^>. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // £// 4 /. ^ 1.0 JfKfiISS 2? lii ™^ 1.1 l.-^"^ ■UUu. L25 ij^ 11 1.6 6" — ' I. Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 iat-i IMJWP CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques ■^Ha Technical a id Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. IS D D D D Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur Covers damaged/ Couverture endommag6e Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restauree et/ou pelliculee Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes geographiques en couleur □ Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) n D D D D Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relie avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ Lareliure serr^e peut causer de I'ombro ou de la distortion ie long de la marge intSrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ 11 se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutSes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte. mais, lorsque cela Stait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 film^es. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires: L'Institut a microfilm*^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-etre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger unia modification dans la m6thode normale de filmage sont indiqu^s ci-dessous. I — I Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag6es □ Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul^es r^ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ IxNi Pages d6color6es, tachet6es ou piqu6es r~n Pages detached/ Pages detachees Showthrough/ Transparence 52 I I Quality of print varies/ Quality inegale de I'impression ides supplementary materi: prend du materiel supplementaire edition available/ Seule Edition disponible □ Includes supplementary material/ Comi I — I Only edition available/ m Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellemenf obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 film6es d nouveau de fagon d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indlqu6 ci-dessous. 10X Wll 18X 22X 26X 30X K ^"""^ bB^a^ 1?X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X laire s details :)ues du \t modifier Liger uni9 e filmage The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Library of Congress Photoduplication Service The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit grdce A la g6n6rosit6 de: Library of Congress Photoduplication Service Les images suivantes ont 6td reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetd de I'exempiaire film6, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. d/ :]u6es Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — »• (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimde sont filmds en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par b dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commenqant par la premidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". taire Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul cliche, il est fiimd d partir de I'angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. I by errata med to nenf une pelure, faqon d 9. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 32X • 1 \ ■ .. * * ■ ..PHONSUS Lie I) OH ^' ri \aatha of the Go, Bishop alt DBAWH cmriT MMiOTi^Ri Z MISSION-BOOK or TBI CONGREGATION OP THE MOST HOLY EEDEEMEE: A MANUAI.Of . INSTRUCTIONS AND PRAYEES ADAPTID TO ^nmbt t^t jfrmtf of t^t IPisnon. DBAWH CmriT FROl TBR WORKS OF 8T. ALPHORgUB UflCORL puBLuasD traniB thb DmaonoR or tri kidchftobibt rATHiu. mm womoti, Bcnm axd mojaatn. The Fat! Rcileemor \ edition of t increasing for the pur viz., plain ligion, and It is hardl mean a oou or ten days, stances, an ences, vocal in town or Essai/ ; /» L particular c " In rega face to a re( question is they serve' been preaci The answer people of urose from rii:.f;c^,ait'f; ; /u;^ -. :jitiiiaa «,Hf!.'(v; EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. nr 1862, by riNClAt, United State! "ff- T-Ti^ The Fatherfl of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer hereby offer to the public a new ond improved edition uf their Mietttion-Book, a work: whoso coDHtantly increasing popularity is the best evidence of its fitness for the purposes for which it was originally composed, viz., plain instruction in the principal duties of re- ligion, and the preservation of the fruits of the Mission. It is hardly necessary to state that by a Mission we mean a course of religious exercises, continuing a week or ten days, qr two or three weeks, according to circum- stances, and comprising sermons, catechisms, confer- ences, vocal prayers, &c., "dDinn; f()r the masses, whether in town or country," us Fii'-hcr Fiibcr remarks, in his Essat/ ; rt Home Missiom, "wliat Retreats have done for particular classes ar'' 'or the few." " In regard to the^ ii ssions," (to quote from the pre- face to a recent German work,) " the somewhat strange question is not unfrequently asked, What purpose can they serve" in places "where the gospel has already been preached, and every congregation has its pastor? The answer is a simple one. Just as among the chosen people of God, who had always their priests, prophets urose from time to time, to inflame them with zeal for 3 s^> editor's ADVEBTI8EMENT. tho law of the Lord; in like manner the «n'«B.onar es come forward in Christian congregatmnH. U> conflrm them in the d.H,trine« of tho go.pel already Vr'^'^)^^ them, and to animate them to a >'<•« 'V-'-^'^rfuf fTr with. For thin purpose they preach to the faithful, for a course of days or weeks, .vh tho case may be. on the mostTerrihle Lths of religion, show thorn the nnport- ance and the dangers of salvation, and tho .K>..vmonH and 1 consequonees of sin. animate them to the love of G.Kl. to new zeal for Christian perfection, to prayer and the requent reception of the Sacraments '« being the two great channels of grace, and point out to tholn. generallv. the means of persevering in g-Kxl to the end. It cannJt be doubted but that the extraordinary crcum- stance of the arrival of missionaries in a parsh, the novelty of the ceremony of the.r reception, the dn. courses, preached twice every day. on tho most stnk.ng r^ints /religion, the hearing of confessions from morn- b^TtVu night: the unusual concourse of people from aU parts, far and near, the touching cercnjoines at the Smn reparation to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament, and at the renewal of the baptismal vows, tho conse- cation to the Blessed Virgin, the erection «f the Mission- cross, &c.. are admirably adapted *« --« the hoarte of all to terrify the sinner, to awu.en the tepid out of the.r Sep and to maintain the good in fervor Th,s is . poTcid by experience." But we will let Father Fab« - tell us the good effected by missions. " Pacr.'egiouB confessions set right, feuds appeased, injur.c^ «org.ven restitutions made, seandals abated^ f\""f 1 Jf^ abandoned, null marriages validated, infidels and her^ £ convened, bad catholies restored, good measure pressed down ;nd running over of euch excellent frmts. have been that it is " should fin Home Mix Want o generally ing from ij of those ol upcted wii Fuber's ex In prep we have a in which which will in this c(i niado. froi Form late! tlie Onto monies. (I given chi( grace, tiic received i the faith, most casc^ is not an i persons to or shortly Manual, t together v The sk founder, y structiv^ t works on L_ BDITOR's ADVERTI8EMKNT. 5 misBionanes iB, U) confirm ly preached to onlanoo therc- le faithful, for lay be, on the in the import- is oci!ftnion8 and to tlio love of , to prayer and *, as being the t out to thein, •kmI to the end. •dinary circum- i a parish, the ption, the dis- e most striking ions from morn- people from all cnjoiiies at the ssed Sacrament, ows, the conse* X of the Mission- ve the hearts of Bpid out of. their fervor. This is Et Father Faber , " Facri'egiouB njurics j'ofgiven, hameful courses nfidels and here- , good measure I excellent fruits, have been the result of these same missions:" ... so that it is "strange that tho perverse appetite of criticism should find matter for reprehension here!" (Essay on Home Missions.) Want of space forbids us to notice tho objections generally brought fonvard against tho missions, proceed- ing from ignorance of their real nature. For a refutation of these objections, and for other interesting niuttiT (;on- uected with tho subject, we refer our readers to Fatlicr Faber's excellent Enaaij on Home Misnionn, alsivo (piotod. In preparing this now edition of the Mission B(sik, we liave availed ourselves of the Dublin editiim of 1858, in which wo found a considerable amount of matter which will lie now, and we trust acceptalile, to Oatiiolius in this country. Other valuable additions have been made, from various approved sources : anmng them, the Form lately prescribed ybr the reception of converts, and tlie Order of Baptism, with explanations of tho cere- monies, (from tho Golden Manual, Londim, 1850,) aro given chietly for the benefit of those (and, by God's grace, they are not few) who during the Mission are received into tho Catholic Church, publicly professing the faith, and receiving — ccmditlonally, of course, in most cases — tiio Sacrament of Baptism. Moreover, as it is n(rt an uncommon thing for a considerable number of persons to receive confirmation, either during the Mission or shortly after it, we reprint, also from the Golden Manual, tho Order of administering that Sacrament, together with short instructions and devotions. Tho sketch of the life of S. Alphonsus, our holy founder, will, we hope, bo found interesting and in- structive to many who cannot avail themselves of larger works on the subject. 1* f EUmm'H AUVERTIBEMKNT. Finally, m-o commond tho buccosh of tluH little work totho incrcy of G(m1, truMtin« that it may pronioto his greater n'o^y. ''y uprcading tho knowlwlno of religion, and prcnervint,' tho fruitn of tho holy MiHsion ; and we beg tho oeouHional prayers of those to whom the book may bo of any benefit. ANHAP0L18, Md., Sept. 1862. '\-' I , i | '" ' LIF (Frt «>-!•'* -.. .u^ -i'n', ■'" '-.'i ;.; '»-" -i,r !t;- Ai,pnoN Lif^Udri, w Naples, 01 infancy ho Don Josep with those thoniHolvef joined the tho Orator for his can one '>ccasi( was mill* to win tiie still more it, Alphon majesty of And, east "There." i I should w Sany, and Recalled h his educat of skilful Bophy, and » jmuiiii . i » n m «iia .i ii I w ' « n»" - ^ ''t«*,*/1M ti* >i»t;( » little work pronioto his n of religion, ion ; and we urn the book SKETCH LIFE OF ST. ALPHONSUS. (From tho EncycloptUie Calholique. Uigno, Paria.) I ALPnoNsrs Mart, of the noble Neapolitan family of Lif^iKiri, was born at Marianolla, a Huburb of the city of Napios, on the 27th of September, 1()9(). From his infani-y ho was carefully imbued by hiiTexcellent parents, Don Joseph do Lij»uori and Donna Ann Mary Cuvalieri, with those sentiments of sincere piety by which they themselves were animated. At the age of ten years, he joined tlio association of young noblemen directed by the Oratorian Fathers of Naples, in which he was noted for his candor, his innocence, and hia horror of sin. On one occasion, while playing ball with his comnanions, he was iii>(1I*m1 by one of them of having told a lie in order to win the game. Grieved at this false aecusatiim, and still more at tlie indecent language which ace mrianied it, Alplionsus indignantly exclaimed: "What! fihall the majesty of GcmI be offendi'd for a vile piece of money?" And, casting down the trifling coin he had taken, "There," said ho, "take your money; God forbid that I should win in such a manner!" He then left the c(mi- Sany, and spent the rest of the recreation in prayer. Recalled home by the fondness of his parents, he hnished his educati(ni in his father's house, under the guidance of skilful masters, who taught him Latin, Greek, pliilo- Bophy, and civil and canoa law : he even, in deference to 1 8 LIFE OP ST. ALPHONBUS. hi« father, took lessons i" ,f«"<="'"S{, '^'^^'li^S' ^'"'l ^^^^ ;:S i e'^^v weTand ^isit'ed the Ble.sed 8a.ran,e„t a V At the ai^e of seventeen he was made doctor of K and en.brao.ed the profession "f i"' ""^vip^^ ; j^ £ whi.'h liowpver, he soon became diBSUstnd, ana ue 'rm led to devote himself to God in the ^ccl^s.as .c;al ,hVt. In fact in 1724 he received tonsnrc, and in HJi ia ma le a priest. His zeal was truly apost.d.c: he mvvo ft most successful retreat to the clergy of ^ jP'cs - well-n"h ruined. But las zeal did not allow him to re- main hie and he soon became the apostle of those ™n lie went from vilhv«e to village. a^'=">nP'i>?'«d bv"afew priests, preaching the gospel to the work.ng- nu«n and he shq'her.lH, and administering to tlicm he eac'mments of penance and the Euchur.st. »"«; >^ the Ire It g'.o.l which resulted from these missions to the poor El abandoned people of the country, he resolved, after mure consideration and mucli prayer, t" porpetjiate the work by establishing the Missumary Onler which was subsequently called the Congregation of the Most Holv Redeemer.^ His project met with great opposition a many obstacles, Which he overcame -y >nvnic.ble pa tence and confidence i.i God ; and though the muii^^^^^^^ ^f his associates was at first small he ^=«>n Jf ^^'^^ ^[^^^^ faction of seeing it increase rapidly. In the year 1/4^ uTe members bound themselves by «""R\« ;;--;f ^^^^^^ chose their saintly founder to be Superior-General ot tue cX'regat '.n, which was solemnly approved b^- BeneduJ XlVm 1749. Alphonsus neglected nothnif; which «,uld conduce to the success of tVie missions ^^h'^h ^ere Tsked of him on every side. He travelled generally on f^t,cr mounted ou » wretched horse. Arrived at the place vhe by recomii assemblin ing of the ing and e' to all. U with the I had not r( thev did with thiol ministry, sometimes they led a at the exj from tlie { ral commi governed wisdom humility, first to gi our neigh were also trated, an Congrega: reservedlj not negle all his lif( flagged, to prayer gift of mil ing one d; and was i of the M( quite res] lace of th out: "M • Public p try; Imt In as not to lie —Note by th n'juitii^nki' wvT' ■■' LIFE OF ST. ALPHONSUS. 9 ;, and music, cause him to 3d holy com- id Sai-rament ade doctor of dvocate, with !tod, and de- ccclesiastical 1, and in 1726 apostolic: he ry of Naples; Qoplo f(dlo\vod ion of many, ids, who died lis preaching, xnd Scala, for int labors had low him to re- ostle of those , accompanied • the working- ig to them the t. Seeing the ons to the poor resolved, after to perpetuate jT Order which m of the Most reat opposition s by invincible jgh the number n had the satis- 1 the year 1742 iple vows, and -General of the fed by Benedict nothinjj; which ons which were ed generally on Arrived at the place vhere the mission was to be given, he commenced by reconimending his labors to the Blessed Virgin ; then, assembling the people, ho announced to them the open- ing of the mission, throughout which he preached morn- ing and evening, besides giving catechetical instructions to all. His companions sallied forth from the church with the crucifix in hand, exhorting those to come who had not responded to the first appeal, and on their return they did penance in public by scourging themselves with thick cords.* In spite of the fatigues of a painful ministry, which kept them occupied the whole day, and sometimes part of the night, their diet was very austere ; they led a life of poverty and mortification, and subsisted at the expense of the order, without receiving any thing from the people. Each mission was closed with the gene- ral communion, and the erection of the cross. Alphonsus governed this society of missionaries with as much wisdom a* zeal: he inculcated, above all, obedience, humility, and evangelical poverty, being himself tlie first to give the example of these virtues. The love of our neighbor, and charity for the sick and the poor, were also sentiments with which he was deeply pene- trated, and which he wished to be charactf^risfic of his Congregation. But, while thus devoting himself un- reservedly to the spiritual good of his brethren, he did not neglect his own sanctification, at which he labored all his life with an ardor and perseverance which never flagged. lie devoted a good part of the time each day to prayer and meditation. Ciod favored him with the gift of miracles and extraordinary graces. While preach- ing one day at Amalfi, he was ravished into an ecstasy, and was seen elevated several feet in the air : a statue of the Mother of God, which was at his right, became quite resplendent, and the rays it cast lighted up the face of the saint. The people, seeing this prodigy, cried out: "Mercy!" "Miracle!" and this mission proved _ — , • Public penances a: ., of course, altoKetlicr nnfiisbionablo in our coun- try; but In Cntliollc countries, «« Spain, Italy, &c., tlioy are so common as not to be lluble to tUo chwge of singulttrlty and tUeUoiiirc of Oisplay. —Note by llie Editor. ;, [ . , 10 LIFE OF ST. ALPH0N8US. I one of the most Buccessful. Many churches of Italy de- manded him for their bishop, muny bmhopnca were offered to him, among them even the archbishupnc ot Palermo ; but he refused them all. At length Clement XIII obliged him. in 17G2, to accept the bishopric of St Agatha of the Goths, a suffragan see of Benevento. Arrived in his diocese, Alphonsua gave nnssious in it everywhere. In 170G he established an order of religious women, who should consecrate themselves to the spiritual and corporal works of mercy towards their feUow-bcings He made frequent pastoral visitatums, instructoa the people, establUed parishes, and directed and anmmted his clorKV. Hard and severe to himself, he wsis kind, indul-Piit, and charitable towards others. I>«""K * famlnVwhich desolated Nap.les, in 17G5, he so d all Jus patrimony and distributed it to the poor. ".'« t«"fe' and compassionate heart could not know of misery and misfortune without being moved, and his alms weie so abundant that they bordered on th« miraculous A ter thirteen years of episcopate, he at length succeeded m being freed from tlmt charge, reserving t() himself no pensiim from his diocese. His flock hud no sooner learned that they were about to lose their holy bish.m than they wore plunged in affliction and toars. lie rodred to Noeera'. am"ong the brethren of his order ^vliich he continued t*. govern for some time in 1>'« q"'^ */ of superior-general ; but he finally resigned tluit office. It was in the house of Nocera that he c.mj.o.sed a great number of works treating of theology and p.oty. Among these latter, those most known are the ],.Ht>,tot/c Bks.ied Sacra ment, and the Glones of Marij* H" h.id >hi O mr.". ur« nmro « K-rlv m»%M f<..-tl.« wrltlnRH >.f St Alpl...n«n. ettiiur l" .vi' Blve" tli« n^t ln.,..,l««, or Uuve boau the cau»« of rupiU «l- vaucoinunt In the good already begun." a very spe which ho I as his inf chair, towi out regret of Jesus, t was likcw passion of meditatior the mot'Vd lasting thi hell. lie fasted all Saturday had likew the whole missions, The delicii a horror ( with reasd He confet^ every day neverthele them ahvi lost confid moments ( Mary." . crooked t time he sa no longer heard cor who had t secrated t day annoi in his las devotion kissed th( Virgin. . somewhat were pron LIFE OF ST. AliPHONSUB. u of Italy do- oprics were bishopric of gth Clement bishopric of ■ Benevonto. issiouH iu it ' of religious the spiritual jUow-bcings. Btrueted the nd animated 10 \vii8 kind, During a ! Hold all his Ills tender F misery and alms were so ilous. After succeeded in himself no d no sooner • holy bishtm d toars. lie )f his order, in his quality •d tliat office. posed a great loty. Amcmg Visitu to the rij* 1I<.< hiid t. I.islU'Vi', "llKW nr:iricly emu riv- i-r lii8 nctivo and Saint "1" nimlorn i i-ro tliusc cif St. nnil Bipliility, and VluTrvt'ra di'opor xnu'o i\<'i>(witfd in i iif St. Alpliimsns cuuHU uf rupid ad- a very special devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, before which he spent eight hours daily, on his knees, as long as hia infirmities permitted, sub.sequently seated in a chair, towards the end of his life ; and it was never with- out regret that ho quitted the church. The Sacred Heart of Jesus, the feast of which he established in his diocese, was likewise the special object of his piety; and the passion of the Saviour formed the ordinary subject of his meditations. He asserted that conversions wrought by the mot've of love for Jesus crucified, are more solid and lasting than those effectetl by the fear of judgment or of hell. lit! practised every day the Way of the Cross, and fasted all Fridays of the year. He fasted also every Saturday in honor of the Blessed Virgin, to whom ho had likewise a most tender devotion, lie recited daily the whole of tlie Rosary, and never omitted, in his missions, to preach a sermon on confidence in Mary. The delicacy of- his conscience was so great, that he had a horror of the least fault ; and it has been believed, with reason, that he never lost his baptismal innocence. He confessed every eighth day, and, in his old age, every day. A soul so pure, so devoted to God, was nevertheless afHicted by interior pains • but he supported them always with patience and resij^i.ation, and never lost cimfidcnce. "All my hope," he would say in these moments of trial, " is in Jesus Christ, and, after him, in Mary." At the age of eighty-five he hod become so cnwikcd that his Kead joined his breast. Alji'-' ./.^i.-.? The MovD Easter I year. The . The Immi Jan. Jan. Mar. Aug. Nov. Deo. N.B.— In Vincennos, cisioN, Epif festivals of ( 1. The Pi 2. EvBitr 3. Trk El the Wednes' the First S after the 14t day of Advo 4. The Vi the Assumpt N.B.— Wh the Saturdaj meat, and et be before no of about eigl g ^ Ki t ' i f ii 'T i '.'r- I people, when 'The saint is body was in- ofthe Pagann, e appoivrunco LlphonsuH wivH saint by Pius Gregory XVI. tTS, USEFUL TABLES. dF(0tibal0 of Obligation. The Movable Feasts are : Easter Sunoay, Whit-Sonday, and all Scif" rs in the year. The AucisNgiOM and Conpus Christi. The Immovable Feasts are: Jan. 1. The Circumcision. Jan. 6. The Epiphany. Mar. 25. The Anwunciatioii, Aug. 15. The Assumption. Nov. 1. All-Saints. :. ' Deo. 25. Chribtmas. N.B. — In the dioceses of New Orleans, St. Louis, Mobile, Vincennos, Dubuque, Little Rock, and Chicago, the Circum- cision, Epiphany, Annunciation, and Cobpus Chruii an not festivals of obligation. I S Bass of .iFasting. 1. Toe Pbidays in Advent. , 2. Every day in Lent, Sundays excepted. 3. Trb Ember-days, which occur four times in the year; vis,, the Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, — immediately after the First Sund^ in Lent, — in Whitsun-weck, — immediately after the 14th of September,— immediately after the Third Sun- day of Advent. 4. Tub Vioils o? certain Feasts; vh., of Whit-Sunday, of the Assumption, of All-Saints, and of Christmas. N.B. — When a fastin«-day falls upon a Sunday, it is kept on the Saturday before. To fast consists in abslaining from flesh- meat, and eating only one full meal in the 4*y, which must not be before noon. Besides this, a collation or light refreshment, of about eight ounces, is allowed in the evening. All who have 3 18 14 USEFUL TABLES. completed their twenty-flrat year are obliged to observe the fasts of the Church until the age of sixty, unless exempted for some leiritimate cause. ^ In the above-mentioned dioceses of New Orleans, St. Louis, Ac, Ac, the Friday of the Ember-days is the only Friday in Advent on which there is an obligation to fwt. -^ , ]9afi0 of afiistinence. 1. The Sonpays in Lent. 2, All Fridays, except when Christmas falls upon a Friday. N B.— A ilay of abstinence is that on which we are not allowed to eat flesh-meat. All who have attained to the age of reason are obliged to observe these days. The Prayers, Ac, of most necessary and common use will be found as follows : Thb Lord's Praykr || Thk Hail Mary J» Thb Aposilbs' Creed *• Thb Ten Commandmbnts *^* The Precepts op tub Church . . . • If The Acts op Faith, Hope, Charity and Contbition 20, 246 The Conpitkor . •,-.•.• " " ->?? Thb Act op Contrition (for Confession) . . . • ^oi The Anoelus . . . ;* How to Baftmb w Cabb or Nbcbssitt . . . *>»» ,ii.*ift J p.:- M f^f- ~ .irt-ri^S^r/t il '■'",1/ ■ ' ■'-•■' U I *i»^- t%*#wssWi.* GE^ "Be/ore pra Prayer is constitutes are two difie Mental 1 in our heurt with the vol Vocal Pi commonly it is to sny, or To mnlb8erTe the fasts mpted for sumo eans, St. Louie, only Friday in V ■• . .. I upon a Friday. ich we are not ed to the age of aon use wiUbe . 18 . 19 19 .234 . 237 •BITION 20, 246 32 .261 22 • • .339 '.-'.ftt^r*''? '.. j<.**tr GENERAL DEVOTIONS. ,,-;» „ for ^ailg gtljfltiDn. ,>»\ »'■!' HOW TO PRAY. "Before prayer prepare thy tout, anil be not nn n man that tempt- elh tforf."— Eocli. xviii. 23. Prayer is the lifting up of the mind and he)irt to God, and constitutes one of the first duties of a true Christian. There are two diflorent kinds of prayer, namely, mental and vocal. Mental Puaveh, or Mkditation, is when wo pniy silently in our hearts, without using any set form of wjrds, or speaking with the voice. Vocal Prayer is that which is uttered by the voice, and commonly is made according to some form; in other words, it is to »ay, or recite prayers. To make our prayers good and pleasing in the sight of Ood, they must be offered : 1. With a pure heart, or at least a sincere desire to obtain a pure heart through penance. " The Lord i« fur from the wicked : aiiU he Kill hear the prayem of the jtmt." Prov. xv. 29. 2. A lively faith. We ought to have a firm and childlike trust in God, that he will grant our prayers, if whot we ask is really for the good of our souls, "Let him aak of Ood, hut let him auk in faith, nothing wavering, for he that wmtertth in like a wnre of the tea, that V» movi:d and ciirrird abont by the wind. Tlierefore let not that man think that he nhall receive any thingof the Lord." St. James, i. 6. ^ 3. Profotind humility, "/fe hath had regard to the prayer of the hiiml>l<; and he hath not denpined their petition." Ps. ci. 18. 4. Earnest attention. "/ cried with my whole heart, Hear me, Lord .'" Ps. cxviii, 145. 5. ITnweoried patience. We must not leave olT prayinjr, even if our prayer is not heard at once. "The continual prayer vf a jutt man availeth much." St. James, v. 10. 15 16 QENERAL UKVOTIONS. MOUNINCf DEVOTIONS. "The wise man will give his htart to resort early to the Lord thit made him, and he will pray in. the tight of the Alott High : he will open hii mouth in prayer, and make tupplica- tion/or his sins."— EocVi. xxxix. 0, 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 C»m\, make the holy sign of the cross, dress quickly, fall upon your knees, and herein to pray. I. Thank Ood that he has again permitted you to see another day, and guarded you against every evil during the night. II. Ask him with childlike confidence to keep you, during the day, from sin, and every other evil. III. Offer 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 especially against your most frequent and besetting sin. Consider well all the dangers and occasions of sin which you ore likely to meet with, and reflect upon the means by which you may escape from them. Make a firm resolution to resist manfully every temptation which may fall in your way, and ask of God the necessary grace to do so. All this can be done inwardly in your own heart, without any sound of your voice, or motion of your Ijps ; but if you find it easier to recite vocal prayers, you can make use of the following form. I N" the n the H( OMY( whole which tho protected AMY " Mary, protecting help me Guardian by your h TO thee, I may I unite all of Jesus a ;^in all tfa for any go MY GO i>i. implo 3. rt early to tk$ ■/ht of the Mott make tupplica- Christian, you to get ko tlio is timfi i^xl, intiko ill upon your :cd you to see ry evil during 5 to keep you, evil. df), and actions and death of no sin during 1 against your erwell all the 1 are likely to by which yoa >lution to resist 1 in your way, so. )ur own heart, )n of your Ijps ; rayers, you can DAIIiY PRAYERS. IT I MORNING PRAYERS. N the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Aiuen. THANKSaiVING. OMY God ! I adore thee, and 1 love thee with my whole heart. I thank thee for all the benefits which thou host granted nic, and e.specially fur having protected me so mercifully this night. PRAYER FOR NECESSARY ORACE.* OMY Je-sus! bear me in thy hands this day. Mary, holy Virgin ! may I find shelter under thy protecting mantle. And do thou, heavenly Father ! help mo for the love of Jesus and of Mary. My Guardian Angel, and all my patron Saints, help me by your holy prayers. GOOD INTENTION. ' To thee, my God, I offer all that I shall do, all that I may suffer 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 w! ;ch I may be entitled, for any good works of mine this day. M RESOLUTION. Y GOD! I firmly resolve to fly from sin, and I implore thee for Jesus' sake to grant me the grace 2* !« t 18 OENEEAIi DEVOTIONS. of perseverance. And especially I am resolved that in every trial, taking refuge in thy holy will, the prayer of my heart shall be, " Lord ! thy will be done!" , , - Here set before your mind the labors nnd other oocupaf ions in which you are likely to bo engaged ihrough.)Ul the day. t'oiiHider well how you can order all your atlairs for the honor of God, and the good of your neighbor, tall to mind your usual faults, also the dungurs and the occa- sions of sin to which you will be exposed, and make the firm ri'Bolulion to guard yourself carefully against these temptations and occasions; and especinlly against that one which you know to be the greatest and most danger- ous of «ll. Say then, with a sincere heart: OMY God! I 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. OMOST Holy Mary, Mother of God! and all ye blessed Saints of Paradise, pray to God for me, that I may not offend him to-day by aoy sin. And thou, holy Angel, who art given to me by God for my ■ Guardian, keep me this day from falling into any de- liberate sin. Then recite with the greatest possible devotion and atten- tion the following prayers : THE lord's PRAYEE. UR Father who art in heaven ! hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come : thy will be done on earth, as ii bread : uni thcni that temptation HAILM Blesse the frtiit t of God, pr our death. r BELIE 1 of heavi Son our Lc born of th Pilate, was into hell : i ascended in of God, the come to juc the Holy G munion of rection of i Afterwards i purity of i Then make t which aha night: DAILY PRAYERS. 19 csolved that ily will, the thy will be ir occupations rDiigbiiut the II your aliairs loighbor. Call and the occii- and make the agairiMt ilicse f itgainst that most danger- ij sin of ;est care, and ccasion . in of Mary, to la Angel. 1! and all ye God for me, ly sin. And y God for my r into any de- tion and atten- llowed be thy rill be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily breud : and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. HAIL MARY. IT AIL Mai7, full of grace ! The Lord is with thee. 11 Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fniit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now, and at the hour of our death. Amen. , THE CREED. I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Creator 1 of heaven and earth ; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried. He descended into hell : the third day he arose from the dead : he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty ; from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Cathojio Church, the com- munion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resur- rection of thte body, and -the life everlasting. Amen. Afterwards recite three Ilail Marys more, in honor of the purity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. " Hail Mary," &c. Tlicn malte the following Aeti of Faith, Hope, and Charily, which should be done also before you go to sleep at night: ' J5 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. < .= --'•' .- ,\CT OF FAITH.* Ih. l'«*cr, th. Son, .n.l the U<.ly '■'''»'■ '''° ,„ holy faith. ACT OF HOPK. r. MY God! T confide in thy promise, because fhlu art faithful, powerful, -d -.fu^/;^^ VnnP throuEh the merits of Jesus Christ for the X of my Hins, final perseverance, and the ever- lasting glory of Paradise. ACT OF CHARITY. . r. MY God! I love thee with all my V'eart, and hove all things, because thou art f-te^y g°f| and worthy of infinite lov., and for love of thee I love my neighbor as my»el ^ ■I. — Ji * YiV ttrmitcHl in Dfccni- OMYG. bucauai bull, but m my God all luy lov( help of thy uud to avoii N.D.— It i way of life i huiir's medit purpose you tuiiun or pio vimt little ^ •Tlio Way c " I'reparalio the celebrate In caHo you 1 upon Bometli :V CONTRiriOM. OMY Gtxl ! I am heartily sorry for all my sins, because ^ them I have lotit heaven, and deHcrvt^d bell, but mure than all because I have offeii l thei my God, who )irt iutin .;ly good, and Wi hy of all iiiy love; but iw I mi firmly resolved, by the help uf thy grace, i, .er t > sin against ihee any more, aud to avoid all the oc'itiionH of sin, N.D. — It is a niMt !"■' table exeroiso fpr th( -. whose way of life allows a( ir ual(u at least a quari<,r of au liuiir's meditation alter i ir morning prayers. For t liia purpose yuu can mako u.h ;f any approved book of Me OENEBAL DEVOTIONS. 22 .. Whether ym eat n, through the DAILY PRAYKB8. 28 From Holy Saturday until the first Saturday after Pente- cost, instead of the Angelws, the Regina cceli (p. 70) is said, standing. * ' [Whoever says the Angelua daily at the sound of the bell, for a whole month, and in the course of the same month goes to confession and communion, gains a plenary in- ♦Julgeno*- Benedict JTIII.] BEFORE MEALS. Before meals, say—" Bless us, Lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Atnen." AFTER MEALS. After meals, say— "We give thee thanks, Al- mighty God, for all thy benefits, who livest |md reignest world without end. Amen. «» ,?lti " May the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace I Amen." EVENING DEVOTIONS. " O Lord, stay icith ut, beeauie it i* toward* nen^a, and the datf M novfar g>ent."—St. Luke, xxiv. 29. Having begun the day well by prayer, let prayer also sanctify the close. Remember that you *e now one day uoarer to eternity. Who knows if God will not caU your soul this very night before his judgment seat? It is a most excellent practice in a Christian family to say the evening prayers in common, for they bring a great blessing upon the house. " Where two or three are gathered together in my name," says Jesus Christ, "there I will be tn th* midtt of them." Oa^i not ao kind a promise from our Lord to make ua love to pi»y togethw^ , iirSSmm> . * g| OBNBBAI' DEVOTIONS. The evening devotions should consist, at least, of the '"^rfinWod for all the mercies he has shown yott M"Cy1he Cy Ghost to enlighten jou that you Kt Sry^u"? hlart': uZZIi.. ^r y.ur sins, Ji^^^^negH (if any) in keeping the good resolu- *' V ^Make^once more a firm resolution to amend your come. NIGHT PBAYERS. In the n»mo of the Father, &c. Amen. THANKSGIVING. A GREAT and Almighty God! I kneel before U thee to thank thee with my whole heart for all the favors which thou hast bestowed upon xne this day J for my fcod and drink, my health, and ril my V powers of body and soul. I thank thee for all thy • holy lighta and inspirations, for thy ««« ""^ ?;«*«"; tion, aid fbr an those other mercies which I do no^ think of now, or which I do not know how to value w I ought. I thank thee for them all, heavenly Father; through Jesua Christ thy Son, our Lord. OALL- alwayi steps, frou understan( done this move my 1 Ask yourse questions Have I n In thougl uncharitai)! In word oaths — curi irreverent i In action my work ? pany ? Do my manner m^ parents licious, cru( given any I neighbors 7 Bj/ omiss act of char others depe tion? Huv other duty 1 Finally, exa made in I the cause serve you your whol gent exan i ,mr;. » n'».- » it least, of the las shown you you, that you you have com- y do better for bly. Consider ing until even- it has been the bions: examine the good reso- r for your sins, ihe good resolu- to amend your hat you may do of your life had I kneel before le heart for all I upon me ihis ]th, and all my bee for all thy care and protec- 1 which I do not ow how to value all, heavenly in, oar Lord. • DAILY PRAYERS. > 25 PRAYER FOR LIGHT. • ■' A ALL-WISE and all-seeing God; thou who dost ^ always look upon my actions, and count all my steps, from whom no thought is hid, enlighten my understanding that I may clearly see what evil I have done this day, and what good I have left undone : move my heart that I may sincerely repent and amend. Ask yourself then seriously and carefully the following questions, by way of an EXAMINATION OP CONSCIENCE. Have I not sinned this day — In thovght ? By willingly entertaining some unchaste, uncharitable, or covetouu thoughts ? In word? By using immodest language — uttering oaths — curses— lies — passionate, slanderous, profane, or irreverent words ? Have I given scandal sot In action? By being idle?— slow or impatient about my work ? Have I not been in evil or dangerous com- pany? Done any immodest action? Been too free in my manners? Been rude, cross, or disobedient, towards my parents or superiors? Been unkind, insolent, ma- licious, cruel, or unjust, towards my neighbor ? Ilave I given any bad example to my children, my servants, my neighbors ? 5y omission t 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 salva- tion? Have I omitted my prayers, my penance, or some other duty ? Finally, examine whether you have kept the resolution you made in the morning. If not, consider well what was the cause of your fall, and seek out the means (o pre- serve you from falling in future. For be assured, that your whole Christian perfection depends upon this dili- gent examination of consoienoe. iJ^r/i^rti 2g GENKBAIi DEVOTIONS Having finished this examinatio., Bay with all your heart the following CONTRITE PRAYER. :i7co„fidcnce, and on n>y knee, and m sorrow. J Lav thee to pardon all the sins which I have com Sd tCd;, and all the «lns of .y whc^e^^^ From the bottom of my heart I repent, and am sorry fo7Tb m, not only because I ^-e deserv^Vl h t Tent, but because through them, O ^.^^/'J ^^^^ Tspllased thee ™y -;; J -^ ^ZiTt^'^ ^oTtTcrdUtlndrforwhatlhavedonel GOOD RESOLUTION. power I will endeavor «i ^^ j commit the most (name U). With a i y foreive all my enemies: pardon me also, O Uod oi ZZ\ Grantme thy powerful assistance tha I m^ Recommei of all t) OLOB far fi holy An« let thy I Christ th Blesse( holy Gua tector, an during ui BLESS bene bless our 1 and Pries fessor, poral. prisoners vert uU 8 and the 1 mcr in purga bring tht Then say as in th Ilope, a an I DAILY PRAYERS. 27 ill your heart ful ! 1 have the thanks 1 3? Alas! I be called thy hou art infi- turn to thee in sorrow, I I have com- ly whole life, and am sorry jrved punish- un even to the gmng aovm, my name is great among the Gentiles; and in every plaee there u sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean '>bj"t>o"!/or my name is great among the Gentiles, saUh the Lord of Uosts. — Malach, i. U. • , ^ i., ; INSTRUCTION. Of all the blessings and treasures which Jesus Christ has bequeathed to his holy Church, the august Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest, most precious, "nd holiest. The IIolv Mass is the sacrifice of the body and blood of Jesus Christ, which is offered to the heavenly Father ui our altars < wine. It 1 order to re made on tli was made i fice of the niauuor. Christ is o our eyes as his woulld^< humble up hides himsi bliimly mm docs not di( sliedding ol the ultar, h repr(!8entod and cannot dielh no mc Jesus Cii up ibr us t< «i/i.v by his death," and in order to great love, Lis disciple giving tfiai eaf, saying, this for a cc lice, and sn my blood w 19, 20. By these Jesus gave Bishops an( the bread Blood. Th Christ did; Becration w wine are cb HOLY MASS. (1 to preserve ill iny sleep, piaisc thee, ) in Paradise. ling with your , and continue in tlie night, 1, I lint no evil f tliey Bliould, rather than "Iff ! In the i of the Holy going doum, my ry place, there ii in oblation ; for Lord of Uoitt." ch Jesus Christ iiugust Sacrifice UH, and holiest, ily and blood of ?enly Father taa our altars under the species or appearances of bread and wine. It wiw instituted by Our Blessed Lord hlnisolf, in order to represent and continuu that sacrifice which he made on the cross at Calvary. The sacrifice on the cross was niaiie in a manifest and bloody manner ; the sacri- fice of the Mass is made in a mysterious and unbloody niauuor. In a mysterious manner : that is to say, when Christ is offered in the Mass, we cannot see him with our eyes as the Jews saw liim on the cross, his Lnxly, and his wounds, and his blood, but all we can see is that huuible appearance of bread and wine under which he hides himself now from our sight. It is made in an un- bldotly manner: that is to say, in the Mass our Lord does not die a^ain, his life is not taken as formerly by the sliedding of his blood. Altiiough he is really present on the altar, he is there as a living victim, his death is only represented. Since his resurrei!ti()n he is our living Lord and cannot die again. " C/iri.il being rincn/roni /he dead, dielh no more : death hath no more dominion over him." Jesus Ciirist, dying once on the cross, offered himself up ibr us to his heavenly Father: " He has blotted out our sin.s by his blood that was nhedfor us, and by his painful death," and thus he hath reconciled us to his Father. But in order to leave us a perpetual memorial of this, his great love, at that last supper which he partook with bis disciples, he took bread in his holy hands, and after giving thanks to God, broke it, and gave it to them to eat, saying, " This is my body which is given for you; do this for a commemoration of me." Also he took the cha- lice, 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, "Do this in commemoration of me," Jesus gave to his Apostles, and their successoi-s, the Bishops and Priests of the Church, the power to change the brend and the wine into his most holy Body and Blood. The Priest blesses the bread and wine as Christ did; he speaks over them the same words of con- Becration which Christ spoke; and thus the bread and wine are changed now on the altar, as they were at the 3* 80 GKNERAIi DEVOTIONS. last Buppcr, into the Body and Blood of Jcfius ChriHt. As Je"Sr ChriBt BOcrificecT himself on the cross to h.i heavenW Father for our sins, ho here on the altar he Srs hfmself up to tiio same heavenly Father, by the 'tftef the^onSati^ which the P"-t makes by say- in^ over the bread and wine the same words which Jesus Christ said at the last supper, there is no longer any broad and wine on the altar, but the true and l.v.ng Jesus Chr St at the same time God and man really pre- sent, although hidden under appearances of bread and "" The Priest offers up Jesus Christ to his heavenly Far ♦Kor in the name of the ho y Catholic Church, and the • SSe of the Church. togetLr with the pious des.res LXrnver"of the faithful, is united with th.s holy sacri- fice. '^ tTjcsuB Christ rather who upon the ultar offe« himself up, and prays for «\r-V7r.r^Gr by «« hone that what wo cannot obtain f"'"* ","** '^y "V* Svers alone, we can obUvin through the Holy Ma^. m Sh Je^us Christ himself prays for us, and w't^ "s. It is an excellent practice, therefore, for those who can to be present dally at this most holy sacnhce of wWch St A^ugustine sa/s: "One who devoutly heavfj^o^ MaTswill fall into no vwrtal sin, and v,dl obtain the rZonofiis venial .n,is." I say it is good t*. be pre- Kvery day : for to hear Mass on Sunday or a Holy-day s, ,f coLe,U only good, but a "---^^uty ; and to bo absent without a strong reason, is a moital am. Be present, then, as often as vou can, and while he Mce K es on imagine yo. ..self standing near the sTv'our when ho celebrated 1m last sunper with his d«- cinles- or if VOU please, on Mount Calvary, at the foot She cross, ion which ho offered himself to his hea- ^t^Xtotv^^P-tirttritsoftheholySacri- fice^ tJMoss. eith'er you must follow the -tun^^^^^^^^^ «rivvpr8 of the Priest, especially at the three prmcipai Ss namJy; at the Offertorr, the Consecration and Cco»ion; or make a meitation upoa the passion of Christ; o find them i lU)sary-l)ea( any otlier d ings of dev the iutontio ALMIGl here I who am co fico of the is worthy c thine only In union i which tha sacrifice fo thy holy ^ cics, and i moreover, need for n life. {He which you the help c in duty b( need my i (namf the (iiame the O God out all m moat IIolj |-^^ - ^Sil^^? HOLY MASS. redus Christ, cross to his the altar he ither, by the naltes by say- ) which Jesus D lon);er any le and living in, really pre- of bread and heavenly Fft- urch, and the pious desires his holy nacri- ihe altar offers ay confidently , God by our Holy Mass, in md with us. for those who ly sacrifice, of ,]itly hears holy will obtain the Dod to be pre- jToralloly-day n, absolution, 1 Innguage, lave mercy on .utiful hymn of GLOniA in cxcelsis Deo, (L't III tfinl pnx ho- iiiinibiiN hiiniD vnluntntiN. LuuilaniuN tn. benedunmua to,ud(iruniu)4ti>,^loi-iflcamu8 tc. UratiiLS ii^Iiiiub tibi propter niiignani gloriam tiinni. Diiiiiiiiu Deu8, Hex (■(*leHtin, DciiH Filter omni- potciiH. Duniine Fill uni- genite Jonu Cliriste. Do mine Dmis, Ai^nus Dei, Filius Pivtris, qui tollig pec- cata niiiiidi, mlHcrere nobis. Qui tollis pcciata mundi, siiHcipe deprccationeni niis- tram. Qui undoH ad dexte ram Patris, niinorero nobis, Quoniani Tu noIus sanctus, Tu solus Doniinus, Tu solus altissinius Jesu Chiiste, cum Siineto Sni- ritu, in gloria Dei Patns. Amen. After llie Gloria, the Priest nounces the salutation. GLORY be to 0(h1 in the liighcfltl and un earth Jieiice to men of gond will! We praise tiiee, wo bless thee, we adore thee, we glorify theo, wo give thanks to thee because of thy great glory, O Lord God, Hea- venly King, (lod the Father Almighty. Lord Jettus Christ the only begotten Son : Lord Ood, Lamb of God, Son of the Fatiier, who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayers. Thou that sittest at the right hand of the Father, liavc mercy on us. For thou only art holy. Thou only art the Lf>rd. Thou only, .Jesus Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amm, turns to the people and pro- Dominus vobiscum. The Lord bo with you. To which the Acolyte replies for the people, • Et cum spiritu tuo. And with thy spirit. * Then, ns if to invite the whole congregation to unite their intentions to his own intention, the Priest says, Oremui, Let us prny. Then follows the Collect, that is to say, the collection, because the Priest gathers together the desires and pniycrs of all present, and as a mediator offers them to Ood in the name of all the Faithful. Re< peat here the following prayer: ■»!»* H UKNKRAL UEVOTIONB. THE COLLECT. ALMIGHTY and Kternul God! hcnr the prayer (if thy people, ond turn not awuy from uh thy most holy couiitenancc on account of our H\m. Grar ciouHly listen to the prayers of thy xervant, the PricHt, who prays for the salvation of tliy people, and through thy mercy grant that we may obtain what we confidently a«k of thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. THE EPISTLE. VAf\ Then follows the /.>mel, and pray thus: DIVINE Saviour, how great was thy love to come thyself upon the earth to be our teacher, and show us the way to heaven. Graut me this grace, that I may listen with humility to all tho truths which thoi I may uud niiiy love u assistance t Gospel, but aa in works end. Ame While the Pi and recite nilKDO, in \J Patrom fnctorem ere gihiliuin on nibilium. Et in un Jcsum Chr Doi unigei Patro nutui soccula ; Di lumen dc verum do D turn non ft stantialcin I omnia facti propter no? Sropter nos escendit de carnatuR ei Sancto, e.x 1 ET ROM EST.* Cri f)ro nobis, e ato passua est. Et re die, secundi *•! PBAYKRH I'UU MAHtt. ir the prayer ' from UH thy ur siiiH. Ora- Hurvunt, the if tliy people, limy obtain hrough Jesus nionly of a por ills or ApDsUoD. Uowitig priiyer: pirit, who has MtluH, and still 1 receive with id instructious i ja^-f.S'aas!' m GENERAL DEVOTIONS. W'm et ascendit in coolum; sedet ad dextemm Patris; et iteruin venturus est cum gloria judicare vivos et mortuos; cujua regni nou erit finis. Et in Spirituni Sanctum, Dominura et viviticantem, qui ex Prtre Filioque pro- cedit; qui ci^p Patre et Filio simul adoratur, et con- glorificatur ; qui locutus est per prophetos. Et unam sanctam Catholicam et Apostolicam Ecclesiam. Confiteor unum Baptisma in remisfiionem peccato- rnm. Et expecto resur- rectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi BsSculi. Amen, tures, and ascended into heaven, and silteth at the right hand of the Father. And he is to c ascended into sitteth at the jf the Father. ;o ctiiiie again to jud);e the the dead, of om there shall e Holy QhoBt, nd Life-givcr, leth from the the Son ; who, th the Father , is adored and fho spoke by •ts. And one ilic, and Apos- •h. I confess I for the remis- s; ond I look nrrection of the the life of the me. Amen. , the bread and most l>oly Body God. Say the I/, almighty and thy Priest pre- rmiy and surely true body and offering, hear lost holy name, ksgiving for all lat I may obtain PRAYERS FOR MASS. m new graces 8till,< especially those which are most necessary to my salvation ; and also for all my supe- riors, both spiritual aud temporal ; for my friends and my enemies, and for all Christians, living and dead. Amen. The Priest presently turns to the people, and says, " Orate Fratres, Pray, mi/ brethren." By this, he asks those present to pray witli him, that this sacrifice may - be pleasing to Ood. Then say : MAY the Lord receive this sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and glory of his own name, und also for our benefit, and that of all his holy Church. THE PREFACE. The Preface is the introduction to the Canon of the Mass. The Priest says, in a loud voice, "Per omnia teecula taculorum : World without end:" which are the last words of the Secret, or silent prayer, which he has just been saying. He then begins the Preface with the fol- lowing appeals to the devotion of the people, in whose name the Acolyte duly replies : P. Dominus vobiscum. A. Et cum spiriiu tuo. P. Sursum corda. A. Hahemus ad Domu num. P. Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro. A. Bignum etjuatum est. P. The Lord be wit* you. A. And with thy spirit. P. Lift, up your hearts. A. We do lift them up to the Lord. P. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. A. It is meet and just. The Priest then goes on with the Prrfaee. Unite with him in the same prayer of praise and thanksgiving, and say : IT is truly meet and just, right and salutary, that we should always, and in all places, give thanks to thee, holy Lord, Almighty Father, Eternal God, 4 , .giif/-*ffftft-^y 88 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. through Christ our Lord : 'uy whom the Angels praise thy Majesty, the Archangels adore it, the Powers ';emble before it, the heavens, and the Virtues of heaven, and the blessed Seraphs, also, with united exultation praise it. We pray thee let our voices ascend with theirs to thee, while with the deepes awe we confess, and cry (Sanctus), Holy! holy! holv ! Lord God of Sabaoth ! Heaven and ear h are full of thy glory ! Hosanna in the highest ! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord ! Hosanna in the highest ! After the Sanctus, repeat the following words which are nelrly the same ks those with which the Priest begins now THE CANON. WE earnestly pray and beseech thee, most merci- ful Fatl.or, through Jesus Christ our Lord, that thou wilt accept and bless these gifts, these offerings, this unspotted sacrifice. We offer them, fi.st, for the holy Catholic Church, that thou wilt be pleased to keep it in peace, to protect, unite, and govern it throughout the whole world: together with thy ser- vant N , our Pope, and N , our Bishop, and all the true believers and followers of the holy Cathc lie Faith. MEMENTO FOB THE MVINQ. •nE mindftil, Lord, of* thy servants— [Here pray for those of your fr'««^» »«" "7'"g^7S *■ welfare you wish to recommend to God in thU lioiy Sacrifice.] Be mil and dcvol this sacrii selves, th( safety of eternal hi their dcsi God. At the ever glori ther of 01 thy blcssc Siiiiitii wh which we live. Foi grant us ii the same We bes this sacrifi thy whole holy pcac( may we b elect, thrc OGod, way accc]" salvation's of thy bel At the Con. ner, Chri his holy iiS&S^i^0mi^-.^mm A.ngel8 praise , the Powers Virtues of , with united et our voices 1 the deepest Holy! holy! and earth are lest! Blessed rd I Hosanna Dfds, which are lest begins now e, most merci- our Lord, that these offerings, m, fiist, for the be pleased to and govern it r with thy ser- ur Bishop, and the holy Catho- NO. ill living, whose }od ia this holy PRAYERS FOR MASS. 39 Be mindful, also, of all here present, whose faith and devotion are known to thee, for whom we offer this sacrifice of praise, or who offer it up for them- selves, their families and friends. We pray fur the safety of their souls, fur their final perseverance and eternal happiness; and in fine, wo recommend all their dcsirc» 'u thee, the iiving, true aud evct! usting God. At the same time, we honor the memory of the ever glorious and immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mo- ther of our Lord aud God Jesus Christ; and also of thy blessed Apostles, and all thy holy Martyre r,nd Sa'mtti who have lived and died in this holy faith which we profess, and this only church in which we live. For the sake of their merits and their prayers, grant us in all things thy help and protection, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. We beseech thee, also, O Lord, graciously to accept this sacrifice at the hands of us, thy servants, and of thy whole family; bless the days of our life with thy holy peace, save us from everlasting damnation, and may we be counted ever among the number of thy elect, through Christ our Lord. Amen. O God, may this offering be blessed, and in every way acceptable and agreeable to thee ; and for our salvation's sake be changed into the Body and Blood of thy beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. At llic Comecration, represent to yoursslf, in a lively man- ner, Christ a8 at tht> Ia8t supper, when he toolc brend in his holy hands, blessed it, and said, " Thii u my Body JSf:-m^^\V.: im> 40 GENERAIi DEVOTIONS. which « given for you,-" and when he took also the cup of wine saying, " VV.m is the chalice of my lilood CheTi'h' and cling to this article of yor.r faith, (hat . Jesus Christ, who died for you on the ""''«.!« '^""y; truly, and subsiantiuily !«esenl, as soon as the 1 riest pronounces the sacred words of consecration. With firm faith, and deep humility, pray to your Saviour and Bay, WHEN THE SACRED HOST IG ELEVATED. I BELIEVE, Jesus, that tbou art truly present here, as God and Man, under the form of bread^ I adore thee with the deepest reverence, as ray Lord and ray God. Jesus; raay I live for thee only, may 1 die for thee gladly ! Jesus, living or dying, let me be thine I AT THE ELEVATION OF THE CHALICE. OMY Saviour, I believe that thou art here. I be- lieve that thy most precious Blood, which wa» poured out once upon the Cross for a sacrifice to atone for our sins, is substantially present in this cup, under the appearance of wine. Ah ! holy b ood of ray Re- deeraer, I beseech thee, wash and purify me from all my sins. After consecialion, say with the Priest: BEING mindful, therefore, Lord, of Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord, of his blessed passion, his re- surrection from the dead, his glorious ascension :nto heaven, we offer before the throne of thy most excel- lent majesty, of thy gifts and presents, a holy, pure, and unspi and tlio ci lie plea bciiiguiuit as tiiuu di the sacrifi( sacrifice, tl by thy II before the maud thcs on high, ii all who pa of thy Soi venly grac our Lord. BE mind aodN of faith, ai mention oj rccommeni inffirings i from theii blks.) To Ciirist, grt ment, lighi Lord. Axi To us, a) and trustit giaaasfe- ik also the cup 0/ my lUood." )iir i'nith, that rosg, is i-enlly, 1 as tbe I'riest cralion. With lur Saviour and EVATED. , truly present brm of bread. ;c, as ray Lord ibr thee only! iving or dying, JHALICE. rt here. I be- 3od, which wa» ttcrifice to atone this cup, under )lood of my Re- rify me from all I Priest : of Jesus Christ 1 passion, his rc- is ascension 'nto thy most excel- ts, a holy, pure, PRAYERS FOR MASS. H and unspotted Host, the holy bread of eternal life, and tlio chujice of everla.stiug salvation. Ijc plea»cu to look upon them with a propitious and benignant countenai»ce, and graciously accept them as tliou didst accept the gifts of thy just servant Abel, the .sacrifice of the Patriarch Abraham, and the holy sacrifice, the unspotted gilt which was offered to thee by tliy High Priest Melchisedech. Prostrate here before thee, O Almighty God, we beseech thee, com- mand these offerings to be brought up to thine altar on high, into the sight of thy Divine Majesty, that all who partake of the most sacred Body and Blood of thy Son at this a'tar, may be filled with every hea- venly grace and blessing, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. B MEMENTO FOR THE DEAD. E mindful likewise, Lord, of thy servants, N and N , who are gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace. (^Hm-c make mention of (hone departed frknds whom you wish to recommend especially (0 the mercy of God, that their suffrriugs may be lessened, r that they may be taken from their pla(\e of tornn nt to the abode of eternal blias.) To these, Lord, and to all who sleep in Christ, grant, we beseech thee, a place of refresh- ment, light, and peace, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. To us, also, sinners though we are, yet thy servants, and trusting in the multituds of thy mercies, deign 4* m- '■ ■ 4.*Si|W'"»v n 42 OENEBAI- DEVOTIONS. to grant some part and ibllowship with thy holy Apostles and iMartyrs, with John and btephcn Mat- thias, Barnabas, Isnatius, Alexander Marce hnus, Peter, Felicitas, Pcrpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agues, Cecilia, Anastasia, and with all thy Saint. : into their company we beseech thee graciously to admit us, not wei-hing our merits, but thine own mercy, through ChHst our Lord; by whom, O God, thou dost create sanctify, quicken, bless, and imjartall these thy good gifts to us. «y him, therefore, and with hnn, and in him, to thoe, O Ood, Almighty Father, together with the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world with- out end. Amen. *fT' PATER NOSTEB. petition: WTE beseech thee, O Lord, to deliver us from all W evils, past, present, and to come, and through the intercession of the blessed and glorious Mary, ever Virgin, Mother of God, >.f the l;o'>/postl«i Peter and Paul, of Andrew, and of all the Saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that we, through the help of thy mercy, may be always free froin sin, and safe from every trouble, through the same Jesus Christ thy Son, our Lord. Amen. When the Priest breaks the snored Host, an* f«>P« "» P"' tide of it into llie chalice, say with him, MAY this commingling and consecration of the Body and Blood of oui^Lord Jesus Christ, become to us who receive it the source of eternal life. Amen. At the Aijn to .Icsus, your sins LAMB I world, takest awa Lunib of ( give us pc< Lord "Peace I look not 1 Church, ai will in nea O Lord according tion of th( through til sacred Bo every evil always, an If (luring t nion, you tional pn OLORI of thj venture tc denination become ni merciful i ja giy'.-ifeai: ith thy holy Stephen, Mut- Marcellinus, jucy, Agues, is : into their admit us, not crcy, through )U dost create, hese thy good th him, and in together with y, world with- I Prayer, "Our fer the following er us from all I, and through glorious Mary, holy Apostles all the Saints, lat we, through I free from sin, the same Jesus and drops a par- ■itb him, tion of the Body hrist, become to al life. Amen. PRAYERS FOR MASS. AGNUS DEI. At the Agnut Dei, strike your breast three times, and pray to .IcHUs, the incarnnle Liiiiib of God, for the pardou of your HJns, saying with the Priest, LAMB of God, who takest away the sins of the worhl, have mercy on us ! Lamb of God, wiio takest away the sins of the world, have mervy on ml Lunib of God, who takest away the sins of the world, rfivc us peace. Lord Jesus Christ, who hast said to thy Apostles, " Pcaec 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 neace and unity. O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, according to thy Father's will, and by the co-opera- tion of the Holy Ghost, hist given life to the world through thine own death, deliver me by this thy most sacred Body and Blood from all my sins, and from every evil. Make me cling to thy commandments always, and never let me be separited from thee. If during the IMass, or after it, yon receive holy commu- nion, you may repeat with the Priest the following addi- tional prayer : OLORD Jesus Christ, let not this communication of thy Body, which, all unworthy as I am, I venture to receive, turn to my judgment and con- demnation, but rather through thy tender compassion become my safeguard both of body and soul, and a merciful remedy; O thou who livest and reignest ^^^ 44 GENERAL UKVOTIONS. With the Father, uud the Holy Ghost, one God, world without cud. Amen. THE COMMUNION. each time : T ORD' I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter L under n.y rouf, but only speak tho word, and my sou! shall he healed. . i« nnf rnceive liolv cnmtnunion in rcdlity, you OAu ritual Communion, page 100. THE LAST COLLECT. After the Comnunion, while the Prie.t is repeating the Collect, pray as loUows: A L^^ITGllTY God! I thank thee with my whole A heart for all the mercies and benefits th.ou hast hest^nved on me, but above all that thou hast g.veu thy Son Jesus (Christ to he the propitiation for our s\L, and his Body and Blood for the nourishment of our souls. O merciful God, watch over n.e, and for- bid that I should ever assi.t at this l>«ly f ac"fa<;« "J an irreverent manner, or receive unworthily this mo^ Bacred food; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. At the ltd r, IfAYth lU toth( sacrifice h bu accepta tion and s been offere IMiiy the Ghost, bici TESTIS ! V become trust in tli the world me, thoi I may not according blessed de( OMOST permit Pardon m( traction, but to be and action holy sacri that I may thee eternt id st, one God, riost tnkcs the n conimimiim, iting with him ihduldst enter word, aud my rcdVity, yo^- a the mind of the '••^''•"'' ,^'^1J.*J,;,' "^ ^ ^.^^ thiit v( u .!.. not Mil)»titute your own thoujrht '.".'"»!^ G , ^ N. dear ChriMian. the «l'«'i:''»! "^ /'"i ''y";*;,,^ ' Z', i* . , nl "". « »r« billing through . .p"" »' Tth .A" i»n"f j""S. SnlThomf. of Vilto'V. The letter in dead, the voice ib living. Ihe pieachor th(> livinir v in thc! wild( oth, Mio 8i)i converted? the AfWHtlei Listen, tl mitid ; judg word.-i ; do r self alone; of Uod, fioii] you Ut penai repeat in yo Lord I /or t COME, lie icindlo ii catiiured th( faith. God, wl by tiie illun same Spirit always ia I Amen. OLORD. this daj Never perm from my he( earthly desii care; out gi word may h eternal life. M, od." St. John, irBhip is lislfin- I of iho Piiest. leiiriipd tlint he leiiiii* upiioiiited )rc, ho vIh> Viill lurch, whutii liis C8 Jof'UN Chi'mt, Hie, and he that of Oort for my- ; to iiH'? AVlmtl iiiul liko yotii'f. H nlile. <'f itfe'*'- (hI? 01 hewnre, iu}:ht for that <.f f tho livin): God the Holy <«host, iiUilile cci ti\iuty, ithout (iiin>,'er of he true doctrine leir feUow-hilwr- icrs to whom we ough a spirit of mucrous (!vrorB. suellont explaiiii- books of iristruc- lad of ]ireaching. nae of ViUanovn I am lenrred, I of Bernard. &«■ The preacher is ON HEARING THE WORD OF QOD. 47 the livinft voice of Ood. Ho is 'the voice of one frying ill the wilderness.' Jomis Christ said : ' Tho letter kill- otii, Mio snirit maketh alive.' The world, how was it converted? Through the divine word PREAC'HKD hy tho A|H)stle8." Listen, then, to sermons with a pious and hunihlo miiid; judge not the Preacher; look not for heautii'ul words ; do not apnly tho Bcrmon to others, but to your- self alono; consicier tho woifrof tho Priest as the voice of Uod, sounding in tho car of your heart, and calling you tt» penance, and often before and during tlio sermon repeat in your heart tho words of holy Samuel: "Speak, Luidt /or thy servant heareth." PRAYER BEFORE THE gERMON. COME, Holy Ghost, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and kindle in them the fire of thy love: thou, who hast gHthored the people of every tongue into the unity of the faith. Ood, who hast instructed tho hearts of the faithful by the illumination of the Holy Ghost, grant us by the same Spirit to understand what is right, and to rejoice always in bin consolation, through Christ our Lord. Amen, PRATER AFTER THE SERMON. OLORD Jesus Christ, I thank thee for having sown this dajr the seed of thy divine word in my soul. Never permit, Lord, this good seed to be taken away from my heart, or consumed by the heat of impure and earthly desires, or choked up by the thorns of worldly care; but grant rather, that through thy blessing, thy word may bring forth fruit in me an hundred fold, to eternal life. Amen. OENERAL DEVOTIONS. gtbotions at l)fsptts. "-':, ,« ' AiTiiounn tliero in no cxpr«8« coiniiiandmont wl.lch Ai.Tiiann I j « ulwcnt frcm V'-sperw. yet It . ::.t';« ..V' llSi wm i-ke U ..•. duty .. attend wlu-n ho C.UK and H.-.i that \m fa.nily an, prenont a .. Wo vo ".mau.lodtoB.nctifythof^^^^^^ 1 olv- attend wlum lOIlt iilwo. Wo , and tlio other ic neglectH the 'teriKMmn. w'lth- ) oxpc(!ted thut ler ways ? rch at Vespers, ere in praying 5 the Office, you translation; or, 3 Other prayers, ICE. hy holy nume: n, perverse, and incl and inflame office worthily, gracious hearing ijeaty: through VKSI'CHH. 41 VKSPEUS FOR SUNDAYS AND FESTIVALS. First recite nn Our Fiilhrr, iitid a Ifnil Mary ; iind tiion be- gin with ilic Hign of tho Cross, thus: V. Deim in ttdjutorium nipiiin iiilciidu. K. Doniine, ad adjuvun- dtiin lilt) lestina. (iloriiv Piitrl, et Filio, et Spiriliii Saiicto, Sicut oiut in prineipio, ct nunc, et mjiiipor, et in Hao- uuiu sa'cuiurum. Amen. unto my haste V. )^ Incl^fio aid, (<(id. . H. O liord, make to help nie. (lloiy 1)0 to tho Father, and to tho Son, and to tho ll(d^ OhoHt, UH it wuH in tho boginninji;, it* now, and ever sliail bo, worJil without eud. Auieu. . i . Before and fifter each Psalm is sung an Antiphon, which varie.s according to the festivals. Aid. Dixit DominuB, Antiphon. The Lord » said — PSALM cix. Dixit Dominua. Dixit DoininuH Domino moo: Sedo a dextris meis. Donee ponam iuimicos tuos : scabellum pedum tuo- rum. Virgam virtuti ture emittct DnminuB ex Sion: dnminaro in medio inimi- coruin tuorum. Tecum principium in die virtutin tune, in splondori- bug sanctorum: ex utero ante lucifcrum genui te. -:#«M Tho Lord said to my Lord : Sit thou ot my rif^ht hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool. The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion : rule thou in tho midst of thy enemies. With thee is the princi- pality in tho day of thy strength, in tho brightness of thy saints: from the womb before the day-star I begot thee. -iria^W'f^^-i^t*i 50 OENKHAL DEVOTIONS. 1 i? !:' Juravit Dominus, et non pocnitobit eum: Tu ca sa- cordos in aoternum secun- dum ordincm Melchisedeoh. Dominus & dextris tuis: confrcgit in die iro3 suae re- gca. * . Judicabit in nationibug, implebit ruinas: conquas- sabit capita in terra raulto- rum. De torrento in via bibet ; propteroa exaltabit caput. Gloria Patri, &c. Ant. Dixit Dominus Do- mino meo, Sede & doxtria meis. Ant. Fidelia. The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: Thou art a priest forever according to the oider of Melchisedech. The Lord at thy right hand hath broken kings m the day of his wrath. IIo shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins, he shall crush the heads in the land of many. He shall drink of the torrent in tho way : there- fore shall he lift up the head. „ , Glory be to the Father, &o. Ant. The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand. Ant. All his command- ments. — PSALM ex. Conjitebor tibi. Confitebor tibi, Domine, in toto cordemeo: in conci- lio justorura, et cougrega- tione. . . Magna opera Dommi: exquisita in omnes volunta- tes ejus. Confessio et magnificen- tia opus ejus: et justitia ejus manet in sseoulum sse- culi. Memoriam fecit miirabi- lium suorum, miserioors et miseraior Dominus : escam dedit timeutibuB ae. I will praise thee, Lord, with my whole heart : in the assembly of the just, and in the congregation. Great are the works of the Lord : exouisite and agreeable to all his designs. His work is his praise and ^lory : and his justice remameth forever. The merciful and grar cioug Lord hath appointed a memorial of his wonder- ful works: he hath given food to them that fear him. Men testam operur bit po] Ut_( Gentit ejus, V Fidi ejus, luUl SI tate el Red pulo uetern um. Sar men i tia; til Int bus fi datio lum s Glc An data saecul An Be: minu volet Pol men ( rum i4^-"^ ^ "^ i hath Bworn, 11 not repent: priest forever the Older of !h. 1 at thy right )r{)ken kings in his wrath. judge among shall fill ruins, ish the heads in many. [ urink of the tho way : there- he lift up the ) to the Father, le Lord said to Sit thou at my [ his command- bi. praise thee, my whole heart : mblyof the just, 5 congregation, re the works of : exquisite and to all his designs. rk is his praise : and his justice forever. eroiful and grap i hath appointed ftl of his wonder- i: he hath given em that fear him. VESPERS. M Memor erit in sroculum testamenti sui : virtutem operum suorum aununtiu- hit populo suo. lit det illis hsereditntem Gentium: opera manuum ejus, Veritas et judicium. Fidelia omnia mandata ejus, confirmiita m saecu- lum sceculi: facta in vori- tate et aequitate. Redemptionem niisit po- pulo suo: niandavit in seternura testamentum su- um. Sanctum et terribilo no- men ejus: initium sapien- tias tiuior Domini. IntcUectus bonus omni- bus faciontibus eum: lau- datio ejus manet in sfficu- lum RfBculi. Gloria Patri, &o. Ant. Fidelia omnia man- data ejus; confirmata in saeculum sajcuii. Aiit, In mandatis. IJn will be forever mind- ful of his covenant : the greatness of his works will ho puWish to his people. To give them the iuherit- anco of the Gentiles : the works of his hands are truth and justice. True and lasting are all his ordinances, confirmed for ever and ever ; made in truth and justice. He hath sent redemption to his jicople : he liiitli ap- pointed his covenant for- ever. Holy and awful is his name : the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. All. understand it right, who practise it: his praise eudiireth for ever and ever. Glory be to the Father, &c. Ant,. All his command- ments are faithful, con- firmed for ever and ever. Ant. Ho shall delight— PSALM CXI. Beatus vir. Beatus vir qui timet Do- minum: in mandatis ejus Tulet nimis. Potens in terra erit se- men ejus : generatio reoto- rum benedicetur. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: in his commandments he shall take great delight. Mighty on earth shall be his' seed: the generation of the righteous shall be blessed. GENKB.AL DKV0TI0N8. Gloria et divitiie in domo ejus: et justitia ejus munet in BUiculum sa>culi. Exortuin eat in tenehris lumen rectis : misericors, et miserator ot Justus. Jucundus homo qui mi- sereturotcomniddat, disj^o- net sermones suos in juUi- eio: quill in iutcruura non comniovobitur. In nicnioria a>terna erifc Justus: al) auditionc mala Duu timcbit. Paratumcor eji' in Domino, com . jli est cor ejus: nun coiuiuo- vel)itur donee despiciat iiii- micos suoH. Dispersit, dodit tiauperi- buR, justitia ejus numet ia siteuium si\H',«li : iH)rnu ejus cxalttibitur in gloria. Poecator videbit et iras- cetur, (lentibus suis f'reniet et tiuioscot : di'siilerium peocatorum pcribit. Gloria Patri, &c. Ant. Tn mandatis ejus cupit niniis. Aiit. Sit nomen Domini. Glory and wealth shall bo in his house: and his justice endureth for ever and ever. lie is risen in darkness, a li}?l.fc to the ujniglit: he is merciful, conipasbionate, and just. Acceptable is the man that showeth m;nient, and 'er give way. man nhall ))e in lomliranoe : he jar an evil re- nt 18 ready to Liird : his heart •lied : he shall il he despise his distributed and the yiDor: his ss reiuaineth < power shall b6 ;lory. ler shall see it, raged : ho shall teeth and pine desire of sinners I. to the Father, B shall delight I in his com- i. cssod be the m VESl'KRS. Laudate, pueri, Donii- num: laudate nomen Do- mini. Sit nomen Domini bene- diclum: ex hoc nunc, et usque in s.-Eculum. A Bolis ortu usque ad occasnm : laudabile no- men Domini. Excelsus super omnes gentos DominuH : et super ccclos gloria ejus. Qui:< sieut i)oininus Dcus nosior, (^ui in aitis habitat: ethuniilia respicit in eoelo et in terra? Susoitans i\ terra ino- peni : et do stercore erigena pauperem. Ut collocot eum cum prini'ipibus: cum princi- pihus populi sui. Qui liabitare facit ste- rilem in domo : matrem filioruni luetantem. Gloria'Patri, &c. Ant. Sit nomon Domini bonciliotmn in s.Tcula. Ant. Nos qui yivimus. Laudate pueri. Praise the Lord, ye ser- vants of the Lord: praise ye the name of the Lord. Let the name of the Lord bo blessed : now and for evermore. From the rising of the sun to the setting tliereof : worthy of praise is the name of the Lord. High is the Lord above all tiie nations : and above the heavens is his glory. Wlio is like unto the Lord our God, who dwell- eth on high: and behold- eth what is Ijelow in heaven and on earth? Who from tho earth r.iiseth up the needy one : and from the dungiiill lift- eth up the poor one: To place him with the princes: with the princes of his people. Who maketh the barren woman to dwell in hor house: the joyful mother of many children. Glory be to tho Father, &c. Ant. Blessed bo the name of the Lord for evermore. Ant. We who live — rsALM cxin. In cxitu Israel. In exitu Israel de ^gypto: domus Jacob de popuio barbaro. When Israel came out of Egypt: the house of Jacob from among a strange peo- ple. 'i''-mimmmmi!i0&m 6* Si»iaM^RWI»«ii^^fe» -iina"^iatf^^fc 54 OENKRAL DEVOTIONS. Facta esl Jiidira satictifi- catiu cjie: Inrael potestas ejus. MiiVG vidit, ot fugit: Jor- dniiis ccuversus est retror- 6um. ^lonte: ixultaverunt ut arioti^s: et tolles sicut agni ovium. Quid est tibi, ninre, quod fugisti: et tu Jordanis.quia couversus en retrorsuui? Montes exultastis sicut arictes: et collea sicut agni ovium? A facie Domini mota est terra: a facie Dei Jacob. Qui convert! t petram in 8ta<;na atiuaruni: et rupem in fontes aquaruni. : Non iiobiw, Domine, non nobis: Hcd nouiini tuo (ia gloriam. Super misericordia tua, et veritate tua: nequnndo dicant geutes, Ubi est Deus eorum ? Doua autcm noster in coclo: omnia quaacumquo voluit, fecit. vSiuiulacra gentium nr- gentum et aurum: opfi'a uiHuuum liomiuum. Os habent, et non Ic- Judahwaamndo bis sanc- tuary : and Israel bis domi- nion. Tlio sea bcbeld, and fled: Jordan was turned back. The mountains skipped like rams: and tlie littlo hills like the lambs of the flock. What aileth thee, thou sea, that thou flcddest: and thou Jordan, that thou wast turned back ? _ Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams: and ye little hills like the lambs of the flock? At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved : at tiie presence of the God of Jacob. Who turned the rock into a standing water : and the stony hill into a flowing stream. Not unto us, Lord, not unto us: but unto thy name give the glory. For thy mercy and for thy truth's sake: lest the gentiles should say, Wlicro is their God ? But (mr God is in heaven : he liath done whatsoever he would. The idols of the gentiles are silver and gold: the work of tlie hands of men. They have mouths, and quenti non vi Aur audieii non 0(1 Mar paljtal ct noi clauial Sim faeiuni contidi Doni Domin protcci Doni in Dull et pii)t Qui sperav adjuto eorum Don nostri; Ben beneili Ben timent cum n Adj vos : Alios \ Ben qui fe( mntlo his pane- srael his domi- hold, nndfled: turned buck. tains skipped and the littlo s hunbs of tho :h thoe, thou 1 flcddest: and that thou wast ? :ains, that ye rams: and ye ike tlie lambs resence of tho th was moved: nee of the God 3d the rook into yater : and the into a flowing us, Loi'd, not Dut unto thy lie glory, mercy and for sake: lest the iild say, AVliero ? od is in heaven : e whatsoever he of the gentiles and fjold: the hands of men. ;e mouths, and VE8PKHS. m quentur: oculos habeut, et non videbunt. i - Anres habcnt, et non audient: nares babent, £t non odorabunt. Manus habent, et non palpaliunt; pedes '-abent, ct non amljulabunt: nou clamabunt in gutture suo. Similes illis facinnt ca: et contidunt in cis. fiant qui omues qui Domus Israel pperavit in Domino: adjutor eorum et protector coruni est. Dimms Aaron sporavit in Domino: ailjutor eorum et pi-otector eorum est. Qui timent Donxinum, speraverunt in Domino: adjutor eorum et protector eorum est. Domini s memor fuit nostri; el benedixit nobis. Benedixit domui Israel: benedixit domui Aaron. Benedi"it omnibus qui timent Dominum; pusillis cum niajoribus. Adjiciat Dominus super vos : super vos, et super Alios vestros. BeueJicAi vos a Domino: qui fecit coelum et terram. they shall not speak: they have eyes, and they shall not see. Tlicy have cars, and they shall not hear: lliey have noses, and they shuU not smell. They have hands, and they shall not feel ; they have feet, and they shall not walk: neither shall ti.oy speak thronnh their throat. Let th()se that make them V)ecome like unto them, and all such as put their trust in them. The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and protector. The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and protector. They that fear the Lord, have hoped in tho Lord: he is their helper and pro- tector. • T!ie Lord hath been mind- ful of us: and hath blessed us. He hath blessed tlie house of Israel: he hath blessed tho house of Aaron. lie hath blessed all that fear the Lord : the least to- gether with the greatest. May the Lord add bless- ings upon you : upon you, and upon your children. Blessed be yoof the Lord : who hath made heaven and earth. I ' j!)iJ|ii »lwi ;^MMi ' .ti:g^-B r .^i)gj i « ;; 4 y j»J|>g i .M^ ^ imuiiv t^ 'f^n - n i t^ i 56 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. B: iit \i' CwlumcreUDominti: ter- viiiii tiutein dedit liliis homi- num. N(in . ^rtui laudahixnt tc, Domino: nofiue oinnes (jiii descoiiduntiiiinfernuin. Sod nos qui vivimus, J)e- ni'diciimis Domino: ex hoc mine ot uaqun in saeculum. Gloria Piitri, &c. Ant. Nos qui vivinms, benediuinius Domino. The heaven of heavens is the Lord's: hut the earth hath he given to the ciiil- dren of men. Tlie dead nhall not praino tliee, Lord: neither uli they that go down into hell. But we who live, bless the Lord: from this time fortii for evermore. Glory he to the Father, &c. Ant. Wo who live, blesa the Lord. Then follow tiie Lillle Clinpler and the Ilj/mn; after which is said, with its proper Antiplion: The Magnificat, or Canticle of the Blessed Virgin Magnificat: aninia ir»ea Doniinum. Et exultavit spiritus me- ns : in Deo salutari nieo. Quia res])exit huniilita- tem ant'illyu suiu : eoce cnim ex hoe b(!atam nie dieent omnes geiierationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: et sanctum uomtn ejus. Et niisoricordiaejuaapn)- gcniein progenies: timenti- bus eum. Fecit potentiam in bra- chio suo : dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Doposuit potentes C et cxaltavit humiles. isedc My soul doth magnify: the Lord. And my spirit hath re- joiced : in Cod my Saviour. For ho hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaid : for behold from henceforth all generations shall call mo blessed. For he that is mighty hath dime great things ■ ito me: and holy is his niune. And his inercy is from generation to generation : unto them that fear him. lie hath showed strength witli his arm : ho hath scat- tered the proud in the ima- gination of their heart. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble. Esnri nis : et anos, Susc« suum : cordiio iSicut nostros ejus in Glori Here fc if iui; Virgil [N.B wliciith arc tlioi' sliall no given, !i Sunday CO Psalms which Lnud nes gei omues 1 VESPERS. Sir I of heavens is but the oiirth ill to the cliil- hallniitprairto I: neither uli lown intd hell, ho live, bless •oni this time rmore. the Father, &c. who live, blesa (« ; after which >n: ssed Virgin. loth magnify: spirit hath ro- od my Saviour, til rejiarded tlie hit! handmaid : •oni heiureforth ns ahull call mo hat is migV:ty •eat tliinj^s • ito ly is his name. mercy is from to genevatioii ; hat fear him. howod strength a : hn hath scat- oud in the ima- their heart. pnt down the I their seat: and i the humble. Esurientes implevit bo- nis : et divites dimisit in- unus, Suscepit Israel puerum suum : reeordutus miseri- cordiiu suie. iSicut loeutiis est ad patres nostros: Abraham, etsemini ejus ill sicciihi. Gloria I'atri, &c. He hath filled the hun- gry with good things : and the rich he liatli sent empty away. He hath holpen his ser- vant Israel: being mindful of his mercy. As he spake unto our fathers : to Abraham and his seed forever. G lory be to the Father, &c. Here follow tlic proper Collect, and the Commemoralions, if any; aflcr which one of the Antiphom of the Blessed Virffin is sung, as at p. 08. [N. B. — The Psaln.B hillierto given, are sung on Sundays when t lie Vespers are ihose n/llic Siiiidni/. When the Vespers arc tliose of ix Saint, &c., some changes are nmde, wliicli we shall now indicate, oliserving that wlieu only one Psalm is given, as the iusl Psalm, the otbera are the same as on Sundays.] COMMON O? APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS. First Vespers. Psalms as on Sundays, with the exception of the last, for which Psalm cxvi., Laudate Dnminum, is used, as follows: PSALU cxvj. Laudate Dominum. Laudate Dominum, oni- Praiso the Lor tivitutc torrens Qui mis: ii Euni mittonl Veni cum ex munipi Dom cognov visti 8 resurrc Into meas i meam, investi] Etui yidisti: in ling nercy is con- um: iinil the Lord eudureth Landate, jnieri. , nnd thoroforo but Iwiislium- "•^'y- All my excess : All •s. 11 1 render unto ;or nil he hnth ito nil'? the ehiilioe of iid eall upon the > Lord. / my vows unto the prcsemre of >lc: preiMfuiK in the Lord im the s saints. I QUI thy ser- tliy servant, and Ihy handmaid. ist broken my iider: I will offer the sacrifice of 1 will call upon f the L vidisti: quia non est sermo in lingua men. In converiendo. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Sioii : we became like men that are comforted : Then was our mouth filled with gladness : and our tongue V. ;th joy. Then shall they say among the gentiles: The Lord hath done great thingM for them. The Lord hath done great things for us: we are bc- coHio very joyful. Turn again our captivity, Lord: as a river in the south. They that bow in tears: shall reap in joy. Going on their way, they went and wept: scattering their seed. But returning, they shall come with joyfulness: bringing their sheaves with them. Domine, pwhasti. Lord, thou hast proved me, and known me: thou hast known my sitting down and my rising up. Thou hast understood my thoughts long before: my path and my Tine hast thou searched out. And thou hast foreseen all my ways: for there ii not a word in my tongue. *_ 60 OENERAL DEVOTIONH. If Eccc, IVmiine, tu coRni)- v'lHti (ininia novisHinm et nnti(jiiii : tu fdrnmsti inc. i-t y)i)suisti super mo maiium tiiain. MiraliiliH fftctix est «ci- ciitiii tua 03 nw: confor- tatii o«l, ot nun potoro ad emu. gun ibo a splritu tuo: ct quo II facio tua fugiaui? Si asc(nul(!ro in crcluin, tu iUio «'h: f*' ilescondoro in iufernum, ades. Si Riimpsero ponnns moas diluiuld: ct habitavero in extremis maris : Etenim illuc manua tua deducet mo :' et tunebit me dcxtera tua. Et dixi, Forsitati tencbrse cr tibi quia tcrri- biliter mn<2;nifioatU8 en: nii- rabilia opera tua, et auitna mea cognoscit nimis. Behold, O Lord, thou bust known all tliinnw. niw and old : thou iiu!stanco in tho lower parts of the earth. Thine eyes did see my imperfect being, and in thy lH)ok shall uU men be Mrit- ten: day by day shall they be formed, while yet there is no one. But to me thy friends, OUod, are made exceeding- ly honorable: most iirmly is their dominion esta- blished. I will tell them, and they shall be more in number than the sand: I have risen up, and am still with thee. Wilt thou not slay the wicked, God : ye men of blood, depart from mo: For ye say in your thoughts: They shall take thy cities in vain. lit.. J 1 not hated them, Lord, that hated thee: and pined away because of thine enemies? I have hated them with a perfect hatred; and they be- came as enemies unto me. Pi-ove me, God, r.nd try my heart: examine me, and search out my paths. And Itwk well, if there be in mc the way of iniquity : and lead me in the way ever- lasting. 62 OKNKUAI, UKVOTION8. COMMON or MARTYRS. . 67. 8e- 'ir-t Vosnern: InM PhbIiii, I.nuiliilf Dnrntinm, r>. cond VcHPern: ltt»t I'Httlui, Credidi, p. 57. COMMON OP A roNFEHSOIl AND IJISIIOP. First V(.«por«: IftHt PHftlm. Laudale Dnmimim, p. r,7 8e- cuiiJ Vuspers: Inst. 1'huIui, J/fmfM/o, Vumme, a» follows. I'SALH CXXXI. Memento, Domine. Momcnto, Dom'mc, David: et(imniM«nnnnuntu(iini»ojiiK. Sicut junivit DiPiiiiiu): votuiii vovit Uoi) Jauul): Si introiero in taborna- culiiin (lonius nioiw : si ascon- deio in lootuin utrati mei : Si cledcro Homnuiii "culis moiH: otpalpobrismeisdor- mitiitionom, Kt rofiuiem tetnponbuH nu'iH: donee invcniaiiiiocniu Domino, tabemaculuni Deo Jacob. Eeco audivimus earn in ' Ephrata; invenimus earn in cainpis silvro. Introibimus in tabemacu- luni ejus: adorabimua in '. loco, ubi stoterunt pedes Surge, Domine, m requi- em tuam : tu et area Bancti- ficationis tuso. Sacerdotes tui induantur juatitiam : et sanoti tui ex- ultent. Lord, remember David : and all \m inoeknesH. How he sware unto the Lord: and vowed a vow unto tlie Ood of Jacob ; 1 will not enter into the tabernacle of mine house : I will not fft up into my bed: I will not give sleep to mine eyes : nor slumber to mine eyelida, Noi- rCHt unto the templca of my head: until I find a place for the Lord, a taber- nacle for the God of Jacob. Lo, wo heard of it in Ephrata: we found it in the fields of the wixid. Wo will go into his tor bcrnacle : we will worship in the place, where his feet have st(K)d. Arise, O Lord, into thy resting-place : thou, and the ark of thy holiness. Let thy priests he clothed with juat'-c: and let thy saints rej^^ice. Proj mil : I Cliri^ti •I U I'll voritiil tiir (III tui p< tuaiii. Hi c tcstiim tnstiini docclio Kt f Rrt'CllllI Ht'dcin (^lo Siod : tioneiii llui culuni (iiioniii Vidi I oiicili satiira Saci sal u In ultatit niu David Christ Inir conl'ui' p ■tein tu. > ..' C First I VKHPKR8. iim, n , p. 6' . 57. »e- msiiDP. ii/m, p. f>", He- ine, an fuUows : ^member David: inoeknesH. swure unto the vownil a vow i)(l (if Jacob : it enter into tho of niinolitmse: I up into my bed: ot give sleep to nor slumber to (la, unto the templos I : until I find a lie Lord, a taber- he God of Jacob. heard of it in ive found it in tho le wtwd. 1 go into his tor we will worship :e, where his feet I. 3 Lord, into thy ice: thou, and the ' holiness, priests be clothed 1-0 : and let thy yice. Propter David sprvuin tu- iini : lion avurta^t fauiein t'liri>ti tui. tliiravit Doiiiiiius David veriliili'iii, ft mm fViistnilii- tiirtain: Do'fnictu vchIi'Ih tui piiimni wiqior m'doiu tUlllll. ,Si pu/todioriiit filii tui tostamcntum niciim : et teMtiiiKinia uioa hit'O ',uu) diK'clliI (MIN • Kt filii rum us, :o in Rn'cuiuiii ; si'dobunt KUpor Hfdcm tuiiiii. l^uduiam fb'^'it Dominua Sioii : clcfjit eaia in lialiita- tionttui xibi. llu'i! r(M|uios m i. m; *i\i- cuUim HU'ciili: liic ' abitu'jo, (luoniain I'lcj^i can). Viiluam I'jus boncdiennH loiu'dicain: niiu]ieru)4 ejus HaturalHi paniliuN. SaoiTiloti's ejus induam salulari: et muicti ejus ux- ultntiono oxultabi. it. niuc proilunam cornu David : paravi lucernam Christi) nieo. Inimicos ejus induam conl'uHidiie: i^upcr ifisuin p -tem cfflorebit sauetifica- For thy servant David's Hiikf: turn nut awiiy tlio fact! of thiiu' Anointed. Tho Lord liatli wwnrii the trutli unto l>iivid, and ho •vill not make it void : Of tiio fruit of tliy body I will I >,'t upon tliy ttirono. If thy (dilldren will kcop my t'livoiiaut: and tlicscKiy t('.-itimtini(!H which I uliall ti'iicli tiiom : Tl'.oir children also for evi'iiiore: (diall sit uimju til I'lnino. or tho Lord biitii(dio»pn ■i'lu: bo hath choHcu bur for Ills dwel' 'j;. Thin xH 11, . rcHt for pvor and ever: lu-rowill I dwoll, for I liiive cluiscii bcr. WitlibiosHinn, I willbloHS her widows: I will satisfy her poiir with bread. I will clotlio her priests with salvatiou: and lier saints shall rejoice with oxeeediiifj joy. There will I bring forth a born unto David : I have jirepared a lamp for mine Anointed. His eiipmieswill I idothe with coidusion: but u]ion himself shall my sanctifl- cation tlourish. COMMON OF A CONFESSOR NOT A BISHOP. First and Second Vespers, same Psnlms ns on Sundays ; last realm, Laudate Dominum, p. 57. f l^aiiig 2^C 4i 64 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. : r COMMOV OF VIRGINS, AND OP HOLY WOMEN. First and Second Vespers, Ps. cix. Dixit Bominus. Ps. cxii. Laudate, pueri. •-"■'■ .♦.'-(. Then the three following: ' ■ ■; PSALM cxxi. Latatus sum in Ids. • • ' LiBtatus sum in his quiB dicta sunt niihi : In domum Domini ibiuius. Stnntes erant pedes nos- tri : in atriis tuis, Jerusa- lem. Jerusalem, quno fEdifico- tur ut ci vitas: cujus parti- cipatio ejus in idipsuni. Uluc enim ascenderunt tribus, tribus Domini : tes- timonium Israel, ad confi- tendmn nomini Domini. Quia illic sederunt sedes in judieio : sedes super do- mum l)avife.i^jt4»^ ■T y WOMEN. Dominus. Ps. Ids, ■■'■'" ' \ at tho things d unto me: We he house of the were wont to y courts, Je- 1, which is built lilt is at unity •r (lid the tribes bes of the Lord: ny of Israel, to inieofthe Lord, arc set tlie seats : the seats over David. for the things the jicace of Je- d pluutcousness that love thee. ;c be in thy and plenteous- towers. brethren and i' sake : I spake irning thee, of the house of ur God : I have 1 things for thee. VESPERS. PSALH CXXVI. Nisi Dominus ajdificavt- rit domum : in vanuni labo- raveniiit qui a}diiicant earn. Nisi Dominus cuNtodiei'it eivitatem ; frustra vigilat qui eustodit cam. V'anuui ost vobis ante lu- com surgore: surgito post- quaui scdoritis, qui niaiidu- catis panem doloris. Cum dederit dilcctis suis somiium: ecco luureditas Domini filii, raerces fructus ventris. Siout sagittic in manu poteiitis: ita filii exuusso- Beatus vir qui iraplevit desideriuui suum ex ipsis: non confundotur, cum lo- queturiuimicissuisiu porta. Nisi Dominus. ■ ■ Unless the Lord build the house: they labor in vain that build it. Unless the Lord keep the city : he watcliuth in vain that keepetli it. In vaiiiyo rise before the light : rise not till yo have rested, yo that eat the breiul of sorrow. When he hath given sleep to his Ijoldved: lo, children are an heritage fnjm tho Lord, and tho fruit of the womb a reward. Like as arrows in the hand of the mighty (mo: so are the children of tliose who have been cast out. Blessed is the man whose desire is satisfied with them : he shall not lie confounded, when he speaketh with his enemies iu Ihe gate. PSALM cxLVii. Lauda Jenisalem. Lauda Jerusalem Domi- num: lauda Deum tuum, Siim. Quoniam confortavit se- ras jtortarum tuarum : beno- di.\it filiis tuis in tc. Qui posuit fines tuos pa- cem : et adipe frumenti sa- tiat te. Qui emittit eloquium suum terr.'e : velociter cur- rit sermo ejus. Praise the Ixird, Jeru- salem : praise thy God, Sion. For he hath strengthened the bars of thy gates: he hath blessed thy children ' witliin thee. He hath made peace with- in thy borders : and filleth thee with the Aitnessof corn. lie sendeth forth his com- mandment on the earth : his won! runneth very swiftly. 6* M: 66 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. Qui dnt nlvcm siout In- nuiu: nebuliuu sicut ciae- rtiin spargit. Mittit crystallum siiam Bicut bucoolliis: antofacicin fri >;( iris ej us quis sustiticbit ? Emittet verbum suuin, ct liqupfiiciet ea: flabit npiri- tus ejus, ct fluent aquaj. Qui annuntiat vorbum BUHiu Jat'db: justitias ct judicia sua Israel. Non feoit talitor omni natidiii : et judicia sua non niauifestavit eis. He giveth snow like wdol : lie suatterctli the hoar- frost like ashcB. He Kcndcth bis ice like morsels : who is able to abide his frost ? lie shall send forth bis word, and melt them: he shall Idow with his wind, and the waters shall flow. He maketh known hia word unto Jacob: his sta- tutes and ordinances unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation: neither hath ho showedt'-emhisjudgments. COMMON OF THE B. V. MARY. The Psalms, in both Vespers, as in the Common of Vir- gins ; nnd the same Psalms are sung at Vespers on Aew Year's Day. , ,^. . _ . CHRISTMAS DAY. First Vespers : last Psalm, Laudate Pominum, p. 57. Second Vespers (and through the Octave) : 4lh Psalm, De pro- fundia, below. Lust do., Memento, Domine, p. 02. "" ps.\LM cxxix. De profundis. De profundis clamavi ad te. Domino: Domine, ex- audi voceni mcam. Fiant auros tu;B inton- dentes: in voccm depreca- tionis meac. Si iniquitatcs observave- ris, Domine: Domine, quis sustinebit ? Quia apud te propitiatio Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, Loid: Lord, hear mjr voice. Oh, let thine ears con- sider well : the voice of my supplication. If thou, Lord, slmlt mark iniquities : Lord, who shall abide it? For with thee there is est: et sustinu Susti verbo e mea in A eu quo ad ra(d in Quia serioort cum re Etip oninibu First V< First V( First Vi Scoor CORPl Second on Beat Doinin in viis mmm^sM.^ k snow like tercth the hoar- IC8. ;h liis ice like ) is able to abide send fortb hi" i\clt them : ho vitli his wind, >r8 shnll flow._ th known his facob: his ata- rdinances unto lot dealt 80 with neithoi- hath ho ihisjudgmonts. RY. Common of Vir- Vespcrs on A'ew n, p. 57. Second I'sulni, De pro- iie, p. 02. s, e depths have I thee, Loid: my voice. :hine ears con- the voice of my a. Lord, shalt ities : Lord, who it? 1 thee there is VE8PEB8. m est : ct propter legem tuam sustinui te, Domine. Sustinuit anima mea in ver))(> ejus: spcravit aniuia niea in Domino. A custodia matutina us- que ad noctem : speret Is- rael in Domino. Quia apud Dominum mi- sericordia: et copiosa apud cum redemptio. Et ipse re,.amU 'IWI :l!ST -. ^i; ' >VvA-U>. -|»:'- ' .'''^''! ^ ^ ■liS' III <■ GENERAL DEVOTIONS. u pro exora. nobis Christum Prny, Mnry, pray to Christ for us ! V. Dignare me laudaro +0, Virgo sacrata. R. Da mild virlutem contra hoates tuoa. V. deign to let mo praise tliee, Sacred Vir- gin! R. And give me jmcer against thy enemies. PRAYER. GRANT UR, morciful God, a siifpguard /CONCEDE, misericors trco pryBsidium : ut qui against all our \vcnkno«s, 8aucta3 Dei Genitricis me- that we, who celebrate the moriam agimus, interces- memory of the holy Mother sionis ejus auxilio, a nos- of God, may, by the help tris iniquitatibus resur- of her intercessKm, rise gamus. Per eundem again from our iniquities, Christum Dominum nos- through the same Christ trum. Amen. our Lord. Amen. {From Easter until Ti-inity.) REGINA CCELI. i I Regina coeli laetare, Alle- Joy to thee, Queen of lula. heaven. Alleluia! Quia queni meruisti por- He whom thou wast meet tare, Alleluia. to bear, Alleluia! Resuvrexit sicut dixit, Al- As he promised, hath leluia. arisen. Alleluia! Ora pro nobis Deum, Al- Pour for uh to him thy leluia. prayer. Alleluia! V.GaudeetliBtare, Virgo V. Rejoice and be glad, Maria, Alleluia. Virgin Mary, Alleluia! R. Quia surrexit Domi- R. For the Lord ts truly mis vere. Alleluia, risen. Alleluia 1 PRAYER. D EUS, qui per resur- rectionem Filii fui OGOD, who, by the re- surrection of thy Son, Domini mundui tU8 CH mus, ul ceui vir petuae vitoB. ] tuiu D Aaieu. Salve, '. sericc cedo, salve Ad te Filii Ad te I tes et maru Eia erg illos oculo EtJesu turn postt clem( virgo -^S!** pray to Christ ign to let mo , Sacred Vir- gire me 2>ower eneviies. us, morciful a safeguard our wcnkncHH, 10 celebriite the tlio holy Mother y, by the help Icrcession, rise (lur iniquities, le same Christ Amen. ) !e, Queen of (Alleluia I thou wast meet Alleluia! jromiscd, hath illeluia 1 UH to him thy llleluia! ce and be gliid, lary, Alleluia! (lie Lord is truly 'cluial who, by the re- ion of thy Son, VESPERS. n Domini nostri Jesu Christi mundum liBtificare digp.i- tuft on ; pripsta qunesu- mus, ut per ejus genitri- cem virginem Muriain per- petua3 capiamus gaudia vita). Per eundcm Chris- tum Domiiium nostrum. Amen. our Lord Jesus Christ, hast been pleaned to fill the world with joy, grant, wo beseech thee, that by his mother, the Virgiu Mary, wo may receive the joys of eternal life, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. {From frrinily Sunday until Advent.) .? . ■ SALVE, REGINA. Salve, Regina, mater mi- Mother of mercy, hail ! sericordiue! — vita, dul- gentle Queen! cedo, et spes nostra, Our life, our sweetness, and salve! our hope, all hail 1 Ad te clamamus exules Filii IlevoB. Ad te suspiramus gemen- tcs et flentes in bao lacry- marum valle. Eia ergo, advocata nostra, illos tuoH misericordes oculos ad nos converto. Et Jesum, benedictum fruc- tum ventris tui, nobis post hoc exilium ostcnde. clemens, pia, dulois virgo Maria. Children of Eve, To thee we cry from our sad banishment, To thee we send our sighs. Weeping and mourning in this tearful vale. Come then, our Advocate, 0! turn on us those pity- ing eyes of thine : And, our long exile past, Show us at last Jesus, of thy pure womb the fruit mvine; O Virgin Mary, Mother blest! sweetest, gentlest, ho- liest! SlBi 72 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei genitrix. R. Ut digni effidamur prommionibus Chriati. V. Prajr for ub, holy Mother ol God R. That we may he made worthy of the promises of Christ. PRAYER. OMNIPOTENS Bempi- tcrno Deud, qui glori- 0H8B Virginis Matris Maria) corpus et animnm, ut dig- num Filii tui habitaculuin offici mereretur, Spiritu Sancto co-operanto, praepa- rasti: da, ut cujus comnie- moratione laetamur, ejus pia intercesBione ab instan- tibus malis ot a morte pcr- petua liberemur. Per eundem Christum Domi- Dum nostrum. Amen. V. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum. B. Amen. ALMIGHTY and et^nal God ! who, by the co- operation of the Holy Ghost, d ut prepare the body and soul of the glo- rious Virgin Mother, Mary, that she might become a worthy habitation for thy Son, grant, that as with joy wo celebrate her me- mory, so by her pious inter- cession we may bo deli- vered from present evils, and from eternal death, through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. V. May the divine assist- ance remain always with us. R. Amen. CONOIiXIDING 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 vir- ginity 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 never-e V. ] which Ji. . Christ "Ou BENE Ordinal times the I mnnr The Pri goes out tl and ! view desce Sack peopl pray( Salu Quse cc Bella I Da rob i^i for UB, holy }od ice may be made lie promises of [TY ond et^nal who, by tho co- of the Holy st prepare the soul of the glo- 11 Mother, Mary, ni)i;ht become a citation for thy ;, that as with lobrato her me- her piouB inter- may be deli- I present evils, eternal death, lie same Christ Amen. the divine assist- ,in always with Trinity, to the Jesus Christ, to 3ver-faithful vir- the assembly of erlasting praise, y every creature, BENEDICTION. 71 and to us, also, the remission of x.11 our sins, through never-ending ages. Amen. V. Blessed bo the womb of tho Virgin Mary, which bore tho Son of the eternal Father ! Ji. And Itlesacd be the breasts which nourished Christ our Lord. «' Our Father," mid " Hail Mary." t ^ BENEDICTION OF THE BLESSED SACRA- MENT. Ordinarily at the close of the Sunday Vespers, and some- times on other occasions, is given the Benediction with the B1e!>a«d Sacrament. This is done in the following manner: The Priiist, or sometimes a Deacon assisting the Priest, goes up to the altar, and, opening the tabernacle, takes out the Most Blessbd Sacrament which is kept there, and leaves it thus on or above the altar, exposed in full view to the adoration of the faithful. The Priest them descends from the altar, and, while he incenses the Saciikd Host, the Choir sing the following hymn, the people remaining all the while on their knees, in prayer and adoration. Htmn. — Salutaris Hostia. Salutaris Hostia, -O saving Victim t opening wide QuoB casli pandis ostium ; The gate of heaven to man below: Bella premunt hostilia: Our foes press on from every side; Da robur, fer auxilium. Thine aid supply, thy ^wk^,^ strength bestow. 7 74 OF.NEHAL DEVOTIONS. Uni tvinoquo Domino, Sit Hempiterna gluriu: Qui vitam sine tcrtniuo, Nubis dunet in patria. To thy jrrcat naino )iO ond- IcsH pniifie, Iinmurttil Godhead, one in three I Oh, i^riint us cndleoH longtli of daVH In imr true native land with thuc 1 Sometimes, nlso, olber Anilicms arc here sung, or the lAtanii of the Hlrx.^fd Viri/iii, durinft wliich time you can niiike use of that /yituni/, nv of one of llio Vinitu to the lilefxed SnerttmenI, &c. (See pp. 104, 117.) Last of all is sung ihu following IIvMN. — Taiitum ergo Sacramentum. Tantuhi ergo sncnimentum, D.iwn in adoration falling, Venereniur eeniui; Ln! the Sacred Host we hail ; £t antiquum documentum Ln! u'er ancient forms do- parting. Newer rites of grace pre- vail ; Prmstet fidea supplomeu- Faith for all defects sup- turn, plying. Scnsuum defectui. Where the feehlo senses fail. Novo cedat ritui ; Oenitori, Genitoquo, Laua et jubilatio, To the everlastiiijj Fatlior, And the Son who reigns on high, Salus, honor, virtus quo- With the Holy Ghost pro- que, ceeding Sit et heuedictio : Forth from each eternally, Procedunti ab utroque, Be salvation, honor, bless- inji, Compar sit laudutio. . •'»>> Might, and endless miyes- Amen. j,.. ty. Amen. ., .^^^ naino bo ond- idhead, one in endl(«« length native land ) Sling, or the liich time you of llio i'ixitii to 117.) Laal of turn. iration falling, icrcd lliist we cient forma do- I of grace pre- II defects sup- fceblo senBCS astiiij? Fiitli'^r, on who reigns loly Ghost pro- each eternally, n, honor, bless- endleas miycs- BKNEDICTION. T6 V. Panem de cccld prajs- titixti pis. Ii. (tnine deUctamciUum ill ae ItabciUem. v. Thou haNt given them bread Iroin lu-avcii. U. Hepleuiilied with all awenttioiii and dcliijIU. PRAVKR. DKrS i|iii nobis, sub hii- iTiinicntii iiiirabiil, pas- Hiuiiis tine niciiiuriiun reli- fjuiHii: tribuo, <|UiUMUniuH, ita niis !V (rod, I am sQrry — I am sorry for my sins: t'or^ivc me tiicm, and give me my part in this lieiivctily blessing! 1 love thee, I will love thee alwiiys, and seek to please thee in every thought, in every word, and every action of my life. ® Tn the name of ti , Father, and of tlio Son, and of the Holy (ihosl. .X!:-'~ :n. mm 76 iiite'. QENERAIi &£V0TIUN8. Cflnftssifln. EXERCISES OF DEVOTION, i?F.PARAroilV TO CONFEHSION. Call to mind tlmt tliis I'diifesMioii nmy be llie liisi of your lite. Tliorel'ure, prcpiiro yoiirHclf lor it, nn ifyoii wore lying Hicli upon your dfatii-bcd, (ind uli'ciuly ul llic bor- deiH of llio gnivo. Ault (lod to give you tlie griice to ninko a good uxiiniinnlion of conNcienep, and lliu light to Bce your siuii clearly, and hh lliey really ure. t- INVOCATION. OGOI), the Father of lij^ht ! TJion who enlight- enest ull men that come into this world, s^cnd into my poor houI a ray of the holy light of love and contrition, that I may know, detest, and confess the sins which I liave committed against thee. I desire to sec my sins in all their enormity, and jnst as they are in thy sight : I wisli to d.'tcst them for the love of thee, and to confo.'is tlicm with the same .sincerity as I should wish to do at the moment of my death. Jesus, my God and Saviour, I oflFer to thee the ex- amination which I am going to make, and I look to thee with confidence for the grace to do it well. And do thou, O Mother of God, assist me, thou who art HO full of compa.ssion for sinners that desire truly to repent of their sins. Help mo, my holy Guardian Angel ! help me to know all the offences which 1 have committed against my Go that 1 Ainni. Having sliorl colli r : I ronsi insult ti Cull to knows I the sil.. tli(! (Ion drawn i of iIk; awful 11 holl tli< him; tl griianin mitleil wliilo (I intiiiitu him wa or: craiiicnts, it (|llil'II.V Ciucfiil t:l tlic iift-ni On llic sliiiiilil a']' tiortnrit :> ]W{\ III!', Muuuul, I noN, ION. he liisi of your , fiM iljoti wore eiuly III till' l)or- lU tlie griite lo >, 1111(1 thu light illy ure, > I who enlight- is world, s^ciid •lit of love and id confess the :hec. I dosiro id just ns they nil for the love same .sincerity t of my death. thcc the ex- nnd I look to lo it well. And , thou who art desire truly to 1 ! help me to imttted against ■t •^ C0NIE.S.SION. n my God. ! all ye Saints in heaven, pray for nic that I may bring forth worthy fruits of penance. AtiK n. Now make your examina/wn o/ conscience..* Ilavinf; fliiiHlii'd this cxiiiiiiniiiion, iiiitke the three following Hhori inoilitalioiis, in onler to oxrito in your.HelC a true coiilrillon lor your .sins: ; - I. CoNSiHEn.\Ti()N-. Of the enormitij of sin, ronsidor, first, tho <'iiiirinity of a mortal sin. It is an insult to Alini;;lity diod, and a coiitpiiiiit of iijs holy law. Call to iiiiiid that yoii have Hiiinod licforc Iliin vlio knows all tliin};;s, and sens the most seiTct actionH, and the silent tlioup;hts of tlin heart ; that you liavo f^ivcn tli(! death-lilow to your iiuniortal soul; that you have drawn down upon yoiii'selt' the aiij^cr and (luiiisinuent of the living (lod, a (lod who in his just vt'ii^tcanuo ia nwfiii and terrible: that he it is who cast forcvnr into hell tho li(dy angels when they first rehellcd against hiin; that, alas! iiiany of the damned who are now groaning in the eternal pains uf hell, have not coin- mitled so great and so many sins as you; and that while death is perhaps already very near, it is only the infinite patience of this most merciful God that makes him wait until nyw for your conversion. CONTRITE PUAVKR. MY God ! infinite and holy God, what have I done? I confess that my sins are morn in ♦ Persons whnH<^ coiiHt'lfiircs nrt' tciulcr, aiiii wliu Dftcn n-ccivo tlic Hft- rniiiii'iits, iiiiKlit lint in dwi'll ton lull); upon IIiIh ('Xiiniiiiiitioii, l>iit niiike It niiii'lly, uml witli'Ut Hi'iiiplcs. K(ir mull simiIk, it ia Miiflkliiit tii eiwt a nui'riil kImiii'i' npiiii 'iomc I'uiiIIh iiiuI iinpfifiTtiunn liitn wliicli tlu}' fall tbc ()l't'Mii- 9* 78 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. reparation for this: enlighten my under- standing, 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 ob- tain forgiveness; and let not my self-love blind me in any way. Holy ]\iary. Mother of mercy, and relugc of poor sinners, pray for me now, that I may make this con- fession well, and so obtain pardon, and the grace to amend my life. CONTRITE PRAYER. TTIOII secst tt thy feet, O God of infinite Majesty, the traitor who has so often offended thee, but now humbly implores ♦hee to pardon him. " .1 con- trite anil hmahk heart, God, thou wilt not ihspiae" I thank day, and tiirough patient v in this C( O my G grieved sinned a the risk for theu much be as becau ness! Omy cause I 1 have bee thee : I to thee: ship, an( Jesus' 88 heart I not only mitted, I also I he come, wi more, fall into /f you 8 especio lution uel, and all my I for me. of nmking your Sacbajient o» iE. ntly.) Sfii ady to receive Ion tlieni, look after so many rder to obtain Grant nie the iten my under- often my heart, irect my words, nd thereby ob- F-love blind me relugc of poor make this con- id the grace to nfinitc Majesty, ended thee, but him. " A ron- vill not ikqx'se." CONFEHSION. 83 I thank thoe that thou hast waited for mo until this day, and hast not left me to die in my sins. I hope, tiirough the merits of Jesus Christ, that having been patient with mo hitherto, thou wilt pardon me now in this confession all the sins which I have cotnuiitted, O my God, I repent of all my sins, and am deeply grieved for having committed them, because I have sinned against a merciful and loving Father, and at the risk of my eternal salvation. Yes ! I am sorry for them all, and with my whole heart, but not so much because of the punishment which they deserve, as because they have offended thee, infinite Good- ness! O my supreme and only Good, T love thee, and be- cause I love thee, I lameot all the offences which I have been guilty of towards thee. I have neglected thee : I have not paid thee that honor which belongs to thee : I have despised thy favor and thy friend- ship, and I have deserved to lose thee f jrever. For Jesus' sake forgive me all my sins ! With my whole heart I repent of them. I detest them. I repent not only of every mortal sin which I have ever com- mitted, but also of my venial sins, because by them also I have offended thee. I resolve for the time to come, with the help of thy grace, to offend thee no more. Yes ! my God, I prefer to die rather than to fall into sin any more. It you should confess some sin into which you are in especial danger of falling again, make a particular reso- lution not to commit that one any more. Frumise to ■■#::Jm 8^ OENEBAL DKVOTION8. avoid those occasions wLich expose you to it, and ask your Fatlier-Confcssor (o point out to you the surest means of amendment. PRAYER AFTER CONFESSION. 0, TESTIS, liow worthy art thou of my love, and what thauks do I not owe ! I hope that through the merits of thy blood, thou hast forgiven me my sins. For this I thank thee with my whole heart, and I hum with the desire to praise thy mercy in heaven thiough all eternity. Until now, O my God, I have offended thee often, but for the tmie to come, I will never offend thee again. I am anxious to change my life. Thou dost merit all my love, and therefore I will love thee truly and dearly. I will never n^ain be separated from thee. I have a,lready promised thee rather to die than offend thee again. Once more I make this promise, and hope through thy mercy to keep it. I promise also to shun the occasions of sin, and to take the following means to keep me from falling n-^ain {here name the meam). But thou knowest my weakness, my God. Give me thy grace, that I may remain true unto theo until my death, and teach me, in the hour of temptation, to have recourse to thee. Mary, help me ! Thou art the Mother of per- severance, I place all my hopes iu Thee. {Take) ^ Of all is the h(i other sat the Saor the Anj other 8a( to reude this mo- spiritual ceeds fn perfecti( there is than lie one, as i he said, abiddh The I preserve called b life of t of the 8 secordli ful renii serve us First hearts 1 clared t to kind! am com it be ki HOLY COMMUNION. 85 to it, and ask 'ou the surest ray love, and that thiough >iven uic my whole heart, thy mercy in V, O my Clod, the time to I am anxious 1 my love, and early. I will . have a,lready ;d thee again, hope through of sin, and to e from falling )u knowest my grace, that I jath, and teach ve recourse to Mother of per- se. 1 6t |)ola dt^flmmimifln. ,. ^ ' INSTRUCTION. -' {Taken from the writings of St. Alphonaus Liguort.) Of all tho holy Sacraments, the Sacrament of the Altar 18 the holiest, tho most excellent, and the jrreatest. Tho other satiiamentB contain the graces and gifts o'f God, but the Sacrament of the Altar contains God hini.self Hence the Angelic Doctor St. Thomas A(iuina9 says: "The other sacraments are established by Jesus Christ, in order to render men fit either for receiving or administeruig this most holy Sacrament, which is the comiilement of spiritual life, since the whole perfection of our soul pro- ceeds from tliis same Sacrament. For, indeed, the whole perfection of man consists in his union with God; but there is no more powerful means of uniting us with God, than Iloiy Com .union, through which the soul becomes one, as it were, with Jesus, as he himself declared when he said, ' He that eateth mi/jhsh, and drinkethwy blood, dbiddh in me, and I in him.' " St, John, vi. 57. The principal effect of this most holy Sacrament is, to preserve in man the lile of grace. For this reason it is called bread, because, just as common brpad sustains the life of the body, so this heavenly bread nreserves the life of the soul, which life is the grace of Ood. Therefore, according to the Council of Trent, " it is the most power- ful remedy to free us from our daily faults, and to pre- serve us from mortal sin." (Trid. Sesa. y.iii. c. 2.) First of all, tho Holy Communion infuses into our hearts the love of God. Jesus Christ has expressly de- clared that he came into the world for no other cause than to kindle in our hearts the fire of his divine love. " / ain come to cant fire on tJte earth, and what will I but that it be kindled f" St. Luke, xii. 49. What is there now 3 mmm«rr 86 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. on tho earth that nan bettor inflame the heart of man with divine lovo, thun tho Holy Sacrament of the Altar, in which the divine Kedocmer jrives uh himself entire? Thprofoie the holy Council of Trent teachew uh that our Saviour in this Sacrament "' has poured out all the troa- Bui.'H of his h)v. Cor us.'' Sess. xiii. c. 2. Men nhould disirc nothing more or more ardently than to roceive Joaua Christ, as often as possible, in the Holy Communion. It is known that the first Christions, as St. Luke de- clares, went daily to the table of tho Lord. " Tkon eon- iiniieit daily with one accord in the temple, and broke bread from house to house." Acts, ii. 46. By bread all ortho dox interpreters of Scripture understand the Holy Com- munion. It is further known that the Holy Church in the Council of Trent expressed tho wish that the faithful who were present at the sacrifice of the Mass, should re- ceive communion every time not only spiritually, but act- ually. Sess. xxii. c, 6. It is also known that tho greatest 8r.ints made use often of Holy Communiim as the most effectual means of advancing in piety and virtue. What shall we say, then, of those Christians \> Uo do not conform to the wishes of Jesus Christ and of the holy Catholic Church, and who will not imitate the example of all holy souls? Alas! I know that they excuse them- selves with the wretched pretext : We aro not worthy to go so often to the table of the Lord. my God ! if worthiness were to he considered, who would be found truly worthy to receive communion ? No one but Jesus Christ would be so, because God alone is worthy to receive God. But I assure you, my dear Chris- tian, that the longer you are absent from communion, all the more unworthy will you be to receive it ; the more rarely you go to tiie table of the Lord, so much tho more numerous will bo your faults, because you are thus de- prived of the principal means of freeing yourself from sin, and amending your life, namely, the Holy Communion. But perhaps you will answer : " I do not know whether I am in the grace of God, therefore I do not trust myself to receive communion." But tell me, what do you then require, i or not? to tell yc CoufesHoi if your 1 trust mo mission, but the }i " But 1 see mo gi ](iok upo me, and i make yot permits, virtue, a brated t hcconio nick. As for yourself, go often to communion, as ouo imperfect, sick, and wei>k." O my God ! of what avail are all these miserable eva- sions and excuses? Speak tho truth, say it outriglit, that you are not willing to go any of toner to Holy Com- munion, becf.uso then you must quit the vanities and sinful satisfactions of tho world, and that you do not love this food of angels, because you still love creatures with inordinate affection ; that you do not dai(! (jftcn to receive Je.sus Christ, because you fear the reproof wiiich your Saviour might give you, on account of your dis- orderly and sinful way of life, if you v»ere to receive him m 88 OCNEttAL DEVOTIONS. !; ' ;fm I'W' 1"! ofio'i in ihp most tuily Sanraniont. But tftkc it conouNly iisi.. r.mMi.lfratidii, lest jimr Hiiilnl lukewivniiiu'SH s lunld l,e \ iir niin. Ncvor Icar timf on your iloutli-ln-J jfon wiirrcpronch vmirsclf on iitcount of these (•oiiiiiiuiiiona wliich you b:\\v rocoivod with contrition and di-Mition; l.ut ft>!ir lest ^hen— idas! perhapR too kto!— you may roiKMit ..(■ hiivlnt!; rohbed youi-solf of ho many f^racCH, wliifh vou mi>!ht have obtained through tho frequent worlhy'roccption > Holy Coninmnion. (Ji)"to conimuni-ii then, oft.'ii, my dear Christian, as often as your Fatiicr-Confossov will pormit y.;u t i rio so. At least, never omit to receive it on the princiiial least- Live, ncvcrll.oloss, in s\ich a way tlmt you minht ro to eom'niuninn ilai'y ; for St. Auftu'stino toiu^hcs us that such is the desire of the Holy Catholu; Church. PREPAUATION FOH COMMUNION. To po to the tiiblo of our Lord, it is noce^ ary: lut. To bo in a stale le of the Lord with a conscience stained with mortal sin. Such u bad Chris- tian would be K'l'lty, like the traitor Juilns, of sacrile«j;ft ; for of ^uch an unfu'tunate one, it is written : " And ajhr the moraei (the Holy Communion) Salim enlircd into Therefore, St. Paul in words of earnest warninp; soys to us: "But Id a nntii pi ore himHcIf, and .«, /<■/ /n'lii eat of'iliat Itrnd, ami drink < J' the vlialiee ; for to Ihat eateth and drinkdh iniirnrtliil;/', eatdh and drinke.lli Jiidi/ment to lilmsrlj; not diticeminy the Body of the Lord." 1 Cor. xi. -.^H. Hv this is meant that'hc who receives conmiunion unworthily, commits the greatest outrage a-rainst llto - llodv and 'Blood of Jesus Christ, and, like the Jews who killed .Jesus Christ, becomes also guilty of his mmder. 2. One must live with his neighbors in pea( • and Christian unity. Communion means nnion, and i'- so called because it is the image of the perfect union and brotlirrl teaches 1 if wo re 19 J wit Tiroao SaiaaiiK 4. Til is, wo K ni^ht. this liul this. f). Kv with lie out any beloved O: in; most of in tlie I tlioe w Sacraiu this tri conio tc wliolly ooniiJc „.-L ikc it Hcriously irniiii'SH Hliiiiild Jeutli-I It'll ^ou 10 ('oiniiiiiiiiond anil ilcMition; ito !— yiiii limy i iniuiy f^rucPH, h till! frequent ,r ChriHtism, as it yi'ii t 1 ill) so. iriiii:iiial Foast- ; you mifilit go toiu-lics us that 'iiiirch. HON. nocr irv: Ixt, who \\ .iild von- the Lord with a icli a liaii Chris- ns, of Kai-riU'^ft ; en : "And nJ'O'.r (in entind into st warning foys id .v. />■/ hi III eat lor Ih I hill latelh iiiki'.lli jiiiliiiiicnt t Lord?' 1 Cor. ive« cnninninion age ajTiiini^t tlio ke tlio Jews who of his minder, 8 ill peai • and iiiioii, and is so erfeut uuiou and IIul.V COMMUNION. 8W brotherly love oFr.ll the raithl'iil in Christ. JesuH f'hrist teaehfs iiH tiiat we niiiMt not id-ing our Kucriliee-i to tiio ahar, if wo renieniher that our neiglilmr has any thing agaiiiHt 's; with how much greater 'eason are wo linund not tc oroaoh the taijle of the 1 onl, if we ourselves eher' i> •ir heart a hatred agiiinst our neighbor 1 Wo \..:A "(naieik^d with nur enemy. the ovoning heforo comiiuinion, you ought to f)r it hy devout prayer, and by reading soiuo i.Dok, and withdraw, in reverence fur the holy Saiuainent,' from all noisy and distraeting amusements. 4. The Body of Christ must he rereived fa^^tiiig, that is, we must noithor eat m.r drink any thing after mid- night. Hut those who are daiigerunsly sifk, and reei-ivo this lioly Sacrament as a viaticum, are dispeiiseJ from this. f). Kvi'ry one should apiiroaeh the table of the Lord with devotion, deii'ntly and modestly dressed, and with- out any vain ornaments, or display of fashion. PRAYERS BIU'OllE COlMMUxNION. M ACT OF FAITH. Y soul, prepare to receive Jesu.s, and first by f.iith. saying to him: In a few moments, my beloved ilcHleeuier. thou wilt come into my heart. O ! my God, bidden, and unrecognized by tbe most of neii, I believe that thou art really present in the i:.o-t lioly Sucranieut of (he Altar. I confess tlice with my whole heart, and adore thee in tbia Sacrament a» my Lord and Saviour, and to confess this trutb I would gladly give my life. Thou dost come to enrich me with thy graces, and to unite me wholly to thyself: how great then should bo my confidence in u visit so loving as this ! 8» r m no OKNKllAL DEVOTIONS. I ACT OK CONFIDKNCE. OMV liciirt, oiion wide to rcccivo ITim 1 Thy .l.suH ciiii cniich thcc witli all goo.l, he lovca tlu'e MO luiu-li; hoi-c, thou, lor gv^nt luv.r.s IVon. thy Snviour, who conies to thco ho full of tendenicHs u.id love. Yes, a.'iirest .losus, thou art my hope. Tlim iH what I look li.r from thy love— that Mi.eo thou givest thynclf entirely to me this day, thou wilt enkindle in my heart a beautiful flame of i-ure love, and exeite in nu; a sincere desire to please thee, that f„r th(! tin..- to come my only wish may bo to do what 18 pleasing to thee. ACT OF LOVE. ' O^IY God, riy God, thou alone art the true friend of my soul. Conlds* thou do more to win my lov.^ than thou hast done for me '! Tliou hast not only been willing' to die for me, () my Divine Saviour, but thou hast even been pleased to institute tins holy Sacrament, in order to -ive me thyself altofie- ther, and thus unite thyself intimately with so mean and uii-rateful ti creature as T am. But this is' not all— thou dost invite me thyself to rcccivo thee, and this is thine ardent desire. O infinite, O ineomprc- hensible love ! a (tod desires to give himself wholly to me ! my soul, dost thou believe this ? What art thou doing then ? Hast thou nothing to say ? ' yes, my God! infinite God! worthy of all love, thou alone dost descr^-e the love of all thy creatures. / ITiml Thy ;o()tl, lie I0VC8 ivorH IViim thy ;oiidi'niess iiiitl y hoiif. This >!it Hiiieo thou liiy, thou wilt ( of 1)111-0 love, ciiHo tluie, that f be to Jo what the true friend ore to will my Tliou hast not Divine Saviour, ) institutn this thy.«olf altofie- y with w mean But this is' not ccivo thee, and te, O ineomprc- hinisflf wholly e this? What lothing to say? ;hy of all love, 11 thy creatures. ^> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) ^.4^ 1.0 I.I 1.25 Ui 1^ 12.2 "^ 1^ 112.0 IX 1.8 U 11.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 J ll «»|l.|» i «< j jifl.li> p ij tl l ll ^yjy,..,;^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques m I love I all thi why cc licartH and, in with t heart c 1 J}.. HOLY COMMUNION. ii I love thco with my whole hoart. I love thoo above all things J I love thee more than my life. O! why can I not see thee loved by all, cherished by all hearts us thou de.scrvest ? I love thee, O my God ! and, in the fervor of my love, I unite my poor heart with the hearts of all the seraphim, and with the heart of Mary, 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. 1 love only thee, for thou alone deservest all my love. O ! blessed Mary, mother of holy love, help to love my God as thou desirest to see him loved. ACT OF HUMILITY. SO then, my soul, in a few moments thou art going to nourish thyself with the sacred flesh of Jesus Christ. Art thou then worthy to receive it ? my God, who am I, and who art thou ? Indeed, I know well who thou art, thou that givest thyself to me ; but thou. Lord, knowest thou who I am, I that am to receive thee ? Is it possible, my Jesus, that thou who art purity itself, art so desirous to come and dwell in my soul, which has so often been the dwelling of thine ericmy, and loaded with so many sins ? I acknow- ledge, O Lord, all thy Majesty, and my own deep misery. I blush, and am ashamed to appear before thee ; I would in rdverence withdraw from thee, but if I leave thee, my Life, whither shall I turn? Where should I seek help ? what will become of me ? ,1 i 92 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. No no ! I will not leave thee. I will rather draw nearer and nearer to thee every day. Thou lovest to have n,e receive thee for n>y food, and ever in- vitcst nic. Well, then, I come, O n.y dearest ba- viour' Yes! ashamed and deeply humhled 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. TT grieves me deeply, God of my soul, that 1 hitherto I have not loved thee, that lusteau ot loving thee I have frequently even offended and dis- pleased thy infinite goodness, in order to satisfy my wicked inclinations. I have abandoned thee, in con- tempt of thy grace and of thy friendship: in a word, I have lost thee, O my God, and that wilfully. I am sorry for itj yes, Lord, my whole soul is iu 1 ot grief. I hate and detest all the sins that I have committed, both mortal and venial; I detect them more than any other evil, b-cause they have injured thee who art infinitely ;. I bope that thou hast already forgiven me; bu' . be not so, O fory.vo me before I receive thee ; cleanse, my God, with thy . precious blood, this soul in which thou art coming ' soon to dwel". ACT OP DESIRE. HAVE courage, my soul. Sfee! the happy mo- nunt has arrived, and thy Jesus is coming to dwell in thy heart. Behold the Lord of heaven and of eart nigh t£ thyself ing de.s this he thyself I give hasten Com delay ! life, m receive holiest until I Mary i mine w Om going- might with w Jesus t the Sh pi re to that 1 1 more, a ment t( When tl JJoinii from HOLY COMMUNION. 11 rather draw Thou iovest I, and ever iu- uy dearest Sa- umbled by luy yj and' thy love my heart this ' my soul, that that instead of fl'ended and dis- er to satisfy my icd thee, in con- ship : in a word, hat wilfully. I I soul is full of ins that I have ; I detest them ley have injured )e that thou hast lot so, O for-ivo my God, with thy thou art coming of earth, thy Saviour and thy God, who is drawing nigh to thee, and who intends to visit thee. Prepare thyself to receive him lovingly, invito him with burn- ing desires, and fiay to him: Coiuc,0 Jesus, come into this heart that longs for thee; but before thou givest thyself to me, I will first give myself to thee ; see ! I give up to thee this poor heart; receive it, and hasten to take possession of it. Come, O my God, come promptly and without delay! My only and infinite good, my treasure, my life, my paradise, my love, my all ! 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 received thee. I unite this communion of mine with theirs. O most l?oly Virgin, Mary my Mother, see, I am going now to receive thy divi le Son. I wish I might have thy heart in this moment, and that lovo 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 de- sire to receive him from thy pure hands. Tell him that I am thy devoted servant, then he will love me more, and unite me more closely in this happy mo- ment to himself. , \ ! the happy mo- sus is coming to rd of heaven and When the Priest elevates the most sacred Host, and says JJoinine, non sum dignus, &c., repeat three times, rather from the heart than with the lips, the following words : 04 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. OLORD, I am not worthy that thou shouldst come under my roof, but say only the vrord, and my soul shall be healed. Then with your eyes modestly cast down, but your head crecT open your mouth, and advance your tongue a Hi e! ami thus receive the Holy Sacrament.- Bcj sue ot to make any hasty movement with your mouth, but let the rriest himself lay it upon your tongue. Lu- dcavor to swallow the holy Host by means of the Sure on your tongue, without touching Uw... your teeth, and least of all with your finger. If othc. com municants are still coming, and need to .o«o"Py >«;; n ace then, shortly after receiving, but not m.inediatc y, She a uf make room for thorn; otherwise, especially when the Communion is given ou. of Mass, you may re- main until the Priest gives his benediction. THANKSGIVING AFTER COMMUNION. There \» no praver more accq.tablc to God and more T>r(.tita^.lo t.. our own souls, than that winch is ..»'ri-d m CktivinK after holy Communi..n. Christ our buviour iemains present with us until tho sacramental .p.-c.es 'rclsumcd. Durin. these sacred momentB we .nay hna'- ;>^- X cijdes: "But me ye have not always wUh you." b. John. "" 'it^s not vfell immediately after Communion to hcgin reading in a bo«*; it is far better to pass some few mo- men "l a solitary and confidentiaf conversation w. Jesus Christ, thus^indly present in our heart and to ih silent encouragement t'othose e.not.ons and des re wliich naturally arise. It will not do, however, to 1 »(> iredous tfme; and if the inind begins to wander wTmust fix our attention immediately by means of the ^' O^'^^K-^asures of grace can a pious soul obtain if thou shouldst the word, and but your head your tongue a mcnt.- Be sure your moutli, but ir tongue. V,a- means of the ing it Willi your If other com- to occupy your not iniiiiedifvtely, i-wise, especially iiss, you may re- ion. VIMUNION. o God and more liich is offered in hrist our 8«vlour raniental hjiwies onients, we may of Josus Christ rmorly to his 'lis- li you." S. John, tmunion to begin 188 somo few iiio- [ionversation with Dur heart, and to itions and desires , however, to l<»o legins to wander, f by means of the 0U8 soul obtain if HOLY COMMUNION. 95 she converses in spirit with her beloved Jesus at least a hiilf-liour after holy Communion 1 During the rest of the day the devout soul should often think of that great guest whom she has received in her communion. PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION. ACT OP FAITH. BEHOLD ! my God is now come to visit mo, my Saviour i^ come to dwell in my soul, my Jesus i.s now within mc; he is come to be one with me, and to make me one with him, so that Jesus now belongs to mc, and I belong to Jesus. Yes ! Jesus is all mine, and T am all his. infinite goodness ! infinite mercy I infinite love! a God has united himself with me, a God who desires to be wholly mine! O my soul, now that thou art so clo.sely united to Jesus, now that thou art one with him, what art thou doing? Hast thou nothing to say to him, wilt thou not speak to thy God who is present within thee? Awaken then thy faith anew, remem- ber that the angels are around about thee adoring their God, who now dwells in thy heart. Adore thy Lord with them ! Keep recollected, and banish every other thought, call together all thy affections, and ky them before thy God, and say to him : ACT OF WELCOME. OMY Jesus! my love, my infinite Good, my all, I welcome thee; be always welcome to this home i. r! i GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 96 .,,0,0 art thou, ^h,Acr tat Ao« « ^^^ !"»"• "t:«l' :f "ai:S. »f -«»- "°'' into my heart tuu oi ^^^^^ ^^^^y^^ Huch a dwellmg as thisf /^^''^^ , , ^^^ /^ni .ith St. Peter: Depart fro^n., OUrf'f^ ^, •„. „ sinner: I am too unworthy *« ^^;« j^ finite poodness for my ^'\^^l,^''^ „ Jh love, those pure bouIs, who -^^Jf^^ ^/^o not de- lintno^myBcdeemer^^^^^^^^^ I em- r 'T "o m " a taeh my«clf inseparably to brace thee, O my me, ^ ^v J' separating *^^^- I'^VrrSe c^i^el-.unlratoful • xnyself from thee ^orh^ej ^^^^ ^^ wretch that I am, I have an\e^ -heart. Butnowlwillneversep^^^^^^^^^^^^^ any more I ^ /t' M e aphs, souls who love . Most holy Virgm Mary, erp. ^^^ ^^^, I God with a pure love, lend me your a . Tay entertain my dear Lord as I ought. ACT OF THANKSGIVING. table creature that I am? • Fath tion f'oi this tht mine ! he hath shall 1 1 8u mau^ Therefc with al and yoi all ye s( voill tell my soui and ad ooived. in his h hut, sue Jesus, t soul, I my libei to him} myself t own ; hi thee, an that the what gr t. Ah! Lord, mo? Into my ou wast born ; • self-love, and it thou choose 1 1 say to the© Lord, for lam re a God of in- ather repose in h so much love. ji Do not do- am lost. I em- ,f inseparably to ill in separating ures; ungrateful !0 away from my myself from thee lie united to thee. i, souls who love affections, that I ght. INO. [ my God, for the J me this morning Vould that I could f then, and of the J ! But what do I render thee, mise- HOLY COMMUNION. 97 Father Scgneri says that the most suitable affec- tion for a soul after communion, is astonishment at this thought: a God become mine I a God become mine ! " What thaUInmder to the Lord for all that he hath rendered to me ?" So said David : and I, what shall I render to thee, my Jcaus, to thee, who, after BO many favors, hast given me thyself this morning? Therefore, my soul, bless thy God, and thank him with all thy power. And thou, Mary my mother, and you my patron Saints, my Guardian Angel, and all ye souls who burn with divine love, "come and I will tell you what good things the Lord hath done to my toul." Come bless and thank my God for mo, and admire the wondrous grace which I have re- ceived. ACT OF SELr-OFPERINO. "JifY Beloved to me, and I to him." (Cant. i. 16.) If a king were to come and visit a poor shepherd in his hut, what could the shepherd offer him but his hut, such as it is? Since then, my divine King Jesus, thou art oomo to visit this poor house of my soul, I offer thee my house, and my whole self, with my liberty and my will. "My Beloved to me, and I to him." Thou hast given thyself all to mo, I give myself all to thee. No more, my Jesus, will I bo my own ; henceforth I wish to belong to thee, en^Jroly to thee, and that all my senses may be so entirely thine, that they may serve only to please thee. And indeed, what greater pleasure can one have, said St. Peter of • r n- iii f i . 1 1 . II ' r i" 98 OENEBAIi DEVOTIONS. Alcantara, than to please thcc, a God most amiable, ,„,.st loving, ana moHt grateful? I givo up to theo all the powers of my houI, that they may be all and altogether thiuo. Lot my memory serve only to recall thy benefits and thy love, my mind to thmk of theo alone, who thinkest always of my welfare, my heart to love only thee, n.y God, my all, and to will only that which thou wiliest. To thoe, then, O my dearest Saviour, I consecrate and immolate all I have, all I am, my senses, my thoughts, my affections, my desires, my tastes, my m- elinations, my libcrty-in a word I.g-e uPjy body and soul into thy hands. Receive infinite Majesty, this sacrifice made to thee here, by the most un 'rateful sinner that over existed on earth, who now, however, offers and gives himself all to thee. Lord do with me and dispose of me according to thy plea- '" Come, burning fire, love divine, and consume in me all there is of me which is not p easing to thy pure eyes, so that hereafter I may be all to thee may -^ live only to accomplish thy commandments and thy counsels; thy holy desires, and thy good pleasure m all things. Amen. most holy Mary ! do thou present with thine own ^1 this m'y offering to the Most H^^y J-i^y ; ohtuin for me the acceptance of it and that I may have the grace to be faithful until death. Amen, Amenf Amen. ma AMY V/ not cious, ft gracoH tl Hcost looks uj) beloved Bullish open tlv thou not wilt thoi what dof to make and thou Ah ! ill fill me wi I ask for pleasure for all th me. Gi the work loved. ( affections to thy he alone, an love. I do n deservest ?3r imm most amiublo, ivo up to tlieo my be all and only to recuH think of tlioo faro, my heart d to will only r, I consecrate my senses, my f tastes, my in- [ give up my eive, infinite >rc, by the most earth, who now, thee. Lord, ing to thy plea- le, and consume , pleasing to thy all to thee, may Imeats and thy 'ood pleasure in b with thine own b Holy Trinity; and that I may death. Amen, HOtY COMMUNION. ACT OF PETITION. 09 OMY soul, what art thou doinj? now? Thou munt not loso a moment of time, for this time is pre- cious, for tliou now canst very easily obtain all the graces thou wilt aslf. iSccHt thou not how lovingly tlio Eternal Father looks upon thee, now that he beholds in thy heart his beloved Son, the object of his most tender love? Banish then every other thought, awaken thy faith, open thy heart, and ask whatever thou wilt. Dost thou not hear how Jesus himself says to thee: "What wilt thod have me do for thco ? Speak, beloved soul, what dost thou desire of me ? I have come in order to make thee rich and liappy; ask with confidence, and thou slmlt receive every thing thou desirest.'' Ah ! my dearest Saviour, since thou art come to mo to fill me with graces, and desirest me to ask them of thcc, I ask for no earthly goods, nor riches, nor honors, nor pleasures. Give me, I beseech thee, a great sorrow for all the displeasure whicli thou hast received from me. (rive me a great light to show me the vanity of the world, and how much thou art worthy of being loved. Change my liCc.c, detach it from all earthly affections, and give mc a heart perfectly conformed to thy holy will, which seeks after thy good pleasure alone, and aspires to nothing else thar to thy holy love. I do not deserve all this, my Jesus, but thou deservest it, thou who hast come to dwell in my soul. 100 flENKTlAI. DEVOTIONS. I nsk it ihnm^h thy n.oritH, through the meritH of thy holy Mother, u..d by the love thou hcarest to thy ctorniil Father. • KiuuerH, ai.U tlio »ouU in puigaiory. Eternal Father! Jesus Christ himself has said to us: "Amen, an.en, I suy to you; if you ask tlio Father any thin^ in my "'»""''^,!^'''«7 .'*/""„ (St. John, xvi. in.) For love of this thy d.v.no hon Iho now dwelU in my heart, hear n.e, and grant mo what I now ask. ' , ,» t i„t Objects of my dearest love, Jesus and Mary, lot me suffer for you, let me die for you, grant that I n.uy Son. wholl/to you. and never to myself any more. Praised ami blessed forever be the most holy Sa- crament of the Altar, and blessed be the holy and laeulat. eoneeption of the n.ostholy V.rg.n Muvy. OF SPIKITUAL COMMUNION. ;trtt^'=:d"V:irreciaUmunioa fa '^'i'''-''" In, ♦« receive Holy Communion spiritually. pnMHihlo, coiinnuii riiriHt, ii \inion (li cvivnd h The I upon til t'aitlirul they do Acoor those wl IlodeonK the Npir fluently, One cat! without of a spii Thin i iiig forir 0'" V/ in things, I I canno spiritua wert al Never s It is ne( Hhoiilil this hi oflcnc( Host, rcnlit) BOIIS ll timt tl Imps, • prayei ^^mi L<»i"»; W HPiniTUAIi COMMUNION. 101 the merits of bcurcHt to thy rue iipeclftl urnce not forget poor iclf has said to if you ask tho 11 ^jive it you." thy divine Son, I, and grant mo and Mary! lot ,'rant that I may lysclf any more, c moHt holy Sa- 10 the holy and aly Virgin Mary. UNION. iily, at the present I, 18 so excellent a ;o the opinion of vheii made aright, ictual reception of ir; that is to say, ,ng oommunion m union spiritually, jxeite in the heart reality, if it were possihlo. St. Thoniiis Arjuinas teiiclios that spiritual communion consiKts in an anient (lesiiit to ruitoive Jcxus riirist in tho numt holy Sacranifnt, and in an intimate union of nifection with him, as if one had actually re- ceived him. The holy Council of Trent bestows e.,|iccial praises upon this, kind of conununion, and (Micouni^es all the faitliful to make it, partiiuilarly duiin;;; holy Mass.whou they do not receive tlie Sucranu^lit in reality. According; to this, (Jod will bestow jiieat fjraces upon those who are desirous to receive Jesus C'iirist tlieir lnvinp; Itcdecnier, but IVoquently cannot ; hut who nnike at le ist tho spiritual conununion. This (ran be done very fro- qu(Mitly, at any hour, any moment, and at all places. Oti(! can make it without beinj; ohserved b; any one, without bein^r oblii^cd to fast, and without tho purmissiou of a spiritual director. This Spiritual Comnuuiion maybe made in tho follow- ing form: ACT OP HI'iniTUAIi COMMUNION. OMY' Jesus, I believe that thou art truly present in this holy Sacrament. T love theo above all things, and T desire theo with my whole soul, but since I cannot now receive thee saeramontally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace theo as if thou wert already come, 1 unite myself wholly to thee. Never sufler nio to bo separated from tlicc ! It is nocosfai-y, however, to roniiirk tliat any one who should know liiiiisvlf lo V>c in iiiorlul sin, would nmko this holy exercise in voin. Iiidood, it would be no SHiivll ofl'cnco for the sinner lo cmbrneo spiritually Ihni sacred Host, which it would he nn awful sacrilege lo receive in reality. It is, nevertheless, always right for such per- sons lo pray before the Holy Sacrament, and lo lament (hat they are unworthy lo receive it. They may, pcr- liaps, obtain the grace of coDvorslQU by the following prayer ; ;t,i ^.wa t mum^A. 'f-' j ' " iPHUi 163 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. ACT OP REGRET. OIIOLY Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that thou art truly present in this Holy Sacrament. Alas! for me, that I urn in mortal sin, and dare not go for- ward to receive thee with the rest; forgive me all my sins, and restore me to thy grace, that I may be- come worthy of this l^eavenly food. Yes ! my Sa- viour, yes ! I am resolved. I will go and confess my sins, fully and sincerely, and then I will come to meet thee here at this holy table, never to separate from thee again. ,,, i ^- - . . _.^ ., Ufllke m liMptes, tit, 1 By an Indulgence is meant the remission of the icm- vor'al imnislment due to sins already forgiven. i.very sin however grievous, is romitted through the sacrament of ronance, or by an act of perfect contnt.or. as re^uds its nniU, and the elefnal pinmhmeiit due to it. But the debt of iemvoval punishment is not always .remitted at the same time. This latter is done away with by deep penitence, or by works of satisfaction, e.r,., prayers, alma, fastin^, etc.; or by the patient endurance of troubles and adversities sent us by God; or by the satisfaction of our Lord Jesus Christ and the Saints, applied to us bv the Church, under certain couditKms, which applica- tion we call an Indulgence. Those who do not pay the debt of temporal punishment in this ^yorld, in any ot the above ways, will Lve to discharge it m ^^"'•g'jt«';y. t^'^* "prison" from which they shall not go out "till they have paid the last farthing." (Matt v. 25, 26. ) An Indulgence, then, is not a pardon for sin, because Bin must bo remitted before an Indulgence can be gained. mfWMMriMiM timimm lieve that tliou jranicnt. Alas I dare not go for- 3 forgive mo all , that I may be- Yes ! my Sa- » and confess my I will come to lever to separate 5, tit. inission of the icm- forgiven. Every ugh the sacrament itrition, as regards lue to it. But tlio hvays remitted at way with by deep e.r/., prayers, alma, irance of troubles ,)y tlie satisfaction lints, applied to us ms, which api)lica- iho do not pay the N-orld, inany of the in Purgatory, that go out "till they V. 25, 26.) m for sin, because ence can be gained. iMiMMia ^ ON INDULGENCES. tdi Much less is it a permission to commit sin, as so many malicious or ignorant persons assert it to be; for even Gild himself could not give such permission. It is simply an act by which the Church applies to us the superabun- dant satisfactions of CliriHt p,nd his Saints, to satisfy for the femjwral punishment due to those sins which we trust God has already pardoned, as to the guilt and eternal punishment. * 2. A Plenari/ LifMffnice is that which remits all the temporal punishment due to such sins. 3. A Partial Indulgence is that which remits a park only of the punishment. Thus, for example, an Indul- gence of Jive years and Jive quarantines, means a release of the punishment corresponding to five years of the ordinary canonical penance, and five times the special penance of the forty days of Lent. 4. In order to gain any Indulgence whatever, you must be in the state of grace. Besides this, for a Ple- nary Indulgence the ordinary conditions arc, to go ia Confession and Communion, and to pray for the intention of the Pope. 5. No particular prayer is ordered. It would suffice to say five Our Fathers and five Hail Marys, or the Litany of the Blessed Virgin, etc. 6. An Indulgence may be applied to the dead, if this is specified in the grant. It is an act of charity most agreeable to Jesus Christ to relieve, by Masses, Prayers, and the application of Indulgences, these suffering souls so dear to him. 7. It is well to determine which of the suffering souls you desire to assist. For example, you may propose to yourself the deliverance of that soul for wnich you are most lx>und to pray, by an obligation of justice, charity, or gratitude. I ! 104 GENERAL DEVOTIONS. 8 The Communion may bo made on tlic eve of the Feast to which the Indulgence is nttiichod. ih<«e who are accustomed to confess every week can pin all the Indulgences that occur in the course of the week without again confessing, provided they remam in a state of grace. 9 The same Plenary IndulRenco cannot be pained rnaro than once in the day, if iloly ('omniuniou is one ..i the conditions; but by this one Communion y''U '"'KV gain several Plenary Indulgences granted under dijferent tales. 10 Partial Indulgences may be gained as often as you rcp.-at the act to which tlu-y arc annexed, unless the con- trary is specified in the gnini.See Bouvier on Indul- gences. KOSARV BEADS, AND THE INDULOENCES WHICH MAY BE ATTACHED TO THEM. In order to encourage the practice of saying the Ro- sary {see p. 151), many Popes have attaciiod very ample Indulgences to the Beads used in this devotion. The Papal and the Bridgetine Indulgences are the most ample. The following are some of those attached to the Papal blessing : — 1 Plenary Indulgence on Christmas Day. Epiphany, Easter Day; Ascension, Whitsunday, Trinity Sunday, Corpus Christi, tlie Puriticati(m, Annunciation, Assump- tion and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Feast „f St. Joseph, of St. John the Baptist, of each of the Ap .sties, and All Saints' Day. 'This Indulgence may be gained by all who say he Beads at least once a week. The conditions are, Con- fession and Communion, and to pray for the intention ot the Pope. 2. Pic any f the week ey remain in a innot be fjained muniun i» miu of lunion ytm may i under different d as often an you 1, unless the con- ouvier on Iiidul- lENOES WHICH HEM. f saying the Ro- iciiod very ample evotion. ulgencea are the jhed to the Papal I r)ay. Epiphany, Trinity Sunday, aciation, Assunip- n Mary, the Feast t, of each of the r all who say the ulitions are, Con- or the intention o*. ON INDULQENOES. 105 iHMitiiiiWiiiii 2. Plenary Indulgence once a year, and the same on any one day in each month, for those who say the Beads every day. The conditions are, Confession, Communion, and to visit a church and pray as above. 3. Plenary Indulgence at the hour of death, on condi- tion of recommending their soul to God and receiving the Sacraments ; or, if that be impossible, invoking the Holy Name of Jesus in their heart, if they are unable to do so with their lips. ^ All these are granted by Benedict XIV., .January 15, 1748, and may be applied to the souls in Purgatory. The principal Bridgetine Indulgences are : 1. One hundred days for each Our Father, Hail Mary, and I believe, whenever any one says the Beads. 2. Seven years and seven quarantines more, for re- citing the Beads. 3. For those who say the Beads at least once a week, a Plenary Indulgence on the Feast of St. Bridget, 8th Oct., by receiving the Sacraments, visiting aclmrch, and there praying for the intention of the Pope. A Plenary Indulgence, at the hour of death, on condition of con- fessing and receiving the Holy Communion, oi, if this be impossible, of invoking with contrition the holy name of Jesus, at least with their heart, if they cannot vith their lips. 4. For those who recite the Beads daily for a month, a Plenary Indulgence on any one day, on the usual condi- tions of Concession, Communion, and praying in a church for the usual intention. N B.— When several persons are saying the Beads together, and one of them has a Rosary of St. Bridpot, the Indulgences, may be gained by all. These Indul- f 106 QENERAL DKVOTIONS. gencos are applicable to the souls in Purgatory. — LeoX., 1515. The conditions for gaining these Indulgences are : 1. That the Beads must bo blessed by a Priest whf> htiH received the power to attach these Indulgences. The Kedemptorist Fathers have this power. 2. That these blessed Beads bo not used for the pur- pose of gaining the Indulgences, \i\ any person exrcp;- ing the owner. At his death the blessing is lost. — S. i '. Ind., Jan. 31, 1837. 3. That the person meditate on the mysteries. But those who are ignorant and incapable of reflecting on them, may gain the Indulgences by saying their Beads devoutly.— 2ie/jed«c< XIIL, 1727. It is a pious custom, though not an obligation, that they who receive Indulgenced Beads should recite them oni'e for the Church, once for the Pope, and once for the person who blessed them. BLESSED CROSSES, MEDALS, ETC. • Any person who carries about with hun, or keeps in his room or other decent part of the house, a Cross, Cru- cifix, Rosary Beads, Image or Medal of Jesus Christ, or of any Saint canonized or mentioned in the Roman Mar- tyrology, which has been blessed by a Priest duly au- thorizeil, is entitled to gain the above-mentioned Papal Indulgences. In a Crucifix, it is the figure of our Lord to which the Indulgences are attached. It cannot be of tin, iron, lead, or any substance which can easily be melted or broken. Ivory may be used. Beads made of glass may bo blessed, provided thev are strong and solid. A cru- cifix may also be blessed by a Priest duly authorized, for gaining the Indulgences of the AVay of the Cross, when it Cross ir Fathern five Ow Falhern, Sovereig Thcg to the di that aft( Heaven, The fav with Jes grant soi vout to ones: Is Mother i repentar tect all \ especiall press up and that 4th. Thi bonds of whatevc the grac course ot I. Wk that a sv thereby One C II. W ^atory. — LeoX., gences are : by a Priest wJio dulgcnccs. The ised for the pur- y person exrcji;- g 18 lost. — S. ( '. mysteries. But of reflecting on ing their Beads oTiligatinn, that )uld recite them iind ouce for the 1, ETC. ■ lun, or keeps in se, a Cross, Cru- Jesus Christ, or the Roman Mar- Priest duly au- ucntioned Papal ord to which the be of tin, iron, ly be melted or tide of glass may d solid. A cru- duly authorized, iiy of the Cross, ON INDULOENCES. 107 fiMMMi when it is really impossible to visit the Stations. The Cross must l)e held in the hand, and fourteen Our Fathera and Huil Marys must be said, after which, add five Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glory be to the FatherH, and one Our Father and Hail Mary for the Sovereign Pontiff.— ( C/ewe«< XIV., Jan. 26ioii«!y hopt) to be freed from Purgatory on the Saturday next after their rfleatb. part of founded reiitines, black ha with all III. T belon;;s I tan and • in 1524. this Sen granted By reeiti honor of Lady, in the Por Compost IV. T of a wlii also of V the Orde John III! Christiiii The R these Sij other nii If a per.' ever eau his right The pi pulars ai 1. Foi the Sacr lars.* 2. Th( ■WtWAf^lWLliJW" ■ , ^mn. 9 mmj.tMi^ -MU' U. i ,. ,l l ujW W . IJ r" ns of it we gain a the Church. it Carmel. The lolites. It owes hman, wlio died Tlic B. Virgin him a Scapular, if tlio viHion, and ifterwards worn, ould experience ly by obtaining iping the flames the authenticity i fact. {See hin n which day the the event, cele- Carmel. I Indulgences at- lulars, you must, th it by a Priest it devoutly. neater privileges in XXII.,* must, ig to his state of tie Office of the L' to read, or nre ion may be com- ber duly author- of Sorrows is a the Scupular nn, nmy :urday next after their ON INDULaENCES. Ill part of the religious habit of the Order of Sorvites, founded in the thirteenth century by seven noble Flo- rentine,-', whom the Blessed Virgin commiinded to wear .a blai;k liahit in memory of her Dolors, and to propagate with all their strength this devotion so agreeable to her. III. The blue Scapular of the Immaoulate Conception belongs to tliu Order of Theatines, foundt^d by St. Caje- tan ami John Peter Ciiriift'a (afterwards Pope Paul 1\ .), in 1524. The Indulgences granted to those who wear this Scapular arc most numerous, including all those granted to any religious Order, or to any person or pltice. By reciting six Our Fitthfis, Hull Miriin, and Glori/n, in honor of the Most Holy Trinity, and of Our Innnaculate Lady, nniy be gained all the Indulgences of Rome, of the Puriiuiiculu, of Jerusalem, and of St. James of Compostella. IV. The Scapular of the Most Holy Trinity is made of a white woollen material, with a red and blue cross, also of wool, ii) the centre. It reiiresents the Habit of the Order of Trinitarians, whieli was established by SS. John and Felix, in 1 1'.IS, for the o'hjeet of redeeming Christian slaves from the hands of iuiidols. The Redemptorist Fathers have faculties to bless all these Srapulars. If a Seapulur is worn out or lost, an- other may be procured and ]iuton without being blessed. If a person takes it off, or ceases to wear it froui what- ever cause, ho can himself [lut it on again, and recover his right to all the privileges and Indulgences. The principal Indulgences attached to these four Sca- pulars are : 1. Four Plenary Indulgences for those who approach the Sacrameuts on the day they receive the four Scapu- lars.* 2. The same at the hour of death. • See pngB 103, No. 4. "i frnm- M- i - --I. I JUHW.-." ' Hiy. 112 GENEBAL DEVOTIONS. 3. Plenary IndulRenco on July 16th, Feast (if the BleHsinl Virgin of Mount Ciimiol, or nn luiv one daj \yilhin thu (x;tuvc, on the »idimiy couditions. 4. Plenary In(lul|?onco on the Feast of Our Ludy of SorrowH, on'tho sonio conditionn.t Ab there are many other Indulcenccs whieli may be caincd by tlioso who wear the Scapulars it is well to make, from timet., time, the intention of Knii>i"« al the liKlulsenees in our power, and apply them to ourHelye«, or to some of th.i souIh in Pnrcatorv («. {h the m-st needy), or to phu!.! them in Uie httnds of Mary, to be disixisud of at her pleasure. V. The red Scapular of the Passion of the most sacred Heart of Jesus Christ, and of the most lovin« and sor- rowful Heart of the over Immaculate Virgin Mary, llns Scapular was approved of by His Holiness, 1 lus JX., in a Uoscrir.t dated June 25th, 1S47, in which he grants to the Superior-General of the Lazarists the priviiep;o ot blessini' it, and of communicatinK the siime power to otlier priests. The followinf,' are among the Indulgences granted to those who wear it: 1 A Plenary Indulfjenco was pranted, March 2lBt, 1S48 to be Ki.ined every Friday, b.v tlioso menibers of the Sacred Passi.m who, alter CVmfession and Commu- nion, shall meditate devoutly for some time on our Lord s Passion, and pray for peace among Christian tstates, tlie extirpation of heresy, and the exaltation of the Church. J 2 Two hundred days' Indulgence may bo gained by kissing with c.mipunction the Red Scapular, and saying this ])rayer: "Wo beseech thee, therefore, help thy ser- vants, whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood " The Redemptorist Fathers receive from the hu- perior-General of the Congregation of the Mission the faculties to bless this Scapular. ^^______ t m. nmunmlion'nmy be nmdo on tho Sunday', by those who cannot receive ou the Friday.— Sept. lath, 1850. T*- **-' 1. A 1 hiHt tlin iiig thu I chui'i'ii i may, wl into sum: 2. A I conditio oloso of 3. A conditio its erect time. '. C0iifte<80 1848.) N.B.- applicd 4. Fit quaraiit the coiK — (/'ms 1. By in whiol time, an each til Sunday, h, in Man FcnRt «if the any ono daj of Our Lady of m which may he iirs, it is well to if gniniiiii; all the 10111 to iiurHt'lven, tliiMuost needy), U) 1)6 disfioHud of f tlu! most Raorod loviiij; and siir- rgiii Mary. This IMS, I'ius IX., in liich he prnnta to the privilnf;o of ) Kiinie p)wer to ; tin; Induigcncea ted, March 21 st, luiNO members of (ion and Commu- imo on our Lord's ristian States, the n of the Church.J nay bo gained by nulav, and saying fore, help thy ser- ith thy precious ceive from tlic Su- f the Mission the y, by tboso who cannot UN INUL'LUENCKH. 118 ^y %p >%,»A* INDULGENCES FOR MISSIONS. ", *. 5,; I. DUBINO THE MIHSION. 1. A Plenary Indul;;eiieo may bo jrainod on one of the lant tlii'ce days (on tlie (inliimry conditionH*), bv attend- iiij5 tliu exercises of the Mission, or at least visiting the churi'li in wliieh it is j^ivun. The attendance at cliureh may, where it is impossihio, be ehan);ed by the confessor into some other giod work. — (I'iun IX., Muiclt, 1852.) 2. A I'ii'nary Indulj»enpe niav be grained (on tlie usual conditions*) by receiving the I'apal Benediction at the ulosu of the Mission. 3. A Plenary Indnl;;enco may he pained ((m the usual conditions*) by visitin;^ the Mission-Cross, on the day of its erection, and some church, and prayinf? there for some time. The visit, if impossible, nniy be chanjied by the confeifsor into some other good work. — ( Phm IX., March, 1848.) N.B. — The above three Plenary Indulgences may be applied to the- souls in Purgatory. 4. Finally, an Indulgonco of seven years and seven Suarantines for every sermon heard in the Mission, on le condition usual in the caso of partial indulgences.f —i,Pius VL, Aiojunt, 1778.) II. AFTER THE MISSION. 1. By visiting, on nine consecutive Sundays, a church in which a Mission was given, and praying there for somiJ time, an indulgence of one hundred days may he gained each time, on the usual condition ;t and on the last Sunday, a Plenary Indulgence, on the usual conditions. • See pane 103, No. 4. 10* t Ibid. No. fi. ^!] ! lit GKNKRAL DKVOTIONS. 2. By confoKMing nnd coinniunii'iitinp; in honor of tho Sorrowl'iil Mutlii-r, on hovou SiuuliiyH foUi.winf; a Miit- nioii, 11 IMcniiry liululgunto uiiiy \m giiiueU ou tho hut Suniliiy. ;j. Within dix monthH after iv MiHsion, or tho proction of tho (VoHH, they who iittcndod tho Mission nmy >;iiin a Plcimi-y Inilulji;cnc« on iiiiy tiny, nt ciioii-o, hy iMnilWin)? and contmunictttinj;, and praying for tho uhuul intcutiom INDULOENCEH ATTACHED TO MI8SION-( HOBHES. His HolinesB, Pius IX.. in order to promote the cause of tiio Missions, han attached to the Miswion " "i-ossns erected by tlie Uodeniptorist Fatlierx tho followi\ig indulgences: 1. A I'lenary Indulgenee, to ho gained on tho anii'vcr- Bary of tlie erection of tlio Cross, or on tho Sunday lul- lowing, and on tho feiiHts of tho Finding and Exultation of the II(dy Cross (Miiy 3 and Sejit. 14). hy viditing said Mission-Cross and Bonio ehurcii, alter confession and com- munion, end praying for some time for th(! usual inton- tioi.i. These Indulp-Mices are apnlicahle to the souls in l\u-gtiiwy.—(liencri})t of March 27, 1852.) 2. An Indulgence of seven years and seven quaran- tines for veciiing before a Mission Cross, with a contrite heart, seven lliiil .Vari/s. in honorof the Sorrows of Mary. —(Jicscrijjtn of March 17, 1851, and July 15, 1858.) 3. Finally, an Indulgence of three hundred days, every time that five Our Fathers, Hail Marys, and Glorys, are recited hefore a Mission-Cross, with a contrite heart, and in honor of our Lord'i Sacred Viouada.— (Rescript of March 27, 1852.) in honor of the illowing a Mis- itoU uu tilt) hist or tho prnction Dion iiiny ffxin a 0, by iMiiil'cssing ihuiil intvtitiuiM. ION-( I108HES. 'onioto the cause i (U'dHsfis croi'tcd iig indulguiicuH: I on tho anii'vcr^ tlio Siiiiiliiy lul- r aiiavid s|i;iko in prophecy: 'I'/ni/ j/icri'id my hands and iiiijj'cct; Ikcy luicc numLeicd ali my bonen. PARTICULAR DEVOTIOT^S. '*' ^Mm id i\t §Icsstii Sitrramtnt. rnOM THE "visits" of 8T, LlOl'Oni. Faith teaches, and wo are hound to believe, that Jesus Christ is really present in tho consecrated Host, under tlie apiiearaiico of bread. But we must know also that he remains on our altars, as on a throne of love and mercy, there to dispense his graces to us, and to show his I'lve. Ho remains with us ni;j;ht and day, in this hidden manner, that Christians may visit him in tho Church, and by their devotions, their thanksj^ivings and affections, f;ratefiil'y acknowledge and honor the loving presence of Jesus Christ, dwelling in the Sacrament ot tho Altar. In I lu> following visits you will tiud many 116 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. examples of tlio tender affection with which souls in- fluin.-'l with the love of God, desired to reinam in the presence of the m...t Holy Sacrament. You will fand that all tlie saints have been enamored of this sxveet devotion. On this earth we eaniu.t hnd a more brilliant iowel. or 11 more lovely treasure, than Jesus in the !5a- iranieot. how d.-li-htful it is t., ren.a.n with faith and with a tender devotion, at the foot of the u tai, und to converse familiarly with Jesus Christ, who dwells m our tabernacles for the purpose of :earing the prayera of all who vi.it him! IL-w deligluful to implore his pardon f .r our offelicos, to lay before him all our wan a as one friend does to another m whom he places all hs contidcnce. to ask his ^race, his love, and his jvlory ! But what a Para
  • e to continue la acts of love t" H.'-i™"; who remains on the altar intercetling before l"^ l;"ther in our behalf, and Inirning with love tor us Blessed Henry Suso us.^l t.. say, that Jesus, on the altar hears the prayers of the n.itliful more readily than he does in any. otlier place. .Make a trial of this devotion, and you will see the iireat fruit which you vrill gather frf)iu it. Be sure that of all the moments of your life, the time which you spend in devotion before this divine Sacra- ment will l)e'tluit which shall fjive you the greatest sup- port during life, and the greatest consolation at the hour of death and f >r all eternity. Ami be persuaded that you will gain m.re in a quarter of an hour ^pent in prayer before the Holy Eucharist, than m all the other spiritual exercises of. the day. . ... ■^^Do not then. devout sonl. refuse to begin this devo- tion From this day forward, retire each day from the conversation of men. and remain for some time, lor a half-hour, or at least a quarter, in some church, belore Jesus Christ in the Uoly Sacrament. M^ in M . ; u * i'-, IS. which souls in- to reiiiaiu i" the . You will find ed of this sweet i a more brilliant Jesus in the Sa- Muuiii with faith, of the altar, and 8t, who dwells ia iring the ]trayev9 ul to implore his lini all our wants, I he phu'cs all his id his ftloi-y ! But love to tliat Lord, before his Father for us! Blessed m the altar, hears ly than ho does in (Icvotion, and you ill gather frf)ni it. iTOur life, the time this divine Saera- u the gveatost sup- ilation at the hour be persuaded that an hour spent in ,n in all the other ;o ben;in this devo- eaeh day from the ■ some time, for a )me church, before '^*m VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 117 VISITS TO THE BL. SACRAMENT. ' (For every day in the week.) PRAYKK BEFORE EACH VISIT. MY Lord Jesus Christ, who, for the love which thou bearcst to men, dost dwell day and night in this Sacrament, full of goodness and love, await- ing, inviting, and welcoming all those who come to visit thee, I believe that thou art present in the Sa- crament of the Altar. From the deep abyss of my own nothingness, I adore thee, and I thank thee for all the graces thou hast granted to me, and especially for having given me thyself in this Sacrament, for having given me also thy holy Mother Mary, to be my advocate, and for having called me to visit thee in this church. I adore thy most loving heart this day, and I adore it with this threefold intention : first, in thanksgiving for so great a gift; secondly, to make satisfaction for the many injuries thou hast received from thy enemies in this Sacrament; and thirdiy, by this visit I wish to adore thee in all those places throughout the world, where thou art least honored, and most neglected in this divine Sacra- ment. My Jesus, T love thee with my whole heart! I am sorry for having offended thy infinite good- ness 80 often in time past. I am resolved, by the help of thy grace, to offend thee no more for the future ; and at this present moment, all miserable as fn t r i mriimi i itiiesi l g^ l m PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. I am, I consecrate myself entirely to thee. I give and abandon to thee my whole will, all my affections, my desires, and all I have. Hereafter, do with me, and with mine, whatever thou wilt. I ask of thee nothing but thy holy love, final perseverance, and the grace to I'ultil in all things thy holy will. I re- commend to thee the souls in purgatory, es-pecially those who have been most devout to thee in this Holy Sacrament, and to the blessed Virgin Mary. I recommend to thee, moreover, all poor sinners. Finally, my dear Kedcemer, I unite all my desires to the desires of thy own most loving heart ; and I offer them, thus united, to thy eternal Father, and beseedi him in thy name, for the love of thee, to receive them and to grant them. (His Ilolinpss Pius IX. grants an Imhdgenco (if tlireo hundreil days, as (iHon as the abuvo jirayer is recited, with a contrite heart, before the Blessed Sacrament. Thof^e who recite it as above every day for a month, may gain a Plenary Indulgence on any one day, at choice, on the ordiuary couditioiis.*) FOR SUNDAY. BEUOi,n Jes\is in the Holy Sacrament, the source of every good, inviting all to visit him. " Let him that thirsts come to me." St. John, vii. Oh ! what waters of grace have the saints continually Irnwn from this foun- tain, where, aci'ording to the prediction of Isaiiis, JosuB dis]ienses all the merits of his passion ! " You shall draw waters in joy from the fountains of your Saviour." • TlH' Kiiiio Tnilii1(j»'iic«8 lire attiiolicd to tlie I'rnyBr, " M r l | i i" ' ''ti » i '•«»"' ■ 18. thee. I give ill uiy afl'ections, er, do with me, I ask of thee irseverancc, and boly will. I re- atory, especially to thee in this i Virgin Mary. 11 poor sinners. ! all my desires ng heart ; and I •nal Father, and love of thee, to diilgonee of tliieo [irayer is recited, pssed Sacrament, for a month, may day, at choice, on ;nt, the source of " Let him that li ! what waters of ?n from this foun- in of Isuiiis, JoHua ion ! " You shall of your Saviour." 'riiy«r, " Slost hiily and nci', tliiit tbU I'rayerit d VirgiD. J^ i PMiiiin VISITS TO THE BLEBSEU BAOBAMENT. 119 Isaias, xii. From her long and frequent visits to Jesus Christ in the holy Eucharist, the Countess of Fcria, that illustrious diseiploof tiie venerable Father M. Avila, was called the Spouse of the Sacrament. Being asked how she was employed during the hours which she spent ai; tlie f(H)t of the altar, she replied, " I would remain there for all eternity ; for the Iloly Sacrament contains the essence of God, who will he the food of .the blessed. Go(m1 God ! I am asked what I do in the presence of my Savioi r. Why am I not raiher asked, what do I not do ? I love him, I praise him, I thank him for his favors, I supplicate his mercy ; I do what a beggar does in the presence of a rich ujan, what a sick man does in the presence of his physician, what a person parched with thirst does before a clear fountain, or what a man faint- ing from hunger does before a splendid talile." my most amiable, sweet, and beloved Jesus! my life, my hope, my treasure, and the only love of my soul, how dearly has it cost thee to remain with us in this Sacrament ! To dwell on our altars, and to assist us by thy presence, thou hadst first to die on a cross, and after- wards to stibrait to numberless injuries in the Holy Sa- crament. Thy love, and thy desire to be loved by us, have conquered all difficulties. Come then, Lord, come and take possession of my heart. Lock the door of it forever, that no creature may ever enter, to share in that love which is due to thee, and which I desire to give entirely to thee. O my dear Re- deemer, mayest thou alone reign over me, niayest thou alone possess my whole being ; and, should f ever be wanting in perfect obedience to thee, chastise me with severity, that, for the future, I may be more careful to please thee in all thin^js. Grant that I may never more desire or seek any other pleasure than that of pleasing thee, of visiting thee on the altar, of remaining with thee, and of receiving thee in the Holy Sacrament. Let others seek earthly ^mkIs, I love and desire only the treasure of thy love. This gift only do I ask of thee at the fwt of thy altar. Grant that I may forget myself to remember only thy goodness. Yo blessed seraphun, I do not envy your 120 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. Teach mo elorv, l)«t your love for your and my God. Kjaoilaton) Prayer. My Jesus, i wibu only ; tl.eo only do I desire to please. Conclude by Lkin.j the Spiritual Commun.on, r- 101. FOR MONDAY. uMy ddiglits ^ere to be with the children of men." ' Prov. vni. 31. Behold our JesuH, -l-..fSh usYnte MosUIo'ly demption, wishcd.to ™,Vje^i'„V « l"-vith the Sacrament, declaring that hsde.ghts ore ^^^ ^'i:t?a"ooa ;h?Ses"tll'amon;^ yo« l-e finds you often la ooawno ^ ^^^^^ ^^ ^^ fee ,if r fr.H>ij»;4 jc^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Sesus Christ. Let «« ^« "^^'^^^t ^^^ Christ. avail ourselves of the Cd and mv God, before this Behold me, then, my Lord »f^ '"^'*j' ' f„r the love the most infirm: I ask *h> meny '"' i J j. the grace never more to offend thee^la^K ^ j> ^^^^ grace to love thee with all my strength ^.^^ thee with mv ^hole soul I love U^ee ^'^J^f.j,,,, ^,^, si^i-^ea^ me to live my moat amiable God. ^«® I^ac feed uH the lau " For h WOR that til love no him in before said fr( joice ii the sail before the M() Euchai Oim remem redeem Since t thou d altar, f I may to the< what t self wi eternal longer sole pi is not only o: desire, heart, by me love, thoud ■zss' ik od. Teach mo ih to love thee nion, p. 101. ren of men. died for our re- thc Most Holy re to l»f with the ;resa, " how can ng you he finds )ciety, and shall aa? wo, particu- dwellins '" '"!! the privilege of rnl Behold the jh we dwell with lank him. and to jf Jesus ChriHt. God, before this i day for the love good, the remedy 3 who 18 in need. 1 the moat needy, lave pity on me. st descended from will not allow my liee, I thank thee, wk an alms, I ask ask the light and gth. Lord. I love with all the affec- rcpcat these words em continually in oly Mary, my holy ,t8 of paradise, help VISITS TO THE BLESSED SACRAMENT. 121 i^ac Good Pastor, true uread, Jesus, have pity on us, feed us, dofoiul us, grant that we may see giwu things in the laud of the living. , The Spiritual Communion, p. 101. FOR TUESDAY. " For her conversntion lias no bitterness, nor her company any tediousness." — Wisd. viii. 10. Worldlings feel so happy in the society of a friend, that tliey lose entire days in his company. They who love not Jesus, experience tediousness in remaining with him in the tabernacle. The saints enjoyed a paradise before the Holy f icranient. After her death, St. Teresa said from heaven to one of her religious: "We who re- joice in heaven and you who suffer on earth, ought to be the same in purity and love. And wliat wc do in heaven before the divine essence, you should do on earth before the Most Holy Sacrament." Jesus then, in the adorable Euciiarist, ought to be our paradise on earth. immaculate Lamb 1 immolated for us on the cross, remember that I am one of those souls whom thou hast redeemed by so many sorrows, and by so painful a death. Since thou bast given thyself entireljr to me, and since tiiou dost daily offer thyself in sacrifice for me on the altar, grant that thou mayest be forever mine, and that I may forever belong entirely to theo. I offer myself to thee without reserve, that thou moycst do with me what thou pleasest. I give thee my will, chain it to thy- self with the sweet Ijonds of thy love, that it may be the eternal slave of thy most holy will. I wish to live no longer for the gratification of my own desires, but for the solo purpose of pletvsing thee. Destroy in me whatever is not agreeable to thee. Grant me the grace to tliink only of pleasing thee, and to desire only what thou dost desire. I love thee, my dear Saviour ! with my whole heart. I love thee because thou dost dasiro to Ih) loved by me: I love thee because thou art worthy of all my love. It grieves me that I do not love thee as much as thou deservest. I would wish to die for the lovu of thee. 11 il'l riWSi>lMI>Wl * iiii , l jl ll l!»^ ^- ** ' '«* * W> l W ' ^.» 12i rARTICUIiAH DEVOTIONS. Lord, accept my ilo.sirc : give mo thy love. Amen, ''kjuc. will of my Ood, I sacrifice myself eutirfcly to The Spiritual Communion, p. 101. FOR WEDNKSDAV. "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." Luke xii. 3:1. .jEsi-i CiiRi'^T Riws, that whatsoever a person regards US his trcusur.-, on 'that his affections rest. Hence, the saints, who neither esteem nor love any other treasure than JcM.ix Clirist, have fi.Ked then- hearts and all their affeetiouH on U.is Most iloly Sacrament. My n.ost ami- able Jesus, who, for the love of me, dost remain night and dav enclosed in this tal)erna.le, draw, I entreat thee, mV whole heart to thyself, that I may think only of thee, that I may hope only in thee, and that 1 mav love and seek only tliee. Grant me this grace, through the merits of thy passion; through them I ask and hope for it mv adorable Saviour! divine lover, how nmiable arc "the temler inventions of thy lovr to gam the love of souls ! eternal Word ! thou wast not con- tent with becoming man, and dying for us; thou hast also giv<'n us thyself in this Sacrament, to be our com- panion, our food, and a pledge of eternal glory. Thou dost appear among us, atone time, an infant in a stable, and at another, a pm)r artisan in a shop; now a criminal ' on a cvoss, and again under the appearance of bread on the altar. Tell me, what more couldst thou do to induce us to love thee? God, infinitely amiable, when shall I begin to correspond to such an excess of love? l^ord, I debiro to live only to love thee. Of what use is life to me, unless I spend the whole of it in loving and in pleasing thee, my beloved Redeemer, who hast «pent thy whole life for me? And what shall I love, if Ih.ve not thee, who art all beauty, all sweetness, all g.>odiies8, all love, all loveliness? May I live only to love the^ and may my soul melt through love, at the solo reisembrance of thy 1 tlie cms with a ( hast doi ■ EJdi'. Bomctlii Jesus Sacrnnii and da}' remain mightcs and to ( main tli are closi entirely made th dost bci dost not most a I compel continm their do their In God, wl to see I love tin visited Yes,: to thee majesty Sacra m but pri souls, thy fles •"' f love. Amen, yself eutirbly to 101. ■ heart be ftlso." I person regards est. Hence, the y other treasure rts and nil their . My most ami- ist remain night draw, I entreat nmy think only and that I mav s grace, through n I ask and hope llvine lover, how thy lovT to gain ou wast not con- )r us; thou hast t, to be our eum- lal glory. Thou nfant in a stable, I ; now a criminal •ance of bread on thou do to induce lable, when shall 3 of love ? Lord, vhat use is life to in loving and in ho hast j>pont thy love, if I l.)ve not , all giMjdness, all to love thee, and solo remembrance VtsiTS TO TIIK BLESSKD SACRAMENT. 123 of thy love; nnd, nt the liare mention of the manger, tlie cniss, or the sacnuiicnt, may my licart lie innamcd with a desire to do great things for the l(pv<' of thee, who hast done and sutl'i-rod so much for the love of me. EJdi: tjrant, O my Lonl, tiiat before 1 die, I may do somctiiiug for the love of tiice. The Spiritual Communion, p. 101. FOR THURSDAY. " My eyes nnd my Iicnrt shall bo there always." 1 Kings ix. 3. Jesus lias fultilled this consoling promise in the Iloly Sacrninent of the iiltar, in which ho dwells with us night and day. My Lord, would it not be enough for tlioo to remain" in tliis Sacrament during the day, when thou mightest expect to receive tint adoration of thy servants, nnd to enjoy the delight of their society? But wliy re- main there during the whole night, wIkmi the churches are closed, and men retire to their houses and leave thee entirelv alone? But I understand tiie reason: love has made tliee our prisoner. The excessive love which thou dost bear us has chained thee to th(> earth, so that thou dost not depart from us either by night or by day. Ah! most amiable Saviour, such tenderness of love should compel all men, until driven awiiy by fi'ree, to remain continually with thee in the Iloly S.icrnnn'nt ; anil, at their departure, they should leave at the foot of the altar their liearts and all their affections with an incarnate God, who remains alone shut up in a tabernacle, all eyes to see and to provide for their wants, and nil hearts to love them, longing fir the morning, that he may be visited by the souls whom he hives. Yes, my Jesus, I desire to i-'atisfy thee ; I consecrate to thee my whole will and all my affections. O infinite majesty (if God, tlwu hast left thyself in this divine Sacrament, not onl^to be present with, and near to us, but principally to fommunicate thyself to thy beloved souls. Lord, who shall dare to approach thee nnd eat thy flesh? But who, on the other hand, can withdraw 124 I'AUTICUIiAR liEVOTIONS. from thoo ? To ronio into our souls, and to take pos- eossion oC our l.n.rts, thou hast conceal.-d tliyHolt under tl,e ..ons,HnU...l Host. Tlu.u dost burn w.th ft desire to 1,,' nrciwd l.y us. and thou dost dolight in a union with us. C.i...., tl.en. my Josus. com.- ; 1 desnv to re- leivo tlu'o. th; t tl.ou mtivest be the God ol my heurt and of inv will. My dtnvr Ucdoenier, whutt-viT is in mt«, X Yield to thy lo'vo; for tiieo I renouiico griit^K'iitions, ,,l.M.s.ireH, M'li-wiil, and all that I possess. O love, O G(..l of love, lei^n imd triumph over iny whol.> being ; destrcv in me whatever is mine and is not thine. My love, (io not permit my .oul. which, by receiving tl.eo m the lu.lv onnimunion, has been filled with the majesty of a (ioU, .'ver n^'aiu to become attached to cveatures 1 love th.-e. my (iod, I love thee; 1 dosiro to love thee alone, !Uid forever. ...» J^uc. " Tni/ie we viuculis amon.i tui. The Spiritual Communiou, p. 101. FOU FRIDAY. Not findiu" her beloved, the spouse of the Canticles went about the .-ity, asking. " Have you seen him whom my soul loveth?" Cant. iii. 3. Jesus was not then on ourtU ; but now, if a soul that loves Jesus seek.s b"n-,|;he eai. li.d bim at all times in the Holy fMicranieut. Ihe venenibU^ Father Avila used to say. tliat he neither knew nor desired any sanctuary more amiablo than a church m . which Ihe holv Kuchiirist was preserved. infinite l.ivo of my God, worthy of infinite love! mv Jesus, h.iw hast thou been able to submit to such debasement as to oonceal thyself .inder the appearances of bread in order to dwell omcms men, and to unite thy- Kclf to their hearts? incarnate Word, thy humiliation has been extreme, because thy love for ns has no bounUs. How can I but love thee with all my aficctions, when 1 vefiect on all thou hast done to cajitivate niy heartr 1 love thee ardently; niid, therefore. I prefer thy will to all my interests, to uil my pleasures. My dcli-ht m to please thee, my Jesus, my Gi)d, my love, and my all. Kindle within I thee in t compaii; sweet ai me all wish to tions. I seek n iny own M!y Jesi to love t miserab Ixindsm EJac. all cartl 1. ^ I\ m verified which I the etc on oart' hides h the teiii of brea hidden, loved I for mai what ti majest) stroy a And w pation thy lov ;\re!i OJe VISITS TO TlIK m.ESSEU SACRAMJCNT. 125 nd to take pos- 'd tliynolf under with a desire to gilt in a union 1 deHiri' to re- of my liciirt and •v<'r IS in me, I !0 j;riitifK'iitions, loss. O love, ly wli(il<> lioinc; not thine. My ri'coiving thoc in •ith the majesty I to cvcaturoM. I jsiro to love thee 101. of the Canticles I seen him whom was not then on lis seeks him, she Saeraniont. The t ho neither knew ! than u church iu il. of infinite lovel to sulimit to such r the appearances and to unite thy- [1, thy humiliation as has no hounds, aficctions, when I ato my heart? I efor thy will to all Icli^ht "is to please 1 my all. Kindle within me a stron<; desire to remain continually heforo thee in the Iluly Saeraineiit, to receive thee and keep theo company. 1 should lie uny;ratei'ul if I did not accept so sweet and "^raciiais an invitation. Ah! Liml, destroy in me all affectiim to creatures. Thou, my Creator, dost wish to he the sole olijcct of all my thout;lits and affec- tions. I love thee, iimst amiatile j^tikkIucss of iiiy Oud; I seek nothin:: from thee hut thvself. I do not wish for my own satisfaction ; for me it Is enough to satisfy thee. ily Jesus, accent thin ^ood desire of a sinner, who wishes to love thee. Assist mo hy thy ;:race, and ;;raiit that 1, a miserahle slave of hell, may he henceforth the happy Ijondsman of thv love. EJar. .lesus, source of all my good, I love theo above all earthly ^oods. The Spiritual Communion, p. 101. " FOR SATURDAY. '•Verily, thou nrt a hidden God."— Isa. xlv, 15. I\ no work of divine love are these words so clearly verilicd as in the adoral>lc mystery of the Eucharist, in which our Ciod is altogether hidden. In taking flesh, the eteniiil Word concealed his divinity, and appeared on eartli in tlie fia-m of man; hut in this Sacrament he hides his hiiinanity, and, as St. Bernard says, '• to show the tenderness of his love for us, he takes the aiipearance of bread." " The divinity is hidden, the humanity is hidden, the bowels of charity '''>' ~ I'AllTR'UIiAR DEVOTIONS. tlioii "li'Hi iiipfir I heir wolfnro to thy own honor. And didst thtiii iii.t liircM'o tilt! iiiKultM to wliioh tho iiiMtitutiun of tliis SMciunii'iit 111" love Nhoiilii oxpoM? tlii't'? 1 know, iinil thou iil.x" liiist wi'll know, tliiit thi- jjrciiter part of men nrith<'i' adoio thco nor lick now li-d>ji' thy |>r('scnce in thif< Siicnmic'iit. I know thiit tliosc very men have cono Hofar i\y> lo traiiiplt' on the eonscLTatc lioly Eucharist, instead of rc^puiring Hnch iinira;;cs liy tlioir iionuigo and lovi , come to the chiii-cii t • olfeiid' thee liy tiicir irrovere. ■,(•:>, or abandon thee alto^ii'tlier, and even sonnitiines K i .-o theo with- out a lamp and witinait the ornanientH mn oasury for the decent deconilloii of lliy altar. my most sweet .Sivionr, that I eiuild wash with my tears, and even with my Idood, those nnha;ipy places in wliieii tliy lo\inj!; heart has been so grossly ontra^;ed in this Sacrament 1 But if 1 am not allowed to do this, 1 de- sire at least. O Ijoi'd, anil purpose, freoiu^ntly lo visit and adore tliei?. in ccim|iensation for the nisnitf. which thou dost receive from men in this nuist divine mystery. Ac- cent, Oeieriial Father, this poor homage which I, thomost nuseralile of men, olfev 'o nieo this day, in repanilion of the injuries committed i; linst th^- Son in the Holy Sa- crament. Aci( pt it in union with that intinito honor ■which Jesus C'lrist rei.derud to thee on the cross, and which he renders to '.hco every day on the altar. my Jesus, that 1 could cnamor all men of this Holy Sacra- ment ! KJ'ir. my amiable Jesus, make all men know and love thee! The Spiritual Communion, p. 101. 18. wn honor. And .'li tlu) inMtitution (• tlii'i'? I know, (• grt'iitor part of I' thy |)Vfs(!iice in y men liiivo gono idstH, t'lciisttlicm llirow tluMn into iter jiiirt of tlioso ti-iiil of rc!|iiur'mg iivi, come to the (i.ic:>, or uhandon li I .'0 thee with- veiossary for the ilrl wash with my hha;ipy plaw's in •cis.sly (mtra;iod in }t\ to do this, Ido- uMitly (o visit and isiiltK wiiich thou no mystery. Ac- wliich I, tliomoHt , in rcpanition of I in tlie Holy So- lut ititiiiito lienor in the erosH, and the altar. my this Holy Sacra- II men know and ). 101. THE WAY OF TUB CR088. f fee (SititH of i\t dxm. 127 It was a very fre(|\ipnt and numt tonchin;» devotion of Chrisilans, in former tinieH, to make a |iii;;rinia'.;o to the Holy liMiiil of I'alcstini', wher<> our Ulessed Uedcenier lived and died, and there to visit every spot of ground wliieh had Imm-ii made saered by his prescniM-, and esne- eially those which were known as the stations of hi!) ]iassion and death, and to honor these holy places by prayer and by penance. Afterwards, Avlien the Holy Land had fallen into the hands of the inlidel Saracens, and Christians could no lon;;er make this pilji;riimif;e %yith safety, tins e.xi'rcisc of the Way of the Cross was invented as a substitute. Pictures representinj; the most moving and rcnnirkable eventH of our Lord's pas- sion, from the time of his Hetitence to his burial, are hunjj about the walls of the eluireh, and ))y visitinj^ those in succession, and prayinj^ before each one, wo are able in some maimer to imitate the devotion of Catholics of other days, although oy a pilKrinia;;c far less lonji; and painful. The AVay of the Cross, in its present form, was instituted in the middle of the four- teenth century, by the Franciscans. The !iivereij!;n Pontiffs have attached to it many indulj^ence-^. which are too numenais to mcntiim here. Any one who is in a state of >rnice may gain these indiiljjences by mak- inj; the round of these fourteen ctations, nicditatinfr before each me upon the mystery it represents. No form of i>rayer is required, nor is it necessary that these meditations sluaild be hmg. (S. C. Ind. 22 'Sept. 1829; ditto, 7 April, 1831.) As for those to whom it is im- possible to fulfil these conditions, either because they cannot meditate, or are unable to visit the stations, they may make the Way of the Cross in another manner, by means of a crucifix iudulgenced for this purpose. Theso waaftuhrff 'i|*tii 189 PAnTirriiAU dkvotionb. Kiiin all tlM> in.l.i^'.-n.v. l,y l.nl.linj,' the cruriflx in tlioir Kun.l, I.I..1 1 itii.K lourtroM tiin.M tho I'atkr. Avk, imd (Ji.okia: Hm'm Hv till..-. I'ATKK, Avr, un.l t.i.ou.A. in l.un.ip "(■ tlu! Ilv.- woimiN ..four lior.l; nud tiimlly. oMo I'xTK.H. AvK, and Gloria, lor tbo iiituiilion ol tho SoViTi'ijill I'olltiir. Tl.iM ilovo.ion i8 c..M,monop.l with nn not of conlrlfion. wliicli limy be ma.lo lu IdIIows. or iu any Miuilur inuu- licr : . O^IV fioil, my Redeemer, beliolil mc hero at thy \Wt. Kr.im the bottom of my heart 1 urn sorry for ull my mm, becaiwo by tliem I have offended thee, wlio art infinitely {,'ooa. I will die rather than offend theo again. FIRST aTATION. .» / Jesus is condemned to Dcrtth. '» V. We adoro thee, O Christ, and we bless thco. 11. Hecau.so by thy Holy Cross thou hast redeemed the world. (Tliif rcnirlf and reiponte art repented before each Station.) Consider how Pilato condemned the innocent Jesus to death, and how thy Hedeemor submitted to this sentcnee, to Irco thee from the sentence of ever- lauting death. OJKSUS, I Miank thee for this thy great love, and I beseech thee, to take back the sentence of everlasting death which I have deserved by my sins, so that I may be made worthy to attain to everlasting life. Our Fathn; Hail Mary, Glory be, <£r. mmml^^ 8. crucifix in thoir Patkr. Vvk, tind K. llll'l til.OttlA, ril; Mild tiiitilly. iiituiiliwu ut' tho »ot of contrition, iiiiy Miiuilur mau- nic licro ut thy lu'iiit I uiii sorry I have offi'tuhid die rather than we bless thco. >u hu-st redeemed 'fare f'lch Slalion.) 3d the innocent ninr suhniitted to sentence of ever- D thy great lovo, i the sentence of •wed by my sins, ,ain to everlasting ori/ be, &c. MTAT "F Tilt CB08B. V29 8ECONU STATION. JoRUB it iniulo lo benr his Ct^m. V. Wc ndorc thco. kc. R. Because, kc CotiHidor liow dcsus took upon his Hhouldcr» the Cross which lliy niiiny sins made so heavy. OJI''SrS, ^nint me the grace not to make thy Cross Iic'iivicr by new sins, and cheerfully to carry mine in a true sjiirit of penance. Oiii' Ftithtf, Jhill Mmij, Glurij bv, dx. ' ■ TIIIRR HT.VTION. JcHiis fulls the first time. V. We adore thee, &e. 11. Because, &c. Consider liow Jesus, overcome by weariness and pain, fell to the ground under the weight of the Cross. O.TKST''S, my fdls Into sin caused thee this fall. Grant thnt T may never renew thy pain by a relapse into sin. Our Father, Ilnll Muri/, Glory be, dec. FOURTH STATION. Jebus l« met by his blessed Mother. "V. Wc adore thee, &o. R. Because, &c. Consider the anguish which filled the hearts of Jesus and Mary at this sorrowful meeting. It was thy sins that caused the Son and the Mother this affliction. fM»Wf'T^-~'T'^'^''^"^''''^'''''''''''''^'~''~''^^ 130 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. JESUS, excite in me, through the iniercession of thy holy Mother, a lively sorrow ibr my sins, that T may bewail them my whole lil'e long, and in the hour of my death find favor with thee. Our Father, Hail Mart/, Glory be, die. j A JB V fro iieart a FIFTH STATION. The Cross is laid on Simon of Oyreno. ' V. We adore thee, &e. 11. Because, &o. Consider how the Jews, seeing that Jesus was no longer able to drag hi:i Ooss along, compelled Simon of Cyrene to carry it after him. JEST'S, I ought to carry the Cross, because I have sinned. Give me the grace at least to accompany thee on the way to Calvary, and for the love of thee cheerfully to bear the Cross of adver- sities. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory he, &c. SIXTH STATION. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus. V. We adore thee, &c. R. Because, &c. Consider how this holy woman tried to alleviate the sufferings of Jesus, and how he rewarded her by leaving the print of his sacred face on the towel she hud in her hands. V. \ Cons fall. 1 queut I JE me again ti V. \ Cons not for weep m AJE yj the fitable < r .J ' . aft ii ^ ii i » i^i^W>^i^l|w" NS. the intercession now I'or my sins, lUc long, and in :h thee. u'l/ be, &c. f Cyrene. lecause, &c. hat Jtsus was no conipellod Simon Cross, because I grace at least to vary, and for the e Cross of adver- hry he, &c. : Jesus, because, &c. tried to alleviate e rewarded her by e on the towel she ^ WAY OF THE CROSS. 131 JESUS, grant nic the grace to cleanse my soul from all xta defilements, and imprint deep in my iieart and mind the image of thy holy sufferings. Ouy Father, Hail Mary, Glory he, &c. SEVENTH STATION. Jesus falls the second Jime. V. We adore thee, &c. R. Because, &c. Consider the sufferings Jesus endures in this second fall. Thou hast been the cause of them, by thy fre- quent relapse into sin. OJESrS, I stand before thee full of shame. Give me the grace so to arise from my sins, aa never again to fall back into them. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, &c. EIGHTH STATION. Jesus speaks to the women of Jerusalem. V. We adore thee, &c. . R. Because, &c Consider how Jesus exhorts these women to weep, not for him, but for themselves; to teach thee to weep more for thy sins than for his sufferings. JESUS, give me tears of true contrition, that the sorrow I feel for thy sufferings may be pro- fitable to me. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory be, &c. 3r ^u PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. NINTH STATION. Jesus falls the third time. V. We adc/e thee, &c. B. Because, &c. Consider how Jesus falls the third time, enduring excruciating pain, to atone for thy obstinacy in con- ' tinually committing new sins. JESUS, now I am firmly resolved to give up sin forever, so as not to cause thee new suffering. Strengthen mo in this my resolution, and by thy grace make it efiBcacious. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory he, &c. TENTH STATION. Jesus is stripped, and receives gall to drink. V. Wo adore thee, &c. R. Because, &e Consider the shame Jesus endured in being stripped of his garments, and the bitterness of the wine mixeJ with myrrh and gall, which they caused him to dnnk. Thus he atoned for thy immodesty, and thy intemper- ance in eating and drinking. JESUS, I am sorry for all tl c sins I have com- mitted by sensuality. I promise, with thy asmst. ance, not to renew thy shame and suffering, and to live henceforward in modesty and temperance. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory he, &c. V. ' Com when Cross, sacred ov. will tc offend thing. V. Com on the 0"" w m« my lif< Only g to put ^l&9Kld^l^f" S8. WAT or THE CROSS. 183 le. jcause, &c. d time, enduring obstinacy in con- ed to give up sin EC new suffering, tion, and by thy ^ory he, &c. ELEVENTH STATION. Jesus is nailed to the Cross. V. We adore thee, &c. R. Because, &c. Consider the dreadful sufferings Jesus endured, when the Jews stretched his bleeding body on the Cross, and fastened it thereon with nails through his sacred hands and feet. OJEST^S, thou sufferest all this for me ; and should I suffer nothing for thee ? Fasten my obstinate will to thy Cross. I ' firmly resolve never more to offend thee, and for the love of thee to suffer every thing. Our Father, Hail Maru, Glory he, ^ V. Wc adore thee, &c. R. Because, &c. Consider how the most sacred body of Jesus was laid, with the greatest reverence, in the new grave prepared for it. JESUS, I thank thee for all thou hast suflfered in order to mdeem mc ; and I beseech thee, grant that I may prepare myself to receive worthily, in holy Communion, the Body which thou hast given for me. Take up thy abode forever in my soul. Our Father, HaU Mary, Glory he, &c. Conclude by saying five times Our Father, Hail Mary, and Glori/ be, cjc, to gain the ludulgoncea. i {An et I. ( Fathei and CO Ji. II. into V robber on us. li. III. Jews factor, mercy R. IV. and m on us. R. V. smittc purple with c R. :i i'iit H p i fr i lf t "W^ STEPS OF THE PASSION. 135 m the Cross, iausc, &0. of God, when her divine Son, of life. I the grace never lew sins, but by er alive in mc. •1/ he, d'c. ;. lire. cause, &c. (dy of Jesus was I the new grave liou hast suflfered seech thee, grant sive worthily, in thou hast given : in my soul. »ry be, &c. ier, Hail Mary, and 9. f be 3\tp of mx Samout's '$ma\L (An etceUenl Dcrolioii for Fridays, and for Lent, com- posed by Sf. AnijHstiH.) I. O dearest Jesus, so sorrowfully praying to thy Father in the (Jardcn, whilst trembling with agony, and covered with a sweat of blood ; have nuTcy on us. Ji. IIuvi' merri/ on h.s, Loril, hve in torment hang>* ; She beneath beholds the pangs Of her dying glorious Son. Quis est homo, qui non flo- Is there one who would not ret ^^■'="P' . . . Wliclm'd in miseries so deep, Christ's dear Mother to behold ? Quis non posset contristari, Can the human heart re- Christi Matrem contem- From partaking in her pain, pliiri Christi Matrem si videret In tanto supplicio? Dolentem cum Filio? Pro peecatis suaj gentis, In that Mother's pain untold? Vidit Jesum in tormontis, Et flagellis subditum. bruised, derided, cursed, d(;filed, She beheld her tender Child All with bloody scouiges rent ; Vidit suum dulcem natum For the sins of his own na- tion, Moriendum, desolatum. ^-.S^-ft^i^^Sft Dum cmisit spiritum. sent. Yah Mai Me sen! Fac, 1 Fae ut 1 Inamar Ut sil Sancai ! Crucilia Cordi Tui Na Tam di Poem Fac me Crucifi; Done Juxta c Et me 1 In p Virgo 1 Mihi ji Fac NS. tor anjiuish bear- length tlio sword iiss'tl. ad and sore dis- d Mother highly lolo bcfjotteii One ! b.>ve in toinient s; ■ath beholds the 8 • dying gloriouB me who would not in mifierics so n dear Mother to Id? human heart re- •taking in her pain, it Mother's pain lid? - derided, cursed, ed, Id her tender Child ith Ijloody scourges sins of h'sown na- hann;indesohvtion, is Sjpirit forth he A, STEPS OP THE PASSION. 139 thou Mother! fount of love! Touch my spirit from above, Make my heart with tiiino accord. Make me feel as thou hast felt: In iimando Christum Deum, Make my soul to glow and melt IVia Mater, fons amoris, Me sentiro vim doloris Fuc, ut tecum lugeam, Fae ut nrdeat cor meum Ut sibi complaceam. Sancui Mater, istud agas, Crucitixi fige plagas Cordi meo valide. Tui Nati vulnerati, Tam dignati pro mo pati, Poenas mecum divide. With the love of Christ my Lord. Holy Mother! pierce me through ; In my heart each wound renew Of my Saviour crucified. Let nu" share with thee his pain, Who for all my sins was slain, Who for me in torments died. Fae me tecum pic Acre, Crucifixo condolere, Donee ego viscro. Let mo mingle tears with theo. Mourning Him who mourn'd for me. All the days that I may live : Juxta crucem tecum stare. By the Cross with thee to stay, Et me tibi sociare There with thee to weep and pray. In planctu desidero. Is all I ask of thee to give. Virgo virginum prseclara, Virgin of all virgins bleat! Milii jam non sis amara. Listen to my fond request, Fae me tecum plangere, Let me share thy grief divine p , i'ii.'ir7iiiMii>ir'."(iiiiisi8'i''ii m PARTICULAR DKVOTION8. Fnc tit portcm ChriHti inor- toin, Pa»Hu>tii» fac consortcni, Et plagtts reeulcro. Fao me plagis vulncrari, Foe me cruce inebriari, Fit eruoro Filii. Flainmis no urar sucpeiisun Por te, Virgo, siin del'ensus In die judicii. ^ Christe, cum sit hincexirc, Da per Matrem me venire Ad pahnam viutoriiw. Qiumdo corpus moriotur, Fttc ut animiB donetur Paradisi gloria. Amen. Let mc, to my latest broatli, In my body bear the death Of that l(ived whom 2. Th to Marj erected glory, h< estAblisI and of i the prac 'l.*,^ -J»^ Jk:!' iN8. tcsa nmdo kuown Hf. ijjtht for by wiekod by Saint .IoHC|)h 3(1 from the cruel 3 of the martyred Kpypt ronininiri_'5 I'litriareb JoHcph, rcy on us. urning back from cd by ninny labors ity of Nazareth to Kim. ?dicntly remaining c dwelling piously auoing iu wisdom, 3d to Jerusalem at f thy Parents with ,'s found with joy 1 us. .■j»«s. Alleluia. UM. .',r;,^ -„ DEVOTION TO THE BLESSED VIBOIN. 143 ALMIOHTY and everlasting Ood, liOrd of heaven and eartli, who revealest thyself to the humble; ^runt, wc beseech thee, that commemorating with duo honor, and following with worthy imitation, these most sacred mysteries of thy Son, the Infant Jesus, we may happily arrive at that heavenly kingdom which thou hast promised to thy little ones; through tbo same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. m gtUfltifltt to t^e §lessclr l^irgin liars. EvERV true and pious Catholic will proRerve in his heart a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and this for many and most obvious reasons, among which are the following: 1. It is Mary who gave birth to Jesus Christ our Re- deemiir : she is, therefore, the true Mother of Ood. Think seriously for a moment, Christian, on these few words: Mary is the Mother of Ood. Could Ood bestow on her a nol)Ier name, or a greater dignity? O then, with what eyes will not Jesusonc day '"4 dii those who would not honor his Blessed Motln although he himself has honored her so much! I" thorv, indeed, a creature more Imloved by Ood than Mn. t t««m itself teaches us devotion to Mary. How mMtv ohwjirhes and altars have been erected in her hom*, V>w many feasts instituted for her glory, how many ctMwfmternities and even religious orders established under her name, how many treasures of grace and of indulgeni'«s have been attoohed by the Church to the practice of honoring Mary 1 .^.i.i,ff.0,fr,i: ^SM'ti:jl^i^ 144 PAETICULAR DEVOTIONS. Has not God performed innumerable miracles through her intercession, as so many privileged places of devotion and of pilgrimage show us? Have not kings and princes placed their states under her protection? All who truly revere Jesus Christ raise their voices in honor of Mary. For how can he honor the Son, who despises the Mother? 3. Mary is our uope. The Holy Church names her so, when she salutes her with these words: "Hail, our Hope !" God refuses her nothing that she asks, because he 18 her Son. Neither will she refuse any thing to us, because she is our Mother. Jesus gave her to us for our Mother, with these words: "Woman, behold thy Son!" She is the tenderest, the most devoted, the most com- passionate, and most loving of all mothers. Are you a great sinner? Do not despair of salvation on that ac- count ; pray to Mary, the refuge of sinners, and you will not sink in the stormy waves of the sea of life. Would you grow in virtue, ask of Mary, the queen of saints, and she will certainly obtain grace for you. Are yoij troubled, call on Mary, the consoler of the unhappy, and you will certainly be comforted. .,,04 " Remember, most compassionate Virgin, at. Au- gustine exclaims, " that it never was heard that any one had sought for refuge under thy protection, without ob- taining relief 1" , ... J X' Cultivate carefully, then, in your heart, this devotion to the blessed Mother of God, and be sure that Mary will obtain for you great graces in return for the little acts of love and homage which you offer to her. In particular, do not neglect those devotions which are so well approved, and so generally practised by devout Catholics, such as the Visits to the Blessed Virgin, the Litany, and the Rosary. f^pi^ml^Mit^-^-*^"''^''^'**-''*''-- These Blesi ing( cbuv it nij fleet acce for t Af piness and gi in the all re( her w of gra also, t this g might age. [At th orde God of th imm^'^^'f' }NS. e miracles through i phices of devotion t kings and princes )n? All who truly in honor of Mary, tspises the Mother? lurch names her so, words: "Ilail, our it she asks, because se any thing to us, ve her to us for our ; behold thy Sm !" ted, the most com- jthers. Are you a Ivation on that ac- inners, and you will sea of life. Would le queen of saints, for you. Are you f the unhappy, and ,te Virgin," St. Au- heard that any one tection, without ob- heart, this devotion sure that Mary will for the little acts of ber. In particular, »re so well approved, t Catholics, such as he Litany, and the «!*4e.4j».>*a-#(fci»«i*>.: VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRQIN. 145 VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. (For every day in the week.) . These Visits usually follow immediately after those to the Blessed Sacrament (p. 117). They are made by kneel- ing down before the altar of the Blessed Virgin in the church, or before any image of hers, in whatever place it may be, and devoutly making use of the following re- flect ious 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 fertile source of grace which it is our great hap- piness to possess, is Mary our Mother, so rich in goods and graces, says St. Bernard, that there is not a man in the world who does not participate in them. "We all receive of her fulness." God himself has filled her with grace, as the Angel said to her, " Hail ! full of grace I" It is not for herself alont>, but for us also, add'! St. Peter Chrysologus, that she received this greai; treasure of grace, so that afterwards she might communicate it to her devout followers in every age. Ejacidatory Prayer. — Cause of oar joy, pray for ua. [At the end of each visit, repeat the following prayer, in order to obtaiu the powerful patronage of the Mother of God:] MOST holy and immaculate Virgin, my mother Mary, to thee, the Mother of my God, the Queen of the world, the advocate, the hope, and the refuge 13 ; ' ___aaBtt«fi ut PAKTICULAE DEVOTIONS. of sinners, I have recourse to-day, I, who am the most miserable of all. I render thee my humble homage, great Queen, and I thank thee for all the graces which thou hast bestowed upon me until now, particularly for having delivered me from hell, which I have so often deserved. I love thee, O most amiable Sovereign, and for the love I bear thee, I promise to serve thee always, and to do all in my power to make others love thee also. I place in thee, after God, all my hopes. I confide my salvation to thy care.. Accept me for 'thy servant, and take me under thy protection, Mother of mercy, and since thou art so powerful with God, deliver me from all temptations, or rather obtain for me the strength to triumph over them until death. Obtain for me, I beseech thee, a perfect love for Jesus Christ. To thee I look for grace to die a good death. my Mother, by the love which thou bearest to God, I beseech thee to help me at all times, and particularly at the decisive moment of death. Do not leave me until thou seest me safe in heaven, occupied in blessing thee, and singikig thy mercies throughout eternity. Amen. N.B.— There nre Indulgences attached to the above prayer. See page 118. FOa MONDAY. " Whoever is a Utile one, let him come to me." (Prov. ix.) Mary engages all those children who have need of a mother to come to her, as to the most tender 9f all mothera. The love of all the mothers in the world, I shadow each 01 thou wl tion mi show tl Ejar grace t OST Severe inspire dost n that lii mise li hear r then, 1 descrv my lifi much give u save I own. I hope Eja aSnaa'aBS'aVr'. I, who am the ee my humble thee for all the a me until now, trom hell, which most amiable 5e, I promise to ' power to make 0, after God, all 1 to thy care.. ! me uuder thy iincc thou art so all temptations, to triumph over beseech thee, a thee I look for Mother, by the sech thee to help at the decisive until thou seest Bssing thee, and lity. Amen. ed to the above n come to me. hildren who have > the most tender le mothers in the VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 147 world, says the pious Nieremberg, is no more than a shadow compared with that love which Mary bears to . each one of us. My mother ! mother of my soul ! thou who, after God, lovcst me, and desirest my salva- tion more than all the world beside,— my mother, show thyself to be indeed a mother. EJarulatori/ Trai/er.—O Mary, obtain for me the grace to be ever mindful of thee. i f (Conclude as on page 145.) :vhv FOB TUESDAY. swt. "* most compassionate, and most amiable Soverci.' ; H what tender confidence St. Bernard inspiro; ^' -hen I have recourse to thee! Thou dost rot examine, he says, the merits of each one that las recourse to thy goodness, but thou dost pro- mise help to all Avho will priiy to thee. Thou wilt hear me willingly, therefore, if I pray. Behold, then, my petition ! Listen : I am a poor sinner, and deserve a thousand hells. I desire, however, to change my life ; I wish to love that God whom 1 have so much offended. I consecrate myself to thy service, I give myself to tlee, all miserable as I am. O then, save now a penitent who is thine, and no more his own. my Queen, hast thou heard me? Indeed, I hope thou hast both heard and answered me. Ejaculatory i'r«^t'»-.— O Mary, I am thine, save me. (Conclude as on page 145.) ''"* i ^,,,a;^Mif»g^i > ^*i^ :«>^;rf^>^;^a)ii-s:a: ;=tete«a.a'^-Mf Vjis a^'ftf^jvaa^ffiif Bi , m PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. FOR WEDNESDAY. St. Bernard Bay.s, that Mary is that jolestial ark which will surely save us f'rdui the wreck of eternal damnation, if we only take refuge there in time. The ark which saved Noc from tho universal deluge was the type of Mary ; but, says Hesychhis, JMary is an ark more vast, more powerful, and more charitable. The ark of Noe could receive only the few men and animals who were saved in it, but Mary receives and saves with certainty all those who take rcfugo under her protectic . How unhappy should we be if we had not Mary ! but, O my Queen, how many men are lost ! And why ? Because they will not have re- course to thee. Who would ever be lost that had re- course to thee ? Ejacnintory Prot/er. — ^lost Holy Mary, obtain for us that we all may hive constant recourse to thee. , (Conclui J as on page 145.) , ..( », FOR THURSDAY. J.,J..SV! What comfort I find in my troubles, how I am con- soled in my soi'ows, what strength I find in my temptations, when I think of thee, and call thee to my ait', my sweet and holy mother, IMary ! O saints of Paradise, you had great reason to give to my Sove- reign those beautiful names of " Harbor of the Af- flicted," like St. Ephraim ; " Remedy of our Misery," and " Consolation of the Unhappy," like St. Bona- venture j " End of our Tears," like St. German. Dear IVl 'jovercd out virt fort me, springs plcasinf! EJ,ia ther; tl St. B towards powerfi) compass with p(; thou arl art botl] to tlice Blosius fortify 1 this gr< me alw! ready t( to me w fully, surmoui strengtl lose thi temptat m^iaisaiffgf'if. iS. lat jolcstial ark vreck of eternal re in time. The LTHui deluge was uus, JMary is an more charitable, he few men and ary receives and ke refugo under lid we be if we w many men are ill not have re- lost that had re- Mary, obtain for Dursc to thee. i-) s, how I am con- li I find in my and call thee to , IMary ! O saints give to my Sove- arbor of the Af- ^ of our Misery," " like St. Bona- ke 3t. German. VISITS TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 149 Dear Mary, console me, then, for I see myself all 'jovered with sins, and surroundea by enemies, with- out virtue, and grown cold in the love of God. Com- fort uie, comfort me ! Bring me the consolation which springs from the beginning of a new life, u life truly pleasing to thy Son, and to thee. EJdcii/aforj/ pmijer. — Chaiige me, Mary, my Mo- ther ; thou canst do it. (Conclude as on page 145.) i»{««i FOR FRIPAY. St. Bernard assures us that the charity of Mary towards us could not be move tender nor more powerful than it is, for her heart is alv;ays full of compassion for us, and her good will is accompanied with power to help us. So then, most pure Queen, thou art rich in power, atid rich in compassion : thou art both able and desirous to save us all. I will pray to thee to-day and always, in the words of the devout Blosius : O my Sovereign, protect me in my combats, fortify me in my weakness. O most holy JMary, in this great contest which I sustain against hell, aid me always : but if ever thou scest me wavering and ready to yiild, O my Sovereign, stretch out thy hand to me without delay, and sustain me still more power- fully. O God, what temptations still remain to bo surmounted until death ! Ah ! Mary, njy refuge, my strength, and my hope, never permit that I shouli^ lose the grace of God, for I am resolved, in all my temptations, U. have always immediate recourse to thee. s \< 160 PARTICULAR UKVOTION8. Ejaculatory prayer.— lld^} me, Mary! Mary! help me! (Conclude as on page 145.) FOR 8AT1:RDAY. The blessed Amadeus says that Mary, our most glorious Queen, remains continually in the presence of God, as our advocate, interposing in our favor the assistance of her prayei-s, which are all-powerful before him. For, he continues, she sees our miseries and our dangers, and in her clemency, this amiable Sovereign has pity on us, and comes to our aid with a niothe^r's love. my advocate, and my most tender mother, it is then true that thou seest the n»iscriea of my soul, the dangers by which 1 am surrounded, and that thou prayest for me. Pray, yes, pray on, and do not cease to pray, until thou sec me safe in Paradise, there occupied in praising thee. The pious Blosius assures me that thou art, after Jesus, the sure salvation of those who are thy faithful servants. Ah ! the grace ' Mch I ask of thee to-day is, that thou wilt grant to me the happiness to be thy faithful slave until death, in order that after death I may go to bless thee in heaven, certain there to be no more exposed to stray away from thy sacred feet, so long as God is God. Ejaculatory prayer.— lldxs, Mother mine, make me ever thine. (Conoluae as on page 146.) The able, ui to St. 1 beginn ever si the fai cases, indictt! The mannc togcthi prayer tatiiin ralile j passioi vocal the Lii or 1)()J The and (li joyful teries. recitei three each ( ten fi.i is rec' the df Th« of fivi >>i,ftiiii>Vii.'ii[. IW ^*a <8, Mary! Mary! '•) . Mary, our most in the presence in our favor the are all-powerful sees our miseries icy, this amiable s to our aid with i my most tender leest the u»iscriea L am surrounded, ■ayi yes, v^'-^y ^^* a sec me safe in thee. The pious after Jesus, the faithful servants, ee to-day is, that to be thy faithful !r death I may go ere to be no more 3red feet, so long )ther mine, make 45.) TUE R08ARV. 161 ! E^'vj; f fee ^mxu flf i\t Sltsseb Wm, ( otherwise called " the Beads.' ) The Roaary is ono of the most beautiful, most profit- able, ttiid most popular (.f all devotions. It was revealed to St. Doiuinii; by the divii^ Mother ller^^elf, about the beKinniii}; of the thirteenth- century, and has continued ever sime to be so general a favorite witli all classes of the faithful, that to neglect it may he nttvibutcd, in most cases, to a lack of piety, whilst to despise it is the sure indication of an uncatliolic spirit. The Rosary, when practised in the most pe. manner, consists of two distinct modes of prayer joined together in one exercise. It is a cotnbinaiion of mental prayer, or meditation, with vocal prayer. The medi- tation is made by the consideration of (he most memo- rable and touching " mysteries" or events in the life, passion, and victory of Jesus Christ our Redeemer. The vocal prayer consists of the recitation, on the beads, ot the LoV.l's Prayer, the Hail Mary, aud the Gloria Patri, or Doxology. . The Mysteries to be meditated are fifteen m number, and dividiMi into three parts, which are ciinied the five joyful, the five sorrowful, and the five ^vjorious mys- teries. The rosary-be.uls on which the vocal prayers are recited are also divided, in a corresponding manner, into three parts, and each part into five decades (or tens), each decade consisting of one bead for the Pater, and ten for the Aves. The Gloria at the end of every decade is recited on the same bead as the Pater which begins the decade that follows. The Chaplet, or, as it is sometimes called, " the Rosary of five ■! cades," constitutes only a third part of the full l''oi»llr?ii'''KiV ik 152 I'ARTlCULAtt DEVOTIONS. RoHarv fiiid is tlio coinmor form in which tho bonds are miul.i un-l usimI at tlie piertiit (!iiy, it not being usual to recite iiim i' iliaii one part lit n tiiiio. TlioM- wlio mo lu-fiistonied Ut reeito weekly tl'o Chap- lot or RcHivry of Hvo dcfiidcs, blessed in the ordinarv manner, sinin iin in. 104, 10'). himself, where is of love Mother ( who bee hell, obi our heai Then sa; in hon love ol ''i A METHOD OF PAYING THE ROSARY, WITH THE MYSTERIES. . • [By Si. Alphonsiis Liguori.] TakinB your bends in your right bond, by the medal or cross, bless vimrself, and say, " /■» Hie """"' "/ (I'f t'o- ther" &c. TlifU recite, by way of introduction, the Creld. 1 Puter, 'A .liYS. and 1 Utorm; after wLicli, you go on with the meditation of the uiyslencs, and the recitation of the decades,. as follows: THE FIVE JOYFUL MYSTERIES. THE MESSAGE OF THE ANOEL. In this mystery wc contemplate how the blessed Viririn Mary recclvud from the Archanj;el Gabriel the "news that she should conceive and brin-,' forth into the world our Lord Jchus Christ. O.the tender pity of our God, who mitable for eattl.s and tbere hbe gave birtb to the ■ Son of God, and laid hiui on a bed of straw in the manger. It pleased our Lord JesuH Christ to come into the world in the form of a babo, and in a'uanger, in order that sinners might have more confidence to approach bini. Sinners then that we are, let U8 take courage, and beseech the blessed Virgin to obtain for us a true and unchanging eonfidcnee iu tho mercy of her Son, oui Redeemer. 1 Paler, 10 Av(», and 1 Gloria, on the beads. IV. illic TIIK PRESENTATION IN THE TEMPLE. In this mystery we contemplate how, forty days after tho birth of our liOrd, the blessed Virgin, that she might fulfil tlie ])vccept of the purification, offered her divine Son in the temple, and placed him in the arms of the aged Simeon. Mary had no need to be purified, because she was always free from stain; but in order to oboy tho law, and through humility, she went to be purified, and to appear sullied, like other women. Since, then, Ma/y, who wa.s so pure, was not ashamed to appear as if she needed to be purified, how shall we ever be ashamed to confess our sins? Let us pw to the blessed Virgin while we recite this nox como ev 1 In thi lost hur found hi of tho c having with th years oh days, th and tear never h sencc, ai tears. ( •search i when he in this V to the b! have ios a true sc Recite 1 then c< GO and jpi'j B tt ' )Na. being very pooT, HO that Mhe wax hich WU8 UHcd as uve birth to the l1 of straw in the 18 Christ to conic iinil in a. 'nnngcr, lore confidcncu to 'e nro, let us take rgin to obtain for CO in the mercy D the bcada. E TEMPLE. c how, forty days esse J Virgin, that urilication, offered placed him in the had no need to 1)C je from stain ; but ugh humility, she sullied, like other was so pure, was ■dcd to be purified, confess our sins? n while we recite THE ROBAHY. 155 this next d^oudc, that she will help us always to over- come every repugnance to confess our sins. s »« 1 Pater, lU Avet, aud 1 Gloria, ou the beads. TUB FINDINQ IN TUB TEMPtB. In this uiyntury wo tontoaiplate how Mary, having lost Iu!r Hon, sought for him during three days, and found him again the third day, disputing in the midst of the doctors. The blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, having gone to Jerusalem to visit the temple, took with them the little child Jesus, then only twelve years old. On their return, they lost him. For three days, then, they sought after him, with many sighs and tears, and found him at last in the temple. Mary never lost the grace of her Son, but only his pre- sence, and nevertheless, she sought after him with tears. O, how much greater reason the sinner has to .search for Jesus Christ, and that with many teara, when he has lost his grace ! Whoever 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. Recite 1 Paler, 10 Ave», and 1 Gloria, on the beads; and then conclude with the following prayer : PRATER. GOD ! whoso only begotten Son, by his life, death, aud resurrection, has purchased for us the re- IM r.MlTlOlII.All PK.VOTKlNH. wanlH of ctenml life: prnnf, wo bcHcecl^ thoc, that while we ineaitate up..n tlune nijHtcrioH in the n»)Ht h..ly Ilosury .)f tho nioBHcd Virgin Mury, we may imitntfi what they ci.ntnin, and obtain what they prouiise: through tho Bumo CUribt our Lord. Aincn. THE FIVE SORROWFUL MY8TERIE8. In the name of tho Father, &c. The Creed, 1 Pater, 3 Avei, and 1 Gloria. f » THE AGONY IN THE OARDEN. In the first sorrowful mystery, wc contemplate ho^ Jesus Christ sweat drops of blood, when praying in the Garden of Olives. Our Lord was seized with such gn-at sadness in the Garden of Olives that, as he said, it was enough to take away his life. " My »oul is mrrowfnl even unto death." What was it, then, afflicted Jesus Christ so much in the garden ? What was it made him sweat those drops of blood ? It was the sight of our sins that caused hito this cruel agony. Let us unite our sorrow with that of Jesus Christ. Let us beseech the Blessed Virgin to obtain for ua such ^ib^ SH. Hcecl^ thoc, that cries in tliu inoHt Mary, wo may Dtiiiii whut they ur Lord. Amen. THE ROHARY. 157 IfSTERIKS. or, &c. 1 1 aioria. lRDEN. c contemplate how , when praying in I great sadness in aid, it was enough IS norrow/ul eirn in, afflicted Jesua What was it made It was the sight cruel agony. Let Jesus Christ. Let obtain for us such a trtio and lasting Rorrow for our sins, that wc may never more give our Saviour any cau^e to weep ibr us. Then say un your beads 1 rattr, 10 Avtt, and 1 O'loria. II. THE SCOUUCIINO AT THE PILLAR. In the Hocond sorrowful mystery, wc contemplate how Jesus was cruelly scourged in the house of I'ilatc, whore, according to the revelation made to St. Hridget, he reeeivod more than (3,000 blows. This scourging was so cruel, that his sacred Body became like a leper's, that is to say, one continuol wound from head to foot, according to the prophecy of Isiiius, "And wc have ihnwjht him tm it were a Upcr." Holy writers assure us that Jesus Christ was pleased to suffer this groat punishment, especially to satisfy for the sins of men against chastity. Alas! alas! the impurities of sinners are the scourges which mado our Saviour suffer. 01 let us pray to the Blessed Viriiin to deliver us from this vice which makes hell so full, and to aid us in the time of temptation. Keoite 1 Paler, 10 Ave>, and 1 Oloria, on the beads. in. . V THE CROWNINO WITH THORNS. In the third sorrowful mystery, we contemplate how Jesus Christ was crowned with thorns, and treated like a mock king. After having been eoourgod, he 14 «.l [llH ^. ..r...^A .ri i^,i, i^:,ii^e^>^r^iS?^Mmif«imf^^ *■ 158 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. was made i.> sit Vipon a stone step; they put "a reed in his hand to represent a sceptre, a rag upon his shoulders for a royal mantle, and on hi? head, in plauo of a crown, a wreath of thorns, which they struck with canes to make them penetrate. The soldiers then insulted him, siiyinj:, "Jlni/.' Kiiuj of the Jews," and buffeted him. .Sinners do the same; for they confess, but, scarcely risen from the feet of their confessor, they go home from the church to give Jesus Christ new blows on the face. Let us beseech the Blessed Virgin to obtain for us that we may die sooner than ever offend our Lord any more. fr;'!'-' VFater, lOAves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. The carrying of the cross. In the fourth sorrowful mystery, we contemplate how Jesus Christ, having been condemned to death by Pilate, was made to bear the cross upon his shoulders. With j^rcat affection Jesus embraced this cross, to satisfy foi^ our sins. It is therefore just that we, in our turn, to satisfy for the offences which we have given him, should embrace the crosses which God sends us. Let us pray Mary to obtain for us a holy spirit of resignation, and patience under every trial. 1 Pater, 10 Ave; and 1 Gloria, on the beads. In tl how Jes was stri for love Mother suffered always i often 1( my Jes us praj the gra Christ : I Pcier, concli Joyfu .«i« In tl the thi umpha glory tSKfnSg-Ji NS. they put "a rcccl , a rag upon his on hiif head, in rns, which they penetrate. The "Jliiil! Kliuj of lers do the same ; from the feet of Bi the church to he face. liCt us lin for us that we r Lord any more. n the beads. CROSS. jy we contemplate ndcmncd to death ! cross upon his tsus embraced this is therefore just the offences which I the crosses which y to obtain for us tience under every on the beads. THE BOSARY. ii^i- 159 THE CRUCIFIXION OF OUR LORD. Tn the fifth sorrowful mystery, wo contemplate how Jesus Christ, having come to the hill of Calvary, was stripped, and nailed to the cross, where he died foi love of us, in the presence of Mary, his afflicted Mother. Consider what a bitter death our Saviour suffered to purchnse our love. Let us keep by us always some beautiful imago of Jesus crucified, and, often looking at it, let us say to him: I love thee, my Jesus, because thou hast died for mo. Now, lot us pray that afflicted Mother Mary to obtain for us the gruee to think often of the dying love of Jesus Christ for us. XPvtfr, 10 .1 I'M, and I G'lorin, on tbo beads; and then conclude with tie same Prayer given at the end of the Joyful Mysteries, page 155. THE FIVE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES. In the name of the Father, &c. ' ■ The freed, \ Pater, 3 Aves, and 1 Gloria. V. I- ' THE RESURRECTION OF OUR LORD. In the first glorious mystery, we contemplate how, the third day after his death, Jesus rose again tri- umphant and glorious, to die no more. Consider the glory of our Redeemer when he arose from the ',ii .-ftMi;N!.m^i&mj:mm,. 160 PARTICULAR UK VOi lU.NS. sepulchre, after having vauquished Satan, and deli- vcr(!(] the huuiau race, which that t^'vant lield in bondaj^e. O! how great is tlie folly of the sinner, who, luiving been delivered once from the i)0wer of the devil, is willing to become his slave again for gome wretched gain, or for the passing pleasures of this world I Let us pray the Virgin iMary to unite us so closely by love to Jesus Christ, that we may never again by a mortal sin become the slave of Lucifer. Ray on your beads for this intention, 1 Pater, 10 Ave>, and 1 Gloria. • THE ASCENSION OP OUR LORD INTO HEAVEN. In the second glorious mystery wo contemplate how Jesus Christ, forty days after his ro>urrcction, ascended into heaven in triumph, in the ■•iuht of his 31 other, and of his discii-lcs. Kefore -ic-^us Christ died for us, Paradise was closed against us; but by his death, Jesus has opened it for all those who love him. Ah ! what a pity that after our Saviour has suffered so much to obtain this Paradise, this happy kingdom for us, so many f'oolisli sinners should re- nounce it, and give themselves up to hell, for a worthless pleasure, for a mere nothing. Let us beseech our dear Lady to obtain for us the light to sec clearly how miserable are the goods of this world, and how great the delights which God ofifers in the world to come, to those who love him. 1 Paler, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. In th Jesus C sent do' Ajiostle Before so feebl of Jesu him, ai had all inflame generoi " JJe if/ feels n Let us Ghost crosses In t how 3! .Tesus ' by aua of pea' all hoi sins w Satan, and deli- , tyrant lield in ly ol" the sinner, ni tlic i)Ower of slave again for ling pleasures of n iMary to unite ist, that wo may me the slave of Pater, 10 Avea, and NTO HEAVEN. we contemplate his resurrection, I the .-iglit of his brc Jesus Christ ainsf us; but by II those who love our Saviour has adisc, this happy nners should re- p to hell, for a othiug. Let us )r us the light to c goods of this which God ofifers love him. n the beads. THE ItOSARY. 161 Hi THE MISSION OF THE HOLY GHOST. In the third glorious mystery, we contemplate how Jesus Christ, seated at the right hand of his Father, sent down the Holy (Jhost to the chamber where the Apostles, with the A'irgin Mary, were assembled. Before receiving the Holy Ghost, the Apostles were so feeble, so cold in the love of God, that at the time of Jesus' passion, one betrayed liim, another denied him, and all abantloned him. 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 Ci.rist. St. Augustine says, "lie. who lorea does not hthor." He who loves God feels no affliction under crosses, but rejoices rather. Let us ask of >Liry to obtain for us from the Holy Ghost the gift of his divine love, for then all tho crosses of this life will seem sweet to us. 1 Paler, 10 Aves, and 1 Gloria, on the beads, ^ J"HE ASSUMPTION OF OUR BLESSED LADY. In the fourth glorious mystery, wc contemplate how Mary, twelve years after the resurrection of Jesus (Uirist, departed this life, and was carried up by angels to heaven. The death of Mary was full of peaco and consolation, because her life had been all holy. Our death will not be like hers, for our sins will be then a subject of alarm. But if we 14» "rf^r^^-^itiyS- fti TARTICULAR UEV0TI0N8. abandon our sins, and consecrate ourselves to the service of Mary, then that good Mother will succor and comfort us in that last moment, as she has done already to so many of her faithful servants. Let us place ourselves, then, under her protection, with tho firm purpose to amend our lives, and lot us ask her now to assist us in the hour of our death. 1 Pater, 10 Aveg, and 1 Gloria, on the beads. V. THE CORONATION OF OUR BLESSED LADY. In the fifth glorious mystery, we consider how Mary was crowned by her divine Son, and we con- template her glory among the saints. When Mary was crowned in heaven by the hand of God, she waa appointed also to be our advocate: for this reason, St. Amadous says, that she prays for us incessantly. It is true that Mary prays for all men, but she prays especially for those who have recourse confidently to her intercession. Let us love, then, to say over aud over again with St. Philip Neri : IMary, Mother of God, pray to Jesus for us; and while we recite, this last decade of the Rosary, let us repeat with fervor those words of the holy Church, Iloly Mary, Mother of God, pray for us ! Recite 1 Pater, 10 Aves. and 1 Gloria, on the beads, and then conclude, as before, at the end of the Joyful Mys- teries, p. 165. ANOTI S.\Y lUE^ Anotb tho Mys each dec tlie "Min Tl,.> f( usual w tlic Pai on with When say tiio ^lary, fi thou an woml), t an aiigei now, ani docado, &c., say to Eliza t/ien at 1 sent in t ill I lie if with th page ) ' Whei MystEn cade, " second " who u "trJio <•( cnicife' Fort "v'hoa into hei In the fifth, " \t£iffi:tn.:'.Ti! - irsclvcs to the her will succor \3 she hus done rvants. I-et us taction, with tho lot us ask her cath. the beads. . ' iSED LADY. c consider how on, and we con- s. When Mary of God, she waa for this reason, r us incessantly, n, but she prays ■se confidently to I to say over aud ilary, Mother of le we recite this peat with fervor Ty Mail/, Mother on the bends, nnd if the Joyful Mys- THE ROSARY. 163 ANOTHER SHORT AND EASY METHOD OF SAYING THE BEADS WlTJi THE iMYSTE- RIES. Another very pnod method of recitinR the Rosary with tho Mysteries, is to exprc^x the niyste ■ appropriate to eiu'h decade in the mid'lleof each Ave, : .miediately after tho 'iinic of .Jesi's. T!,-> foUow'iig IS an example of t'.iis method: Be>!;in as usual with (he siux of tue Cross, and recite the Creed, tho PaiEU, the throe Aves, and the (ii.oRiA. and then go on with tlie recitation of the decades, us follows; When you make use of the Five Jovrui. Mysteries, say the Aves of the tirst deeado in this manner: "Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; hle.ssed art thou amongst women, and blessed is tho fiuit of thy womb, Jesus, whom Ihou didst conceive at the messaye of an angel: Holy Mary, Mother of Uod, pray for us sinners, now, and at th j hour of our death. Amen." In the second deeado, instf ad of the words, "whom thou didnt conceit,-,'' &C., say, "wnom thuu did.it carri/in thi/womli on ihij einit to EJizuhclh.' In the third decade, "%cho teas born of t/iee at Bethlehem." In the fourth, " whom thou didst pre- sent in the temple." In the fifth, "whom thou didst _find in the temple." Having thus recited the five decades, end with the same prayer given in the other method. (See page )'5.) When you select for your devot'.on the SorrowfuIi Mystehies, say in the iiiddle of eaca Ave of^the first de- cade, " icho sweat blood for us in ihe ijarden." In the second decade, " who was scourf/ed for us." In the ibird, "who was crowned leith thorns for us." In the fourth, "who carried his cross for us." In the fifth, "who was crucified for vs." For the Glorious Mysteries, in the first decade, say, " who arose from the dead." In the second, "who ascended into heaven," In tho third, "who sent the Holy Ghost." In the fourth, "who took thee up info heaven." In the fifth, "w1u> crowned thee Quern of heaven " 164 PARTICULAH 1>!:VO ' IONS. Si" This metl r,d 18 pvvhana th'> bo.t of :M, osp<>"iaHy '' thi)se who re.ite th.lr llosat • >tton, it requiros i i l)ook, md helps Btautljr {-.xi.! on the niv- tcry to i:» o k(!e|> tlu! luiii'i 1 >.\oditatcJ. KYRlFi cleison. Chri.sk dei.son. Kyvio elei>'<>n. Cliriste audi nos. C/nixtc cxaiidi )w.i. Pater do ooclis Deus, im- nerere nobis. Fili Hedemptor mun'a Dcua, miisererc nobis. SpiritHs Sancte Deus, wi- serere nobis. Sannta Trinitas, unus Deu8, mLiereit; nobis. Saiuita Maria, o»a pro no- bis. Saiieta Dei Genitrix, Sanota ViVgo Virgi- num, M;iter Christi, II Iter divinii) gratioD, Mater purissima, Mii'pr castissinia, Mater inviolata, , Mater int°inprata. Mater amabilia. Mater admirabilis, ) iX?K!>, i.ave mercy upon U8, C/u-isi, luioe vienij upon ns. Lord, liave mercy upou ub. Christ, hear us. Christ, i/racioHsli/ hear us. God, tiie Father of heaven, have mere;/ upon iis. God, the Son, Rr-ileemer of the world, have mercy upon us. God, the Holy Ghost, have niereij upon us. lloly Trinity, one God, have merci/ upon us. Holy Mary, pray for us. Holy Mother of God, 11 )ly Virgin of Vir- gma, M )ther of Christ, Mither of divine grace, Mother most pure, M ither moat chaste, Mother undetiled, Mother inviolate. Mother most amiable, Mother most adaiira- ble, Mater Ci Mater St Virgo pr Virgo ve Virgo pr Virgo pi) Virgo ch Virgo fid Specului Sedes sa Causa n( Vas spir Vas honi Vas iusij Rosa m\ Turris L Turris e Douuis a Foederis Janua » Stella ni Salus in llefugiui Consolal rum, Auxiliui rum, Rogina Reginal Rogina Regina Regina Pegina Regina Regina omnii Regina ginal p tlic mind «.i'i' tiUuJ. i)irgin. VI! mercy upon as, e meiry upon us. sivr us. ■acioHsly hear us. b'litlicr of heaven, >(•(•// H/WIt "*. 3i)ii, Rr'ilcemor of )rld, have mercy I. Holy Ghost, have ipon u-1. \ity, one God, have ipon us. ry. pray for us. ther of God, rgin of Vir- if Christ, f divine graco, nost pure, no8t chnste, indeiiled, nviolate, , nost amiable, most adaiira- LITANY OF LOBETTO. 165 Mater Creatoris, Mater Salvatoris, Virgo prudentissima, Virgo veneranda, Virgo pricdicanda, Virgo potens, Virgo clenieus, Virgo fidelis. Speculum Justitif , Sedes sapientm-, Causa nostnu lietitiae, Vas spirituale, Vas honorabile, Vas iusigne devotionis, Rosa mystica, Turris Daviuica, Turris eburnca, Donuis aurca, Foederis area, Janua cooli, Stella matutina, Salus intirmorum, Kefugium peccatorum, Consolatrix afflicto- rum, Auxiiium Christiano- rum, Rogina An^lorum, Regina Patiiarcharum, Rcgina Pi-ophetarum, Regina Apostolorum, Regina Martyrum, Regina Confessorum, Regina Virginum, Regina Sanctorum omnium, Regina sine labe ori- ginali coucepta, Mother of our Creator, ' Mother of our Re- deemer, Virgin most pruuent, Virglii most venerable. Virgin most renowned, Virgin most powerful, Vir>. 'n moat merciful, Virgil, most faithful. Mirror of justice, Scat 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 gold, Ark of the covenant, Gate of heaven, Morning star, Ilealth of the weak, Refuge of sinners, Comfortress of the af- flicted. Help of Christians, ^ ■> Queen of Queen of Queen of Queen of Queen of Queen of Queen of Queen of Angels, Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, Virgins, all Saints, Queen conceived with- out the stain of ori- ginal ain, 166 PARTICULAR REVOTIONS. AgnuR Doi, qui tollia pec- cftta inundi, parce nobis Domiiie. Agnus Dei, tjui tollis pec- cata niuncli, exandi nos Doinine. Agnus Dei, qui tollis pec- ciita mundi, miserere no- . hU. V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix. B. Ut digni efficiamur prumissionibua Chriali. Oremus. G RATI AM tunm, quoe- Huinus Domine, menti- bu8 noKiris infundo ; ut (|ui, angclo nuntiante, Chnsti Filti tui incarnivtionem cog- novimus, per passionom ejus et cruceni ad resurrectionis gloriain perducamur: Per eundem Ciiristum Domi- num nostrum. Ameiu Lamb of Ond, who takest away the sins of tlio world, spare ux, O Lord. Lamb of OihI, who takost away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord. Lanjb of Ooti, who takent away the hiiis of the world, have mercy upon us. V. IVay for us, holy Mother of God. It. riiot wc may be made wort hi of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. POUR forth, wo beseech thee, Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that wo to whom the incarnation of Christ tliy Son has been made known by the mes- sage of an angel, may by his passion and cross 1)0 brought to the ghiry of his resurrection; through the same Christ our Lord. Amen. THE "MEMORARE" OF SAINT BSRNAUD. . RPMKMBER, O most merciftil Virgin Mury, that it is unheard of, that any one flying to thee for protection, imploring thy help, or seeking thy inter- cession, was ever forsaken. Animated by this un- erring confidence, I hasten to thee, Virgin of Vir- gins; 1 ncr, I p not my gracious LITTL Inth Itha thy cm Mary, t Onrf Man/: ' concept! I thi thy wis thy rao Our f I-th( hast b^ Mary, \ Our J Qlory 6i Joseph, .:\;f/;t- ^iii. i. lod, who takest e Hins of tlio ntre k.'*, O Lord. J(m1, wiu) takost le sins of the •ar UK, a Lnrd. Jod, who takont le sins of tho aee mercy upon for us, holy :)f God. ir. may be made of the promises it. i U.1 pray. )rth, wo hospcch ) Lord, thy ginco leaits, that wo to e incarnation of y Son has bpeti wn by the ine*- n anffftl, nuiy by in and cross lio ) the ghJry of his on ; through tho rist our Lord. BERNARD. , irgin Mary, that lying to thee for •eking thy intcr- ited by tliis un- 1, Virgin of Vir- RUHARY OP IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. 167 gins; I fly to thee, O sweet Mother, a wretched u- ncr, I prostrate myself groaning at thy feet; despise uot my prayer, O Mother of the Divine Word, but graciously hear and grunt the samo. Arnm. LITTLE ROSARY OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION. In the name of tho Fathr , &c. I. I thank thoe, Eternal Father, because thou hast by thy omnipotence preserved the most holy Virgin Mary, thy daughter, from original sin. Om Father, and four ITaU Marya, adding, after each IMl Mary: " lllcssed be the holy, most pure, and immaculate conception of the lilessed Virgin Mary." , IT. I thank thee, Eternal Son, because thou hast by thy wisdom preserved the most holy Virgin Mary, thy mother, from original sin. - Our far Aer, &o., as above. m. I' thank thee. Eternal Holy Ghost, because thou hast by thy love preserved the most holy Virgin Mary, thy spouse, from original sin. Our Father, &o., as above. Finish by reciting once. Glory be to the Father, &c., in hoaor of the purity of .St. Josephr spouge of tho B. V. Mary. 168 ..jii 1.11 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. r INDULOKNCrS. ' 1. An Indulgence of oue hundred days for rccif- ing the above hittlc Rosary with a contrite heart.— (A«»/A',, ./«n. 'M, 1852.) 2. A Plenury Lululgenec ouco a month, on tho ordinary conditions, for reciting it every day for a month. —(7(/''m.) 3. An ihdulgcnco of one hundred days, as often a.s tho versiclo, "Blessed be tho holy," &c., as above, is recited with a contrite heart. — {Piu» VI, Nov. 21.S/, 1793.) 4. An Indulgence of one hundred days, for de- voutly kissing tho medal of the Immaculate Concep- tion, nud saying: "Mary, conceived without sin, pray for va who have recourse to theo." '§Mm to \\t Saints. u-a The holy Thurch touijlies us that it \n both lawful and usofiil to invoke tho Saints rcigninR with God in heaven. We ask the prayors of good men on earth, without any fear of dishonoring the incdiatorship of our divuie Saviour; and should that fear deter us from askmg the SainlfH in heavou to pray for us, because they aro in heaven? Surely not, as long as we acknowle-Jge (as we are always bound to do) that their prayei-s cim avail us nothing except through tho merits of Chnst, Neither can we doubt that the Saints receive our invo- cations, "There is joy in heaven upon one sinner that doth penance." (S. tuke, xv. 7-10.) Sow the blessed in bcav con: ..» know V l)eing p friends Ia'I U( of (jiod, pleasing and wh( Dake. Lord, 1 Christ, Lord, 1 Christ, ChriKt, God, tl God th on u, God th Holy T roly 3 Holy > Holy\ St. Mi< St. Gal St. Ra] All ye All ye St. Jol St. Joe «8. T w"i-'yB- d days for rccif- cuutrite heart.— , month, on the every day for a (I days, as often ■,"&c., as above, 'J*iuH VI., Nov. ed days, for de- uciilate Concep- ed without siu, 36." ints. \n both lawful and ith Ortd in heaven, "arth, without any ip of our divine is from asking the cause they are in sknowle-Jge (as we prayers can avail of "Christ. ts reeeive our invo- on one sinner that Hffw the blessed LITANY or THE SAINTS. 160 in heaven know what in patminK on earth, does not con- cor>; ..« ■ ol the fvotinn will he pleaHing to (iml liimself, who is wiindcrlul in his Saints, and who is liuuurud by the honor wo puy to theiu fur his iMike. 1 ' THE LITANY OF THE SAINTS. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hair mrtri/ on ua. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Cfirisf, liiry Magdulon, St. Lucy, St. Agnes, St. Cecily, St. Agiitha, St. Catharine, St. Anastasia, All yc holy Virgins and Widows, All ye men and women, saints of God, make inter ccKHion /or us. Sparc nn, O Lord. Graciously hear us,0 Be merciful unto us. Be merciful unto us. From all evil, From all sin. From thy wrath, From sudden and unprovided death, Lord. .>1^lJ 172 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. pi' From the deceits of the devil, fimit^f.-iii From anger, hatred, and all ill-will, Si^^mm^ From the spirit of fornication, From lightning and tempest, From the scourge of earthquakes, - From plague, famine, and war, From everlasting death, Through the mystery of thy holy incarnation, Through thy coming, Through thy nativity, Through tliy baptism and 'holy fasting. Through thy cross and passion. Through thy death and burial, Through thy holy resurrection, - Through thy admirable ascension. Through the coming of the Holy Ghost the Comfortiir, In the day of judgment, " "' We sinners, ifo beseech thee to hear us. That thou spare us, That thou pardon us, That thou vouchsafe to bring us to true pen- ance. That thou vouchsafe to govern and preserve thy holy Church, That ' thou vouchsafe to preserve our apos- tolic Prelate, and all ecclesiastical Orders in holy religion. That thou vcmchsafe to humble the enemies of the holy Churchy ■» - ...■_„,- M ■v.M ri^ :.*. ^ That tl conc( That tl to all That tl in th That tl That tl bene That t bretl etert That t fruit That t the That Son Lamb i sp(tt Lamb grui Lamb hnvi Christ Lord, Lord, Our 1* V. Ai R. Bi igtfe'^''"' " I M*ib« NS. '>< '\ II : icarnation, 3 DK, ^ Ghost tho ^ ■ HS. ;"ii-i,i<:S.J to true pen- preserve thy c our apos- cal Orders in e enemies of c- £* i- LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 173 ^ I' That thou vouchsafe to give peace and true" concord to Christian Kings and llulcrs, That thou vouchsafe to grant peace and unity to all Christian people, That thou vouchsafe to confirri and preserve us in thy holy service, That thou lift up our minds to heavenly desires, That thou render eternal good things to all our henefactors, That thou deliver our souls, and those of our brethren , kinsfolks, and benefactors, from eternal, damnation, That thou vouchsafe to give and preserve the fruits of the earth, That thou vouchsafe to give eternal rest to 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, spdvc 1/.S-, Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, ffraciouK/i/ hear us, Lord. Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, have mcrcij on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, gracionshj hear us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Our Father, &c. (m secret^ .7: , ;■ > .^.s ;:• V. And lead us not into temptation. IL. But deliver us from evil. Amen. 15* »;*»■ ,afe^?%'^^^# tu PABTICUIAR DEVOTIONS. PSAIiM LXIX. MA INCLINE unto my aid, God : O Lord, make haate to help mo. Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek my soul. ]jet them forthwith be turned backward, and blush for shame, that desire evils to me. " Let them be turned backward, and blush and be put to shame, who say to me. It is well ! it is well ! Let all that seek thee be glad and rejoice in thee: and let those who love thy salvation say always, " The Lord be magnified." But I am needy and poor: God, assist me. Thou art my helper and my deliverer I Lord, make no delay. v. Glory, &c. R. As it was, &c. v. Save thy servants. R. Who put their trust in thee, my God. V. Be to us, Lord, a tower of strength. < • J Ti. Atsf the face of the enemi/. ..'» V. Let not the enemy prevail against us. R. Xor the son of iniquiti/ have potver to hurt us. V. O Lord, deal not with us according to our sins. R. M>r reward us accordina to our iniquities. . V. Let us pray for our chief Bishop [N.] R. Mai/ the. Lord preserve him, and prolong his life, and make him happy on earth, and deliver him not up to the will of his enemies. V. Let us pray for our benefactors. • -: i ii u R. render V. ] R. ( petuul V. ] v' ; R. , trust it V. I R. V. R. \. R. G ai all th3 may, 1 be abs Hei suppli to th( par do Ou able I of ou deser SaiiigSuffa ■ NS. T M" i' f'riJ'i' Lord, make haste aed that seek my kward, and blush ind blush and be veil ! it is well ! 1 rejoice in thee: say always, " The i, assist me. ivercr I Lord, 111/ God. ,!.,' strength. f. ainst us. power to hurt us. )rding to our sins. iir iniquities. ihop [N.] , and prolomj his I, and deliver him )r8. LITANY OF THE SAINTS. 175 E. Vouchsafe, Lord, for thy name's sake, to render eternal life to all those tcho do us good. V. Let us pray for the faithful departed R. Give them, Lord, eternal rest; and let per- petnal light shine unto them. V. May they rest in peace. R. Amen. -•'" V. For our absent brethren; * R. Save thy servants, my God, icho put their trust in thee. V. Send theni help, Lord, from thy sanctuary. And protect them out of Sion. ; ?. ' O Lord, hear my prayer. •-" And let my supplication come unto thee. May the Lord be with you. ;t; ;. And with thy sjn'rit. ' ' R. V. R. \. R. ..' .,. ■;.- , .^^, LET US PRAY. ,,:^ /f , .>mk ^s;t OGOD, whose property is always to have mercy and to spare, receive our petition : that we, and all thy servants, who are bound by the chain of sins, may, by the compassion of thy goodness, mercifully be absolved. Hear, we beseech thee, Lord, the prayers of the suppliant, and pardon the sins of them that confess to thee; that in thy bounty thou mayest give us pardon and peace. Out of thy clemency, O Lord, show thy unspeak- able mercy to us, that so thou mayest both acquit -^is of our sins, and deliver us from the punishments we deserve for them. mm n : ■ftt i^mmm-^ r '1 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. God, who by sin art offended, and by penance pacified, uiercit'illy regard the prayers of thy people making supplication to thee, and turn away the scourges of thy auger, which we desewe for our sins. O Almighty and Eternal God, have mercy on thy servant N., our chief Bishop, and direct him, accord- ing to thy clemency, into the way of everlasting salva- tion ; that by thy grace he may desire those things that are agreeable to thee, and perform them with all his strength. O God, from whom are all holy desires, right coun- sels, and just works, give to thy servants that peace which the world cannot give, that both our hearts may be disposed to keep thy commandments, and, the fear of enemies being removed, the times, by thy protection, miiy be peaceable. Inflame, l^ord, our reins and hearts with the fire of thy holy Spirit, that we may serve thee with a chaste body, and please thee with a clean heart. O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faith- ful, give to the souls of thy servants departed the remission of all their sins; that through pious sup- plications they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. Forerun, we beseech thee, Lord, our actions by thy holy inspirations, and carry them on by thy gra- cious assistance, that every prayer and work of ours may begin always from thee, and by thee be happily ended. Almighty and Eternal God, who hast dominion SitM^ii^'> '■'f^-My-' DEVOTION TO ST. JOSEPH. 177 md by penance •s of thy people turn away the me ibi' uur sins, e mercy on thy ect him, aocord- vcrla.stingsalva- ro .111)80 things m them with all ires, right coun- ants that peace both our hearts Jments, and, the ; times, by thy irts with the fire rve thee with a ;;le:in heart, of all tiie faith- ts departed the •ou<>h pious sup- di^n which they , our actions by 11 on by thy gra- nd work of ours ■ thee be happily hast dominion over the living and the dead, and art merciful to all whom thou forckncwcst shall be thine by faith and good works; we humbly beseech thee that they for whom we have determined to offer up our prayers, whether this world still detains them in the flesh, or the world to come has already received them out of their 'lodies, may by the clemency of thy goodness, and by the intercession of all thy Saints, obtain par- don and full rcuiission of all their sins, through our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son, who liveth and reigneth, etc. Amen. ! , "V. O Lord, Ik ir my prayer. R. And hi mi/ cri/ come unto thee. V. May the Almighty and most merciful Lord graciously hear us. . . R. Amen. V. And may the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. . - - R. Amen. "I no not remember," says St. Teresa, "ever to have asked any tiiinj;; of St. Joseph, until this moment, which he did not obtain for me. One would bo astonished, were I to tell of all tho numberless graces which God haa srantid me by tho intercession of th=' Saint, and ot the perils, both of body and soul, from wbieh he has deh- verei! me. It seems to be the privilejio of other saints to assist us in some particular necessities, but experience |ij"-1 'TinrfriMr^i'itiV' ' * 178 PABTICULAR DEVOTIONS. proves that this Saint assists us in all, as if by this the Lord would have us understand that as he was pleased to he Bubject to St. Joseph while on earth, so he is re- solved to grant all his requests in heaven. Tills is what other persons have proved, to whom 1 had piven counsel to recommend themselves to him. Sucli is the long ex- perience I have of the great liivors which ho obtiiins from God, that I would gladly persuade the wliolc world to be devout to this Saint. I have never known any one that rendered some special homage to him, who has not made manifest progress 'v\ virtue. For reveval years I have been accustomed *-> ask some favor of him on the day of his festival, and always I perceive that I have been heard. If any one does not bclif>vc it, 1 beg of him, for the love of God, to make the expei inent. For my part> I do not know how any -us in his childhood, without tlumking St, Joseph for the succor he gave, during this time, to both mother and son.'' — Life of St. Tereaa, oh. vi. ■ ■ - -' ■ ■ ^■'- H DEVOUT PRAYERS IN HONOR OF ST. JOSEPH. Choice of St. Joseph as patron. BLESSED Joseph, faithful guardian of my Re- deemer Jesus Clirist, protector of thy chasto spouse the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to be uiy especial patron and advocate, and I firmly resolve to honor thee as .such from this time forth and always. Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive mo for thy client, to instruct me in every doubt, to conilort me in every affliction, ami finally to defend and protect me in the hour of death. Amen. m^ (S. as if by this the i he vni» plensed irlh, HO he is r«- 311. Tliis is what lud f^iven counsel li is the h)ng ex- h ho (ibtiiinBi'rom wliole world to be iwn any one that tvho liiis not made eial years I have lini on thi' day of Imt I liave been 1 hojn, of him, for lit. For my part, i. of the Queen ot k of Je>-us in his I for the .'iuccor he f and son.'' — Life F ST. JOSEPH. latroH. ■-'•' < irdian of my Re- r of tliy chasto choose tliee this advocate, and I li from this time ibly bescccli thee ruct nie in every ction, and finally hour of death. -A^- ' i * .. "'t i ■ >' ! DKVOTION TO 8T. JOSEPH. 179 «'!i For his sa/c-conduct through life. ' s BLESSED Joseph, father and guide of Jesus Christ in his childhood and youth, who didst lead him safely in his flight through the desert, and in all the ways of his earthly pilgrimage, be also my companion and guide in this pilgrimage of life, and never permit me to turn aside from the way of God's commandments ; be uiy refuge in adversity, my sup- port in temptation, my solace in alBictiop, until at length I arrive at the land of the livMg, where with thee, and Mary thy most holy Spouse, and all the Saints, I may rejoice forever in Jesus my Lord. eimen. ?.'.* For grace to communicate devoutly. BLESSED Joseph, how sweet and wonderful a privilege was thine, not only to see, but to carry in thy arms, to kiss and to embrace with fatherly affection that only begotten Son of God, whom so many Kings and Prophets desired to see, but were not able ! that, inspired by thy example and aided by thy patronage, I may often, with like feelings of love and reverence, embrace my Lord and Redeemer in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar, so that when my life on earth is ended, I may merit to embrace him eternally in heaven. Amen. For other particular graces. BLESSED Joseph, since Jesus while on earth was subject to thee, rendered prompt obedience ■^'1 180 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. T to thy comniunds, and cherished thoe with most especial lovo and honor, how bIiuU he now refuse thee any thing in heaven, where uU thy nierit« ro- ceive their full reward? Pr,-.y for n.e, therefore, O holy Patriarch, and obtain for me tlicso nc-ceHsary grace:-; firat of all, that I may liave a »iucere con- trition for ray sins, that I may ever hate and fear all that is evil, and fly from it with firumess and con- stancy, c;>pccially from my most besetting sms; seoondly, tha^ I may amend my life daily more and more, and constantly apply myself to the acquire- ment of virtue, especially those virtues which I need most; and '.astly, that I may be kept safe amidst the various teoiptations and occasions by which my soul may be exposed to the peril of damnation. For these and all other needful graces, holy Joseph, I commend myself to the goodness and mercy of my God, and to thy fatherly care and intercession. Amen. For a happy d>afn. BLESSED Joseph, who didst yield thy last breath in the fond embrace of Jesus and of Mary,-when the seal of death shall close my career of life, come, holy Father, with Jesus and Mary, to aid me, and obtaii) for mo this only solace which 1 ask for in that hour, to die encircled by their holy arms. Into your sacred hands, living and dying, Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I commend my soul. Amen. ff V. Pray for us, most blessed Joseph. R. That we may he made worthif qf the jpromiseB of Cliriat, t^'Vr^' [8. thee with most he now refuse il thy merits ro- luc, therel'ore, these nt-ccHsary c a niucere con- hate and fear all ruiuesa and con- bcsettiug sins ; 'c daily more and to the acquire- ac8 which I need it safe amidst the y which my soul damnation. For holy Joseph, I nid mercy of my ^ercession. Amen. Bt yield thy last of Jesus and of ill close my career 3SUS and Mary, to nly solace which I iled by their holy living and dying, ny soul. Amen- Joseph, iy of the promises UKVOTION TO THE HOLY ANGELS. 181 PRAYER. * '• WE beseech thoo, O Lord, that we may be assisted by the merits of the Spouse of thy most Holy Mother; so that what we arc unable to obtain of ourselves, may be granted us through his iuterces- sioi ; Who livest and reignest world without end Amen. Itbotion to i\t folg gingtls. "Are the;/ not all ministering spirits, tent to minister for them who shitU receive thcinherilance of salvation f" Ileb. i. 14. " TuE Angels," says St. Augustine, " love us as their foll()W-c!ti'/.L'nH, and hope to sue u.s fill up what lias been lost to their own number by the full of the reliel angels. For this reason they are always present with us, and watch over us with the greatest cart At nil times, and in every plaee, they are ready to help ua, and to provide for our wants. They vralk with us in all our ways ; going out and coming in, they follow us still, anxiously con- siderinj; whether we live piously and purely in the midst of a wicked world. Tiiey lussist those who labor ; they guard those who rest ; they encourage those who fight ; they crown those who conquer; they rejoice with the joyful, aiyl 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 are cheated of their joy." (Solil. cap. £7.) We ought, therefore, to honor these blessed spirits with very great reverence and affection, and to pray to them, especuilly our guardian angels, to whom God has given charge over us, to keen us m all our ways (Ps. xc.), and we may be sure that this devotion will be most pleasing to them, and most useful to ourselves. 18 '" ■ ' ' *^ iht, ' I* .Si 182 PAHTICLLAIl PEV0TI0N8. THK ANGEL VSALTER. (Extracted from viirioua Psalms.) O yo nngola of the Lord, bless the Lord : praise him and exult him above nil forever. Praise the Lord from the heavens : praise yo him in the high places. Praise him, all yo his angels; praise yo him, all his hosts. liloss the Lord, all ye his an^'cls, you that arc mighty in strength, and execute his word, hearkening to the voice of his orders. Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts; yc miaisters of his that do his will. Bless the Lord, my soul, and never forget all ho hath done for thee. Who rcdeemcth thy life from destruction, who crowncth thee with mercy and compassion. For he hath given his angels charge over thee, to keep theo in all thy ways. In their hands they shall bear thee up, lest thou dash tl^ foot against a stone. Thou shalt walk upon the asp and the basilisk, and thou shalt trample ander ft'ot the lion and the dragon. The^Angel of the Lord shall encamp ro«ud about them that fear him, and shall deliver them. Glory be to the Father, &c. V. I will sing praise to thee, O my God, in the «ight of the Angels. R. I mil worship towards thy holy temple, and 1 ioiU give glory to thy name. .,^,J,^^ Jlt»-i--^*»-' '•TB . (}( th( grant, i before our life Lord. B] jiiii cciunu always Rcmai defend Rcniei. ful lov in gra^ down i ♦therefc trial, a that in of my his fac all the throug [There i<^^-i i- THE ANGKIi PSAI.TEB. 183 11. mo.) ' ^ Lord : praise ; praise ye him yc hiH angola; 1, you that are urd, hearkening ^e niiflisters of ror forget all ho cstruction, who asion. go over thee, to CO up, lest thou the basilisk, and 1 and the dragon, mp ro»ud about thcin. my Qod, in the )?y temple, and 1 ■ ^V- itiii-'W' **» PRAYER. OdOD, who, in most ndinirublo order, dost asfsign the various offices, both of angels and of men : grant, we bosect-h tiieo, that tliey who always mini- before tiiy face In heaven may also dcfcml us i our life on ertrth. Through Jesus Christ th\ Lord. Amen. « I'llAYER T' > one's GUAKDIAN ANdEL. OliLESSED Angel, my Guardian and defender, yince by the kind pnividomc of (iod I have been cciumittcd to thy care, i beseech thee to direct mo always in the way of peace, safety, and salvation. Remain especially this day (or night) by my side, to defend me from all danger, and every evil temptation. Remember, O dearest guardian, ow once the watch- ful love of Ood preserved thee with the good angels in grace and glor)', while so many others were cast down from heaven for their pride. 1 beseech thee, ♦therefore, to watch oven- mc in this my lifetime of trial, and bring mo such efficacious aid from heaven, that in no danger I may ever fjill and lose the grace of rny God and Creator, until I conio to appear before his face in my heavenly home ; there, with thee and all the saints and angels, to praise and adore him, through the endless ages of eternity. Amen. [There is an indulgence of 100 Jays attached to (ho follow- ing prayer, for each time of reciting it.] ]i'(^ 184 PARTICULAU DEVOTIONS. Qui i'ust / 1.0 I.I UiKA |2.S |50 '''^~ MHS UI Hii iM Hill 2.0 1.8 11-25 ill 1.4 111.6 '•fei^^ssf *?*fS?tSlMss!ws,^gss9r5-^ Sciences Corporation v ^ •^ <^ <^ ;\ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4.05 '' PKOTESTATION FOR DEATH. - {By St. AlpJiomus.) [Y God, prostrate in thy presence, I adore thee; XTJ. and I intend to make the following protestation, aa if I were on the point of passing from this life into eternity. Jk. 188 PARTICLI-AB DEVOTIONS. My Lord, because thou art the Infallible Truth, and hast revcalotl it to the Holy Church, I believe in the mystery of the Most Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; three Persons, but only one God; who for all Eternity rewards the just in Hea- ven, and punishes the wicked in Hell. I believe that the Second Person, that is, the Sou of God, be- came man, and died for the salvation of mankind; and I believe 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 Fnith. My Ood, my Hope, trusting in thy promises, I hope from thy mercy, not through my own merits, but through the merits of Jesus Christ, for the par- don of my sins, perseverance, and, after this mise- rable life, the glory of Paradise. And should the Devil at death tempt me to despair at the sight of my sins, I protest that I will always hope in thee, Lord, and that I desire to die in the loving arras of thy goodness. God ! worthy of infinite love, I love thee with my whole heart, more than I love myself; and I protest that I desire to die making an act of love, that I may thus continue to love thee eternally in Heaven, which for this end I desire and ask of thee. And if hitherto, O Lord, instead of loving thee, i. have despised thy infinite goodness, I repent of it with all my heart, and I protest that I wish to die, always weeping over and detesting the offences I PI have committ future rather t the love of t me. God, I ac which will ac( inga and deal knowledgment satisfaction foi of this sacrifii love of that j made of himi resign myself I were now ( wish to die, s done!" Most Holy Mary, you ar hope and my c this moment, ' to assist me ii not abandon n take my soul forward I shal your mantle i lector Saint Angel Guardi me in that lajs And thou, who wert plet ^^jL BBStKBSFfX' e Truth. I believe Father, only one b in Hea- I believe God, bo- nankind; ieves. I m, and I Fi.ith. ouiises, I n merits, r the par- his inise- hould the e sight of n thee, g arras of thee with If; and I 3t of love, tornally in id ask of ing thee, I spent of it rish to die, offences I PREPARATION FOR DEATH. / 189 have committed against thee. I purpose for the future rather to die than ever to sin a^ain ; and for the love of thee I pardon all who have offended me. God, I accept of death, and of all the sufferings which will accompany itj I unite it with the suffer- ings and death of Jesus Christ, and offer it in ac- knowledgment of thy supreme dominion, and in satisfaction for my sins. Do thou, O Lord, accept of this sacrifice which I make of my life, for the love of that great sacrifice which thy divine Son made of himself upon the altar of the Cross. I resign myself entirely to thy divine will, as though I were now on my death-bed, and protest that I wish to die, saying: "0 Lord, always thy will be done!" Most Holy Virgin, my Advocate and my Mother, Mary, you are and will always be, after God, my hope and my consolation at the hour of death. From this mnnieut. I have recourse to you, and beg of you to assist me in that passage. O my dear Queen, do not abandon me in that last moment; come then to take my soul and present it to your Son. Hence- forward I shall expect you; and I hope to die under your mantle and clinging to your feet. JMy Pro- tector Saint Joseph, St. Michael Archangel, my Angel Guardian, my Holy Patrons, do you all assist me in that last combat with hell. And thou, my Crucified Love, thou, my Jesus, who wert pleased to choose for thyself so bitter a m rik 190 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. death to obtiiiu for me a good death, remember at that hour that I am one of those dear slieep thou didst purchiusc with thy blood. Thou who, w Uen all the world shall have forsaken meT, and not one shall be able to a.ssist me, canst alone console me and save me, do thou make me worthy then to receive thee in the Viaticum, and suffer me not to lose thee for- ever, and to be banished forever to a distance from thee. No, my beloved Saviour, receive nic then into thy sacred wounds, for I now embrace thee. At my last breath, I intend to breathe forth my soul into the loving wound in thy side, saying now, for that moment : Jesus and Mary, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesua and Mary, T give you my heart and my soul. happy suffering, to suffer for God ! Happy death, to die in the Lord ! 1 embrace thee now, my good Kedeemer, that I may die in thy embraces. If, O my -soul, Mary assists you at your departure, and Jesus receives your last breath, it will not be death, but a sweet repose. -/'- ■■"■ ''"■'- ASPIRATIONS FOR A GOOD DEATH. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, assist me in my last agony. >, i- Jesus, Marj soul in peace < Three hiindrt ratiouB are said pray: OLORD J( meroics, I bumble heart; my life, and tl When my fee monish me to an end, When my eyes of death, si course is di When my fac beholders \ hair, bathed ing on my 1 ing end. When my ea discourse of irrevocable the number When my ii spectres, shi UpT' PREPARATION FOR DEATH. 191 member at ihccp thou 3, when all t oue shall ic and save ivc thee in ; thee for- tancc from I nic then jrace thee. ! forth my aying now, ve you my ivo you my I ! Happy iier, that I soul, Mary us receives lut a sweet EATH. y heart and in my laet Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, may I breathe out my soul in peace with you. Three hundred days' Indulgence, each time these Asp!- ratioBB are Baid. — (i'iiw VII, , 1807.) PRAYER FOR A HAPPY DEATH. OLORD Jesus, God of goodness, and Father of mercies, I approach to thee with a contrite and bumble heart; to thee I recommend the laiit hour of my life, and the decision of my eternal doom. When my feet, benumbed with death, shall ad- " monish me that my mortal course is drawing to an end; When my eyes, dim and troubled at the approach of death, shall admonish me that my mortal course is drawing to an end. When my face, pale and livid, shall inspire the beholders with pity %nd dismay ; when my hair, bathed in the sweat of death, and stiffen- ing on my head, shall forebode my approach- ing end, When my ears, soon to be shut forever to the discourse of men, shall be open to hear the irrevocable decree which is to cut me off from the number of the living. When my imagination, agitated by dreadful spectres, shall be sunk in an abyss of anguish r ^ V* 1 ■• 1 ';: 1' ■■ * !'■. -'1 { 1 |i; ^ . — ,..,-■ 192 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. when my bouI, affrighted at the Bight of my ' iniquities and the terrors of thy judgments, shall liavc to fight against the angel of dark- ness, who will endeavor to conceal thy mercies from my eyes, and to plunge mc into despair, When my poor heart, exhausted by its frequent struggles, shall feel the pangs of death, When my last tear, the forerunner of my dis- solution, shall drop from my eyes, receive it as a sacrifice of expiation for my sins, grant that I may expire the victim of penance, and in that dreadful moment. When my friends and jclations, encircling my bed, shall shed the tear of pity over me, and invoke thy clemency in my behalf. When I shall have lost the use of my senses, when the world shall have vanished from my sight, when my agonizing soul shall feel the sorrows of death, When my last sigh shall [ftmmon my soul to burst from the embraces of the body, and to spring to thee on the wings of impatience and desire, When my soul, trembling on my lips, shall bid adieu to the world, and leave my body lifeless, pale, and cold, receive this separation as a homage which I willingly pay to thy divine majesty, and in that last moment of my mortal life, a 3 J When, at I presence, awful maj into thy b praises, ai shall begii OGOD, w concealc that I may { and justice, I in the peace of thy love ; One hundn the day by rei —{Piu> VII., 1 «i- -- i -l^i''! « ■ S. r H )f my' iicnta, (lurk- 1 thy ic into jqucnt. ly dis- 3ive it grant le, and ng my ic, and senses, om my eel the soul to and to ICO and lall bid lifeless, m as a r divine ^mortal 'V' PRKPARATION FOR DEATIt. When, at length, my soul, admitted to thy' presence, shall fii'st behold with terror thy awful majesty, reject mo not, but receive me into thy bosom, where I may forever sing thy praises, and in that moment, when eternity shall begin to me, LET US PRAT. OGOD, who hast doomed all men to diq, but hast concealed from all the hour of their death, grant that I may pass my days in the practice of holiness and justice, and that I may deserve to quit this world in the peace of a good conscience, and in the embraces of thy love ; through Christ our Lord. » f'' One hundred days' Indulgence may be gained once in the day by reciting the above "Prayer for a Good Death," —{Piu> VII., 1802.) HYMN FOR A HAPPY DEATH. Jesus ! ever-loving Saviour, Thou didst love and die for me: Living, I will live to love thee, Dying, I will die for thee. Jesus ! Jesus, By thy life and death of sorrow, Help me in my agony. 17 s }'■■ ll 'i f v J t-- i: < MM 194 PARTICtliAR DEVOTIONS. Whon I lio laHt drciul hour approaching Kills my guilty hoiiI with fear, All my Hins riMe up before me, All my virlui'H iliHiippenr. .leHUM! .leHUH! Turn not tliou in anger from me; Mary ! JoHcph ! then bo near. III. Kinilest Jesus! thou wert standing IJy thy foster-father's bed, While thy mother, softly praying, Held her dying Jo.scph's head. Jesut! Jesus! By that death no calm and holy, tioothe me in that hour of dread, IV. Mary! thou canst not forsake me, Virgin Mother undotilcd! Thou didst not abandon Jesus, Dying, tortured, and reviled, .lesus! Jesus! Send thy Mother to console me; — Mary ! help thy guilty child. ■ V. Jesus ! when in cruel anguish, Dying on the shameful tree. All abandon'd by thy Father, Thou didst writhe in agouy. Jesus! Jesus! By those three long hours of sorrow Thou didst purchase hope for me. VI. When tho priest, with holy unction, Prays for mercy and for grace. May the tears of deep compunotioo All my guilty stains efface. Jesus! Jesus! Let me find in thee a refuge. In thy heart a reating-plaoe. If mi All If I t If Thy Al Ther Or Help Ih Let I Je t\ Ant. Re> those of our 81DS. VS^ -i t> Lord, chastise mo Have nic \ K^mi me, Lord And my Lord, ho\ T riit. THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. VII. If my cycH have ninn'(l by Heciii|t, And my IiuiuIn urn stuiii'd willi blood, If 1 Minn'd liy luster or lioiiriiig. It' my loel in vice Imve Ntood, Thy moMi pure niid Ruilllosn senses All have Mutfer'd lor my good. VIII. Then, by all that thou didsl Hutfer, (Irani mo mercy in thiit diiy ! Ilcl|) me, Mary, my Hweet Mother! Holy .loHeph, near me stay ! Jesus! .lesusl Let me die, my lips repeating, Jesus, mercy ! Mary, pray. 195 MMMMMMMtSSr-' i|e Stijcn ftnitcntial Psalms. Ant. Rememkf.u not, O Lord, our offences, nor those of our parents, and take not revenge on our sins. PSALM VI. Donune, ne in furore. Lord, rebuke nie not in thy indignation, nor chastise nic in thy wrath. Have mercy on nic, O Lord, for T am weak : heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. And my soul is troubled exceedingly : but thou, Lord, how long? K^i '""^llffWiKlifili 190 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. Turn to nic, Lord, and deliver my soul ; save nic for thy mercy's sake. For there is no one in death that is mindful of thee; and who shall confess to thee iu hjll? I have lahorcd in my groauings; every night I will wash my hcd, I will water my couch with my teai's. iMy eye is troubled through indignation ; I have grown old among all my enemies. Depart from mc, all ye workers of inicjuityj for the Lord hath heard the voice of my weeping. The Lord hath heard my supplieatiou : the Lord hath received my prayer. Let my eiiemios be ashamed, and be very much troubled : let them be turned back and be ashamed very speedily. Glory be, cS:c. • I'SALM xxxr. Bmti quiirum. Blessed arc they whose inicjuitles are forgiven, 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. Because 1 was silent my bones grew old ; whilst T cried out all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me ; I am turned iu my anguish wliilst the thorn is fastened. I have acknowledged my sin to tlieej and my injustice I have not concealed. I said, I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lore of my sin. For this in a season: And yet come nigh Thou art encompass( surround u I will gi thee in tli my eyes u| Do not I have no ur With hi who come Many a shall encoi Be glad glory, all i P.SA Rebuke chastise m For thy hath been There i wrath; th my sins. il ; save uindful of 1? y night I 1 with my n ; I liave (juityj for )ing. : the Lord very much )o iishaincd ! forgiven, I hath not 10 ^uilc. 1 ; whilst I ■ upon me; e thorn is ; and my ly injuHtlce i- w . ' Mw. » .« ^ mxtf, yj ^l '^ j ^ .L'^ THE I'KNITENTIAL PSALMS. 197 to the Lord, and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin. For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee, in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encomi)assed \w : my joy, deliver me from them that surround me. I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in tliis way in which thou shalt go; I will fix my eyes upon tlico. Do not bccdiiio like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast the jaws of them who come not near unto thee. Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopcth in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just: and glory, all ye right of heart. Glory be, &c. P-SALM XXXVII. Dominc, nc in furore. Rebuke me not, Lord, in thy indignation, nor chastise me in thy wrath. For thy arrows are fastened in me ; and thy hand hath been strong upon me. There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath ; there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins. •' 17» .iJe^iW" 198 I'AUTICULAB DEVOTIONS. For my ini((uities arc gone over my head; and as a heavy burden have become heavy upon me. My sores are putrefied and corrupted, because of my foolishness. I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the cud ; I walked sorrowful all the day long. For my loins are filled with illusiousj and there is no health in my flesh. I am afflicted and humbled exccedinjfly ; I roared with the groaning of n)y heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee : and my groan- ing is not hid from thee. My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, and the light of my eyes itself is not with me. iMy friends and my neighbors have drawn near, and stood against me. And they that were near me stood afar off; and they that sought my soul used violence. Aud they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, and studied deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not; aud was as a dumb man not opening his mouth. And I became as a man that heareth not; and that hath no reproofs in his mouth. For in thee, Lord, have 1 hoped; thou wilt hear me, Lord my God. '' ' "■ For I said, lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me : and whilst my feet arc moved, they speak great things against me. #K>js* lumt^ For I an continually For I wi for my sin. But my c they that hi They tlu me, because Forsake depart from Attend i salvation. Have me mercy. Aud ace mercies, blc Wash mc me from nv For 1 ki before me. To thee before thee words, and For bclu sins did my For bchi and hidden manifest to -'«, i m nHmmtrr ■it ; and as c. ecause of awn even long, iiid there I roared uy groan- left me, inc. iwn near, off; and )oke vain was as a not ; and wilt hear es rejoice liey speak THE PENITENTIAL PSALMS. 199 For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare my iniquity, and I will think for my sin. But my enemies live and are stronger than I ; and they that hate mo wrongfully are multiplied. They that render evil for good, have detracted me, Itecause I followed goodness. Forsake me not, O Lord my God; do not thou depart from n)c. Attend unto my help, Lord, the God of my salvation. Glory be, &c. PSALM L. Miserere. Have mercy on me, O God, according to tliy 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. For 1 know my iniquity, and my sin is always , before me. To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thcc; that thou mayest be justified in thy words, and mayest overcome when thou art judged. For behold I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For behold thou hast loved truth ; the uncertain, and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me. ,*je-*»--'" 200 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness ; and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, aud blot out all my initpiities. Create a clean heart in me, God; and renew a right spirit within my bowels. Cast mc not away from thy face ; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto mo the joy of thy sulvation, and strengthen mo 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 ; aud my tongue shall e.Ktol thy justice. O Lord, thou wilt open my lipsj aud my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, T would indeed have givcu it; with burnt-offerings thou wilt not be delighted. ' A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit; a contrite and humbled heart, God, thou wilt not despise. Deal favorably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion ; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up. Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, ob- lations, and whole burnt-offerings; tticn shall they lay calves upon thy altar. Glory be, &c. W> t i |LJJ M* ii . ». i VL^mULl!! l .jalf"Vm ^li lg Jf^J l Hear, I unto thee. Turn not £ I am in troul In what c me speedily. For my d bones are gn I am sniit because I foi Through t cleaved to m T am beci I am like a i I have w; alone on the All the t they that prj For T did drink with \ Because o lifted me up My days withered liki But thou, morial to all Thou shul time to have 1 I shall .shall be gladness ; I rejoice, ot out all I renew a not thy tion, and le wicked )d of my isticc. uy mouth lid indeed 'ilt not be a contrite espise. will with )uilt up. iistice, ob- ihall they THE PENITKNTIAL PSALMS. 201 llSii'i' PSALM CI. Domine, exaudi. Hear, Lord, my prayer, and let my cry come unto thee. Turn not away tliy face from me ; in the day when I am in trouble, incline thy ear to me. In what day soever I shall call upon thee ; hear me speedily. For my days are vanished like smoke; and my bones are grown dry like fuel for the fire. I am smitten as grass, and my heart is withered ; because I forgot to eat my bread. Through the voice of my groaning my bone hath cleaved to my flesh. I am become like to a pelican of the wilderness ; I am like a night-raven in the house. I have watched, and am become as a sparrow all alone on the house-top. All the day long my enemies reproach me; and they that praised nie did swear against me. For T did cat ashes like bread j and mingled my drink with weeping. Because of tliy anger and indignation ; for having lifted me up, thou ha.st thrown me down. My days have declined like a shadow ; and I am withered like grass. But thou, O Lord, endurest forever; and thy me- morial to all generations. Tliou shult arise and have mercy on Sion ; for it is time to have mercy on it, for the time is come. ,,,^„ II I -y 202 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. 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 Bcen in his glory. He hath had regard to the prayer of the humble ; and he hath not despised their petition. Let these things be written unto another gene- ration ; and the people that shall be created shall praise the Lord. Because he hath looked forth from his high sanc- tuary ; from heaven the Lord hath looked upon the earth. That he might hear the groans of them that are in letters ; that he might release the children of the slain. That they may declare the name of the Lord in Sion; and his praise in Jerusalem. When the people assembled together, and kings to servo the Lord. lie answered him in the way of his strength ; de- clare unto me the fewness of my days. Call mc not away in the midst of my days: thy years arc unto generation and generation. In the beginning, Lord, thou foundodst the earth ; and the heavens are the works of thy hands. They shall perish, but thou rcmainest : and all of them shall grow old like a garment. And as a vesture thou shalt change them, and thoy shall \ same, and t The ehil. their seed s Glory be ] ■ Out of 1 Lord, hear Let thy c cation. If thou, shall stand For with by rea.sou i My soul hoped in tl From (1 Israel hope Because him plentii And he Glory b( Hear, cation in tl And en for in thy r rm ffr""." ' ■ itf.i- ii mtrjJWJH"i.ii'M'm B W ^ W i w» T« WJM ? ^P-1W*lt « 'lJtJl» ^ ^^-*^ ' '-^'*-' ' ' "gaif^l^ he huth as those irit is in troubled, ted on all hunds. soul is a» th fainted I be like ning; for I should 1, to thcc lou art my ght land; uickcn luc !s: and in it my soul ; ther, &c. cnces, nor ige on our ON MEDITATION. 205 • ' - PRAYEB. HEAR, I beseech thee, O Lord, the prayers of thy supplicants, and pardon the sins of those who confess to thee ; and in thy bounty, give me pardon and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Anun. (£)n Utntal '%vmx,u HebitatiflK. Meditation is morally ncc^essary to salvation, becnufle it is iiiipwsHiljlo to know tiie truths and the mysteries of our liuly reli<;ion, except by the eyes of the soul, in other words, by frequent and serious reflection. lie who neglects this, walks, as St. Aui;u8tine says, with his eyes shut, and in this way it will be impossible for him to discover the road which ho ought to choose, and the means which he ought to employ, in order to arrive at his destination, namely, at heaven. But meditation is chiefly necesscry to salvation, be- cause he who is not in the habit of meditating, does not pray, and so is lost. He who does not meditate con- tinually, cannot acquire any solid virtues, for no one •will persevere in the practice of virtue unless he per- severes at the same time in prayer. For tbie reason it is that our Lord has said : " We must altvays pray and 'nei'er faint." He who does not meditate, will scarcely be able for any length of time to avoid mortal sin, for he will live in continual distraction, and will not be con- scious of his own wants. Ho will make no account of the dangers which surround him, he will not exert him- self to employ the means to escape from them, and finally, recognizing no longer how necessary prayer is to his salvation, he will abandon it, and so be lost. The world is filled with sins, and hell with damned Bouls, because Christians no longer meditate upon eter- 18 200 PAUTICULAB DEVOTIONS. mil tnitliR. " H'/V/i. ikaolation h all the land mndr denn-^ lull-, hcrnuKC there i.i none (hat comidereth in the hniH." (.ler. xii. 11.) But, on tlio contrnry. ho who oftoii thinks of .l.'iith, iudgmont, and eternity, will ahiimlon sin: othfiwiso hi! must leave off uu-ditatinK, for it is impos- sihlo that meditation and Hiri sin.uld be found in com- piinv. "Remember thy last end, and thou shall never sin:' (Ei'di. vii. 40.) ,. . , ^, , It is dud that sneaks to yon in meditation, and (lod speaks to you n)ui;h hettcr than any preacher can. It is thr()u;rli meditation that the saints iiave lieon sanctitio 1, for itTs ill ine l).W »' tl i W'"HW fOlll- never ON MElilTATION. 207 well said, ovory thing room on bettor thrnnuhniit the whole (lity. If «>'i« 1>'>^ ''">•'• it '*' K"""' "'**"• 'j*"'"'"'.' '-V*^ down to slenp. to consiicrati; ii hiiif-lioiir to inodilutmn, ntt ill tho ninniiiiK: but it' this \h (luito iini«osNil,l(\ it i^ enou"-ii tor iicginiiiirn to niuclituto for uno hiilf-huur each day. now TO MEDITATE. H,.f„ro meditation, pla.'o yourself devoutly upon your knee-. If you arc able to remain kneelinj!; witlnut in- jury t!) your iiealtli. it Hhould bo done; but if tliiit is likely to'iivovo injurious, you may .stand or sit. Then be^in tiie ]ire,jmration to your meditation, in whieli you must never bn'set to plaee yourself, lirst of all, in the presence of God. This may lio done by repeating the foUowiu},' Acts : "O my (iod! I am firmly poisimded that thou art hero present, and I adore thee from the bottom of mv nothinjcness." Tiien huinblo yourself before God, siiyinR: "U my God, I deserve) to be l)uriiin!; this moment in hell. 1 am Bony for all my sins. Pardon mo in thine iufinito mercv." „ , „ ., i Lastly, pray God to onliKliten you; " Eternal l-atlier! for .the "love of Jesus and of Mary, enlit;litcn me lu thia meditation, in order that I may profit by it." It is well to add to these preparatory prayers", an^»e to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and a (ihria in honor of .St. Joseph, of our patron Saiiit, and of our jjuurdian Anj>;ol. These nets and prayers must bo made with great atten- tion, but witlunit dwellin;; on them too \ong. Before you enter upon the meditation itself, read nth attentitm one of the points j^iven in your book of Medi- tations. (See page 210.) If alrea.ly in the commence- ment you feel touched bv any truth, then read no farther. We must do, says St. Francis de Sales, as the bees do, for they Htxvp (m each flower until they havo sucked out all the honey. If, on the cimtrary. the first point of the Meditation proves to be a difficult one to make use of, go on at once to the secimd point. It is necessary to remark, that alth(mgh wo ordinarily 1 r 208 rAllTICULAll DEVOTIONS. niiiko uso of tlio unilnrHtnndiiift to odiisi'lor tho truthg of faith, yet the (>HNcntiul jMtint oi meditivtioii iipiihihU in tlio fdlldwmg tliiii>{H:— , I r . I. To awiikni l/ic aflWIioiis.—W p oiiKlit tliurnlorc to liuiiil.lo i.urnelv«s with ln'iiniflt NiiiiTritv, to nnnimto our fiiith anil our hopp, iinil aliove all to nuiko actH of contri- tion, of love to (JotI, and of oonforniity to Ihh holy will, and to offcM- ouf.Mdvns up entirely to him. \\v shoiild rofipat tho sannMilfi'rtioun over and over again, csi)ecially thoM! to wiiicli wfi fcol the most inclinrd. 'J. IIV iiiiikI iiKikf pililiinis.—\t is in nioditiition hat God shows us our misery, and how muiii wn need hi Kraw'tocomiuer our evil inclinatioiiH. and our otl.crt'no- mii's. For this roason the time of meditation is il • fittest tiino for prayer, (iod ordinarily ^ives his ^niee, and OHpe- eialiv tlie n'raee of perseverance, only to the «• who ],ray. "JxA-. iind i/oii s/oill rirriv,':" tiiercforc. nays St. leresa, if anv one does not ask, ho will not receive. ;!. 'IIV iiin.st iiiahr i/i>„il )r.s«'/"//"/(.v.— After hnvinp; dis- covered liv meditatio'n what we have to do on our prrl, in order to live in conformity witii the holy will ot (.od, an>l having asked his assistance, it still remanis (or us to put in practice what wo have thus seen to he nocus- wiry; otherwise our meditation will he ri'.all the p;ood resolution we have taken, for fear lest, when the occnsio •. arrives, it slaaild he already forgotten. After the gooil resolution comes tho end of the meditation. Then wo must thank (Jod for the holy inspirations which he has given us, and heseech hun, lor the love of Jesus and of Mavy. to help us to carry out in practice the good resolutions wo have nnide. Also, he- foro tho meditation is over, we ought to recommend to God the s(ml9 in Purgatory, the Holy Church, our friends and henefaetors, and all poor sinners, saying fortius pur- pose a J'otcr and an Air, which are the most eflicacious of all prayers, heing the same which our Lord Jesus Christ nnd tho Holy Church htt': 'aught U8. IIiivinR ( upon a cert not to omit do not bo I feel ti>e ci. MUVK lliut'l tlu! iiii;,; M, if .1 ly liu wf ire in i 11 I ^ive ill to CO ivorso for so swec! us this gn ili his pre' wants. I''i dear t'hrisl f.iil to regit your tidelil your praye The siin after ha\ii lines in a I following 1 1. What 2. What this ninttei 3. What 4. What Then as sistance, a yuu liavu i f!fS ON MKDITATION. truthi of* iittM in tlio urnforc to iiiimt(! (lur (if contri- liiily will, Vi' hIiouIiI especially iitifin 'hat '. iiccil hi' (itlier t'tio- , lI.L" fittest ,1111(1 OHpe- wliii ]iriiy. it. Toresa, invinft dis- imr iit'vl, ill of (!r the holy •li him, for firry out in Also, lie- [iiiiiiu'iid to our friends :)r tliis pur- ; efiicai'ious Lord Jesua IlnvinR once, with the advico of yoiir confessor, tlxod upon a cfrtaiii time in tlio day for iiieditatiuii, he can I'lil not to "iiiiit it oil aceoiiiit of aridity or di.stnuMioiiN, and do iioi l)C trou'ilnd or diMiimraj^ed when you no loiif/rr foul II" (.'iiMidatioiis of devotion. St. Krani'id of .Salcx HiiVh tliut '1 ureat nninlier of eoiirliiM;' wait e\ery day on til,! kill,; :u I tcMliiiiony of tlieir respeet, and are content if 1 ly liU iiideMccnds to look at tlieiii. We, too. when V,' in^ ill ii.r litation, testily our revereiiee towanU (lod, ii I ^ive him proofs of our love. If ho in williii.: then to Lo ivi)i«ie with ii-t, and eoiisole uh, we must he j;ratel'ul for *• .sweet a favor; hul if he is not disposed to f^iaut UJ this };ra''e, we iiiu-t l)e ■imteiit to remain recollected v. his presence, adoring liiiii and miikiiif^ known our wants. For allliou^h (onl sluuild not speak to yi air heart, dear Christian, in a i-ensihle manner, he sure he will not f.iil to ie;^ard with a favonihle eye these testinnaiies of your fidelity, ho will reward your coiitidenee, and tumwor your prayer. The siinplest method of meditatini; is tho foUowinj;. iiftt!r lia\ilij>; invokecl the Iltdy (ihost, yon read a few lines in a hook of nuMlitatioii.s, and then ask yourself the fidlowiiiL? ipiestioiis: — 1. Wliat docs the holy faith here say to nio? 2. What must 1 do to put in practice its teaching in this miitler? 3. What have I done hitherto? 4. What am 1 willinj; to do in future? Then ask of Ood, tliriainh Mary, to p;ivc you his as- sistance, and renew over and over ajzaiu th(3 resolution you have made before tho cross of Jesus Christ. 18« 210 PARTICULAR DEVOIiOiNS. MEDITATIONS FOR EVERY DAY IN THE WEEK. [From the writings of St. Alphonms Ligmri.) .^ MEDITATION FOR SUNDAY. ^ j On the End of Man. '- I. CoxsiDER, my soul, that God lias given tlieo exist- ence, made then iil'ter his own image, without any merit of tiiine, and adopted thee for liis own child in holy Bap- tism. Ho has loved thee more than a father, and lias created thee to love and servo him in this life, that thou nniyest eternally enjov him in iiaradise. Therefore, 'thou art not created and' must not live to ho hapi.y here on earth, to enjoy riches and authority, or to eat, drink, and sleep i?s do the aninnils, hut only to love thy God and win thy eternal salvation. And thy Lord has given tlieo created things for this use, to holV tiico to r<"ii(h thy great end. O wrctcdi that I am! I have thought of any thing else rather than of my eternal end. [For exam pie. : oft/iis or that thing. F.ci'' yj?»a«jg!aag!ga« < iij ^ti-uUM »i V 'erh!c]>s the tfor always. heir sins." iod pardons death, and fi one pin to nt far worse II what you God. Fear )d will send nough. He .H^ *"u M «t i wJ i ; l ukumw ^ ini ' L ii y DAILY Ml-.PIXATIONS. ^S has borne with you long enough. Tremble lest the first mortal sin you again commit after this, God will pardon Y(,u no more. Consider well ; your soul is at stake ; all eternity is at stake. How many have been moved by this great thought of eternity to leave the world and live in cloisters, deserts, and caves 1 0, unhappy sinner that 1 am 1 What have I gain(!d by so many sins? [lieftectvn the frequent repetition of your besetting sin.) A gui.tv conirieiice, a heavy heart, a burdened soul, hell deserved, and God lost ! Ah, my God and Father, unite me to thee once r ore and forever in sat red charity. [Incite t/ie spirit of contrition in your heart, and make a firm reso- " iT'Oonsider how this, the only important concern, is the most neglected of all. We think of every thing but our salvation. We have time for every thing but God. Exhort a man of the world to receive the feacraments oftener, or to make a meditation of half an hour, and he will answer you : 1 have children, I have property to take care of, I have business, I have so much to do. O my God ! Have you not a soul too? Call upon all vour pos- sessions, and your children and relations, to help you at the hour of death, they will give you no relief, neither can they rescue you 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 your sal- vation is not a thing which can be arranged easily ; you must layout efforts; you must d" y''U>-^cH- vK.lence if you would win the crown of eternal life. ( Ihmk oj that iesrfiimi sin which lies in your vay.) Ab ! how many Christiims who are now in hell, flattered themselves hat at some future time they would serve God and save tlieir souls! What folly to think always of what finishes so so,m, and to think so little of that which will never end! O Christian! think of your true home, remember that you will soon quit this earth and enter into the dvvelling of eternity. O horrible misfortune for you, should you be damned 1 Then, remember it well, there will be no more help for you. {Arouse in yourself the spirit oJ contrition, and make a firm resolution.) sm 214 PARTI. I l.AK DI.VOTIONS. III. Consider "woll, ChriPtian ! nndsny to yourself : I have only one soul; if 1 lose tlmf. I lose all. I have only one immortal bouI ; if I gain the whole world and ruin that, what does it profit n.e ? If I raise myself to hi-'h honor and distinction, and lose my soul, wliat does it profit me ? If 1 succeed in becoming; rich, and enlarge mv house, and provide well for my children and lose my soul, what will it profit me? How much l>'we the splendors, amusements, and vanities of life helped those who once lived in this world, and who have now become dust in the grave, and their souls the prey of hell b^ce this soul is mine, and since I have only one which it once lost is lost forever, then oufiht I nulcpd ni. st se- riously to think of my salvation, feomething ..) iar greater than common importante dei.ciuls on it; lor eter- nal happiness or eternal misery is involved. O my l.od, deeply penetrated with shame, I see that Have hitherto lived lite .me blind, and that 1 have wandered Iar from thee. (Think here once more of i/our br.vtlinf/ xni.) 1 have not thought of saving my soul. Save me, U my Father! for Jesus Christ's sake. 1 am content to lose all things, if only I do not lose thee, my God ! Mary, my hope ! save me by thy intercession. ( Axr-ife your heart to a deep aontrition, and make o firm renotuiion.) MEDITATION FOR TUESDAY. ,;^.; On mortal F,in. I Consider that God has created vou in order that you mavh'vehim; but you have rebelled against him with the blackest ingratitude; you have treated him as an enemy : you have despised his grace and his riends^hip. You knew that by your sins you would displeaso him and yet you have committed them. AVhat d..es be thai, man who commits sin ? He turns his back .m G.hI ; ho h,sTs respect for him ; he lifts his Imnd, it may be said to strike him ; ho grieves the heart of his (jod. (Is. Ixm. 10.) lie who sins, says in fac. to God: Withdraw from J me, I will acknowled my God ; gratificati( speak in your O'jd. preliend Ik sin. And sav ? IIoi mitted? and have goodness ; having ofl nitely lov( a firm re.i( II. Con mitting si who iiave thee with displeasui you answ obey thee is of no i not." Al this! (/ thee to be offending love thee of persev heart to a III. Co certain li palienihj come, he : (2 Mach. tempted ( sins after should ei for all et( lost; TJ ..»« ■ ><< »il«li|MW»ii^ DAILY MEDITATIONS. 215 ) yourself: I. 1 have world iviid mj-sc'lf to ■what (iocs nd enlnrf^e ml IdKcniy Imve the elprd those o\v become icll? Since >, wliich if ■d imM HC- iiif; of fivr it; for etcr- my (»od, ivc hitherto cd fur from !ii(/ xill.) I 1 ine, my tent to lose Kid! Mary, Excite your solution.) (Icr thnt you iMt him with him as an ■>, friendship, please him, loes lie, that on God ; ho may be said, il. (Is. Ixiii. thdraw from ««»ll.^«tl'-'W!l'i!l me, I will not obey thee, I will not serve thee, I will not ai'knowledge thee as my Lord, I will not have thee for my Ood; this pleaHiur, that worldly advantage, this gratitication of my revcii;c', must be my God. So do you speak in your heart wli.sicver you prefer a creature to your Gjd. St. Mary Mafjdalen of Pazzi could not com- prehend how a Christian, with his eyes open, could commit sin. And you who now are reading this, what do you say ? iri)W many mortal sins have you not already com- mitted? (Examine ynnraelf.) My God! pardon ii;e, aud have mercy on me. I have offended thy inhnite goodness; I hate my wins, I love thee, and repent of having offended thee, my Ood, thou who art so infi- nitely lovely ! [Arome yourself to repentance, and make a firm resolnlion II. Consider that in the moment when you are com- mitting sin, G(Mi savs to you: "My son! I am thy God, who liave created thee from nothing, who have redeemed thee with my blood. I forbid thee, under pain of my displeasure, to commit these sins." But when you sm, you answer your God and say: "0 Lord! I will not obey thee, I will procure for myself thi.s satisfaction ; it is of no importance to me whether it pleases thee or not." Alas ! my God, more than once have I done this! [Examine yourself.) IIow was it possible for thee to bear with me so long? that I had died before offending thee ! I will never displease thee more: I will love thee, infinite goodness! give me only the grace of perseverance! give me thy holy love! (Excite your heart to contrition, and make a firm resolution.) III. Consider that when the number of sins exceeds a certain limit, God abandons the sinner. " The Lord patieiUly expecteth, that when the day of judgment sJiall come, he may punish them in tfie fulness of their sins. (2 Mach. vi. 14.) When, then, my brethren, you are tempted again to sin, never more say: I will confess my sins afterwards. If God should let you die first, if he should entirely desert you, what would become of you for all eternity? Alasl how many in this way have been lost; They too hoped for pardon, but thi hour of death ■ ■■ JJ^ 216 PARTICULAR DEVOTIONS. camo, nnd they wero l.,st. tremble, for fear the siuiio thing should befall you. i i „ .>f *i,n He deserves no mercy M-ho takes advantage .)f the «oodne ' of Ciod to offe.fd hhn. God ban already par- § ned you so many sins. You have reason enough to fear that God will not forgive the next mortal 8.n you commrt Tl.ank him for having waited for you so kindly andTd iong,and make the firm resolution rather to suffer death tiian to commit Bin again. ^ ,i i T v,ovo From this day forward always say : my God t I have often tended thee! 1 will not employ the remnant of niv life in displeasing thee more : no, tliou dost not merit ^ich treatment as this. I will employ it only m loving and in sorrow for the sins I have «o'"n^'"«i«8"^^^* thee I icncnt of them witli my whole heart. My Jesu^ I an anxious to love thee; wi t thou give me irength and help me? Amen. (Exfe u. your .oul a sorrow for sin, and make a firm resolution.) MEDITATION FOB WEDNESDAY. On Death. I. Consider that this life must one day end. , Already has the sentence gone forth: "Thou '"<« /'«• »«£ is certain, but you know not when it will come. Uno ittledropflowi'ng through y <>-»?-[*; fj«l? ^en't in vour breast; a suffocating cold in the thwat, a violent mlh of blood, the bite of a poisonous [«?'' «' "^^^^^^^ wnnnd IV freshct an earthquake, a flash of lightning, is rrgh o deprive you of life. Death will come to you when you least expect it. How many have lain down to rieepZt night in Ulth, and in the morning bave been found dead ! May not this happen a« well to you ? AH those who 1 ave died bo suddenly, little thought that they wereTo die in this way, and if they were then 'u the ■tItPof sin where are they now? and where wll they bfth^ughaU eternity? Let it be as it may with them. SisirceK, that a time will one day come when lor you a night will close in, followed by no morning; o, a day will night. .1 nnd in se son, for 1 God dosii self to di for when noecssarj sett 111(1 41 drama of not when nioiitli, 01 paidon 11 a firm rr. II. Col Btrctebdl friends, r cifix at y already j afflict yo your ton IS burden heart reii and, pool rot. Tb nothing a little d come of worldly Thus yourself before \ childhoo sins, thii vanity, ( clinatioi this acq' you all 1 thorovg} eternity ' ^wmwmi.^ "m ar the saj\io tngo ;)f the ilreaily par- [1 enough to ■tal sin yi)U on 80 kindly ;her to suffer Glodt Ihavo remnant of )8t not merit ily in loving itted against heart. My lou give mc i i/our noul a {. 1(1. A!.-eady die." Death come. One vein burf ting roat, a violent ile, a fever, a lightning, is I come to you I lain down to ng have been to you ? All ight that they re then iu the lere vrill they ay with them, ume vrhen for morning; o^a {MPt^var^Mi DAIIiY MEDITATIONS. 217 day will begin for you that will be interrupted by no night. .IcMis Christ siiid, I will come as a thiol, unseen and in MKiet. Your nu-iciful Saviour warns ymi in sea- BoTi, for ho desires that you may bo saved. Do what God desires of you, profit hy the. warning, iircnare your- self to die well lieforc death itself comes. " Be ready,'' for when there is no more time for preparation, it ia nceessarv to be alrciid v prepared. ( Examine hen- ywrhe- sellliii/ sill.-:) It is 'certain tliat you must die. The drama of tliis world must close for you. and you know not when. Wiio knows whether you will live a year, a nioiitli, or ovoii till to-morrow? Jesus ! enlighten me and paidon mo. (Arome your soul to contrition, and make a firm resnhition?) e 3 lx, II. CtiiiiHiiler how von will be, at the hour of death, strctebol upon a bed, surrounded by your weeping friends, a priest by vour side to assist your soul ; a cru- cifix at your head, the lighted taper at your feet; in fine, nlreadv'just at the eiitiiincc of eternity. Dreadlul pains afflict vour distracted head, it grows dark around you, vour tongue is parched, vour breath is short, your breast 18 burdened, vour blood c'liilled. your flesh shrunken, your heart rent wi'th anguish, all yo" '"vve is gliding from you, and, poor and naked, vou will be thrown into a grave to rot. There worms and insects will gnaw your flesh, and nothing of you wili bo left but the crumbling bones and a littlo"dust. Open some grave and look! what has be- come of that rich, that avaricious man, that vain and worldly woman ? „ , , -u £ i Thus ends life. At the hour of death you will find yourself surrounde