries of his religion. And such a religion ! a re-
ligion which preaches a crucified God, and which
commands its disciples to crucify the flesh and all its
lusts ; a religion that threatens with a terrible and
etsriiai iiTQ ; a religion which nainCB iiseif the only
true and holy, the only saving religion ; a religion
which commands us to love our enemies, and requires
FAITH AND THE CHURCH.
421
the entire subjection of the understanding. And yet
all bend their proucl. intellects arid believe. Certainly
all this can only be the work of the all powerful God ;
it could not be done if Jesus were not in truth a God-
Man; this must be the work of the Holy Ghost, of a
God in three persons. This religion must be the one
true, holy, saving religion !
How blinded, then, are those proud men of our
lime, who venture to doubt a religion, which God
has confirmed by so many prophecies and miracles,
which has triumphed so wonderfully over a hostile
world, which so many illustrious martyrs have sealed
with their blood, which so many powerful minds
have maintained, so many princes and distinguished
men for so many ages have received, and which so
many nations and heroes have defended with their
life!
Surely, the truth of the Christian religion is clear
enough ! One is forced to exclaim with the royal
Prophet, David, (Ps. 92) : " Thy leslimonies, God !
are become exceedingly credible. " But although the
light of our holy faith shines clearer than the sun,
yet that same faith remains dark for those who judge
of divine things according to their low passions and
carnal minds. Therefore the Holy Scriptures say :
" The sensual man perceivelh not the things that are
of the spirit of God ; for it is foolishness to him, and
he cannot understand. " (I Cor. ii. 14.)
IV. THE INFALLIBLE WORD OF GOD IS THE ONLY TRUE
GROUND OF FAITH.
Man, who is of the earth, can never by the sole
power of his own understanding, comprehend that
which is heavenly. Therefore does the holy Apostle,
St. Paul, call faith a gift of God, beoauso it is never
attained through mere science ">v books, or by any
Innor jinrJ Hflon cnnmh fnr it I^''iiil(i ic n lifrlif iujnfliiup
it shows US with infallible clearness the truths which
God has revealed to us. It is a supernatural light,
because no one can come to the possession of faith by
m
tfpimrvpm MBM>ni«i.
any mere laUuval effort of his owni,. neither by study
nor reading", nor conversatioB with/ even thei wisest of
men , nor by disputes concern i ng" reliigion. The reason
of this is, because fa^ith embraices truths which sim'-
pass the highest jwwers of our mtellects, as far as
heaven is raised above the ©arth, and therefore we can
believe these truths on "no otlier ground whatever,
than simply because they are revealed by God himself,
whose words are always true, whethier we understand
them or not.
Those who believe only so mtuchof religion as tliey
find clear and suitable to their own comprehension,
and those who believe only in a printed book, or who
follow the teaching of some men who please them
best-i-such persons have no true saving faith- — no faith
pleasing" to God, iDecause Uioy do not believe ujjoq the
only true grounds of a true faith, namely : bocaueo
the eternal Truth, the infallible Goirl himself, has
spoken. But how can I know for certain what God
has, and what he has not revealed ?
V. THE TRUE FAITH IS THAT WHICH St. PETER AND THE
OTHER APOSnLES TAUGHT. •
I am sure that God speaks to me when I listen to
those whom God has appointed for me to henr. In
the first ages of the world God spoke to men through
the Patriarchs, and after them through Moses and
the Prophets ; but when the appointed time had
come, he spoke to us tlicough his own and only be-
gotten Son, Jesus Christ, whom he appointed heir of
all things, and by whom he created the world. Hav-
ing sent this Son into the world, he gave him the
clearest testimonials to his divine mission, once even
speaking in a loud voice from a cloud of heaven, and
saying: "This is my beloved Son, hear ye him,"
When the time came that our Lord Jesus Christ
must return again to heaven, he left in his place, as
teacliors ot the true faith,, St. Peter ami the otiier
Apostles, who had been his most intimate frien'ls
and disciples. And this is the divine conunission
FAITH AND THE CHURCH.
423
"vvhich he gave them : " / will ml leave you orphans:'
he said, '• / will send you a comforter, the llohf
fihost, and he will leach j/ou all IhinQs. Go, there-
fore, and leach all nations, and haplize them in the
name of the Father, and of the Sun, and of the Holy
(ihosl. Teach them to observe every thing which 1
have commatuled you. ' And Ihat tijey might not be
'liscouraged, ho promised that ho himsell" would al-
ways assist tliem, so that their doctrine should pre-
^ ail and never be lost until the end ol" time. " Be-
hold, I am with you all days, even unto the consum-
mation of the world:' He gave them also very great
power and authority, and threatened to punish in
liell all those who would not believe their doctrine
and follow it, saying : " /fe that beliereth and is Imp-
lized shall be saved, but he thai believeth not shall be
rondemned. Receive the JJoiy Ghost ; whose sins you
shall forgive they are forgiven, and whose sins you
shall retain they are retained. He that heareh you
heareth me ; he that despiseth you despiselh me. ' As
the Father halh senl me, so / send you. " And to
Peter in particular, he said: " Thou art Peter ithat
is, a rock), and upon, this rock will I build my church,
and the gates of hell shall not prevail ayainsi il ; and
I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven,
and whatsoever thou shall bind upon earth, shall be
bound also in heaven, and whatsoever thou shall loose
upon heart, it shall be loosed also in heaven ; feed my
lambs, feed my sheep. " And then, again, he said to
.ill orthem: " By this shall all men know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another, as I have
loved you. ' And then ho prayed lor them to his
heavenly Father,^and said : " Sanctify Ihvm in truth.
Thy word is truth ; as thou hast sent me into Ihe
ivorld, I have also senl litem inio the world. And
nol for them only do I pray, but for those also who
through Iheir word shall believe in me that they may
all be one, as thou, Father, in me, and I in thee, thai
I hey also may be one in us, thai the ivortd may believe
ihaX Ihou hasl sent me. And tht> glory that thou
iiiiil
■■■ti
4'-i
SPIRITUAL READING.
hasi (ilren me, I have (jiven to them, that they may
he. one as we also are one. " (St. Matt. x. 40, xvi. 18 ;
Si. .Inhii. xiv. 10, xvii. ; St. Mark, xvi. 15.)
How blind and wicked must that man be, who does
not pei'coive in these clear and forcible words of Jesus
C::nsl, liiai our Lord, before he left us, commu-
liicdted his own power to his twelve faithful Apos-
tles ; I hut he conferred this power in a very marked
and special manner upon St. Peter, and instituted
him in his jilaco as the Chief Pastor of all his sheep.
That furtiieimore, it was his will, and for this he
prayed to his heavenly Father, that the same twelve
A])0Stlcs should continue united to each other, in
tri.lh and love; and that all those who through them
sliuuld bolie^e in him, should continue inseparably
united toj^ethe^r under their ministry, and so form on
earth a true spiritual kingdom of God, which, guided
uiwa\s by t!w Holy Ghost, should be perpetuated
uiiliithe end of the world. ^Vho does not discover,
also, the infallibility of this Church in that solemn
])romiso of Jesus Christ to remain with it himself
until the end of the world, and that even the gates
of hell should not prevail against it ? This spiritual
kingdom of Jesus Christ is called in the Holy Scrip
tures the Chupch of God, of which Jesus Christ him-
self says : " Whosoever hears not the Church, lei hbii
be to thee as a ^liealhen and a ptvul-'-an. " It is this
same Church which the Apostle calls " the pillai
and ground of the truth. "
VI. THH TRUE FAITH IS '1 HAT WHICH IS TAUGHT BY THE
I'OPK OF RO.ME AND THE CATHOLIC BISHOPS.
ir the kingdom of Jesus v'hrist, which he has estab-
lished by his blood, is to continue triumphant against
the gates of hell, even to the end of days, then it must^
now, in the nineteenth century, be exactly the samel
kingdom as that which he established 1800 years*
ago. It nmsl also now. in the nineteenth century;
have true successors of the Ajiostles of Jesus Christ
andtlie true successors of St. Peter ; and it must alstu
i
FAITH
AKB
THE
CHURCH.
455
i-ii
■ ' 1
remain now in
the uni
Lvof
truti
land love. as L
mchanffe-
ably bpautiful and infallible, as it was when our Lard
Jesus Christ established it upon ll.e earth ; else, how
could those words be true : " Bdiold f am ivilh ?/o«
all dai/.s, even lo (he consummation of the world ! ''
But of all the spiritual kingdoms or Churches upon
earth, there is only one that can boast of possessing?
the true successors of Jesus Christ, and also a trim
successor to St. Peter. That one is the Homan Caih-
olic Apostolic Cliurcli. For, where did Peter, that
" rock " of the Clnrc'i, live, teach, and pour out Ws
blood, but in Rome ? Where repose the holy ashes of
this prince of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, but m
Rome ? Where is now to be found this rock, whereon
the Church is built, this successor of St. Peter, to
whom were given the keys of heaven ? Nowhere but in
Rome !
History, too, shows clearly how the whole body of
orthodox Christians united' never held any but the
Bishop of Rome as the true successor of St. Peter. Yet,
during the lifetime of St. John the Evangelist. St.
Clement, the third successor of St. Peter in the Apos-
tolic See at Rome, cni-nposed the differences of the
Corinthian Christians, whrn St. John the Evangelist
was still at Ephesus. These diiTerences could, however,
have been easily settled by St. John himself, who
governed the Church of Asia. St. Clement, the Bishop
of Rome, was therefore the man whom they acknowl-
edged as the true sucessor of St. Peter, and siipreare
head of Ihe whole united Christian Church.
As for the earliest successors of the Aposttes in their
Christian mmistry, we have the clearest and m'ost au-
thentic proofs, that in the most important affairs of the
Church they always appealed for a final decision to
the Bishop of Rome, as the true successor of St. Pteftef.
St. Polycarp, the discii)le of St. John, jonrneyed to
Rome on account of n ffisiiute with regard to the cede-
bration of Easter. To the same authority St. James
had recourse concerning important affairs of the Church
of Gaul. Tj the Bishop of Rome, in like manner, St.
i II
;|i
PI
ii
Mil
426
SPIRITUAL READING.
Cyprian, St. Athanasius, and St. Chrysostom addressed
thpmselves. And who has not heard of the famous
saying of St. Augustine ? He says : " nnmr has
spoken, the conlroversij is ended. '" i3ut tiiis is not ail.
The most ancient General Councils of the Church have
received their sanction from Rome: one an.ongjthe
earhest, the third, styles Celcstine I., who was the
Bishop of Rome, the " Father of the General Council."
\es, all the (xcneral Councils, all the holy Fathers oi
the whole of orthodox Christendom agree in this, that
in Rome the true successor of St. Pt'ter h.is always his
Apostolic throne, and that he is endowed with just the
same power to govern the Church of God as St. Peter
himself.
; These true successors of St Peter have followed one
another in an unbroken succession from the death of
St. Peter even to the present Pope Pius IX.
Never has this true succession been interrupted;
never has this holy Chair of Peter perished, not even
in the stormiest times and amid the most violent revo-
lutions of empires. No ! the more the spirit of the
world, with all its power and cunning, the more the
spirit of schism and heresy have arisen against this
holy Chair of Peter, and threatened to overthrow it,
only so much the more glorious and tiiumphant has it
appeared in all ages, that all the world might clearly
see how surely the Lord Jesus Christ has founded his
true Church on the rock of Peter. There it has stood,
and will stand immovable until the end of the world,
according to the promise which he made : " Thou art
Peter, upon thee will 1 build my Church, and the
gates of hell shall not prevail against it. "
In the same manner as the Bishops of Rome (or
Popes) are true successors of St. Peter, so are the other
Catholic Bishops true successors of the other Apostles
of Jesus Christ. For we read in the Holy Scripture
itself, that even in the time of the Apostles, other pious
re appointed by them to the same .Apostolic
[R
office. Thus they consecrated St. Paul and Barnabas
to the Apostolic office, as told in the history of the
FAITH AND THE CHURCH.
427
Apostles, while they fasted and prayed, and laid their
hands on them. St. Paul ordained St. Timothy and
St. Titus to the Apostolic office hy the lying on of
hands: and to the Ancients of the Church at Ephesus
he said : " Take heed to yourselves and to l/in whole
flock, where'm the lloli/ Ghosl halh placed you Bish-
ops, to rule the Church of God, which he halh pur-
chased wilh his own blood. "
Just as the Apostles ordained and consecrated thei?
successors, so did those in their turn consecrate and
ordain other successors, who were named Bishops oi
Pastors ; and in this way a true succession of Apostles
has been continued and ju-eserved down to the Bishops
of our* own times.
Every open mind, then, which is candid and loves
truth sincerely, can see where the true spiritual king-
don of Jesus Christ on earth is to be found ; that
kingdom whiich our Lord and Master established in
this world. For it is there where for eighteen hundred
years the true successors of St. Peter and the true suc-
cessors of the holy Apostles are to be found in an un-
interrupted succession, and where tliey have ever re-
mained united in the same spirit of faith and charity
for eighteen hundred years — that same Sj)irit which
held united the (irst Apostles of Jesus Christ with St.
Peter in one holy and sacred society. Where, then."
in our days, shall we look for this old and venerable
Church of Christ ? Who does not perceive at once,
that all the world over, since the foundation of the
spiritual kingdom of Jesus Christ, the Roman Catholic
Church is that one which holds ever to the Pope or
Bishop of Rome as the true successor of St. Peter, and
to the other Bishops as Irue successors of the other holy
A[>ostles, these Catholic Bishops continuing always
united with the Pope of Rome, by the same holy bond
of faith and charity which united the holy Apostles
with St. Peter. Yes, this sacred bond, which holds all
tnesc oisnop in ^-<atno{ic union wiiii ^hQ \_.iiiei oishop
of them all, is the most beautiful, the surest, and
brightest mark by which we may distinguish the true
4W
gPlJliyUAt REAPINQ.
kijagdom of Jesus Christ, his holy Church- Such was
the meaning of Jesus Christ wlien he said to his Apos-
tles : " By l/iis shall all men know thai you are my
disciples, if you have love for one another ; " and also
when he said in a particular manner to Peter : " But
J hace prayed for Ihce that thy failk fail not : con-
firm thy brethren; " and also when he prayed to his
Heavenly Father, as we have already seen, " Tlial they
may he one, as we are one.''
It is therefore quite evident that even a Bishop who
is not united with the Pope and the other Bishops in
faith and charity, is justly regarded as a heretic or a
schismatic, and in fact those Bishops alone have always
been considered as true successors of tlie Apostles, who
l^ave remained united with the true successor of St.
Peter, the Pojje, in iaith and charity ; all others have
received the namo of heretics and schismatics.
All the Catholic Bishops, thus united with the Pope
of Rome, form through this holy union only one holy
society, which is called the " Apostolic Ministry, " or
the " "Teaching Church, " {Eccksia Docens,) of which
our Lord Jesus Christ spoke when he said : " If any
man will not hear the Church, let him be to tliee as a
heathen and a pulHican. " " 1 am with you all days,
even to the consummation of the world. " " He that
heareth yoUf hearcth me ; he that despiseth you, de-
spiseth me. " It is this teaching Church of which St.
Paul wrote that it is the jtillar and ground of the
truth, and that it is built on the fouudation of the
Prophets and Apostles, Jesus Clwisl himself being the
corner-stone. This Church is consequeutly the only
one which men ought to hear; she is infallible in her
decisions and eamiot deceive us, because the gates of
hell can never iM-evail against her, and becjiuse Jesus
Christ remains with her to I he end of the world.
Tlmerefore that man only can be called a true Christian
who listens to Uio infallible truth, to the pure doctrine
01 Je*UB tihrist, listens to Jesus Clirisl himselr speak-
ing ever through Pek'r and the Aposth>s, — who listens
to the Pope of liomo and the Cailwlic Bisiioj)s uiiitcd
FAITH AND THE CBGIUIH.
439
-witii him. Be who thinks otherwise, or whp teaches
the contrary, is a heretic, because he despises the only
true Apostohc ministry estabhshed by Jesus Christ
himself.
VII. IN WHAT WAY CAN EVERY CATHOLIC BECOME AC-
QUAINTED WITH THE TRUE DOCTRINES OF THE APOSTLES
A«D OF THE CHURCH.
The most simple Catholic Christian hears either his
Bishop himself, or some Catholic Priest delegated by
the Bishop, announce the Gospel of Jesus Christ. If he
hears his Bishop preach, he listens to him as one wlumi
he knows to be united in faith and in charity with Iho
head of the Church, the Pope of Hoqie, and through
him with all the other Catholic Bishop. He is certain,
therefore, that what he hears from his Bisluij) are not
the words and thoughts of a mere man, but the leac!i-
ing of the true and infallible Church, the very Gospel
of Jesus Christ. When, again, a Catholic listens to the
preaching of a Priest whom he knows to ho in union
with his JBishop, he is sure that lie hears from his lips
the doctrine of his Bishop, which is the dotitrine tf the
Pope, and of all the Bishops in union with the Pope,
and thoiefore the doctrine of the Church. *;
]f a Catholic Priest should err in faith and ]treach
errors, the Catholic Christian is sure that the Bishop
is watching over his flock, and will know ho\v to de-
liver them from every wolf. But should the Catholic
Bishop himself err, the Catholic Christian knows 'hot
the Pope of Rome, as the true successor of 8t. Peter,
is ever watching with all the other Catholi(3 Bishops,
and ready to oppose at once any error iuj^uy quarter.
In this way, in every [larish and every diocese of the
Catholic Ciiurcli, each Catholic Christian hears not the
voice and doctrine of a fallible man, imt the doctrine
of the whol(^ Church, the sun> Gosi)ei of Jej^us Christ.
In matters of Christian faith, the humblest Catholic
is therefore as certam nnd coulident as the wisest and
iitv>8t learned. He believes upon the authority of tha
name teacher, iim Church, he lelius upon the inla!libli9
430
SPIRITUAL READING.
word of God, that same living voice of the Apostolical
Ministry, which for eighteen hundred years, in all
places, in all parts, in all tongues and among all na-
(ioiis, lias boon sounding loudly throughout the world,
nrid still sounds in every city, village, or hamlet, where
a Catholic Bishop or Priest can be found.
VIIJ. THINGS WHICH A TRUE CATHOLIC CHRISTIAN wltL
NEVER BELIEVE,
I . No sound Catholic, however simple he may be,
is simple enough to believe in what is called an " in-
risible Church.' He understands that this is only an
idea of the imagination, invented and cherished by
some who call themselves the elect of God, and sav
they are enlight(3ned by the holy Ghost, but who iii
fact follo^" no guiding bat their own, and will not
subLiit to any authority, but that of the invisible
Church which eacii one keeps and carries about in
his own head.
2. The simple Catholic Christian never rests his
faith upon nrty book, even if it wore the most learned
possible, because he knows that it is the fallible word
of man. If he believes the Bible, he believes it only
because this is a holy, a divine book, dictated by the
holy Ghost, and because ho is assured by the living
and infilliblo Church that this book is really the Word
of (iod. The Catholic Christian, moreover, only re-
ceives that Bible from the hands of a Bishop or Priest
of llrj Catholic Church, because he knows that they
are united in faith and charily with the Pope of Rome
and the other Calholic Bishops. He trusts no other,
even if it has a Calholic title and is beautifully print-
ed or because many others think it so, and thai even
the Bible may be alt(3red and corrujHed by the wicked.
What howuvcr he knows to be the true uncorrupted
liible, lh(; true written word of God, — this the good
Catholic Christian esteems and reverences with his
whole hearl, although he does not trust himself to
explain and interpret what he reads in it, ami imagine
that he can understand it by himself. Wc knows only
FAITH AWO THE CBUBCH.
m
too well, that what is contained in the Holy Bible is
no word of man, but the word f the living God him*
self, and that for this reason no man has the right to
interpret and explain the Holy Bible in his own way,
according to his own mind, since Jesus Chris' speaks
to the Catholic Church by her Bishop and tfteir asso-
ciates, the Catholic Priests. It was to them alone he
said, " Go, teach all nations"
3. For the same reason the true Catholic does not
trust to his own reason, and judgment in matters of
faith, however learned he may be; he does not rely
upon his own views, or his own talents, be they ever
so brilliant. He is equally unwilling to put contidence
in any teacher who is not sent by the ou3 true Church
of God ; neither does he allow himself to be led away
by those men who pass for something among the
weak-minded, because they talk louder than others,
know how to make a show of argument or of wit, and
in this way try to throw ridicule upon holy things.
No, the true Catholic Christian is perfectly confident
that he has the only true faith of the living God, and
therefore avoids the com|)any of the godless and
despises their wisdom, which in the eye of God is
folly.
The true Catholic Christian then does not trust to
the vain words of men, nor to false teachers, nor his
own understanding, nor to a more book, nor to the
so-called inner light, but he believes in the Holy
Ghost alone, who dwells in the Cathol'c Church of
Christ, and speaks to him through her Pope, and
Bishops, and Priests.
This is the true foundation of Christian
it is possessed by the Catholic alone, who
show a true, llrm ground for his faith ; hence no faith
is wiser or more reasonable than the faith of a Catholic
Christian. And whoever lays any other foundation,
and builds not thus upon the Apostles, upon the true
'its'^i dw'ixTTj »;crru~ vjiii izHy aazi a iiiioU ziltlii illKi it liiiaQ
doctrine which Jesus Christ never taught, and which
4he Apostles never preached. Ho is heretical and
faith, and
is able to
■i";f*
4lt
SPIRITUAL READING.
blind, sitting in the shadow of death, and shut out
from the kingdom of Jesus Christ ; for truth alone can
save, but error leads to destruction.
IX. THE CATHOLIC FAITH IS THE ONLY SAVING FAITH.
Jesus Christ alone is the Way, the Truth, and th(
Life; and St. Peter teaches that it is only in him
that we can tlnd salvation. Jesus Christ himself
threatens with eternal damnation those who will not
believe his Church ; for Just before his ascension inlu
heaven, he says to the Apostles: ''Go ye into the
whole wotiti, and preach, Ike (lospel lo everij crealure.
He l/ial believelh, and is bafUizcd, xhaH be saved. : bul
he thai believelh nol shall be condemned.'' He who
does not believe the Apostles, Uoes not believe Jesus
Christ ; he mokes Josus Christ a liar; he divider*
Jesus Christ, since he does not Jjelieve his whole
Joctrine, nor believe the word of his Apostles, ami
iheir true successors, nor believe in the true Cliurcli
if Jesus Christ. Hence he is a real enemy of Jnsuir
Christ, and. accord in f< lo tini declaration of St. John
the Evangelist, a true Anli-Chrisl, who has no pari
jn eternal life, and is already jndged, because ht
does not linly l)elie\e in Jesns Christ, the Son of the
living God, although announced to him by his Irue
heralds. As the holy Catholics faith is the only true
faith, so it is also the only saving faith. Wherefore
the great St. Cy])riiin says : " They (lu^retics and
schismatics) may burn in lire and liames for theiir
reiigion, they may be thrown to the wild beasts, they
may be slain, bnt they will not J)e crowned. The
holy Church is the body of Christ ; he who is cut olf
from the body, has no longer any life. He cannot
have God for his Father, who has not the Church for a
mother." — (St Cyp., Unity of the Church.)
X. REFUTATION OF CEHTAI.V EnRORS OF OUU TIME.
it must appear Cie«r and plain to any one who hu>
read what we have already said, carefully, with an
honest mind and without prejudice, how false, godless,
FAITH AND THE CHURCH.
433
and ruinous are those principles of liberty and liberal-
ity (so called) of our lime, widely diffused as they are,
even among the most simple and uneducated class of
men.
How foolish and wicked it is for one to say : «« If I
only act according to my conscience, it is no matter
whether I am a Christian or a Turk, a Catholic or a
Protestant." How f0( lish an<I wicked it is for one to
say: "I can he a good man in any religion, and be
saved too in any rcligi. n." " Every one must be lell
to believe what he likes." Huwfo' lish and wickedi s
it for one to complain, and to say : " If there is only
one laith which can save us, then most men must be
damned." What will they prove by this? Does the
Church teach that any one will be damned who is in-
nocent? How false nnd godless is it for men to say •
" Every man should remain in the faith in which he
was born, I don't like lo see one change his religion."
the godlessness and blindness our time, which,
corrupted by Satan, the father of lies, is bold enough
to utter such blasphemies I Is k not making the Apos-
tles of Jesus Christ, and even Jesus Christ himself, a
liar, lo say that all religions are the same, and that
one can save us as well as another, when the Apostles
of Jesus Christ received the command from their Lord
himself, to preach to all nations the one Christian faith,
and when these holy Apostles dispersed themselves
throughout all parts of the world, in order to unite all
nations, Jews and Heathens, in one holy faith, name-
ly, the faith of Jesus the crucified? Wherefore did
the holy Apostles, wherefore did the millions of Mar-
tyrs pour out their precious blood, if it were all one
and the same thing -wh it a man's faith is ? Were the
Apostles deceived, when they changed from Jews to
Christians ; were they still more wrong when they
jjreached.to other Jews and to the Heathen to change
their faith for the ono faith of Jesus crucifled. whfln
they themselves avoided and directed others to avoid
all fellowship with heretics,— and when even they
threatened the Jews and Heathens with eternal fire. If
434
SPIRITUAL READING.
they did not quit the faith in which they were bom,
and embrace the faith of Jesus Christ ?
The Apostles of Jesus Christ were deeply penetrated
by thf! troth that there was only one saving faith.
Were they wrong ?
XI. EXHORTATION TO PERSEVERANCE II
FAITB.
THE CATHOLIC
Dear Christian Brethren, do not be deceived by all
the fine discourses of these false sages of our days,
whose words are soft and full of honey, but !;oisonous
and fatal to the heart which receives them. " Try
these spirits" so I say to you with the Apostle St.
John, " try these spirits whether they he of God, /or
mmy false prophets are f/one out into the wortd."
Hold fast to that Church which is visible, one, holy,
Apostolic, Calholic and Roman. You ar-' persuaded
now, that she is the only true,thri only savi?igChureh,
which can never load you astray, because the Holy
Ghost rules it, and togellier with Jesus Christ retnains
with it, even unto tlu; consummation of the world.
Be firm, bee nteni, and, as Jesuf? your Master Warns
you in the Apocalypse : " Hold fast what thou hast,
that no man tah. I'n/ croum"
Yes, O my Lord I hear thy voice, and I promise to
remain until my last br<'atha faithful child of thy true
and spotless Britie, Tue Holy, Roman Catholic Churcb.
Amen I
'^-^
^'iU
If
m
CATHOLIC HYMNS.
VENI CKBATOR SPIRITUS. -^
Spirit, C'r;^ator of mankind,
Come visit ev'ry pioiig mliid,
And sweetly let thy grace invade
Our liearts, O Lord I whloli thou haatwude.
Thou art the Comforter, whom alL
Gift of the highest God, must call :
The hviiig fountain, Are and love j
The ghostly unction from above ;
God's sacred finger, which Imparts
A seven-fold grace to faithful hearts ;
Thou art the Father's promise, wheno*
We lanj^UHge have, and eloquence.
Enlighten. Lord, our souls, aud grant
Tiiat wo thy love may never want ;
I iOt not our virtue ever fail.
But strengthen what in flesh is tnAL ,
Chase from our minds the Infernal tbe.
And peace, the fruit of love, bestow ;
And lest our feet should step astray, I
Protect and guide us In the way.
Make us eternal truths rooelve,
Aud practise all that we believe :
Give us thyself, that we may se«
Tile Fuliier and the Bon in thee.
Immortal honor, endless fome,
;Nttenc1 th' Almighty Father's natn*
T ' the Hon equal praises be,
Aud, holy Piu-adit^, to thee. Amen.
iilV
i'-i
CATHOLIC HYMNS.
XOBNIKO HTIIK.
Ifow with the rising golden dawn.
Let us, the children of the day,
Cast off the darkness which so Ion
Has led our guilty souls astray.
O, may the morn, so pure, so clear.
Its own sweet calm in us instil ;
A guileless mind, a heart sincerer
Simpliciiy of wovd and wUl :
And er«r, as tho day glides by,
May we the busy senses rein.
Keep guard upon the bund and eye^
Nor let the body suffer stain.
For all flay long, on Heaven's high towel
There stands a Soutlnel, who spies
Our every action, hour by hour,
From early dawn till daylight dies,
tto God the Father glory be,
And to his sole-begotten Son ;
The same, O Holy Ghost I to thee;^
While eyerlMting ages run.
XVltKINO HTHSW
Now With the fast-departing llghL
Maker of all I we ask of Thee,
Of thy great mercy, through the nlghi
Our guardian and defonoe to be.
Far off let idle visions fly ;
No phantom of the night molest :
Curb thou our raging enemy.
That we in chaste repose may rest^
Fftthe? of mercies ! hear our erv *
Hear ue, O sole-begotten Son i '
Whou with the Holy Ghost most higli,
Belguest while endless aces run.
lUDGMENT HYMN.
w
JDDGMBNT HTMIT.
Jjo.l He comes With clouds descendliw
Once for favor'd sinners sluln :
Thousand— thousand saints attending
Swell the triumph of his train i ^^
Alleluia! Alleluia I
.Jesutt Christ shall ever reign 1
See the universe In motion*
■Sinking on her ftmeral pyre-
Earth dissolving, and the ocean
Vanishing in luial fire :—
Hark ! the trumpet ! Hark, the trumpet
Loud proclaims the Day of Ire I
Oraves have yawn'd In countless numbefiL
From the dust the dead arise :
Millions, out of silent clumbers,
Wake in overwhelm'd surprise ;
vWhere creation,— Where creation.
"Wreck'd and torn in ruin Ues I
See. the Judge our natiu>e wearing:
Pure, inetfable, divine :
See the great Archangel bearing
High ill hcavt'n the mystic sign :
Cross of Glory ! Cross of Glory !
Christ be in that moment mine I
See Rocicmption,A long expected.
In transcendent pomp appear,—
All his saints, by man rejected,
Tiirofig in gathering legions near
Mflt, ye mountains ! Melt ye mountalu]
into smoke,— for God is here 1
Every eye shall then behold Him
Robed in awftil mnjcsty :—
Tiose that set at naught, and sold Hlxm
Pierced and nall'd Him to a tree,— '
T)eeply waiUng,— Deeply wailing,
Shall the true Messiah see !
Lo I the last long separation !
As the cleaving clouds divide ;
And one dread dijudication
JSeiids eRCli soul U> eitlier side !
Lord of mercy ! Lord of mercy !
How shall I that day abide I
♦.Romans, viliaj.
/,li>*.
CATHCITC HYMNS.
Oh ! may thine own Bride and Spirit
Then avert a dreadful doom,—
And me summon to inherit
i An eternal blissful home :—
Ah ! come quickly ! Ah ! come quicklyt
Let thy second Advent come t
Tea, Amen I Let all adore Thee
On thine amaranthine throne f
Saviour,— take the power and glory,^
Claim the Icinsdom for thine own I
Men and an<;eT8,— Men and angels,
Kneel and bow to Thee alone I
HTKN OF THE PASSION.
Otekwhei/Mbd in depths of woe,
Upon the Tree of Scorn
Hangs the Redeemer of mankind,
With racking anguish torn.
Bee ! how the nails those hands
And feet so tender rend ;
Bee 1 down his face, and neck, and breafl^
His sacred Blood descend.
Hark ! with what awful cry
His Spirit takes its flight :
That cry did pierce His Mother's hearty
And whelm her soul in night.
Earth hears, and to its >ase
Rocks wlldJy to and fro ;
Tombs burst; aeas, rivers, mountu'na quake:
Tlie veil is rent in two. .
The sun withdraws his light ;
Tlie midday heavens grow pale;
The mcxjn, the stars, the universe,
Their Maker's death bewaiU
Bhall man alone be mute ?
Come, youth ! and lic«Vy haiis I
Come, rich and poor ! come, all mankind I
Come, fall before His Cross,
Who shed for us his blood ;
Who died the victim of pure love^
To make us sons of God.
-riiSUS CRUCIFIED.
Jesus ! all praise to Thee,
Our Joy and endless rest !
Be Thou our guide while pilgrims here,
Our crown amid the blest.
f?9
JESXIS CllUCIFIBD.
O COME and mourn with me awhile {
See, Mary calls us to her pide ;
O come and let us mourn with her»-^
JesuB, our Love, is crucified J
Have we no tears to shed for him,
While soldiers scolland Jews deride!
Ah ! look how patiently he hangs,—
Jesus, our Love, is crucified I
fiow fast his Hands and Feot are nall'd,
His blessed Tongue with thirst is tied.
His failing Eyes are blind with blood,—
Jesus, our Love, is crucified 1
His Mother cannot reach his Face :
She stands in helplessness beside ;
Her heart was martyr'd with her Son's,
Jesus, our Love, is crucified I
Seven times He spoke, seven words of love^
And all three hours his silence cried
For mercy on the souls of men ; —
Jesus, our Love, is crucified I
What was thy crime, my dejirest Tiord 1
By earth, by heaven, thou iia^t been tried,
And guilty found of tof) much love ;—
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
Found guilty of excess of lovc",
It was thiuf own sweet will that tied
Thee tighter far than helpless nails ;—
. Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
Death came, and Jesus meekly bnw'd ;
His failing eyes he strove to giMle
With mindful love to Mary's fivee ;—
JesuSi our Love^ Is crurified !
O break, O break, hanl heart of mine I
Thy weak self-love and guilty pride
His Pilate and his Judas were ;—
Jesus, oui Love, is crurified I
440
CATHOLIC HYMNS.
Come, tako thy stand beneath the Cross
And let the blood from out that Side
Fall gently on thee drop by drop ;—
Jesus, our Love, is crucified !
A broken heart, a fount of tears,—
Ask. and they will not be denied;
A broken heart lovers tiradle is ; —
Jesus, our Love» is crucified I
O Love of God I O Sin of Man !
In this dread act your strength is tried |
And victory remains with love,
For He, our Love, is crucified I
BOCK OF Aam
Rock of ages, rent for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee ;
Let the water and the blood,
From thy riven side which flow'd
Be of sin the double cure J
Cleanse rae ftx)m its guilt and power.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Sitoply to the Cross I cling;
NaKed come to Thee for dress,
Helpless look to Thee for grace»
Foul I to the fountain fly ;
Wash me, Saviour, or I die.
While I (}raw this fleeting breatb,
When fiiy eyelids fold in death.
When I soar to worlds unknown.
See Thee on thy judgment-tWone ;
Rocks of Ages, cleft for me.
Let me hide myself in Thee.
JESUS, I mr CROSS havk taebk,
Jesus,— I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee:
T" _ — - J t M ^ - t '
Thou hencefortli my all shall be :
Perish every fond ambition,—
All I've sought, or hoped, pr known {
Yet how rich is my condition,—
Gnti HJjii heaven, may be mine own I
VIVA 6Esn. 441
Ijet the world despise and leave me,
It has left my Saviour too ;
Human hearts and looks deceive me,
Thou art not like thom untrue ;
Whilst thy graces shall adorn me.
God of wisdom, love, and might,—
Foes may hate, and friends may scoirn me ;—
Show thy face, and all is bxight.
Go then, earthly fame and treasure.
Come disaster, scorn, and pain ;
In thy t e. vice, pain is pleasure,—
With thy lavor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee : Abba ! Father !
I have set my heart on Thee :
Storms may howl, and clouds may gatnar
All will work for good to me.
Man may trouble and distress me,
'Twill but drive me to thy breast;
Life with trials hard may press me ;
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, 'tis not in grief to harm me,
While thy love is left to me ;—
Oh, 'twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that Joy unmix'd with thee.
Soul,— then know thy full salvation.
Rise o'er sin, and fear, and care :
Joy to And in every station.
Something still to do or bear.
Think what spirit dwells within thee.
Think what sacraments are thine ; •
Think that Jesus died to win thee :
Child of heaven, canst thou repine !
Haste thee on from grace to g^ory. . ,„^,
Arm'd with f >ith, an-l wlng'd with prayer,—
An eternal day before thee
Waits for God to guide thee there.
Soon shall close thine earthly mlBSion,
Patience trhall thy spirit raise ;
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise 1
VIVA GKSXr.
M ATT jpsns ! Hail ! who for my sake
6we«n Bloo<i from Mary's womb didst take
And shell it all fot me ;
O bl««8«d bf my Saviour's Blood,
My life, my liglii, my only good,
To all eternitj-.
442
CAtnOLIC HYMNS
To endless agps 1ft us praise
Th? w?H?^^'"^ ^^^2^^ 1 ''^<^e co"W raise
«rV^^ ^9^'^ ^^^"^ MTciih and sin ;
Wli(»e streams our inward thirst apuea^P
And heal the sinner't* worst disease, '
If he but bathe therein. '
** 2„^T?®®^2*^,^'i^» th^t can implore
'^araon of Gr)d, and h<>aven restore.
While Abel's blood for vengoance pleads.
What Jesus sneds still Int-Mcedes
For those who wrong Him most.
^}9,^^, sprinkled from tho M-ells
^^^'i'^*?:""^" ^"^fro'i Blood, excels
Earth's best add hij^hest bliss :
The mlRigtors of wrnth divine
whS^A.*'^-^ happy lioartN that shine
With those red drops of H is I
^^} J^**,^r®i^ J''y amll the Saints
SiriP®"!^^'^''^*''^''''"^ oouriige faints
When this swet scmg we raise •
g louder then, and lo-ufer still,
^'mw*^^"*^^"^ J**8^fy chorus filL
The Precious Blood to praise 1
JKSF DULCIS MEMOBfA.
''^^rW ^^® **"'y thought Of The©
with sweetness fills my broast:
But sweeter far thy face to see.
And In thy presence rest.
No voice can sing, no heart can frame.
Nor can the memory find, ^
A sweeter sound than thy blest name-
O Saviour of mankind I '
O hope of every contrite heart,
O toy of all thp mnoiv ^
To those who fnll how kind thou art f
How gtxxi U) those who seek !
^"» what j« those who find ? ah ! thi«
fnif^^^ '^'"K"*' '">» !»«'" «an siiow :
The love of Jesus, wh it It i ■;
None but his lovod ones know.
THE HEMORARE, MAGNIFICAT. 443
Jesus I our only Joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wiit be ;
Jesus I be Thou our glory noW»
And tiuough eternity*
THB MBMORABB.
Bbmembeb well. O Mother dear,
That in.n6 have had recourse to thee
Whose voice of prayer thou didst not hear :
O then to-day proiitious bo I
The chronicles of every age the tale repea*j
How every hour hath seen thy children at thy feet;
While thou hast shared their Joy, or soothed their every
[pain.
Shall we the first of all Invoke thy name in vain !
Remember well, dc^
MAaNIFXOAT.
Maowifioat 1 Inspired word,
From Mary's raptured bosom pour'd i
My lonl, with Mary bless the Lord.
Magnificat I
Mngnlficnt ! O whence Is this.
That God should heed my littleness f
Henceforward, all my name shall bless.
MognlUcat !
Magnificat I Pmlse God alone.
The mercy of my Saviour own.
For He hath mighty wonders done.
Magnificat I
Magnificat ! His wondrous graoe
iH manifest ftoni race to race
Of them who fear before His ftvoe.
IVfagnhlcHt I
Magniricai i He huth bnmuht down
The i>roud man from his lofty throne,
And lltlod up the humble one.
MtmnlnoAt I
444
CATHOLIC nTNNS.
Maornlfloat ! Grace for the Poor !
Trto l»oor who plead at Merey's door :
The Kcorulul rich shaU have no mmi
^*.?MM^^)^ ' ^^ °*e behold
* ulJiM '1, the promises of old
To Ahraaam and ihe Fathers told.
Magulflcat I
JJ«e"'fl<**t ! The Song of pralw
S^fr^'^^f /»?'*"' ?nd Spirit raise I
One God, throughout eternal days !
Magniflcfttl ^
Hail, heavenly QUKKKi
Hail, heavenly Queen ! hail, foamy ocean's stiu-
H.^ii TJh ^^^'^'/l^'^'V? ^^y beams afarV^ ****»
Hail, Mother of G(xl 1 above all virgins blest-
Hall happy gate of heaven's eternaTrest '
Hail, loamy ocean's 8tar I hail, heaverdy Queen I
O be our guide to endlofcs joys unseen, ^ ^ '
1 nee <.^ ueen of heaven, from him we learnf^^o^* .
Ihen/jiveus peace. wHi^h h».7„„„^rJJ??'"^?^®«*i
Then .ivetjs peace, wHlc^^^^
1 ad through kve, through Mary let^i'iRJf'
And
Hai
n «i^o our chains, our captive souls relcaseL
O give .13 light, and let our blindncHs eeaaef*
t'-i ^y^y *°' '»'^t presses on our heart *
£ail, ia ^ ' **"^ ®^®^^ •f*^* impart.
Thy children save, O gracious mothor hon>.
From moisteu'd e^es, C) diVga u>mm fhr^ar •
spent
f l>X.l!:»*'.'!.™e^'^ unmatch'd amonirst i_rin„iri.w,
Juiil vti''" Liioo->mo«k, ciiuste, ana sliUeSle.
HYMN TO ST. JOSBPH. ^
Our lives tmptain'd, in purity preserve,
Nor e'er permit our ways from truth to swerve,
That, 'When our lime has roll'J its rapid rourd,
We may, with Christ, iu heavenly bliss be crown'd.
Hail,<&c
Eternal praise to God. the Father, be
Eternal praise to Christ'^ dread majesty.
And equal praise to God the Holy Ghost^
Here, as abore, amongst the heavenly host.
Hail, <fcc.
445
WriDX TO ST. lOSSPtf.
Hall ! holy Joseph, hRll !
Husband of Mary, hail.
Chaste as the lHy flower
In Eden's peaceful vale.
BbW I holy Joseph, hail I
Father of Christ esteem'd 1
J'athcr be thou to those
Thy Foater-Sk>n redeem'd«
Hail ! holy Joseph, hall I
Prince of the house of Ood^
May his best f^n'^^es be
By thy sweet hands bestow'd.
Hnll ! holy Joseph, hail I
Comrade of angels, hall I
Cheer thou the hearts that fidnt,
And guide the steps that flill.
Hall I holy Joseph, hail I
€hxi'B choice wast thou alone ;
To thee the Word made flesh
Was subject as a Bon.
Hnil ! holy Joseph, hall I
T*>ach U8 our flesu to tame^
An<1, Mary, keep the hearts
That love Uty nusband's nam*.
Mother <^ Jmui ! blea&
And bless, ye Saints on high,
All meek and simple souls
That to Saint Joseph ory.
446
CATHOLIC HYIIMi.
THE OXTARDIAN AWGHBI*
r>F A tt Angel f ever at my side.
How loving must thon be,
A mTf *^u^.'J*^J?° *^ Heaven to guide
A little child like me.
Thy beautiftil and shining face
1 see not^ though so no^r ;
The sweetness of thy soft low voice
I am too deaf to hear. .
^ ^x^Pu^ ^^®' *^^<^ to"ch my hand
With pressure light and mUd,
To check me, as my mother dil
When I was but a child.
^'J^.I.h.^^ve folfc thee in my thoughts
FigJiting with sin for me ; ""^""^ .
And when my heart loves God, I know
The sweetness is from thee.
Ami when, dear Spirit f I kneel down
Morning and niglit to prayer,
®'whl^'"5,^*'®''®f^ within my 'heart
Which tells mo thou art there.
V Yes ' when I pray thou prayest too-
Th, prayer is all for me :
But w!ien r sleep, thou sleepest not
But watchest patiently. ^
But most of all I feel thee near.
T J^ !f "Ai'^5^.*^*'' ^'^ Pi.est's feet
I g;) absolved, In fearless lovo, ^
Fresh tolls and cares to meet
And thou in life's last hour wilt brln*
A fr. ';^h supply of grace, ^
ml "iftorwards wilt let me kiss -
Thy beautiful bright face.
^4r^® ' how lovfily they mwt be
w horn < ifod na« glorifled-;
Yet one of them, O sweetest thought I
I» ever at my side, *
Then fr>«* thy nnim 'isA" * ^— -i • ^
More luunbl« wllfl be"'"'^' ' ' ""^
But I nm weekL mad wheu I ML
O weary not for me : ^^
t
iE^vsk
O weary not, but love me stilL
For Mary's sake thy Queen ;
8he never tired of me, though I
Her worst of sons have been.
She will reward thee with a smile.
Thou know'st what it is worth !
For Mary's smiles each day cony«rt
The hiardest hearts on earth.
Then love me, love me, Angel dear I
And I will love thee more ;
And help m.e when my soul is oast
Upon the eternal shore.
JJBBX7SALB1C.
jEBUSAiiKM, my happy home,
How do I sigh for thee I
When shall my exile have an end,
Thy Joys when shall I see !
Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
Jerusalem, my happy home.
How do I bigh for thee I
No sun, no moon, in borrow'd light,
Revolve thine hotirs nway ;
Tlio L:«mb on Calvary's mountain slain
la tli^\ eternal day.
Jerusalem, <&c.
From every eye He wipes the tear,
All sighs and sorrows cease ;
No more alternate hope or fear,
But everlasting ^jcace.
Jerusalem, Ac.
The thought of thee to us is given
Our sorrows to beguile ;
^ ..^ ^< _ J .
1- 1 J
In HIh oUirnal Kmila.
J«niialem, dfcc
4i8
GATfiOtKi itYMNS.
BKFORi: COBncUNIOH;
^,]^ ^' "*y "'■^» nyr love,
To Thee, to Thee J caII ;
O come to me from heaven abovew
And be my God, my AIL ^
My faith beholds Thee, Lord I
Conceal'd In hnman f(X)d :
My senses fall, but in thy word
I trust, and find my Gk>d.
O when wilt Thou be mine/
Sweet lover of my sotil !
My Jesus d^ar, my king divine*
Come o'er my heart to rule.
O ! oom** and ft? by throne
yVithln my vmy iioarfc;
O ! niake it burn for Thee alone*
And from me ne'er depart.
Becono ye, from my mind,
Vain, childish, earthly toys J
InJesus, only, do I find
True pleasures, solid Joya.
A3thog ooMxmnxm,
What happiness can equal mine.
I've found the object of my love--
My Jesus dear— my King divine,
Js come to me from iieuven above t
He chose my heart for hu abole :
There He becomes my daily brc-ad :
There on me flows his lu>aUng blood
There, with his flesh, my soul isTed.
I am my Trove's, and He is mine :
In mo He dwells ; in Him I llvo ;
What greater gifts could love combine ?
What greater could o'on hoaveu irlve ?
O sacred banquet, heavenly fca-st '
__0 overflowing source of^rMC" »
W-aore U(xi tiie food, i^nd man tha guest
Meet and unite in Ut et embrace T
AFTER CONFIRMATION
449
AFTER CXJITFIRMATION.
SoM)iER«5 Of Christ ! arise I
And put your arjnor on,
Strong In rlje strength which God suppU«»
Tlirongh his oternal Son : kf«»
Stropgf is the Lo;-'! nf hosts,
And in his migh.y power,
Who in the strength of Jesus trusts.
Is more than conqueror.
Soldiers of Christ ! arise !
The God of armies c.-vlls
Un*o his mansions in tho skies—
His evojla«ti):g haHs ;
Behold ! tho angel host appears
To welcome yon to bl.fis I
Oh ! what is earth, its sighs andteartL
Its Joys, compared to tins I
Crusfi'd is the hanghty foe,
His might, his glory gone,
m* ^^^^^^ victory crown'd, shaU so
To Christ's etcrna! throne.
There shall the conqueror rest.
And in that blest abode,
Forever reign amid the bieet.
Triumphant with his God.
ADB6TS FIDELB8.
Adrstb, fldeles !
Lroti trill mphantes,
Veiiitp, veiiiio in Bethlehenu
Natum vldote
Regem angolorum.
Venlte, adoremus ;
venite, adoremus Dominum,
Deum de Deo,
^ Lumen de lumlue,
Otstant pueVisB viseewL
Deum verum
Gen4tnm non &ctum«
Venite, Ac,
450
CATHOLIC HYMira.
Gantet uunc lo !
Chorus angeloinun,
Cantet nunc aula
Coelestium, Gloria
In excelsis Deo ;
Venite, <fec.
Ergo, qui natus
Die liodierna,
Jesu tibi sit gloria.
Patris eeternl
Verbum caro factum.
Venite, <fcc.
ti. I
ASCBNSION-DAT.
Rise— glorious Conqueror, rl8«L
Into thy native skies,—
Assume thy right:
An<i where in many a fold
The clouds are backward roird—
Pass through those gates of gold
And reign in light I
Victory o'er death and hell,
Cherubic legions swell
The radiant train :
Praises all heaven inspire
Eaeh angel sweeps his lyre.
And waves his wings of fire,—
Thou Lamb once slain I
Enter, Incarnate God !—
No feet, but thine, have trod
The serpent down :
Blow the ftill trumpets, blow I
Wider your portals throw I
Saviour— triumphant— ga
And take thy crown I
Lion of Judah— Hail !—
And let thy name prevail
From age to age :
Lord of the rolling years. —
Fw Thou has bought with t^ars
Thy heritage !
WHIT-SDNDAT.
Yetr-whoare these behind,
In numbers more than mind
Can count or say —
Clothed In mortal stoles,
Illumining the Poles —
A galaxy of souls,
In wtite array ?
And then -was heard afiur
Star answering to star—
liO I these have come,
Followers of Him, who gave
His life, their lives tosive ;
And now their palms they way«
Brought safely home.
O.Lord I ascend thy throne I
For Thou shalt rule alone
Beside thy Sire,
With the great Paraclete,
The Three in One complete-
Before whose awful feet
All foes expire t
WHIT-SUNDAT,,
H0I.Y Spirit ! Lord of light
From thy clear celestialheight,
Thy pure beaming radiance give s
Come, Thou Father of the poor I
Come, with treasures which endure I
Come, thuu Light of all that Uve
Thou of all consolers best,
Visiting the troubled breast.
Dost refreshing peace bestow;
Thou In toll art comfort sweet ;
Pleasant coolness in the heat ;
Solace in the midst of woe.
Light Immortal ! light divine I
Visit Thou thejse hearts of thine,
And our inmost being fill :
tu
CATHOLIC HTMKS.
^Thou take thy ffi^'
flothing pure lo 0.i*o . ,„
All his good is. fcijurn'd to iii.
Heal our wounds— our strength renew :
On pur dryness pour thy dew : *
Wash the stains of guilt awaj ;
£»"d the stubborn heart and wW ;
melt the frozen, warm the cUU ;
Guide the steps that go astray.
^ou, on those who evermore
Thee confess and Thee adore.
In thy sevenfold gifts, descend.
Give them comfort when they die :
Give them life with Thee on high :
Give them Joys which never endl
OOKPUS CHKISTI.
^^l^L^^'S^^^ **^® Saviour's glory.
Of his Flesh the mystery sing; "
Of the Blood, all price excpeding.
Shed by oxur immortal King,
Destined, for the world's fedfmptlon.
From a noble womb to spring.
Of a pure and spotless Virgin
Bom for us on earth below.
He, as Man with man conversing,
Stay'd the seeds of truth to sow j
Then He closed in solemn order
Wondrously his life of woe.
On the night of that Last Supper,
Seated with his chosen band.
He the Paschal victim eating,
F^irst fulfils the Law's command :
Then, as Food to all his brethren.
Gives Himself with his own hand.
WOTd made Flesh, the bread of nature
IBy his word to Flesh he turns :
Wine into His Blood he changes :—
Omy be the heart in earnest,
Faith her lesson quickly learns.
¥E DET7M LAUDAMUS.
i)own lu adoration falling,
Lo I the nacred Host we hail ;
Lo f o'er ancient forms departlngi
Newer rites of grace prevail ;
Faith, for all defects supplying,
where the feeble senses fail.
!Po the Everlasting Father,
And the Son who reigns on hlg^
With the Holy Ghost proceeding
Forth from Each eternally,
Be salvation, honor, blessing, •
Might, and endless majesty.
'%
Ta OECM LAUDAMUS.
Holy Gk>d we praise thy Name I
Lord of all, we bow before Thee t
All on earth thy sceptre caiin.
All in Heaven above adore The6
Infinite thy vast domain^
Everlasting is thy reign/
Hark ! the loud«eleetial hymn
Angel choirs above are raising I
C/herubim and Seraphim
In unceasing chorus praising, .
Fill the heavens with sweet aoearA
Holy ! Holy 1 Holy Lord I
Lo 1 the ApoBtolhs train
Join, thy sacred name to hallow !
Prophets swell the loud refrain.
And the whlte-rdbed Martyrs follow
And from day dawn till its close,
Through the church the song goes.
Holy Father, Holy Son,
Holy Spirit, thr^e we name Thee^
While in essenrr only One
Undivided Go* we claim Thee^
And adoring bend the knee.
While we own the mystery;
Thou art King of Glory, Christ ^
Son of God, yet born of Mary,
. For us sinners sacrificed,
First to break the bars of deatb,
Thou hast open'd Heaven to fauM,
:Ai
CATHOLIC HYMNg.
From thy high celestial home.
Judge of all, again returning.
We believe that Thou shalt come,
^^ir^® dreadful Doom's-day mornlnff
When thy voice shall shake the ewth
And the startled Dead come forth.
Smre thy people, Lord, we pray,
ir£^^i*i2il^.f '^^^ ^P*!®'' surrount/ed.
Keep us Without sin to-day.
Never let us be confounded.
Lo I I put my trust in Thee,
Never, Lord, abandon me.
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
Abstinenee, Days of ^ 15
Absoliition, Of , 27fi
Acts of Faith, Hope and Charity Ig
Act of Spiritual Communion f 110
Act of Rergret, for one unworthy to receive, 110
Acts proper to suggest to the Sick and Dying, 359
Amendment, Firm purpose of 266
Angels, On devotion to the 196
Angel Psalter......... „.... 195
AngelGuairdian,' Prayer to one's ^ 197
Aagelus, The .w. 20
Aspirations for the sick,» 366
Baptism, Of the Sacrament of 249
" How to adminitter in oase of nee«Bsity,.M 250
Beads, Method of saying 166
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, 79
Blessed Virgin, On Devotion to 152
Catechism, The little 236
Children, Duties of 334
Children, Warning to 405
Children, Daily prayers for 325
Commandments of God 244
Commandments of the Church 247
Communion, explained in the Catechism, 251
Of the Holy 92
On preparation for 96
Prayer before 97
Of thanksgiving after 103
Prayer after 103
n
«(
<(
«
«
<«
OH
Of Spiritual 109
466
456
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
ConfesBion, explainod in fhe Catechism, ^^
;* Of (see Penance) .........; ^l
« What is it necessary t« oonfeBflT."*.'. 2"!
Manner of making fl,
• How often should one go to"!',!'.*. son
^^ I'evotions preparatory to... ."." go
Shorter exercises preparatory to.*.*.V. ««
" Prayer after. * °°
„" Of General ;' ' "" „?f
SnfiK'!!"' ''^'^"^"'^ "^ '^^ ^*t«chiBmZr.::::!::: Iso
Contrit;.!!, expiarn;d"inti^Cat^;hism ::.!!! J?
• •• -•••». 253
Day, How to pass it in a holy manner ,q
Dead, Mass for th«... **
Death, Meditation on ...*!! ' „Jf
Death of the sinner ......!!.!.!... o
Delay of conversion, '..'.*..! * ~^^
©iBciple of Jesuifi, *"'* ' * ^^^
Dying, Inctruction for the'!!!!!!!.'.".'.'!!!*."*"" oSJ
" Various temptations of the !!! of?
" Last sighs of the ^^^
" Recommendation of a parting'so'u'i.*!!' tit
Dntiesofparticularstatesof Life, Oftho Via
** Examination on these. ,*.'.*!!!!!!.' 296
Jnemies, Love of (Spiritual Reading)... qae
End of Man, MeuitaUon on the JfT
JBiid, Importance of securing our last rjl
Eternity (Spiritual Heading) ^
Eternity ot punishment, Al.-ditation on'the * o??
Eacharist, Explanarion of the Sacrxment ok?
On devotion to the Blessed ff,
Evening Devotions ^t\
Examination of Consoionco, Dailv no
^ insfuotton on 263
for General ConfeKsiOD. ...*!! 286
faith, Of the Catholic (Cntochisn.) .. «o,
" and the Church (Spiritual Roading)!".'.'. ITJ
" alone not suflicient , *' J^J
AL1>fiADEtICAL tKDRX.
4S7
Page.
PamiliarleisonBof pJ«ty forSpiritnal Reading S84
Faf^^ting, Days of ., n
Father «)f u family, Duties of » 323
Feetivals o** <ibIigation t.„i'„iii 11
Gloria in Excelsis 31
Sod, Perrocti(/?t of (Catechism) » 237
" Lfrvo of (Spiritual Reading) 40t
Go<d Works, Of (CiiteehisBi) 242
Qra^'.e anf* ♦' -> Sacramentt! (Catechism) 248
Time of Grace (Spiritual Reading) S»6
gail Mary ly
Hcavcsi (Spiritual Reading) 408
Hell, .Meditation on ., 230
Holy Orders, Sacrament of (Catechism) 254
iiply Trinity, Of the (Catechism) 238
•^^iymns : Voni Creator , 435
Morning Hymn 436
fevening Hymn 43g
Judgment Hymn ; 43t
Hymn of the Paaaion 438
JcsnB Crucified ,..„.... 439
Rock of Ages 440
Jesus, I my Cro«« 440
Viva GoBU 441
Jesu, dulcis memoria 443
Mcmoraro , 443
iV>a;;nificat 443
Iliil, heavenly queen t...... , 444
Hymn to St. Joseph » 44S
The Guardian Angel 449
Jerusalem, my happy home....... 447
Before Communion , 448
Alter Communion 443
After Confirmation ....,...„ , 449
Christmas Hymn 449
^or Asoerifllon Day „ , , 460
For Whit-Sunday. 451
J'or Corpus Christi 452
Te Deum Laudamus 45S
Diea Iras ♦ 47
458
ALPHABETICAL INDEX.
Hymns : Are Maria Stella , *^*
Alma Redemptoris Mater "."."."",' 74
Ave Eegina Coeiorum "' 75
Regina Coeli y?
Salutaris Hostia '.".".* H
Hymn : Tantum Ergo ."*.*'.]'."!!'.!'.'.!'.'.*"* 80
Impediments of Marriage oflo
Incarnation and Death of Christ.!.'!.'.** oSo
Indulgence, what 254
?' Ju^ w *' of Faith,* H^ '*";nd 'ch'arity " 18
, ,. fyrthe Way of the Cross!... ... 130
k: for saying the Rosary .' 535
attached to the Scapular !..'....!!! 181
Joseph, St. Devotion to ^j
" Devout prayers in honor of.'.'.!!..!!*. iq*>
Judgment, Of the General and Particular flL
" Meditation on the Last.... oi^T'
Judgments cf God (Spiviti.nl Heading) .V.'.'.'.".''.**.7.'.V.'.!!'! 395
Last Commuijion, or Viaticum . " ,«g
Litany of the Biassed Virgin Marv • fJ?
" of the Saints ...;;;. Ill
" for a gDod death ..'..*.*.'!!!.*
Lord's Prayer ' '
185
202
16
Matrimony, Sacrament of (Catechism).. or^
Instruction on " on^
Marriage, Impediments of t^f,
Bansof Jf^
Ceremony....: !".*!' Ift
Married Persons, Duties of...... oJS
MaKuificat ^^^
Ma.Mfl, Explained in the Cn*tec*hi*8*in.*!.*..V.*.*.* 2I?
" Devotion at, Instruction oi
" Prayers for ^'
Mma for the Dead ".*.".'.*.*.'.*.! " I?
Mwls, Prayers before and after.!!!!! t^
Meditation, or Mental Prayer, rnstruoti'o'n.*.'!.V.*.'.'" 214
Moditatums for every day in tbo week.... ""*" 2IU
Momorare of St. Burndrd (translated) .....'Z/.V.?.*.*..*.*.*.*.' 180
" (i»» verse) .*!.*.*.*.'!.**! 44<»
443
ALPBA8E1ICAL IKDEX.
459
Page
!••... 71
.. .. 74
76
76
79
80
309
.... 239
.... 254
ty.. 18
130
.... 166
.... 181
.... J.J1
.... 192
.... 2%,
.... 228
.... 177
.... 185
... 202
... 16
... 255
... 304
... 309
... 315
... 316
.. 319
... 72
. 251
... 27
.. 30
.. 45
.. 21
.. 214
. 219
.. 180
. 443
Page.
Misery of Sin ■ 387
Morning Devotion, On ..." 14
Morning Prayers ' 15
Mother, Duties of a Christian 331
Night Prayers 22
Nuptial Blessing 318
Order, Sacrament of (Catechism) 254
Parents and Heads of families, Daties of.... 323
" Warning to (Spiritual Reading) 40'3
" Admonition to 2,''.5
Penance, Sacrament of (Catechism) ..'.•..... 252
" Instruction on 260
" Effects of this Sacrament 261
" Satisfaction, or Works of ,....,.. 277
i " imposed in Confession ..! '.'„..... itV.f.'^'f 53
Pope PiuB IV'., Creed of... ;;.. ...,,",,_ 055
Prayers, How to pray ;...;!'.V?H!;'!' 13
" Ordinary Christian Prayers 243
Psalms : Dixit Dominus (54
Contit<ibor tib', Domine (56
Beatus vir .,.....,.., 67
Laudato pueri Dominum gy
Laudato Dominum yy
Do profundi? 200, 211
Miserere 207
Seven Penitential Psalms 204
Purgatory, (Catechism) 240
" On dev<».ion to the Souls in lyg
" I'rayoi for the Souls in jyg
Redemption, Doctrine of (Catechism) 238
Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary ],i3
** Method of saying the ,..., ', ] 5
** Another short and easy method 175
Sacrament, On devotion to the Blessed lU
Seven Sacraments explained (Catechism) 249
Sacraments of the Sick, Instruction 308
gacriflce of the Maes (Cateohiem) 251
I
460
ALPBABETICAL INDEX.
Saints, On devotion to... ^*^o*'
Salvation of the Soul (Spiritual* Reading) Jf!
Salve R>gina ^^^^n^;.. jy^
Satisfaction, wQ''(0atecVi8ra)*".'.V.". ' Jo
" or Works of Penance .*.." o?*
Scapular, Instruction on the ill
.Sermon, Prayers before and after ..'.'.'. ' «S
Servants, Duties of ,?*
I?«r '"«thod of instructing the ■ignorant';::;;;:;:;; 269
Mflk und Dying, Manual for the "' of:
Instructions for the tli
" Instructions for those who attend;;;;;; q??
A.otives and Acts for o?o
" l>aily prayers for JjJ
" I'lous aspirations for ;;."' ,J!
Sin, What and how divided (Catechism)'';.';;";; 241
Spiritual Reading ^ ^^^
Stations of the Cross.::..;;;;!! "" ??«
Steps of our Saviour's Paraion!;: '' JfJ
»teps of our Saviour's Childhood....'.'."*;* ilo
Sufferings of this life (Spiruuai Reading):::!!;;.;!;;;:;;; Itr
Temptation, Pravers in time of «.
Trinity. Of the flfoiy (Caieohism) ;!:!;;;;;;;r;:;*;;;;;; 23!
Unction, Sacrament of Extreme Unction (Cateohiaa.)... 254
Prayers before and after . , 3Y2! 3?*
Vefj.erj!, Of devotion at
^. ' . ^>f s-njay ::::'.'.'.*.*.:*;.;:v *• tl
VwiLcum, Prayers b.-fore and after a«»' -^71
Via.t. K. ti.e messed Sacrament .......;!!. '^*'^' ?JJ
lilessed Virgin Mary ....:.!;.;!!!;;;;;' 154
Way of the Crow
Word of «iod, On hear'ing'the.'.!!!!"*. ^«?
Work, Prayer before ;..;';;.*.';;;:::.;;; ll
Voun^' C*thoIio m«n, Advico to goa
" women, Adrioa to ».;..;..*.;;;,..;!!!!; 3J2
xstt^i jAOrrfeaAMiA
•'to
aoii079b /lO ,eirri«S
oB eili
\o doltc'flr.h
isaJ^r.fl 87liirl
:\;f)in^')
tiiriW-
^aoiionVfUi'd
i,'*'f "o e?li
[•■^Y/ 10
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..H ,iji;nvia^
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